Lagunitas Sirius Ale - Lagunitas Brewing Company

far333

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy noney colored with a thick orangey-beige head that lingers along. Very low aroma of sweetish malt.

Flavors of rich malt, honey, toffee and cinnamon. Very subtle hop flavors. Some floral and ripe fruit notes. Slight warming of ABV in the finish.

Thick and chewy mouthfeel, very satisfying. Tasty beer, very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2009 11:02:54 | More by far333

TrevorGW

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Tall foamy head which hangs around. Amber/golden body.

S - Bright grapefruit hops. Lagunitas's signature

T - Honestly tastes like a more malty version of their IPA. Bready notes are catapulted by the west coast hops, which linger on your tongue. Dry finish.

M - Excellent full body drinker.

D - I was surprised to later find out that it was high ABV. I could drink it all night.

Very impressive beer. Balance and delicious ... a good cream ale for a hop head.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2008 19:54:08 | More by TrevorGW

Halcyondays

California

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Hollingshead's,

A: Pours a light amber with an average white head, a little lighter than I expected.

S: Mix of caramel malt and American hops, smells a lot like an IPA.

S: Strong notes of grapefruit and pine, light metal. Malt is relatively light, some toffee and bread.

M: Full-bodied and creamy, resiny, very nice mouthfeel overall.

D: A nice beer from Lagunitas, more on an IPA than a cream ale, but that's what you get I guess when you make a high gravity version of this style.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2008 01:32:54 | More by Halcyondays

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had the chance to enjoy this one on tap at the Saucer tonight. Served cold in a pint glass. This one was consumed on 09/07/2008.

Presented in front of me this was a nice amber color. Slight haze to it, but mostly clean looking to be honest. A good sized head of about an inch and a half came up over the sides and gradually settled down to a thin veil across the top. Decent side glass lacing then ensued and left some nice web like features across the sides and some good carbonation.

THe aroma was loaded down with fresh, light hops. Lots of grass, lemon and tangerice like citrus aromas and a touch of a light wheat smell. THe flavor was more of the same, tight would be an understatement, as this one was very clean and crisp. Lots of light hops, crisp fresh cut grass flavor was dominant here were a long lasting dry finish. Grat smooth, light, and crisp feel was very well carbonated and allowed itself to be drank way too fast. As it warmed, some light resin notes were coming through and this just added to the overall good profile.

Overall I thought this was an excellent sessionable IPA. Not sure what else I can say other then this was very nicely done, very easy to drink and really just a very nice addition to their lineup.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2008 00:26:21 | More by mikesgroove

hellomcfly

South Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at flying saucer.

Appearance was a clear dark golden color with a creamy head, not too big but that may be due to bartender's pour.

Smell was fairly hoppy and citrus.

Taste was malty with a nice citrus hop bite

Mouthfeel was medium bodied and appropriately carbonated.

Drinkability was high. For the abv I think this is very highly drinkable. At 7.60 I think it still makes a very sessionable beer. It is an easy drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2008 00:13:34 | More by hellomcfly

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Max's the other night.

The beer pours a solid gold color with good head retention and lacing. There is an attractive sweet creaminess on the nose, giving this beer a light, but impressive, aroma. On the palate I quite like this beer. While light, soft and creamy, there is some lovely underlying spicey hoppiness that is very enticing. This beer is very, very drinkable IMO, which could be a bit dangerous given the abv. Nothing is overdone or out of preportion in this beer, and I love how the slight bitterness counters the light sweetness. I should add that in no way is this a watery or lightweight beer, but it's also not the least bit heavy or tiring to drink. Altogether delicious; a very nice effort from Laganitas.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2008 13:38:52 | More by johnmichaelsen

ruckzuck

Georgia

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another good one from Lagunitas. I'm convinced they rule 100% based on their pricing and quality of their beers. Good work dudes

A - poured a clear amber color with a beautifully thick and creamy white head

S - sort of a sweet fruity smell. Apples are really what come to mind for me. There is also some bready malt present along with a bit of citrusy hop action

T - very similar to the nose. There's sort of a creamy apple taste initially for me anyway. Goes down with bready malt showing up and finishes with a nice hop bitterness. Totally enjoyable. Creamy and good

M - creamy, medium bodied with a bit of carbonation. Goes down well

D - very enjoyable. Lagunitas rock the casbah consistently as I stated above, and this beer is no exception to that rule. Would drink again. A damn fine cream ale. Good work dudes!

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2008 21:45:33 | More by ruckzuck

sholland119

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazy yellow good with a thick fluffy white head. A little bit of lacing.

Smell is well balanced with caramel malts balanced by a moderate citrus and floral hop palate.

