Brewer's Pale Ale (Citra Hop Blend)
Anchor Brewing Company
- From:
- Anchor Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Pale Ale
- ABV:
- 5.3%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.55 | pDev: 11.55%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 13
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Aug 25, 2025
- Added:
- Mar 25, 2018
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 5
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
The Citra Hop Blend of Brewers’ Pale Ale is a refreshing, easy-drinking pale ale with bright aromatics of tangerine, Meyer lemon and melons. While the first version of Brewers’ Pale Ale highlighted the unique Nelson Sauvin hop from New Zealand, the Citra Hop Blend possesses a more citrus-forward flavor profile with notes of pine in the background. Anchor’s team of brewers will continue to experiment with their favorite hop varieties in the Brewers’ Pale Ale series, releasing new hop blends periodically. The malt bill, alcohol, bitterness and brewing process stay consistent, but each new blend has unique flavors and aromatics.
39 IBU
39 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.46/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.46/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
RB transfer
Aug 25, 2025
Reviewed by CTHomer from Connecticut
3.36/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
3.36/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
A: hazy; deep gold in color; with a fairily aggressive pour, a 3 finger ivory head that receded to a skim cap; OK lacing;
S: subdued tropical fruit; a little floral as well;
T: follows the nose from start to finish; mild bitterness at the end;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: the label promises "an intense tropical fruit and fresh hop aroma"; this was not that;
May 06, 2020S: subdued tropical fruit; a little floral as well;
T: follows the nose from start to finish; mild bitterness at the end;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: the label promises "an intense tropical fruit and fresh hop aroma"; this was not that;
Reviewed by ThemThangs from California
3.86/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.86/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Smells very hoppy and fresh in the glass.
Taste makes me think of citrus rind (in a good way, not too bitter) and grapefruit juice. A very drinkable beer.
Oct 19, 2019Taste makes me think of citrus rind (in a good way, not too bitter) and grapefruit juice. A very drinkable beer.
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire
3.13/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.13/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
From the bottle marked 10719. Sampled September 21, 2019.
Pale yellow, cloudy pour underneath a long lasting white foamy head. Some lacing.
This is probably an old bottle because both the hops and malts smell stale. Yeah, some citrus bite but mainly cardboard.
Medium body.
The taste has a hint of citrus but the fact that this is likely an old bottle crushes all of that. Kind of clean finish. Just not a highly enjoyable experience.
Sep 21, 2019Pale yellow, cloudy pour underneath a long lasting white foamy head. Some lacing.
This is probably an old bottle because both the hops and malts smell stale. Yeah, some citrus bite but mainly cardboard.
Medium body.
The taste has a hint of citrus but the fact that this is likely an old bottle crushes all of that. Kind of clean finish. Just not a highly enjoyable experience.
Reviewed by Santosizer from California
3.09/5 rDev -13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.09/5 rDev -13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I remember Rogan making a joke, if I gave you a sandwich that was literally 49% sh%t and the other 51% was the base of my marketing. Legally I can market it, but you're still eating a sh%t sandwich.
This is one of the hardest IPAs Ive had to review. Especially considering it has my favorite hop being citra.....
Well It pours a hazy gold body. Great head retention. Smell, is a bit over ripe, like spoiling grapes. That could be the nelson though. Taste is just like the nose. Body is thin and slammable. Overall my issue with this beer is the marketing. They have CITRA as a big part of the branding. I just hate being lied to. This beer had way too much going on. Just call it a damn IPA and save yourself from my elitist criticism.
Aug 04, 2019This is one of the hardest IPAs Ive had to review. Especially considering it has my favorite hop being citra.....
Well It pours a hazy gold body. Great head retention. Smell, is a bit over ripe, like spoiling grapes. That could be the nelson though. Taste is just like the nose. Body is thin and slammable. Overall my issue with this beer is the marketing. They have CITRA as a big part of the branding. I just hate being lied to. This beer had way too much going on. Just call it a damn IPA and save yourself from my elitist criticism.
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania
3.84/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.84/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Retired, shmetired! I only found this one recently & I don't frankly care if it may have been a tad old. Anchor BC is one of the few places that I will still regularly buy bottles from. I visited them a few times while stationed at/on NAS Alameda, across the SF Bay & I remain a fan of their beers.
