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Citrus Sue

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Sweet tropical notes fill this citrus blonde ale. Fresh orange peel goes into the brew to give it a bright pop, and Citra is the featured hop. At 5.2% ABV, the brewery makes it for warm afternoons. It is part of the Sue series from Toppling Goliath of Decorah, Iowa, which has brewed in town since 2009.

ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyorangetropical
citrusy
orange
tropical
hoppy
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced fresh orange peel and bright citrus character from the Citra hop, layered with supporting tropical stone fruit notes.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Citrus Sue

◎ Appearance

Citrus Sue presents a bright golden-blonde color with excellent clarity and a moderate white head that settles into fine lacing. The beer shows good carbonation visible as a steady stream of small bubbles rising through the clear body. The overall presentation is inviting and visually refreshing.

golden-blondebright clarityfine lacingwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced fresh orange peel and bright citrus character from the Citra hop, layered with supporting tropical stone fruit notes. A light malty sweetness provides backbone without dominating, and clean yeast character allows the hop expression to shine through cleanly. The overall impression is vibrant and fruit-forward without any harsh or grassy edges.

orange peeltropical fruitCitra hopclean and bright

◐ Taste

Entry is soft and approachable with sweet citrus flavors—fresh orange and light tropical notes—that occupy the center of the palate. Mid-palate develops a moderate hoppy bitterness (35 IBU) that provides structure without overwhelming the fruit character. The finish is clean and refreshing, with the sweetness and citrus remaining well-balanced against gentle, lingering bitterness.

citrus-forwardmoderate bitternesssweet and refreshingbalanced

◑ Finish

The finish is medium in length, fading gradually with residual citrus and a soft hop bitterness. A pleasant drying sensation lingers without astringency, leaving the palate clean and ready for another sip.

medium finishlingering citrusclean departure
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
72
Serve at 7–10°C

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass

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

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Citrus Sue

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About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

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

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