About This Beer
Duvel Tripel Hop Citra Belgian Strong Golden Ale 33cl 9.5% is a distinctive Belgian beer that brings together the classic character of Duvel and the expressive citrus aromas of American Citra hops.
Brewed by Duvel Moortgat in Belgium, this intensely hopped golden ale offers a fascinating combination of traditional Belgian fermentation flavours and modern hop character.
While Duvel Original is celebrated for its elegant balance of fruity yeast aromas, lively carbonation and dry bitterness, Tripel Hop Citra introduces a more pronounced citrus and tropical fruit profile.
The result is a beer that appeals to both Belgian speciality beer enthusiasts and drinkers who enjoy hop-forward IPAs.
The name Tripel Hop refers to the three hop varieties used in the brewing process.
Duvel's traditional Saaz-Saaz and Styrian Golding hops are joined by Citra, an aromatic American hop variety grown in Washington's Yakima Valley.
Saaz-Saaz and Styrian Golding provide the familiar herbal and spicy hop character associated with Duvel, while Citra introduces fresh impressions of grapefruit and tropical fruit.
This combination creates a beer that retains the identity of Duvel while offering a noticeably different aromatic experience.
The brewery uses dry hopping to develop the beer's distinctive character.
During this process, additional Citra hops are introduced after primary fermentation, allowing their aromatic oils to contribute to the finished beer without being lost during boiling.
Dry hopping is widely associated with modern IPA brewing, but Duvel demonstrates how the technique can complement a traditional Belgian strong golden ale.
Rather than allowing the Citra hops to dominate completely, the beer balances their bright citrus aromas with fruity Belgian yeast character and a dry, bitter finish.
At 9.5% ABV, Duvel Tripel Hop Citra is stronger than the original 8.5% Duvel.
Its considerable strength is balanced by lively carbonation and a refreshing hop profile.
The beer pours a bright golden colour with a generous white head.
Aromas of grapefruit and tropical fruit emerge immediately, accompanied by subtle spicy notes and the characteristic fruitiness associated with Belgian fermentation.
On the palate, citrus-led hop flavours combine with restrained malt sweetness and fruity yeast complexity.
The finish is dry and pleasantly bitter, with a lingering citrus character.
This combination makes Duvel Tripel Hop Citra particularly interesting for customers who enjoy American IPAs but want to explore the distinctive fermentation character of Belgian brewing.
Unlike many modern hazy IPAs, which emphasise soft texture and juicy hop flavours, Duvel Tripel Hop Citra retains the crispness, lively carbonation and dry finish associated with traditional Belgian golden ales.
The 33cl bottle is ideal for appreciating the beer as an individual serving or comparing it directly with Duvel Original.
It also provides an opportunity to explore how a single additional hop variety can transform the aroma and flavour of an established beer.
For customers interested in Belgian beer, Duvel Tripel Hop Citra demonstrates how traditional brewing methods can accommodate modern hop experimentation without losing their distinctive character.
Discover more Belgian speciality beers in our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Bright golden with lively carbonation and a generous, dense white head.
Aroma: Pronounced grapefruit, fresh citrus and tropical fruit, supported by subtle spice and fruity Belgian yeast notes.
Taste: Citrus-led hop flavours with impressions of grapefruit and tropical fruit, balanced by gentle malt sweetness, fruity fermentation character and a dry, lingering bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Lively and refreshing with fine carbonation, a relatively light texture for its strength and a gently warming finish.
About the Brewery
Duvel Moortgat is a historic Belgian family-owned brewery based in Breendonk, Belgium.
Founded in 1871 by Jan-Leonard Moortgat and his wife, the brewery has developed into one of the country's most internationally recognised speciality beer producers.
Its flagship beer, Duvel, has played an important role in establishing the Belgian Strong Golden Ale style.
The development of Duvel began in the years following the First World War, when the Moortgat family sought to create a distinctive beer inspired by British brewing traditions.
The beer was originally introduced as Victory Ale before adopting the name Duvel in 1923.
Over subsequent decades, Duvel became known for its pale golden appearance, remarkable carbonation, expressive yeast character and substantial alcoholic strength.
Its success established a strong foundation for the brewery's later experimentation.
In 2007, Duvel Moortgat began exploring how additional hop varieties could influence the character of its flagship beer.
The idea behind Duvel Tripel Hop was relatively straightforward: retain the familiar characteristics of Duvel while introducing a third hop variety to create new aromas and flavours.
Over the following years, the brewery experimented with different hop combinations.
Each variation offered a different interpretation of the relationship between Belgian fermentation character and aromatic hops.
In 2012, the brewery introduced a version featuring Citra hops.
Citra is an American hop variety particularly valued for its expressive citrus and tropical fruit aromas.
The hops used for Duvel Tripel Hop Citra are grown in Washington's Yakima Valley, one of the world's best-known hop-growing regions.
The combination proved particularly successful.
Citra's fresh grapefruit and tropical fruit characteristics complemented the fruity fermentation aromas already present in Duvel, while the beer retained its distinctive dry and bitter finish.
Following several years of experimentation, Duvel organised a blind tasting to determine which Tripel Hop variation should become a permanent part of its range.
More than 5,000 participants took part in the tasting, comparing different versions without knowing which hop varieties they contained.
The Citra version emerged as the favourite and was subsequently selected for permanent production.
This decision established Duvel Tripel Hop Citra as an important part of the brewery's range rather than simply another experimental release.
Its success demonstrates how traditional Belgian brewing can be combined with hop varieties more commonly associated with American craft beer.
