“At the height of the heat in the heart of the summer, we felt that the only cure was a raging mouthful of fresh hops and malt. Caution: May remove enamel from teeth. This is Lagunitas IPA pumped up by about 30%!” 8.2% ABV
Purchased from The Fort in Fresno, California.
Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a beer mug (I know, not exactly the right glassware, but I just got it and wanted to use it…and I got it all to fit in the glass). Dark copper and honey colored, with a large off white head that leaves heavy lacing. Trace carbonation is visible.
Citrus hops dominate the aroma; orange, mango, lemon and grapefruit. There are also some faint malt undertones, as well as a bit of an earthy/grassy aroma.
Medium bodied and very silky smooth going down. The flavors are predominately the citrus hops, again (in order): mango, orange, lemon and grapefruit. A bit of malt sweetness comes through in the aftertaste, but the main lingering flavor is a slightly dry medium hop bitterness.
IPA weekend continues! Somehow this is my first review from Lagunitas, and if their other offerings are of the same quality range as Maximus, I’ll be pretty happy. A very sound, but not overpowering hop flavor, mixed with just enough quality malts make this a very enjoyable beer. I want to say it seems refreshing, but I’m not sure how an 8.2% Imperial/Double IPA could be labeled as such (though it hides its ABV very well, I get no alcohol flavor at all). This isn’t quite the “hop bomb” I was expecting, but it is a skillfully crafted IPA with flavors notes right on key. 8.5/10
Lagunitas Brewing Company – Petaluma, California
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