Hot summer days call for lighter, thirst-quenching beers, and with the heat we’ve had in Central Oregon this past week it was the perfect time to break out the Citra Blonde Summer Brew that Widmer sent me. This is of course not the first time I’ve had this beer—it made an appearance last year as well—but it is the first time I’ve taken notes to review it.

At 4.3% abv this is a perfect session beer, crisp and light while still being hoppy and flavorful. Widmer says:

Citra hops lend their name to this interpretation of a golden ale. But that’s not all they bring to the party. Their striking citrus aroma and thirst-quenching flavor are the perfect pairing for soft malt notes. Together they create a beer that’s full in flavor and uniquely refreshing.

Appearance: Bright gold color, clear with lively tiny bubbles rising continuously, feeding a crisp white head though it broke down quickly.

Smell: Bright and juicy tropical fruitiness, citrusy and floral. A touch of white grape. Nicely aromatic.

Taste: Hops on the palate have more of a clean bitterness than fruity presence, not too strong and it’s doing a good job of being thirst quenching. Very clean, other than the prominent hoppiness.

Mouthfeel: Light, crisp, very clean, almost cleansing on the tongue.

Overall: Well-brewed and yet still a nicely hoppy beer with fantastic nose.

Citra Blonde on Untappd. BeerAdvocate: 83/100. RateBeer: 3.22/5, 72nd percentile.