Hop Butcher Meet The Citras 4Pk

Hop Butcher Meet The Citras 4Pk is a hazy New England-style IPA brewed in Chicago, Illinois, at 6.5% ABV, sold as a 4-pack of 16oz cans. Part of Hop Butcher For The World's massive rotating lineup of over 250 releases, this Citra hop showcase carries a 4.1 rating on Untappd across more than 1,300 reviews — a strong signal of consistent quality from a brewery that never sits still.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Chicago / Bedford Park, Illinois  |  Style: Hazy / New England IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher For The World

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher For The World operates out of Chicago's Lincoln Avenue location and a production facility in Bedford Park, Illinois. The brewery has built a cult following through a relentless rotation model — rather than maintaining year-round flagships, they constantly release new beers, often reaching consumers just hours or days after canning. Meet The Citras spotlights the Citra hop variety in a hazy IPA format, leaning into the soft, unfiltered body and juicy hop expression that defines the New England style. That rapid-to-market freshness is a core part of what distinguishes Hop Butcher releases from the broader hazy IPA field.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe orange and grapefruit dominate the nose immediately, followed by waves of peach and citrus blossom. Behind the primary citrus, subtle notes of pineapple, melon, and wildflower add complexity.

Taste: The entry is bright and juicy with bold orange and grapefruit citrus front and center. Mid-palate brings softer stone fruit — peach and a hint of strawberry — layered over pale malt sweetness and a light doughy quality. Bitterness stays restrained rather than aggressive, letting the Citra hop's fruit-forward character lead throughout.

Finish: The finish is juicy, leaning sweet but clean, with enough carbonation to keep things refreshing and prevent any cloying weight. Lingering citrus peel and a faint grassy, piney note provide a pleasant dry edge that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Meet The Citras

Drink this hazy IPA cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to maximize the aromatic experience. The haze and hop oils benefit from a gentle pour that builds a soft white head. This beer is built to drink fresh; don't cellar it. A Michelada riff using Meet The Citras adds citrus depth beyond what a lager provides. A Beer-garita (blending the IPA with a classic margarita) plays off the grapefruit and orange notes naturally. A simple Shandy with fresh lemonade makes a sessionable warm-weather drink that highlights the beer's juicy sweetness.

Best For

• Hazy IPA fans exploring top-tier Midwest craft breweries
• Bringing a standout four-pack to a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who tracks limited-rotation releases
• Pairing with spicy or citrus-heavy dishes at a casual dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Meet The Citras taste like? Meet The Citras delivers bold ripe orange and grapefruit citrus with supporting notes of peach, pineapple, and melon, finishing juicy and sweet but clean. The bitterness is moderate rather than sharp, making it approachable while still hop-forward.

How does Meet The Citras compare to Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue? Both are Citra-focused pale ales from respected Midwest breweries, and reviewers have noted similarities in their juicy citrus profiles. Meet The Citras leans hazier and softer in body as a New England-style IPA, while Pseudo Sue is typically a clearer, slightly more bitter American Pale Ale at a lower ABV (5.8%).

Is Meet The Citras good for beginners? Yes — its restrained bitterness and juicy, fruit-forward flavor make it one of the more approachable hazy IPAs for drinkers new to the style. The 6.5% ABV also keeps it moderate and sessionable enough to enjoy without palate fatigue.

Where is Meet The Citras made? Meet The Citras is brewed by Hop Butcher For The World, which operates a taproom on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago and a production brewery in Bedford Park, Illinois. Distribution focuses heavily on freshness, with cans often reaching shelves within days of packaging.

What foods pair well with Meet The Citras? Spicy fish tacos work well, as the citrus and juicy sweetness cool the heat. Grilled chicken with a citrus glaze mirrors the beer's orange and grapefruit notes. Thai green curry benefits from the beer's soft body and tropical undertones. A simple charcuterie board with mild cheeses and stone fruit lets the hop character shine. Buffalo wings pair naturally, with the carbonation and citrus cutting through richness and spice.

What sizes does Meet The Citras come in? Meet The Citras is available as a 4-pack of 16oz cans, which is Hop Butcher's standard packaging format for their rotating IPA releases.

Is Meet The Citras worth the price? Meet The Citras positions in the premium craft IPA tier, consistent with Chicago's top-shelf hazy offerings. The combination of ultra-fresh canning practices, a dedicated Citra hop bill, and Hop Butcher's strong community ratings at 4.1 on Untappd and 4.01 on BeerAdvocate supports its value within the competitive hazy IPA market.

Why Meet The Citras?

Hop Butcher's rotation-only model means Meet The Citras isn't a permanent shelf fixture — it's a snapshot of the brewery's focus on Citra hops at peak freshness. That freshness-first philosophy, with cans often distributed mere hours after packaging, translates directly into hop vibrancy that fades quickly in lesser-handled beers. With consistent ratings above 4.0 on both Untappd and BeerAdvocate, it has earned credibility across a broad base of experienced craft drinkers. For anyone chasing a clean, juicy, citrus-driven hazy IPA from one of Chicago's most prolific breweries, this release delivers exactly what the name promises.