From the Bottle: "Brewer's Pale Ale is an aromatically complex, double dry-hopped American Pale Ale. The Citra Hop Blend has an intense tropical fruit and fresh-hop aroma, balanced with a crisp, refreshing finish."
Of all of the caps that I have Pop!ped, none speak to me like the fouled anchor of their trademark. I began my Navy career as a general deck seaman & I was nearly killed once when the brake on the anchor windlass failed & the damn thing began playing out uncontrollably with me stuck on the foc'sle in its path! I was saved by a shipmate, Jimmy B., who I have been connecting with regularly since December 2018 after 30+ years. He & Chief Wargo heaved around on the brake until it finally engaged & we could haul the anchor back into the hawse pipe using the capstan. A fouled anchor is one whose chain or line has gotten entangled in the shank & I have a tattoo of one fouled by hops bines! Ha.
Pop!ping complete, I signaled for the starboard crane to swing around & hoist it for a pour. I started a slow, gentle C-Line pour until the crane operator misunderstood one of my hand gestures & inverted it! 8=O Liquid began rushing out MUCH faster than I wanted & before we could get it righted, I was faced with massive foaming! Great googly moogly! I watched as it approached the rim of the glass, but before broaching, it suddenly settled into two-plus fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, bone-white head with excellent retention. Speaking of bone, we found some whalebone in the Bosn's Locker & we are going to try out hand at scrimshaw during Rope Yarn later. Avast, ye landlubbers & sandcrabs! Why ye be starin' at me all agape like I be speakin' a foreign lingo?!? Watch as I heave around on this here glass for a taste! But first, I need to peer through the spyglass to see what's what in Whoville. Arrgh! It be a beauteous Golden-Amber (SRM = > 5, < 7) in color with NE-quality clarity & now, it be time to repel borders! The notorious Gelt Gang of Midas, Croesus & Mammon be slavering for a taste, but this bounty is mine, all mine! Yinz hear me, ya buncha jagovs?!? Nowt for ye this go-'round! Not when we be on the high seas & piracy is a keelhaulin' offense.
D'ye know the origin of the term? The keel is the backbone of the ship, NOT a "boat", ye dinghy f**kstick! It be the C-Line of this fine vessel, upon which the hull is built. If ye misbehaved (& VERY badly), yer hands would be secured behind your back with line, NOT rope!, & more line would be encircled around yer legs with the bitter end knotted tightly to the base of the mainmast. Ye would then me made to walk, er, shuffle the plank until ye went overboard! Aaarrrgh. Ye would then be hauled along, under or near the keel. Yer best option was drownin' 'cause we not been in drydock for a while & so everything below the waterline be festooned with them blisterin' barnacles. They'll tear yer flesh open in ways that would make me cat o' nine tails envious, causing ye to begin bleedin' & profusely, I might add. That'll attract the lawyers, I mean, sharks & then ye'll really be done. Perhaps a trip into the South China Sea, the most shark-infested waters on this planet, for a demonstration …
Mouthfeel was medium, about par for this course. The hoppy bitterness was understated, dare I say "subtle"? It had a citrusiness that was evident without being overwhelming as in an AIPA. They clearly knew when & where to set the brake & did so admirably, Admiral. Was it truly a showcase for Citra hops? I would not say so, but it was certainly a good introductory course. Finish was pleasantly dry & quite refreshing. I quite enjoyed the (ship's) company of this one! YMMV.
Jul 28, 2019From the Bottle: "Brewer's Pale Ale is an aromatically complex, double dry-hopped American Pale Ale. The Citra Hop Blend has an intense tropical fruit and fresh-hop aroma, balanced with a crisp, refreshing finish."
Of all of the caps that I have Pop!ped, none speak to me like the fouled anchor of their trademark. I began my Navy career as a general deck seaman & I was nearly killed once when the brake on the anchor windlass failed & the damn thing began playing out uncontrollably with me stuck on the foc'sle in its path! I was saved by a shipmate, Jimmy B., who I have been connecting with regularly since December 2018 after 30+ years. He & Chief Wargo heaved around on the brake until it finally engaged & we could haul the anchor back into the hawse pipe using the capstan. A fouled anchor is one whose chain or line has gotten entangled in the shank & I have a tattoo of one fouled by hops bines! Ha.
