Citrus beers have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a refreshing and unique twist on traditional beer styles. These beers are infused with citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes, giving the beer a zesty and tangy flavor.
One of the most popular styles of citrus beer is the IPA. IPAs are known for their hoppy bitterness, but the addition of citrus fruits gives them a refreshing and juicy quality. The Community Beer Citra Slice is a prime eample of a citrus IPA, with its bold and vibrant flavor profile. Another popular citrus IPA is the Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin, which is brewed with grapefruit peel and offers a bright and tangy flavor.
But citrus beers are not limited to just IPAs. Many breweries have experimented with adding citrus to other beer styles, such as wheat beers, saisons, and even stouts. The Westbrook White Thai is a Belgian-style wheat beer brewed with lemongrass and ginger, offering a spicy and citrusy twist on a classic style. The Cigar City Florida Cracker is a refreshing Belgian-style white ale brewed with orange peel and coriander.
Some breweries have even taken citrus beers to the extreme, adding large quantities of fruit to their brews. The Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale is made with lime juice, sea salt, and black lime, offering a tart and salty experience. The Founders Brewing Co. Blushing Monk is a Belgian-style ale brewed with raspberries, giving the beer a sweet and fruity flavor.
Citrus beers offer a unique and refreshing twist on traditional beer styles, appealing to both hopheads and lovers of fruit beer. With a wide range of styles and flavors to choose from, there is a citrus beer out there for everyone to enjoy.
Beers with a Citrus Taste
One beer that is known for its citrus taste is the Community Beer Citra Slice. This particular brew is an India pale ale that boasts a bold, bright, and vibrant flavor profile. The beer is brewed with Citra hops, which are known for their citrusy aroma and flavor. This gives the beer an authentically citrus taste that is reminiscent of lemon and orange peel. The beer has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 7%, which is relatively high for an IPA. if you're looking for a beer with a citrus taste, the Community Beer Citra Slice is definitely worth trying.
Exploring the Citrusy Flavor of Beer
Beer can be citrusy due to the presence of certain hops varieties that impart citrus flavors such as Cascade, Citra, Amarillo, and Simcoe. These hops contain high levels of essential oils, which give off aromas and flavors of grapefruit, orange, lemon, and lime.
Additionally, some brewers add actual citrus fruits to their beers. The zest, peel or juice of grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and limes can be added durig the brewing process to create a more pronounced citrus flavor.
Furthermore, yeast strains can also play a role in creating citrusy flavors in beer. Some strains produce esters that give off fruity aromas and flavors, including citrus.
The combination of hops, citrus fruits, and yeast strains can create a complex and refreshing citrus flavor profile in beer.
Are Citrus Flavors Common in IPA Beers?
Not all IPA beers are citrusy. The flavor profile of an IPA can vary widely depending on the type and brewing process. While some IPAs may have a strong citrus taste, others may have a more intense and bitter flavor. For instance, New England Style IPAs, West Coast IPAs, and English IPAs tend to have more of a fruity flavor, but there are also othr types of IPAs, such as Belgian IPAs and Black IPAs, that have a different taste altogether. It's important to note that the use of different hops, malts, and brewing techniques can also greatly impact the taste of an IPA.
Conclusion
Citrus beers have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their refreshing and fruity flavor profiles. From IPAs brewed with Citra hops to those infused with actual citrus zest and peel, there is a wide range of options available to suit every taste preference. Whether you prefer a bold and bitter West Coast IPA or a juicy New England Style IPA, there is a citrus beer out there for you. So, next time you're looking to quench your thirst with a cold, flavorful beer, consider trying a citrus-infused brew for a truly refreshing experience.
