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Citra a.k.a. HBC 394

The hop that defined modern American IPA.

Origin
Yakima Valley
Country
USA
Released
2008
Alpha Acid
11–13%

What it tastes like

If you've ever wondered why hazy IPAs taste like grapefruit and passionfruit, the answer is usually Citra. Released in 2008 by the Hop Breeding Company, Citra hits the trifecta of citrus, tropical fruit, and stone fruit — grapefruit, mango, papaya, lychee, lime — all in one cone. It's the most-used aroma hop in American craft beer.

grapefruitpassionfruitmangolimelycheepapaya

Best in these styles

hazy IPAWest Coast IPAAmerican pale alesession IPA
Tasting Tip
When Citra is fresh, it pops with bright tropical-fruit aromatics. When it's old or oxidized, it fades to onion-and-garlic notes (a sign the beer should've been drunk months ago).

Beers showcasing Citra

Substitutes & relatives

If you can't source Citra, these hops bring overlapping character.

Mosaic
blueberry forward
El Dorado
watermelon forward
Nelson Sauvin
gooseberry forward

For brewers — technical profile

Alpha Acid
11–13%
Beta Acid
3–4.5%
Total Oil
2.2–2.8 mL/100g

Oil composition

myrcene
60-65%
humulene
11-13%
caryophyllene
6-8%
farnesene
<1%

History

Bred by John I. Haas, Yakima Chief Ranches, and Select Botanicals as part of the Hop Breeding Company. Parents include Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Tettnang, Brewer's Gold, and East Kent Goldings — but the result tasted like nothing that came before. First commercial release 2008. Within a decade it was the most-used aroma hop in American craft.

Freshness Note
Citra is highly volatile — it's the hop most prone to fading. A 4-month-old Citra IPA tastes meaningfully duller than one packaged 2 weeks ago.

Explore more hops

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