Pop!ping complete, I signaled for the starboard crane to swing around & hoist it for a pour. I started a slow, gentle C-Line pour until the crane operator misunderstood one of my hand gestures & inverted it! 8=O Liquid began rushing out MUCH faster than I wanted & before we could get it righted, I was faced with massive foaming! Great googly moogly! I watched as it approached the rim of the glass, but before broaching, it suddenly settled into two-plus fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, bone-white head with excellent retention. Speaking of bone, we found some whalebone in the Bosn's Locker & we are going to try out hand at scrimshaw during Rope Yarn later. Avast, ye landlubbers & sandcrabs! Why ye be starin' at me all agape like I be speakin' a foreign lingo?!? Watch as I heave around on this here glass for a taste! But first, I need to peer through the spyglass to see what's what in Whoville. Arrgh! It be a beauteous Golden-Amber (SRM = > 5, < 7) in color with NE-quality clarity & now, it be time to repel borders! The notorious Gelt Gang of Midas, Croesus & Mammon be slavering for a taste, but this bounty is mine, all mine! Yinz hear me, ya buncha jagovs?!? Nowt for ye this go-'round! Not when we be on the high seas & piracy is a keelhaulin' offense.
D'ye know the origin of the term? The keel is the backbone of the ship, NOT a "boat", ye dinghy f**kstick! It be the C-Line of this fine vessel, upon which the hull is built. If ye misbehaved (& VERY badly), yer hands would be secured behind your back with line, NOT rope!, & more line would be encircled around yer legs with the bitter end knotted tightly to the base of the mainmast. Ye would then me made to walk, er, shuffle the plank until ye went overboard! Aaarrrgh. Ye would then be hauled along, under or near the keel. Yer best option was drownin' 'cause we not been in drydock for a while & so everything below the waterline be festooned with them blisterin' barnacles. They'll tear yer flesh open in ways that would make me cat o' nine tails envious, causing ye to begin bleedin' & profusely, I might add. That'll attract the lawyers, I mean, sharks & then ye'll really be done. Perhaps a trip into the South China Sea, the most shark-infested waters on this planet, for a demonstration …
Mouthfeel was medium, about par for this course. The hoppy bitterness was understated, dare I say "subtle"? It had a citrusiness that was evident without being overwhelming as in an AIPA. They clearly knew when & where to set the brake & did so admirably, Admiral. Was it truly a showcase for Citra hops? I would not say so, but it was certainly a good introductory course. Finish was pleasantly dry & quite refreshing. I quite enjoyed the (ship's) company of this one! YMMV.
Reviewed by MrOH from Virginia
3.77/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.77/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Slightly hazy gold, white head with good retention and lace.
Lots of citrus and tropical fruit in the nose, not incredibly potent, but is there all the way.
Tastes like a Citra-focused hoppy pale ale. Y'all know what I mean. Not exception, but far from horrible.
Mouthfeel, carbonation, and figure are about what you want from a pale ale.
A more than serviceable hoppy pale ale. I'm just kinda tired of Citra at this point.
Jul 08, 2019Lots of citrus and tropical fruit in the nose, not incredibly potent, but is there all the way.
Tastes like a Citra-focused hoppy pale ale. Y'all know what I mean. Not exception, but far from horrible.
Mouthfeel, carbonation, and figure are about what you want from a pale ale.
A more than serviceable hoppy pale ale. I'm just kinda tired of Citra at this point.
Reviewed by mynie from Maryland
4.47/5 rDev +25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This is currently labeled "retired" but I got it in a mix 12er that ain't supposed to expire for 50 more days, so I dunno.
I still deeply love Anchor's flagship lineup. Even after the buyout, they're still making beer to old school style, and they're still excellent even if they're not up to contemporary tastes. That means, however, that I got some trepidations about them trying something new--especially something like a citra pale, which is newer than an old style but at the kind of age where it's just kind of trite.
This pours like Zombie Dust: medium-pale orange, medium hazy, tight fizz.
