Lagunitas Round-Up

About a week ago, I purchased a multitude of beer at Hollingshead Deli. So I thought it would be a good idea to start taking notes and post some reviews (more to aid my own memory than anything else). So here are the first two, both from Lagunitas Brewery and both with similar flavor profiles.


Lagunitas' Maximus IPA

Specs: 7.5% alc., I.B.U. 72.41, O.G. 1.080
Style: India Pale Ale

A somewhat unique tasting IPA. The nose was sweet and citrus-y, with the hops smelling more grapefruit than floral. It was surprisingly reminiscent of a Flemish sour. The taste was consistent with its smell: a sweet sugary citrus front that finished with an abundance of hops and a coffee-like flavor (which soured the initial sweet taste). This tastes very much like an IPA version of Lagunitas' "Brown Shugga" Barleywine style ale.

Bottom Line: This is definitely a sipper. Although Maximus is a complex and original IPA, the mix of flavors become a bit unsettling towards the end of the bottle.

Rating (on the Meltzer scale): ***1/2 (out of five)


Lagunitas' Lucky 13 ("A Mondo Large Red Ale")

Specs: 8.3% alc., I.B.U. 76.92, O.G. 1.085
Style: American Amber/Red Ale

I preferred Lucky 13 over Maximus, due to its drinkability. However, there were quite a few similarities in both beers. Lucky 13's nose is sweet and coffee-like with some hints of toasted malts. Like Maximus, the range of flavors turned from sweet to bitter. 13 started out with a light, roasted chocolate and coffee taste that finished with a rush of hops (close to an IPA). Again, this tasted somewhat like Brown Shugga (but without the intense sweetness and alcohol heat).

Bottom Line: Similar to Maximus but superior and more balanced.
A decent quality ale that is deceptive in its alcohol content.

Rating: ***1/2