Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, Florida) has officially announced that Wedge Cut, an American Wheat Ale with lemon peel, will launch in September as the brewery’s latest Seasonal Release.

Inspired by “Florida’s cigar history, its citrus industry and its status as an outdoors destination,” Wedge Cut is an American Wheat Ale that showcases Lemon Drop hops – “a moderate alpha acid hop . . . prized for its distinct aroma and flavor of lemon zest and, indeed, lemon drops.”  To round out the recipe, Cigar City’s brewers utilize “malted wheat for the style’s signature texture and flavor” and then hit the beer with Willamette hops “for bittering before the beer is fermented with a clean, neutral American Ale yeast.”  Weighing in a highly drinkable 4.5% ABV, Wedge Cut promises to be “a flavorful, approachable and sessionable offering from one of the fastest growing breweries in the U.S.”

“With this recipe, our brewers and I wanted to highlight the expression of Hopsteiner’s very unique Lemon Drop hop,” says Sean Sasscer, Director of Brewing Operations at CCB. “On its own, the hop gives off flavors and aromas of lemon zest and lemon oil. When it’s combined with actual lemon peel, the hop takes on a remarkable lemon drop and overripe citrus quality. We’re really pleased with the play between ingredients in this beer.”

Wedge Cut is rolling out now and is scheduled to stick around through December 2019.  You can expect to find this new Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Cigar City’s 40 state distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Wedge Cut from Cigar City Brewing

Release – Seasonal; September – December 2019
Style – American Wheat Ale
ABV – 4.5%
IBUs – 22
Featured Hops – Lemon Drop
Fun Fact – “To name the beer, [Cigar City Brewing] looked to its Florida roots. A wedge cut cigar cutter cuts the cap of a cigar in a ‘v’ shape and spreads the smoke of a fine cigar wider over the palate. The name continues CCB’s tradition of honoring Tampa’s cigar making history. The name also references one of Florida’s favorite outdoor activities, as a wedge is a type of golf club. Finally, Wedge Cut brings to mind a lemon wedge, a nod to the beer’s specialty ingredient as well as Florida’s thriving citrus industry.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.cigarcitybrewing.com/beer-finder/