18th Street Citra Express 6Pk

18th Street Citra Express 6Pk is a 5.8% ABV session IPA from Hammond, Indiana, built around an aggressive charge of single-varietal Citra hops. With nearly 2,000 ratings on Untappd averaging 3.7 out of 5, this hop-forward session beer has earned a loyal following among drinkers who want tropical punch without heavyweight alcohol.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.8%  |  Origin: Hammond, Indiana, USA  |  Style: Session IPA  |  Brewery: 18th Street Brewery  |  Format: 6-Pack

Production & Heritage

18th Street Brewery operates out of Hammond, Indiana, at its Oakley Avenue facility. Citra Express is defined by an unusually heavy loading of Citra hops — a single-varietal approach the brewery describes as packing "more tropical, citrusy Citra hops into this beer than should be allowed by law." Rather than blending multiple hop varieties, the recipe leans entirely on Citra's well-documented tropical and citrus character, delivering that intensity in a sessionable 5.8% ABV package that stays well below standard IPA strength.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citra hops dominate the nose immediately, opening with orange sherbet and tangerine before shifting into grapefruit rind and a grassy, slightly dank undercurrent. Notes of orange marmalade linger behind the initial citrus burst.

Taste: The entry is bright with tangerine and apricot, moving quickly into a mid-palate of pine resin and light honey sweetness. A faint circus peanut quality and grassy bitterness add complexity without overwhelming the citrus core. The moderate bitterness stays balanced against the fruit-forward hop oils.

Finish: Smooth and surprisingly short for an IPA, with lingering citrus peel and a dry, clean close. The light body and low residual sweetness make the finish refreshing rather than sticky.

How to Drink Citra Express

Citra Express is best served cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to open up the hop aromatics. Its lower ABV and light body make it a natural all-afternoon beer. For cocktail-adjacent applications, try it in a Beer-garita (inverted into a frozen lime margarita) where the Citra hops amplify the citrus base; a Shandy mixed with fresh lemonade for a backyard crusher; or a Michelada where the tropical citrus character plays well against tomato, lime, and hot sauce.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for a summer cookout or tailgate
• Introducing hop-curious friends to IPA flavors without the high ABV
• Pairing with grilled food where a full-strength IPA would overpower
• Sessionable drinking during long sporting events or outdoor gatherings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Citra Express taste like? Citra Express delivers bright tangerine, apricot, and grapefruit flavors supported by pine and a touch of honey, with a smooth, clean finish. The Citra hops drive a distinctly tropical and citrus-forward profile without heavy bitterness.

How does Citra Express compare to Founders All Day IPA? Both are session IPAs designed for easy, extended drinking, but Citra Express uses a single-varietal Citra hop bill that pushes harder into tropical fruit territory. Founders All Day IPA, at 4.7% ABV, is slightly lighter in body and alcohol, with a more balanced and restrained hop character.

Is Citra Express good for beginners? Yes — the 5.8% ABV and smooth, fruit-forward hop profile make it far more approachable than aggressive West Coast or double IPAs. It serves as a solid entry point for anyone exploring hoppy beer styles.

Where is Citra Express made? Citra Express is brewed by 18th Street Brewery at its facility on Oakley Avenue in Hammond, Indiana, in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. The brewery is a well-known part of northwest Indiana's growing craft beer scene.

What foods pair well with Citra Express? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the citrus hop character echoing lime and cilantro. Spicy Thai noodles work well, as the low bitterness and tropical fruit cool the heat. A simple margherita pizza lets the hop aromatics shine without competition. Ceviche mirrors the beer's bright acidity, and sharp cheddar provides a rich counterpoint to the dry finish.

What sizes does Citra Express come in? Citra Express is available in a standard 6-pack format, the most common packaging for this expression.

Is Citra Express worth the price? Citra Express positions as a mid-range craft session IPA — a competitive tier where hop quality and drinkability matter most. The single-varietal Citra hop bill and consistent community ratings suggest it delivers strong value relative to other session IPAs at this price point.

Why Citra Express?

What separates Citra Express from the crowded session IPA field is the decision to go all-in on a single hop varietal. Citra is one of the most prized and recognizable hop varieties in American craft brewing, prized for its tropical oil content, and 18th Street loads it in at levels that rival full-strength IPAs. The result is a beer that punches above its 5.8% ABV weight class in flavor while remaining genuinely sessionable. For drinkers who want hop intensity without committing to a 7%+ IPA, Citra Express fills that gap with focus and clarity.