Archive for the tag “Lagunitas”

14 Feb 2012

Imperial Red Ale (Lagunitas)

7.8% ABV, IBUs
Purchased at Curtis Park Market ($9.49/6-pack) and poured into pint glasses.

His Notes:

Imperial Red is a revival of the first beer Lagunitas ever brewed back in 1993, an interesting bit of nostalgia for the company as they prepare to dramatically expand their operations.  It pours deep amber with a large, marshmallow-y, off-white head. Pungent hops and inviting sweetness occupy the nose, along with a mix of tropical fruits, hay, and a little butterscotch.  It has a bitter and surprisingly tart sucker punch of berries, sugary malt, and fistfuls of hops on the front end, settling into some milder citrus, strawberry, and pine flavors on the retreat.  The flavors here are challenging, strong, sweet, and irreverent – all Lagunitas trademarks – but they don’t mesh particularly well, and Imperial Red lacks the nuances and qualities of their better brews.

  3 Toasts

Her Notes:

  3.5 Toasts


Posted in Beer Review, Imperial Red and tagged , , | Leave a comment
01 Jan 2012
2 Comments

Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale

7.85% ABV, IBU 63.21, O.G. 1.085
Purchased at Taylor’s Market ($10.99/6-pack) and served in pint glasses

His Notes:

This “substitute” beer, a panacea by Lagunitas for their inability to produce the popular cold-weather seasonal Brown Shugga in calendar year 2011, pours honey gold with a thin white head.  The smell is strong with citrus, grass, and that unmistakable sugary Lagunitas malt.  An expected orangey sweetness on the tongue gives way to a lingering bitterness and warming, slightly peppery flavors.  This is less a traditional “holiday ale” than a semi-“traditional” Lagunitas strong/sweet, high-gravity hybrid ale, like a west coast IPA augmented with mild pepper spice.  Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale isn’t too far out of the Lagunitas box, but it grows in intrigue and heat the longer it stays on the tongue.

   4 Toasts

Her Notes:

  4 Toasts

Posted in Beer Review, Imperial IPA and tagged , ,

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