Citra is an American hop variety that was introduced in the late 2010s. In the USA, the craft beer movement had already outgrown its infancy, and in Europe, too, the news of hopped beer was slowly reaching the masses. Citra is still one of the favorites of many craft brewers and is found in countless India Pale Ales and other styles of modern brewing. The aroma hop comes from a complex line of different varieties and is characterized by a distinctive citrus repertoire, which also gave the plant its name. Its umbels give the brew juicy and sparkling notes of grapefruit, lime and lemon, but also deliver tropical hints and a crisp, almost harsh bitterness.
The Irish brewery Rye River Brewing has taken on the extraordinary hop variety and created an award-winning beer from it. Their Hop Drops Citra Extra Pale is a pale palate that combines Citra’s virtues with a blend of mild, understated malts.
Hop Drops Citra presents itself in the delicate light yellow of sun-ripened lemons and smells like it: sour citrus notes, herbs and floral hops fill the air. The initial taste is wonderfully refreshing and lets a bouquet of freshly mown grass, citrus zest and tropical fruits bloom on the tongue. A balanced bitterness perfectly rounds off the beer enjoyment.
Water, barley malt, wheat , hops, yeast.