Citra (Hop), a trademarked and patented aroma hop released by the Hop Breeding Company LLC (HBC) in 2009. Originally called “HBC 394,” Citra is the result of a cross performed in 1990 as part of a controlled breeding program in Washington’s Yakima Valley. A single plant was selected out in 1992 and the first commercial plot of 6 acres was planted in 2008. Citra has an interestingly mixed pedigree that can be split out as 50% Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, 25% US Tettnanger, 19% Brewer’s Gold, and 3% East Kent Golding. Although classed as an “aroma hop,” given its alpha acid content of 11%–13%, Citra can also be used as a bittering hop, especially given that cohumulone is relatively low at 22%–24% of alpha acids. Citra matures mid-season and has moderate resistance to downy and powdery mildew. Yields are average at 1569 kg/ha to 1793 kg/ha (1,400 to 1,600 lbs per acre), and the storage stability is fair.

What sets Citra apart and gives it a bright potential is its uniquely exotic citrusy aroma and very high total oil content, which hovers between 2.2% and 2.8%, about twice the oil of Cascade and among the highest of any hop. The oil has 60%–65% myrcene, 11%–13% humulene, 6%–8% caryophyllene, and notably high linalool at 1%–2%. Many breeders and brewers feel that linalool is closely associated with pleasant hop aromatics in beer. Citra, which was named for its citrusy aroma, also shows notes of gooseberry, tropical fruits, and lychee nuts, along with some “catty” black currant notes than can emerge in dry hopping. The hop’s intensity gives it a particularly obvious role in pale ales and India pale ales. Few hops have emerged onto the scene in the past several years with quite the fanfare that Citra has, and the hop seems destined for steadily increasing acreage for some time.