Citronious Shake
Calusa Brewing

Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Poured from the 16 oz. can into an El Catador teku glass.

A: Hazy darkish gold. A good amount of visible carbonation with a finger's worth of white head with good retention.

S: Citrus and tropical fruits - mangoes and tangerines. Cracker malts and vanilla. Milder spicy and dank hops. Nice for sure, not insane.

T: Citrus fruit and vanilla, tropical fruits - mangoes and papayas. Citrus pith and cracker malts and lactose sweetness. Moderate bitterness in the hang that’s partially balanced by the lactose-forward sweetness.

M: Medium-bodied, with a good amount of creamy-feeling carbonation. Minimal alcohol flavors.

O: This is (I think) my first “shake” IPA. It’s pretty enjoyable, but I’m not loving it. I’m not certain if it’s not a great example of the sub-style, or if I just don’t love it. The vanilla and lactose add a fair amount of sweetness. It’s still unmistakably hop-forward, but I sure prefer the regular Citronious (or especially the Citronious Big). The more I drink of it, I think the lactose sweetness is okay, but the vanilla doesn't seem to play well with the rest of the flavors.

 

 

16 oz. can. Pours somewhat hazy, but clearer than Citronious Big. Smells of mango, citrus, and vanilla. Tastes much the same. Mango, citrus, and vanilla. Some lactose sweetness, but it's light. Medium body. No bitterness. Not exactly creamy, but a little bit. Good, but not my thing.

 

 

 

Taking the ever seductive Citra hops and shaking them up a bit, the Citronious IPA undergoes a creamy, milky facelift. Generous additions of lactose and vanilla bring a smoothie-like flare to the precipice of beer.

Citronious Shake jumps out with a strong citronella perfume. Citron candle, in all its radiant fragrance is redolent with herb, tea and botanicals- all wrapped in a vanilla cream cocoon. Pale gold in color, the beer's rich haze is just dense but gives the appearance of fruit juices. Once again, a creamy lather of foam rests atop the ale and awaits that first vanilla filled, honey, biscuit and light caramel malt sweetness.

The bulk of sweetness recedes from the middle palate leaving a host of citrus hops in its wake. Tangerine and mandarin orange becomes condense a juicy flavor to the point where more tropical and exotic fruit begins to shine. Mango, pineapple and passionfruit burst to life, giving a strong impression of orange push-ups. Moderately high bitterness is crisp yet smooth, giving impressions of sherbet and smoothie as the ale closes with a resinous herb, chive and sprucy finish.

Medium bodied, the ale starts and finishes creamy and lush. Malty dry, crisp and refreshing with the softening bitterness simmering on the throat, a light grassy, leafy after palate plays off the bitterness and blends in nicely with the spice of vanilla and heavy cream soothing. The beer's final impression is a medium length aftertaste of citrus ice creams.