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Citrus Thief

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Sessionable summer sour at 4.0%, number 010 of Kirkstall's Small Batch Series, brewed with lemon and lime. Zesty and light, it puts juicy citrus at the centre. A summer small-batch release, sold in cans since August 2026.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Mild
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusysourjuicy
citrusy
sour
juicy
orange
fruity
tart
Aroma
Vibrant citrus aromatics dominate the nose, with pronounced lemon and lime leading.
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Citrus Thief

◎ Appearance

Pale straw yellow with excellent clarity and bright, translucent character. Fine carbonation produces a delicate, persistent white head that clings gently to the glass. The overall presentation is crisp and inviting, befitting a summer sessionable release.

pale strawclearfine carbonationdelicate head

◌ Aroma

Vibrant citrus aromatics dominate the nose, with pronounced lemon and lime leading. Clean fermentation character provides a neutral, slightly crisp backdrop that allows the fruit to shine without competing adjunct notes. Very little Malz presence, keeping the bouquet light and refreshing.

lemon, lime zestclean fermentationbright citrusminimal malt

◐ Taste

The palate opens with juicy citrus acidity, balancing zesty lemon and lime across the mid-palate. Low bitterness (10 IBU) retreats quickly, allowing the fruit character to remain central. Dry, crisp finish with no residual sweetness; the sour character is integrated and approachable rather than aggressive.

zesty citrusdrylow bitternessfruit-forward

◑ Finish

Clean, relatively short finish with lingering citrus notes that fade to a dry, refreshing aftertaste. The 4% ABV ensures no alcohol heat or heaviness.

cleandry citrus fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
76
Appearance
79
Finish
74
Serve at 6–9°C

Serve at 6–9°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 Citrus Thief

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About Fruited Sour

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Fruited Sour?

Fruited Sour is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Fruited Sour

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

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