The brewery uses three hop varieties in Duvel Tripel Hop Citra.
Saaz-Saaz and Styrian Golding provide the traditional hop foundation, while Citra introduces a distinctive aromatic character.
The Citra hops are added through dry hopping, a technique that involves introducing hops during a later stage of the brewing process.
Because these hops are not subjected to the same prolonged boiling as earlier hop additions, more of their delicate aromatic oils remain in the beer.
This contributes to the pronounced grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas that distinguish Tripel Hop Citra from Duvel Original.
The brewery's approach reflects a balance between innovation and continuity.
Although the additional Citra hops create a noticeably different beer, the underlying character remains recognisably Duvel.
The result combines Belgian yeast complexity, expressive hop aromas, lively carbonation and a crisp finish.
For beer enthusiasts, Duvel Tripel Hop Citra offers an opportunity to explore how different brewing traditions can influence one another.
It is particularly relevant to customers who enjoy Belgian Strong Golden Ales, Belgian IPAs and hop-forward speciality beers.
Food Pairings
Duvel Tripel Hop Citra is particularly well suited to dishes that complement its pronounced citrus aromas, lively carbonation and dry bitterness.
Its combination of Belgian yeast character and American Citra hops creates several interesting opportunities for food pairing.
Grilled chicken is an excellent starting point.
Chicken prepared with lemon, garlic and fresh herbs complements the beer's citrus character while allowing its fruity fermentation notes to remain noticeable.
The beer's carbonation provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of roasted or grilled chicken skin.
Seafood is another attractive option.
Grilled white fish, prawns and seafood prepared with citrus-based sauces work particularly well with the beer's grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas.
The bright hop character complements fresh seafood flavours, while the dry finish helps balance richer accompaniments.
For a more substantial seafood dish, consider grilled salmon with lemon and herbs.
The natural richness of salmon provides a useful contrast to Duvel Tripel Hop Citra's bitterness and carbonation.
Spicy dishes can also provide interesting combinations.
Thai-inspired chicken dishes featuring lemongrass, ginger, coriander and lime echo the beer's citrus and tropical fruit character.
However, particularly hot chilli dishes may intensify the warming effect of its 9.5% alcohol content.
Moderately spiced dishes are generally a more balanced choice.
Indian-inspired dishes featuring aromatic spices, ginger and coriander can also work well, particularly when the heat level is restrained.
The beer's carbonation and hop bitterness provide contrast to richer sauces, while its citrus aromas complement fresh herbs and spices.
Cheese offers another opportunity to explore its versatility.
Mature Cheddar, aged Gouda and Comté provide savoury, nutty flavours that contrast with the beer's citrus character.
Blue cheeses can create a more adventurous pairing, with their saltiness and richness balancing the beer's bitterness.
For a lighter option, consider a goat's cheese salad with citrus dressing.
The acidity of the dressing complements the beer's grapefruit aromas, while the cheese provides a creamy contrast to its carbonation.
Vegetarian dishes can work equally well.
Roasted cauliflower with lemon and herbs, grilled courgettes and vegetable dishes featuring aromatic spices offer flavours that complement the beer's hop profile.
A mushroom and herb tart provides a more savoury contrast, allowing the beer's citrus character to stand out.
Duvel Tripel Hop Citra is also an interesting accompaniment to casual food.
Burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches and savoury pastries provide enough richness to balance its pronounced bitterness.
For a tasting platter, combine mature cheese, savoury crackers, roasted nuts and lightly spiced snacks.
The 33cl bottle is ideal for enjoying alongside a meal or exploring the beer's flavour as part of a Belgian beer tasting.
Serve at approximately 5°C in a clean Duvel glass or suitable tulip glass.
Allow room for its generous white head, which helps release the beer's distinctive hop aromas.
As the beer gradually warms, its fruity fermentation character and citrus aromas may become more noticeable.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Duvel Tripel Hop Citra 33cl, Duvel Original 33cl is the natural next beer to explore.
Both share the same brewing heritage, but their hop profiles create noticeably different drinking experiences.
Duvel Original emphasises delicate fruity yeast aromas, refined hop bitterness and a crisp, dry finish.
Tripel Hop Citra introduces more pronounced grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas through the addition of American Citra hops.
Comparing the two is an excellent way to understand how dry hopping can influence the character of a traditional Belgian golden ale.
Duvel Tripel Hop Cashmere is another interesting option for customers who enjoy the brewery's experimental hop variations.
Cashmere hops offer a different aromatic profile, with impressions of citrus, peach, melon and coconut.
For another strong Belgian golden ale, explore Delirium Tremens 33cl.
This celebrated Belgian beer offers its own distinctive combination of fruity fermentation aromas, spice and warming strength.
Westmalle Tripel is another excellent comparison.
Produced at Westmalle Abbey, this authentic Trappist beer demonstrates a more traditional approach to strong golden Belgian brewing.
Its fruity fermentation character and balanced hop bitterness provide an interesting contrast to the pronounced Citra aromas of Duvel Tripel Hop.
For customers who enjoy hop-forward beers, Duvel Tripel Hop Citra can also provide a useful introduction to Belgian IPA styles.
Its combination of expressive American hops and Belgian yeast character offers something different from conventional American IPAs.
Explore our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection for more traditional Belgian ales and contemporary speciality beers.
Whether you're a Duvel enthusiast, an IPA drinker exploring Belgian styles or simply looking for a distinctive strong golden ale, Duvel Tripel Hop Citra 33cl offers an engaging combination of grapefruit, tropical fruit, Belgian yeast complexity and dry bitterness.
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