Back in early September I wrote about the wonderful Citra hop, under the post; On the Citra hops bandwagon! I mentioned that All Gates were on it. Since then a good number of other brewers have also jumped on it; believing this is a hop that will automatically make all a good brewer, not!

Sierra Nevada Brewery in the U.S.A. (and two other breweries) originally funded the research and development of this hop variety and own most of the acreage available in the world.  

I first heard about it late in 2009 and then saw it and more importantly had my first whiff of its wonderful aromas at Charles Faram’s stand at the SIBA Annual conference in Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this year and resolved immediately that I just had to have some.   

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Better late than never, but a belated thank you to Paul Corbett and in particular Suzan Brett of Charles Faram for organising the above; courtesy of Martin & Julia Powell-Tuck at Pridewood Farm, Ashperton, Herefordshire on 7th September.

We made an early start from Wigan and arrived promptly at 12.30p.m., as proceedings were getting underway. The marquee was already filling up and come 1.00pm and the buffet, the tent was full. It was great to see what must have been 200+ micro brewers represented and it just goes to show how our industry is thriving.

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Yes All Gates are on it and I am pleased to say, for a change, at the forefront. I have a very good friend whose adage on life in general; is never be a leader; always a follower. I have always disagreed with him and can’t see the point of living your life effectively in other people’s shadows.

As for the Citra hop I think the excellent Oakham brewery was the leader, the first brewery in the UK to use Citra back in April with the first of their single hop variety beers; Citra.  The beer proved so popular I understand that they will now be brewing it permanently from January 2011. Their description; a light refreshing beer with pungent grapefruit, lychee and gooseberry aromas leading to a dry, bitter finish.   

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