One of our viewers named Mark sent us this recipe to brew. Here’s the note he sent along with it:

Hi Dudes,

So this is a beer that I have had some good reviews with. I Like Citra but not at the alcohol levels it normally seems to appear in. So I wanted to make a session type ale and I looked to make a Blonde using only Citra. To be fair, it’s slightly hoppy for the style (18A) according to the recipe builders but as it is mostly late hops, this doesn’t necessarily translate. and after all, it’s all about the flavour.

It is all about the flavor. See our video about his Citra Blonde Ale Recipe.

Citronde Recipe

Batch Size : 23 L – 6 Gallons
Boil Size : 26.85 L – 7 Gallons
Post-Boil Vol : 25 L – 6.6 Gallons

WATER

Reverse Osmosis Water with mineral additions for a Light and Hoppy profile

1 g – Baking Soda (NaHCO3)
2.6 g – Calcium Chloride (CaCl2)
1.4 g – Epsom Salt (MgSO4)
6 g – Gypsum (CaSO4)

Water Profile:
Calcium – 75 PPM 
Magnesium – 5 PPM
Sodium – 18 PPM 
Chloride – 48 PPM
Sulfate – 137 PPM

Sulfate to Chloride Ratio: 2.9

GRAINS

3.35 kg – 7.4 pounds of Floor Malted Maris Otter Malt (88.2% of bill)
200 g – 7 ounces of Torrefied Wheat 5 EBC (5.3% of bill)
150 g – 5.3 ounces of Acidulated Malt (4% of bill) 
100 g – 3.5 ounces of Carafoam (2.6% of bill)

HOPS

20 g of Citra hops at 10 minutes to go in the boil – (12.5% AA)
20 g of Citra hops (12.5% AA) at 5 minutes to go in the boil 
60 g of Citra hops (12.5% AA) for 20 minute hop stand at 80° C (176° F) 

YEAST

1 packet of Fermentis SafAle US-05 American Ale Dry Yeast

INSTRUCTIONS

Mashed at 67 °C (152° F) for 60 minutes
Fermented at 22°C (72° F) for 7 days
Cold Crashed at 2 °C (35° F) for 3 days

RESULTS

Pre-Boil Gravity: 1.036
Original Gravity: 1.039 ( I got 1.042)
Final Gravity: 1.008

What Did We Think?

We love that this recipe uses only Citra hops and aims to create a session-style ale with lower alcohol levels. The beer is slightly hoppy for the American Blonde Ale style, but the late hops used don’t translate to super- high IBUs. Mike found the beer having a candied lemon and apricot aroma and flavor, with a subtle citrus hop flavor and a light, smooth body. If you’re looking for a summer beer, this one is an excellent choice.

Cheers, Mark and Brew ON!