Aroma is citra with an older school yeast strain, which means there's bright fruit and against a mineral-y backbone, and I'll be damned if that isn't pretty good.
Tastes... fuck, that's quite good. Bright citra up front: mild grapefruit that is sour and sweet. But then a firmer, maltier, and yeastier middle and finish than what's typical of a citra pale. It's always hoppy, but there's some breadininess there, and some welcome spice, and then the finish is as dry as gin.
It's different. It's distinctly Anchor. But it comes together really well. At the very least, it's not an attempt at the exact same thing 500 other brewers have tried to do with a citra pale. They didn't abandon their brand, even after selling out. I set out expecting to not like this particularly much, but I'm sorry this is very well done.
Jul 06, 2019I still deeply love Anchor's flagship lineup. Even after the buyout, they're still making beer to old school style, and they're still excellent even if they're not up to contemporary tastes. That means, however, that I got some trepidations about them trying something new--especially something like a citra pale, which is newer than an old style but at the kind of age where it's just kind of trite.
This pours like Zombie Dust: medium-pale orange, medium hazy, tight fizz.
Aroma is citra with an older school yeast strain, which means there's bright fruit and against a mineral-y backbone, and I'll be damned if that isn't pretty good.
Tastes... fuck, that's quite good. Bright citra up front: mild grapefruit that is sour and sweet. But then a firmer, maltier, and yeastier middle and finish than what's typical of a citra pale. It's always hoppy, but there's some breadininess there, and some welcome spice, and then the finish is as dry as gin.
It's different. It's distinctly Anchor. But it comes together really well. At the very least, it's not an attempt at the exact same thing 500 other brewers have tried to do with a citra pale. They didn't abandon their brand, even after selling out. I set out expecting to not like this particularly much, but I'm sorry this is very well done.
Reviewed by josanguapo from Spain
2.22/5 rDev -37.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
2.22/5 rDev -37.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
De Labirratorium. En copa Teku. Almorzando, tras partido de futbito. Con filetes de pollo a la plancha. Peculiar sabor que supongo que sera de alguna levadura especifica de anchor que no combina bien con toques citricos. Queda artificialoide
Jun 24, 2019
Reviewed by AdmiralOzone from Minnesota
3.5/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Listed as a retired beer, obviously isn't. Pours a slightly cloudy bright yellow, large white head with nice retention and lacing. Aroma is lightly lemon. Flavor is lemony with slight biscuit touch. Subtle hop finish. Feel is crisp and clean. Overall not something that makes you want to run out and buy more, but easy drinking none the less.
May 29, 2019
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia
3.65/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.65/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 ounce bottle - $2.29 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Appearance: Pours a moderately hazed, medium yellow-toned body with a medium-small, collapsing, white head.
Smell: A modest maltiness, with a sufficiently rustically spicy hop nose sporting citrus, resin-brushed melon with a little backnote of onion.
Taste: Coarse, crunchy breadiness to the malts, minimally sweet. Lemon-lime, under-rippened melon, hopspice with some tempered lawn onions (lawnions), resiny tones. Medium bitterness. Finishes fairly dry with some of that crisp, crunchy maltiness from the fore and receding hop flavors.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.
Overall: Not bad. Easy drinking, fairly flavorful. Competently constructed but won't blow your socks off like mishandled firecrackers.
May 08, 2019Appearance: Pours a moderately hazed, medium yellow-toned body with a medium-small, collapsing, white head.
Smell: A modest maltiness, with a sufficiently rustically spicy hop nose sporting citrus, resin-brushed melon with a little backnote of onion.
Taste: Coarse, crunchy breadiness to the malts, minimally sweet. Lemon-lime, under-rippened melon, hopspice with some tempered lawn onions (lawnions), resiny tones. Medium bitterness. Finishes fairly dry with some of that crisp, crunchy maltiness from the fore and receding hop flavors.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.
Overall: Not bad. Easy drinking, fairly flavorful. Competently constructed but won't blow your socks off like mishandled firecrackers.
Reviewed by Nash39 from Florida
3.31/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.31/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I like the bottle label design, great use of color by the way. The pour is dark yellow. The taste is slight sour, some lemon type of citrus, some bready malts. I'm not really digging this one. Cheers! B-
May 02, 2019
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