As promised on Tuesday for my unofficial “Lagunitas Brewing Company Week” I have another review that I have waited too long to share.  Reading back over this evaluation reminded me that I have not made the effort to drink it again as I suggested to myself at the time.  I guess not revisiting old favorites is one of the bad things about having so much good quality craft beer out there to choose from (even with so much yet that I can’t get here in Central Florida).  I cannot think of another downside to having that kind of selection, but perhaps I will put some further thought into it.

I kind of like these unofficial brewery dedicated weeks, so maybe I will throw a few in again along the way.  With that said, I bring you another Lagunitas brew to keep an eye out for . . .

Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma, CA)

Name: Sirius (Special Release High Gravity Cream Ale)

Style: Cream Ale

ABV: 7.6%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.  9.99 per 6-pack

Aroma: Light hop aroma with a medium malty, sweet background.

Appearance: Pale gold to amber in color.  Three finger, light cream color head that dissipates rather quickly with some trail.  Crystal clear with rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Medium hop bitterness with low malt character that is slightly sweet toward the end.  Slightly dry finish with some sweetness, though not lingering.  Well balanced overall.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and refreshing with medium to high carbonation.  Very smooth with slight warmth.

Overall Impressions: Really enjoyable, very easy drinking light(er) bodied beer with the perfect amount of hop character(s).  As expected, higher ABV than typical for style (4.2-5.6%).  I would like to compare it directly with other cream ales.  Definitely will be drinking again.

Grade: A-

Lagunitas Brewing Co. - Sirius

On a bit of a side note (Is it still a side note if I start off with it?), I have decided to go a bit heavy on the beer reviews in the coming weeks.  Since there are so many in the back log I am going to push a few extra out there, so you will likely see more than the two a week for a short while (or longer if it works out).

With that out of the way, I can move on to another really good beer with an excellent name.  So good in fact that I think it warrants another beer review from the brewery later this week for sort of an unofficial “Lagunitas Brewing Company Week.”  I have done months, so why not weeks?  No need to delay any longer, so I bring you . . .

Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma, CA)

Name: The Hairy Eyeball Ale

Style: Strong Ale (Old Ale?)

ABV: 8.7%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.

Aroma: Strong malty sweetness (caramel-like) with some dark fruit notes and no noticeable hops.

Appearance: Deep reddish brown color.  Very short, light brown head that slowly dissipates with some trail.  Clear with rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Medium to high dark caramel/molasses-like malt flavor with some dark fruit that lends a port-like character.  Some warmth comes through towards end.  A sweet finish with some (carbonic) bite.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation.  Very smooth with the perfect level of alcohol warmth balanced in.

Overall Impressions: The sweetness and warmth are balanced well.  Incredibly enjoyable and a great beer to sit and relax with.  Would drink again for sure.

Grade: A

Lugunitas Brewing Co. - The Hairy Eyeball Ale

Continuing on with the theme of my early beer reviews on this site, I have chosen another of my favorite breweries. This happens to be the first Lagunitas that I had after deciding to write down my personal impressions. If you would like to find their beers, just look for a label that has a little dog with a black patch of fur around one eye. Sometimes its not that noticeable, but it’s there.

For those of you wondering (since I did at first), it is pronounced “lah-goo-knee-tuss.”

Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma, CA)

Name: Cappuccino Stout

Style: American Stout (possibly Russian Imperial Stout)

ABV: 8.29%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge and served in a pint glass.

Aroma: Some roasted malt aroma, though not extreme. No burnt character noticed. A little hint of coffee is there as well as a low hop nose.

Appearance: Dark brown with a slight red hue (when held to light). Has a two-finger high tan/café au lait head that dissipates rather quickly. Quite clear and can even see some bubbles rising despite the dark brown color.

Flavor: Strong maltiness with a slightly burnt coffee to bittersweet chocolate flavor. The hop flavor is more prominent than the aroma implies. Slight bit of alcohol noticeable. Some dryness and very slight astringency (puckering) at the finish, which does linger a bit.

Mouthfeel: Medium body (maybe slightly more full) with a bit of alcohol warmth. Low level of carbonation.

Overall Impressions: Gets much better as it warms and the very slight astringency (puckering) lessens. It was actually hoppier and not quite as malty as I expected. The coffee flavor was weaker than I thought going in (that was influenced only by reading the label). Overall it was OK, but not great (looking back not near the top of my Lagunitas brews). I would like to try it again closer to room temperature to see if my impressions change.

Grade: B (somewhere in that range)

Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout