Citras Maximus India Pale Lager by Gate City Brewing Co. is being evaluated as an IPL, India Pale Lager. Currently, there’s no associated BJCP style number for this sub-category of beers. The style is generally accepted as a hoppy version of a German Pilsner with a clean, lager-like fermentation and the use of more noble hop varieties. Aggressive, new age hops are generally not used and if so, are done so in a restrained way.
Citras Maximus’s aroma is intense and focused on Citra-like character. Overripe papaya, lychee, melon, ruby red grapefruit, and resin dominate over light honey and grain. No off-flavors are present in the nose.
It’s quite a hazy beer considering than it should be nearly clear for a lager even with higher hopping schedules. It also features a golden color with a persistent, ivory head.
The flavor follows the aroma with those same, intense tropical notes. There’s a bit more honey malt in the flavor which is probably emphasized by the semi-sweet finish and the low-medium bitterness. Lingering resin and tropical fruit with sit on your palate far after you swallow.
This offering from Gate City was wonderful to drink and quite tasty. But currently, for the style that’s printed on the can (IPL), it misses the mark. For a NE Pale Ale, it’d be close to spot on.