Taste is moderately sweet in the front with a citrus hop bitterness in the middle and a creaminess in the finish.

Mouthfeel is a little unpleasantly thick. Did not care for hte way it lingered.

Drinkability is fine from a flavor perspective. But the combination of the mouthfeel and the relatively high ABV make this a one and done for me.

HV

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2008 14:39:32 | More by sholland119

SurlyDuff

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Amber goodness, with good retention and lacing. Had this one at the BendBrewfest on-tap.
Aroma is florals. Fruitiness there too, citrus.
Nice strong start. The first few times were a bit sweet (or I should say, a bit "too" sweet). But it balances right out and some hops come forward and take over. The end result is a good smooth finish.
Really thought this was a good unique beer. Not to many cream ales have impressed me.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2007 00:35:13 | More by SurlyDuff

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

had this on-tap and served in a narrow goblet. a really nice looking beer, this was a clear amber/apricot in color with a white head and thick, clingy lacing. very nice aroma as well, with tangerines predominating among the resiny pine and buttery sweet malt aromas. nice malt sweetness in the mouth is bumrushed by a significant hop bitterness that lingers for quite some time. medium to full-bodied. drinkable but not too much so when you realize the abv. i don't think i could compare this to other cream ales i've had but i much prefer it to them.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2007 03:55:36 | More by MrMcGibblets

mrasskicktastic

New Jersey

2.83/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

A - Amber brew with a faint haze, foamy head and copius thick rings of lacing.

S - Roses, sweet malt, caramel.

T - Sweet caramel malt. A bit of pine and floral hops that round off to a very, very bitter finish.

M - Smooth, medium bodied, a little refreshing.

D - Something about this actually killed my mood for more beer. I was planning on ordering another, different beer, but this completely ruined it. Utterly bizzarre.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2007 16:33:14 | More by mrasskicktastic

MiScusi

California

4.13/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Lucky Baldwin's Lagunitas Fest

I don't know how much this one fits the cream ale category. Poured a rich and very clear golden. Very light body with lots of pale malt and a pretty straight forward hop pungency. Clean bitter hop taste with a light background malt. This beer showcases a fairly simple hop characteristic, mostly pine and a bit of earth. Not a beer that will go down without any hop burn, this one will give you a good taste of hops.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2007 07:35:54 | More by MiScusi

rkuhnel

California

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was on tap here locally. Nice color, with an attractive head that hung aroung for a while while I sniffed and pondered it. The hops were prominant, and there was a distinct vanilla aroma. Went down very smooth and easily, and and if was not for the high alcohol content and the fact I drove downtown (I usually walk) I would have had a second glass. All in all I found this a winner.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2007 04:34:51 | More by rkuhnel

BeerHonky

New York

3.85/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at d.b.a. in NYC. Served in a pint glass. Beautiful orange amber color, slightly cloudy as well. Two fingers worth of big, pillowy white head. Nice lacing effect as the beer was enjoyed.

This beer smells absolutely delicious. One of the best smelling beers I've encountered. It has a super juicy and sweet apricot aroma with various citrus aromas supporting it. All types of citrus fruits come to mind, however not any particular aromas stand out, only the apricot. Just awesome. Made me want to dive into this beer head first.

Unfortunately the taste isn't quite like the aroma. There is an odd balance of light, sweet malt and citrusy hops. Grapefruit and pineapple come to the front for me. There is also an odd alcohol presence. Not very fume-ish like some high ABV beers, but its definitely noticeable. Perhaps a little stringent instead? I think this beer would be a lot better if the alcohol content was taken down a percentage. Mouthfeel is pretty smooth and easy going. This would definitely be a great beer on a sunny afternoon and I think after having a few of these on the palate it would become much more enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2007 18:51:44 | More by BeerHonky

jj21

Wisconsin

4.13/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Horse & Plow
Pours a light orange with light, quickly disappearing head. Some carbonation but not a lot. Hoppy aroma contains a lot of pine and citrus. Heavy Grapefruit. Bitter hops up front with a nice malt backbone. I agree with previous reviews, this is more of an IPA than a Cream Ale. I loved this beer! A lot more than I thought I wouod after reading the reviews.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2006 12:46:31 | More by jj21

MarineHokie

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Presentation: Pint from tap @ Linwood Grill.

Appearance: Thin head. Slightly hazy, light copper color.

Smell: Slight hop scent.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Light hop bitterness, no discernable hop flavors. Smooth, but thin, very refreshing.

Notes: Good and refreshing, but not my favorite Lagunitas. I’m blown away that this beer has over 7% ABV and that Lagunitas calls it a cream ale. It was presented as a hoppy summer ale and enjoyed in that spirit. Had Martin called it a cream ale, I likely would have ordered something else.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2005 19:55:10 | More by MarineHokie

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on-tap at Redbones.

