Magnitude 9.2 Double Citrus Ale
Matanuska Brewing

From a single into a shaker, no date stamp, so I'm not sure how old this is, but I think it is kind of a mess, with some very pungent citrus notes, but no balance: heat from the alcohol, too sweet, and also, interestingly, fairly bitter, which I don't usually mind but here it just doesn't work for me. Not sure what to make of this one.

sometimes i find these beers that end up in the catch all strong ale category a little messy or forced, strong but sloppy, but not this one, a solid and sort of hoppy strong ale with tangerine running all through it. the citrus seems fresh to my senses, the alcohol is actually pretty well disguised, and there is a natural synergy here with whatever hops they used, compatible citrus tones there but also some bitterness to balance the remaining grain sweetness and whatever sugars might exist from the fruit, good recipe choices exist all over the place with this one. lightly hazy rust colored orange from the can, short white head but with decent retention. fresh zested tangerine and maybe pithy pink grapefruit as well, citrusy hops too, a hint of lemongrass, clementine, and enough malt to keep it beery. the flavor lines up well too, more and more citrus toward the back end, and more again as it warms a bit. good body on it, not heavy but sturdy enough for the alcohol, which only peaks out. summery in a scary way, i could have had a few cans of this no problem. i enjoyed the beers i had from these guys this time, inventive and rather well executed...

12oz can. Consumed the night after an Alaskan earthquake. Poured out a clear, golden orange color with a small, off-white head of foam. It smelled strongly of grapefruit, orange and toasted caramel. This had such a great grapefruit taste with orange and toasted caramel. Piney bitter finish.