With Citrus season in full swing through February, Josh Waldman, Brewmaster at Elysian Brewing, shared some insight on these beers and why they’re so popular.
The relationship between citrus and beer dates back centuries, from the use of bitter orange peels in Belgian styles to the discovery of New American Hop Varieties, such as orange zest-like Cascade hops, first commercially introduced all the way back in 1971.
What makes a citrus beer so appealing? Waldman says it’s simple: “They offer refreshing and sprightly flavors for contemporary drinkers.” There’s no better example than Elysian’s Altered Contact:
- Altered Contact Tart IPA – 6.8% ABV: Altered Contact rewires your perception of IPAs with its electrifyingly tart and juicy demeanor. Plug into galvanized notes of orange, tangerine, mango, and pineapple, There’s no turning back now.
If you’re interested in something that’s a bit less citrus-forward but still features tropical/fruity notes, be sure to check out the other two members of Elysian’s Contact Trilogy:
- Contact Haze Hazy IPA – 6% ABV: This IPA is tangled chemistry of mild haze, low bitterness, and an explosion of hop aroma. On top of the typical citrus notes of hazy IPAs, Contact Haze features flavors and aromas of raspberry, currant, guava, and passion fruit.
Full Contact Imperial Hazy IPA – 8.8% ABV: Cloaked in a semi-translucent haze, an imposing presence beckons you to come closer. As you do, your nose opens to a tangent of wistful memories—peach season in the orchard, a tangerine tree on a hill, fresh honeydew cold from the fridge, and a vanilla cream soda in your hand.
