hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Citra Noel

Tap to rate

A mahogany-hued, hoppy holiday red ale: Citra brings tropical notes of orange, grapefruit and stone fruit over a smooth, rich maltiness with toffee and caramel. At 7.3% ABV and 35 IBU, with crystal malts and Citra, Azacca and Mosaic hops, it was meant to feel festive yet stay drinkable all evening. Seasonal from October to December, sold only in Ohio.

ABV
7.3%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter35 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
dark29
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
hoppytropicalcaramel
hoppy
tropical
caramel
citrusy
malty
orange
Aroma
The nose leads with bright citrus—fresh orange zest and grapefruit pith—lifted by the trio of Citra, Azacca and Mosaic hops.
also:fruity
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Citra Noel

◎ Appearance

A mahogany-to-copper hued ale with good clarity and a dense, off-white head that clings to the glass with fine Schaumkleiden. The body sits opaque rather than brilliant, typical of the crystal malts employed. Carbonation appears moderate, neither flat nor aggressively effervescent.

mahogany-copperdense headcrystal-malt body

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus—fresh orange zest and grapefruit pith—lifted by the trio of Citra, Azacca and Mosaic hops. Underneath lies a warm undertow of toffee and light caramel sweetness from the Malz, grounding the tropical top notes without overwhelming them. A subtle stone-fruit character emerges on closer inspection, suggesting peach or apricot.

tropical citrustoffee sweetnessstone fruitnoble hops

◐ Taste

The palate entry is smooth and full-bodied, with caramel and toffee flavors anchoring the mid-section. Citra and Mosaic bring waves of orange and grapefruit that sit comfortably atop the malt backbone—hoppy without aggression at 35 IBU. The bitterness is restrained and balanced, allowing the fruity character and residual sweetness to remain prominent through the mid-palate.

balanced bitternesscaramel-forwardcitrus-drivensmooth malt bed

◑ Finish

A lingering, dry-to-medium finish with fading citrus and a gentle toffee echo. The aftertaste is clean and drinkable, inviting another sip without cloying.

dry-to-mediumcitrus fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
79
Finish
80
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Citra Noel

More from Columbus Brewing Company

America 250-Ohio IPA
America 250-Ohio IPA
American IPA
5.7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Bodhi
Bodhi
Double IPA
8.3%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Bodhi Jr.
Bodhi Jr.
IPA
4.7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Columbus Brewing Bodhi
Columbus Brewing Bodhi
Double IPA
8.3%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Columbus Brewing IPA
Columbus Brewing IPA
American IPA
6.5%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Columbus Festbier
Columbus Festbier
Festbier
5.3%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Columbus IPA
Columbus IPA
IPA
6.3%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Columbus Pale Ale
Columbus Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
5.6%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

About Amber Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Ale?

Amber Ales have 4.5–6.2% ABV and IBU 25–40. Caramel malt sweetness balanced by moderate hop bitterness, a reddish-amber colour and smooth finish.

Finding a similar Amber Ale

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all Amber Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →