Day 3 of the 4th Annual Advent-ure Calendar
Day 3: Columbus Brewing Company Citra Noel
Columbus Brewing states that Citra Noel is a “mahogany colored ale that features tropical notes from Citra hops and has a deep rich malt character.” In other words, we’re switching it up from dark and strong to light and hoppy. Those normally aren’t characteristics of a Christmas ale, but we like when breweries shake things up a bit.
Reflections
Beard & Broad
Beard: I look forward to this release every year. You’d be hard pressed to find a bad beer from Columbus and this is no exception. It is however an exception to most Christmas/Holiday ales in that there’s no spices involved here, just fresh, awesome hops. It’s not too bitter though which is why I like it. Lots of hoppy, citrusy flavor but it doesn’t ruin your palate. Just a fantastic beer and one of my favorites around this time of year.
Broad: This is the most refreshing Christmas beer out there. It’s not too hoppy but it has the right amount of hops. It’s so light and crispy yet also malty but not too malty. I definitely get tropical notes and while I usually don’t want that flavor in my winter beers, it’s just so damn tasty that I can’t complain. It’s nice to switch it up from the heavy, spiced beers. This could be a beer you find during any season really. This is easily in my top 5 Christmas beers and I’m going to find more this weekend.
Adam & Alex
Adam: Citra Noel: this is fast becoming my favorite beer of the holiday season. Not because IPAs are my favorite style (but beard is making an IPA boi one season at a time) but because it offers such an awesome departure from what you would expect from a winter beer. It’s crisp and hoppy. I get lots of notes of tropical fruits and pine. We have bought more of these than just about anything else so far this season
Alex: I think I like this one even more than last year! That may be because I have really started to enjoy IPA’s throughout the year, but regardless, it’s delicious! I can taste tropical fruit, and pine. Also, I think it smells really good, like fresh snow and Christmas trees. I will definitely drink/purchase Citra Noel again!
Scott & Christa
Scott: SO GOOD! I remember loving this beer last year and I’m still loving the smooth, light-bodied taste again this year. While it has a nice malty taste that’s typical of winter beers, it’s not nearly as spiced or sweet as the top dogs in the Christmas beer pantheon. And that’s okay because I can drink this one through the holidays and well past the end of the Cleveland winter season (aka May).
Christa: When I saw Scott opening a Citra Noel, my heart leapt with joy. It is one of my favorite Ohio Holiday beers. As I’ve noted, HUGE IPA fan so this was a no brainer for me. I buy it every year because I know and trust it’s going to be good. It’s a sweeter IPA, great for people first dipping their toes in the IPA waters but still has the perfect hint of citrus to make it stand out. Does is scream Holidays? No. There’s nothing besides that added sweetness that’s frequent in holiday offerings that makes this beer fit for the season. Is it great? Yes. I’ll enjoy it in the terrible cold of the Cleveland winter and let that hint of citrus take me to warmer destinations.
Tony & Megan
Tony: Our first real dose of hops arrives on an amber colored sleigh from Columbus. Citra Noel is an interesting Christmas beer because it is very hops-forward with some fruity, citrusy flavors on top. Not what you expect from a Christmas beer necessarily but it works nicely. I don’t usually like IPA’s or real hoppy beers but they are starting to grow on me (well not literally, that would just be weird……or pretty awesome). Overall its crisp, easy to drink, good flavor, and has a unique citrusy taste.
Megan: I’m probably in the minority when I say I’m not a big fan of IPAs or very hoppy beers but this one, although hoppy, is crisp and not overly bitter. It’s amber in color and feels light for a Christmas beer. I like that this Christmas ale features fruity notes because one can easily be overwhelmed with cinnamon and spruce tips this time of year.
