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Pale Ale Citra

The Kernel Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · American Pale Ale · One of 212 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

The Kernel's flagship single-hop pale ale — labelled simply with the hop variety. "Upfront hops, lingering bitternesses." Citra hops give tropical citrus and stone fruit character. The beer that defined London's hop-forward pale ale movement. Single-batch, always fresh.

ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
See all American Pale Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
tropical
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
clean
Distinctive notes
peach
Compare with another beer →

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 hoppy, citrusy, peach character as Pale Ale Citra will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Pale Ale Citra

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Pale Ale Citra

Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, inviting shine. A generous white head forms readily and clings persistently to the glass, displaying fine Schaumhaftung. Carbonation appears lively and well-integrated, with a steady stream of fine bubbles rising through the body.

pale goldclearpersistent headbright

Aroma

The nose leads with vibrant Citra hop character — prominent grapefruit zest and lime pith, underscored by stone fruit notes of apricot and peach. A subtle herbal undertone balances the citrus exuberance, while a delicate malty backbone provides restraint. The aroma is fresh and forward, characteristic of single-batch brewing and careful hop handling.

citrus zeststone fruitgrapefruitpeach

Taste

Entry is crisp and hop-driven, with tropical fruit — mango and guava — building across the mid-palate alongside stone fruit sweetness. The bitterness is medium and composed, arriving cleanly without harshness, and lingers with clarity rather than harshness. A light malt sweetness supports the hops without overwhelming, allowing the Citra character to remain the focus throughout.

tropical fruitbitter cleanmalt-restrainedcitrus-forward

Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with the promised hop bitterness extending pleasantly into the aftertaste. Peach and citrus notes persist without becoming astringent, leaving the palate refreshed and inviting another sip.

drylingering bitterrefreshing
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
89
Taste
87
Appearance
85
Finish
82
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Food Pairing

What to eat with Pale Ale Citra

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