Creamy coppery chestnut seasonal (circa 2005-2007) lets wintry coriander-nutmeg bristle soak up candi-sugared Belgian yeast sweetness, ancillary chocolate-cocoa-caramel malt thicket, and dark-spiced plum-prune-cherry-banana remnant. Distant almond buttering drifts into astringent wood-charred dry hop finish, downgrading floral burgundy aftertaste with slight phenol nature.
All posts by John Fortunato
LAGUNITAS MAXIMUS I.P.A.
Stellar orange-nickel-hued India Pale Ale with floating yeast sediment compares favorably to Stone IPA, though drier fruitiness and thicker grain bottom may tip scales in its favor. Spruce hop sweetness develops residual floral bitterness as alcohol warmth amplifies, leaving stewed prune and bruised orange variance in its wake.
LAGUNITAS LUCKY 13 RED ALE
Terrific strong ale boasting 8.3% alcohol rigidity celebrates brewers’ 13th anniversary. Sweetly spiced spruce malts energize syrupy peach-nectarine zest and pine resin-y grapefruit bittering. Soil-y rye-tinged grains underscore brown sugared Baker’s chocolate splurge while candied citric tang endures to creamy finish. A fortuitously fated find.
LAGUNITAS KILL UGLY RADIO DOUBLE I.P.A.
Massively hopped India Pale Ale celebrates 40th anniversary of Frank Zappa’s ambitious Absolutely Free album. Sweet caramel-chocolate malts counter bitter piney hop resins suffusing woody floral pungency. Surging orange-peach-grapefruit tang beautifies evergreen midst as pineapple glint shadows wild cherry stint. Bitter blueberry bite fortifies fruity finish to earthen grain bottom.
LAGUNITAS INDIA PALE ALE
Superlatively organic, cloudy-hued, tangerine-scented IPA gains plush floral hop resonance complementing perfumed dandelion, elderberry, and orange peel piquancy to thick sweet ‘n sour honeyed yeast finish and tangy citron aftertaste. Fluffy tan head and buttery froth leave tons of lace along glass siding.
LAGUNITAS IMPERIAL STOUT
Limited 2001 release has less chocolate sweetness and mocha breadth than Lagunitas’ Bug Town. Hints of cocoa melt in the mouth, causing the finish to be light and unassuming. Crystalline water deflects chocolate malt richness, hurting its chance to strike a nerve with heavy hitters. Perfect crossover for lager and pilsner softies yearning to expand their palate.
LAGUNITAS IMPERIAL RED ALE
Subtly complex amber garnet-hued ale brings assertively tangy red apple, pear, cherry, peach, pineapple, and nectarine sweetness to loud grapefruit souring. Creamy caramelized malts and sugary spruce succulence re-enforce fruity nature overriding impending alcohol-burned piney-hopped bitterness.
LAGUNITAS HAIRY EYEBALL ALE
Brandy-sweet crimson-highlighted brown ale promotes creamy cherry vanilla froth, mild nut astringency, and plum-date register saddling bitter hop linger. Brawny finish bends molasses into drier chocolate slit.
LAGUNITAS FREAK OUT! INDIA PALE ALE
Slightly suspect malt-sweetened IPA pays homage to Frank Zappa’s superlative Freak Out! album. Though nowhere near as monumental, or for that matter, spicy, as its tributary masterpiece, sticky sunset orange-hued elixir shelters floral spruce-tipped hops with pleasant nectarine-peach tang. Argumentatively, stylistically closer to citric-perfumed Pale Ale than smoky English-styled ‘India’ tag implies. Instead of expectant wood-burnt accents, toasted almond and pineapple-mandarin orange illusions coat chocolate-caramel malting.
LAGUNITAS EQUINOX PALE OAT ALE
Tranquil roasted barley opening caresses lemony grapefruit hop infusion. Though delicately casual, soft-bodied, and inconspicuous, wild oats and toasted barley broaden its lithe grain finish substantially.
LAGUNITAS DOG TOWN PALE ALE
Watery musty-scented soft-hopped pale ale complemented by bittersweet berries at back of the throat. Somewhat elusive dry barleymalt finish picks up subtle mineral graining. Soft enough for casual drinkers.
LAGUNITAS CZECH STYLE PILSNER
Robust amber-hazed pils extends deep grain penetration and sharp spice-hop fizz to sugary wheat biscuit luster. Richer than its light class suggests, but flat dank finish picks up harsh acidity underlying astringent fruity esters.