Beers for Years

I’ve been fairly busy for the last month or so, going on lots of adventures. Summer’s winding down and that means one thing: Fall beers will be here soon, including some of my favorites - pumpkin ales! I’ll be getting back on board with my little reviews asap, but until then here’s a peek at some of what I’ve been drinking lately.

Clockwise from top left:

Victory Scarlet Fire Rauchbier & Donnybrook Stout
(on tap and nitro, respectively, at Victory Brewing Co. in Downington, PA)

Full Sail Elevation

Lagunitas Lucky 13.alt

Great Divide Grand Cru

Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout  
Alc/Vol: 8.8%  

So. Good. If you’re into these kinds of beers, find this and drink it. Super dark coffee and dark chocolate flavors, really smooth, just awesome. Smells great, tastes great but isn’t overwhelming even at 8.8 percent. I’m more or less in love with Lagunitas.

Lagunitas Lucky 13 Mondo Large Red Ale  
Alc/Vol: 8.56%  

Easily one of my favorite amber/red ales. Sweet, hoppy, full of big flavor and pretty much everything you’d expect from the perfect red ale. Lagunitas does it right; I buy this often and would love to have it on tap someday.

Lagunitas Brown Shugga Ale   
Alc/Vol: 9.9%

I love Lagunitas. This is nothing new. Brown Shugga is excellent. Malty sweetness, smooth caramel notes, but still with a nice hoppy bite - very nicely balanced. This really is a treat. Oh and it’s 9.9 percent, but you don’t really taste that… so it can sneak up on you. It sneaks up on you and hugs you though. 

Lagunitas Brewing Co. Wilco Tango Foxtrot Imperial Brown Ale
Alc/Vol: 7.83%

This photo was taken before I started this project, but I like it so there was really no need to take a new one. This was Lagunitas’ March seasonal and I think it’s fantastic. Tried it on draft first in March, then bought a few 22 oz. bombers which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was kind of sad because I thought I wouldn’t be able to get any more, but tonight I went to my favorite local beer spot and they had brought out a few more bombers, so I bought more. This has a great mix of flavors: malt, hops, a little chocolate, caramel… it tastes great. I had this for breakfast one morning, I won’t lie, and it was perfect. If you happen to find one of these, pick it up. You won’t be disappointed. Lagunitas continues to impress and I’m looking forward to their June brew.

Lagunitas Brewing Co. Hop Stoopid
Alc/Vol: 8%, IBU: 102

Nice and hoppy, and citrusy too - you can smell it immediately. I personally think it could use a little more bite, but that could be because I’m an obvious hop-head. This is well-balanced and definitely drinkable. I’m starting to really like Lagunitas… I’ve had three of their beers and loved them all. And I sure hope this all makes sense because I had a long day and this pint made it from the glass to my belly in record time. I’d like another.

Ok, also, on the Lagunitas website it says “For those mornings when you have to cut right to the chase, this is the one. Sure to blast through just about anything still lingering from the night before,” and I can get down with that. Beer for breakfast.