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C Bomb

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C Bomb is an American pale ale brewed with large quantities of Citra and has been part of the Arbor range for more than a decade. The single variety carries the whole aroma: grapefruit and lime first, then melon, passion fruit and lychee, with a slightly sharp gooseberry edge. Trade descriptions speak of distinct citrus and tropical fruit. A pale malt base adds a light sweetness without weight, and the finish is dry with a clear bitterness reminiscent of orange peel.

ABV
4.7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusytropicalfruity
citrusy
tropical
fruity
hoppy
orange
clean
Aroma
The nose is dominated by Citra's signature citrus character: grapefruit and lime lead, followed by stone fruit and tropical notes of melon, passion fruit, and lychee.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for C Bomb

◎ Appearance

C Bomb presents a pale golden hue with bright clarity and a fine white head that settles to a light ring. The carbonation is crisp and steady, with minimal lacing descent down the glass. The beer's visual profile reflects its approachable, straightforward character.

pale goldenclearfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by Citra's signature citrus character: grapefruit and lime lead, followed by stone fruit and tropical notes of melon, passion fruit, and lychee. A subtle gooseberry edge adds slight sharpness, while the pale malt base provides a faint, soft sweetness underneath. The aroma is fresh, vibrant, and well-defined by the single-hop choice.

grapefruit, limepassion fruit, melonlycheegooseberry edge

◐ Taste

The palate opens with bright citrus and tropical fruit that mirror the aroma, supported by a light, clean malt foundation that avoids heaviness. The mid-palate is lean and refreshing, allowing the hop character to remain prominent without overwhelming. Bitterness builds toward the finish with a drying, spice-like quality reminiscent of orange peel.

citrus forwardlight malt sweetnessdry bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and moderately dry, with lingering orange-peel bitterness that fades gradually. No residual sweetness remains; the aftertaste is clean and hoppy.

dryorange peelclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
76
Appearance
75
Finish
74
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with C Bomb

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About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, dry, tropical character as C Bomb will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →