A taste of… Lagunitas IPA

Lagunitas Brewing Co.
1280 North McDowell Boulevard
Petaluma, CA 94954-1113
(707) 769-4495

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Lagunitas IPA was purchased for $2.25(USD) at Key Foods Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There is a date code on the neck of the bottle: “01350408”.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: Golden amber brew is carbonated enough to host a not-too-dense linen white head of small to medium sparkling bubbles.

Aroma: There is a distinct citric aroma at the very first. The second visit finds mango and guava aromatics. The third nosedive reveals little new.

Flavor: The first flavor is of mango and grapefruit blended not too sweet. The second sip found a metallic spike amidst the fairly unctuous, almost-tropical-fruit flavors.

Mouth feel: There is a firm and full body to this brew.

Finish: The citric, fruitier flavors are soon departed leaving a slight perfume.

Comments: This seems to be an exercise in hopping with particular blending. The flavors are unusual and not unpleasant. It may take a few sips to find this brew but the effort reveals some interesting hop flavors.

Food & Beer: A salad of chopped iceberg lettuce, tomato chunks and cucumber, dressed in a ranch style dressing and served in a deep-fried taco basket. Serve the beer first so that it is chilled but not ice-cold when the salad is served.

The Brewery: http://www.lagunitas.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220/916

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lagunitas-india-pale-ale/6887/