Beer Review: Battle of The Citrus Beers

“Pulp can move, baby!” but can it move our tastebuds in the first citrus beer challenge?

Summer is here, so with that comes the onslaught of citrus beers, ales and radlers of the citrus variety. From Grapefruit to Blood Orange we tried four varieties of beer available in Ontario to see which ones have the squeeze on things.

Lake Of Bays Sunseeker Tangerine Pale Ale

It was overcast (as you can see), so we were definitely seeking sun, but did we find it in the Sunseeker Tangerine Pale Ale?

Made by Lake Of Bays in Muskoka, the Sunseeker Pale Ale was our first citrus serving of the day. Citrus was prevalent, with rind highlights but only super subtle undertones of tangerine. So, subtle IMO, I had some problems tasting it, not the same for my camp-anion. We agreed it was a little bitter end to end. So, for those who like their beer on the skunky side you may enjoy it. For us it was just ok.

Dougie: 2/5 (Aggressive, Citrus, Hoppy, Skunky, Sour)

Fumino: 2/5 (Aggressive, Hoppy, Skunky)

Average: 2/5

Moosehead Grapefruit Radler

Does the Moose have the juice? Take the test with our score card.

From Moosehead, Canada’s oldest independent brewery, we get their take on the radler. Although, I don’t think they are growing grapefruits in St. John’s, this is delicious! A smooth, easy drinking grapefruit radler, where the beer and the juice nicely harmonize. Not overtly juicy, nice and balanced.

Dougie 3/5 (Balanced, Citrus, Creamy, Fruity)

Fumino: 3.5/5 (Balanced, Citrus, Creamy, Fruity, Sweet)

Average: 3.25

Judgy about beers? Use our Beer Tasting Score Card!

Our Cottage Mixtape Beer Tasting Score Card PDF is perfect for printing or downloading.

Stiegl Grapefruit Radler

*No not a ‘sauga rattler*, a Salzburger Radler! You can come down from picnic bench.

I know radlers are half beer, half juice. This tastes like all juice. It is no wonder considering how low the alcohol is (2.5%) but really I feel like you could drink this all day and never feel the effects of alcohol… nor the taste.

Dougie: 2/5 (Balanced, Citrus, Crisp, Fruity, Honey)

Fumino: 3/5 (Balanced, Citrus, Crisp, Fruity, Herbal, Sweet, Need ice)

Average: 2.5/5

Society Of Beer Drinking Ladies – Blood Orange Saison

It’s summer, so it’s citrus beer drinking ‘saison’ in full swing.

Finally, we come to the Society Of Beer Drinking Ladies – Blood Orange Saison a limited edition from the Henderson Brewing Company. It was a delicious combination of bitter rind, that evaporates into a champaign-esque effervescence. A taste that keeps you coming back for more. I was surprised how fruity delicious this was for a modest alcohol percentage of 5.5%.

Dougie: 3/5 (Balanced, Citrus, Crisp, Fruity, Herbal, Sour)

Fumino: 3/5 (Balanced, Citrus, Crisp, Sour)

Average: 3/5

Battle of The Citrus Beers Conclusion

….And so it seems like “another one drinks a Moose ” as it ranked highest in our first cirtus battle. We both though that it tasted really delicious, it wasn’t overly sweet but it really creamy and smooth. As a radler, it wasn’t just a whole bunch of juice slapped on top of beer. It had good harmony that didn’t sacrifice the beer.

I guess “Another One Drinks A Moose” in our Battle of the Citrus Beers. Have a recommendation? comment below.

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