Poured a hazy, light amber color, with very creamy, white foam that persisted and clung and coated the glass. The smell was lightly malty with a touch of fragrant hops. The taste was lightly malty with a mild hoppiness and a faint sweetness. There was a light fruitiness (apples and grape skins) as well. The mouthfeel was very creamy and smooth with medium body and good carbonation. The aftertaste was hoppy and lightly fruity. This was a very nice, drinkable ale, and the high ABV is very well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2005 04:55:56 | More by UncleJimbo

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Two surprses about this beer. The high ABV and that it is a cream ale. Tastes much more like a pale ale with a whole lot of hops and the guys at Lagunitas did an amazing job to hide the alcohol. I thought it was closer to 5%. Pours a perfectly clear amber. Finger deep head that took its time receding. Aroma was slightly hoppy, with a sweet background. Like I said, this beer was hoppier than any other cream ale I have had. It had an incredibly malty and sweet flavor (including brown sugar tones). The hops provided tis beer a nice and necessary balance. Very full body and a creamy finish that sticks to your mouth.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2005 17:17:16 | More by MuddyFeet

fdrich29

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap in the new back room of the Linwood Cafe in Boston. Thanks to Rousse for picking this one.

Before you knock people with Blackberrys keep in mind the device's uncanny alter ego of "beer note taker". It makes reviewing beers so much easier.

There's gold in them thar...umm pint glasses. Deep gold/orange hues, beautiful looking brew in the glass. Some head, long lasting lacing.

Strong citrus and hop aroma, very pleasant and inviting. The smell is not misleading of the taste, citrus and hops. Unique and nice tasting beer.

Creamy and smooth mouthfeel and easily drinkable. Highly recommended,

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2005 16:23:56 | More by fdrich29

Denali

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Redbones, MA.

Appearance: Clear orange-gold. Medium size frothy white head which laced really nicely and lasted the entire beer.

Smell: Hoppy citrus aroma.

Taste: Suprising hoppy citrus flavor hit me right up front but the flavor balances itself more and more through to the finish. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel: Seriously creamy and smooth. Nice and light on the finish.

Drinkability: The light finish makes this a very drinkable beer. I had two in a row.

I was wondering why I was starting to feel anything after having only two of these last nite. I didn't realize until today that it was 7.6%. No wonder!! You would never ever ever know it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2005 17:21:12 | More by Denali

grassrootsVT

Vermont

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Abbaye in North Philly,

First impression: a hoppy and aromatic, seven and a half percent cream ale? Honestly, I'm not sure why they opted to categorize it as a cream ale. The beer is not true to style - but there is nothing wrong with attempting to redefine and refocus the potentialities of a style. It immediately reminded me of a fine crafted pale ale - or the lower end of the west coast IPA spectrum.
It poured well carbonated but without any head retention. A beautiful hue of clarity - a golden and bright beer. An ever present aroma manages to follow the beer to the bottom of the glass: hops, dry hops, aroma hops. Leaves me, as i think to myself: "This is definitely not a Genesee...." [and haven't they consistenly won the GABF for their cream ale....? hmmm...]
Taste: there is some subtle creaminess and I am curious what this ale would taste like as a cask conditioned or nitro-pour offering. It is surprisingly balanced - for such a hopped-up version of its unstylistic self. A good hop to malt ratio. I have to wonder how this would fare if it wasn't so BIG?
Very drinkable [but by no means a session beer!] -
i wonder: if you have to look at the label [or look on the internet] to figure out what style the beer is...should it detract or add to the experience? Personally, it should not influence the experience at all - but merely modify the reflection.

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2005 17:43:39 | More by grassrootsVT

sirius

Washington

4.75/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A damn fine beer, I looked forward to it every summer. This wasn't what I used to think of when I heard the words "Cream Ale", but for me it redefined the style. I first picked up a six pack because of the name (and well, it's Lagunitas), and was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

The color is a golden caramel, with a mild head of uniformly small bubbles.

The aroma is a blend of creamy hoppiness, with some citrus notes.

The taste, aah the taste... Initially malty, then a mild citrus profile comes through, with a subtle hop finish. Don't rush this one, you've got to let it ride.

The mouthfeel is where the cream ale label fits. Very smooth.

In spite of the relatively high ABV, this was a very drinkable beer. It's a shame Lagunitas retired it, I wish I'd cellared some the last time I had the chance.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 23:40:42 | More by sirius

Brenden

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes are from the night before last...

This brew pours into the glass a slightly hazed golden-orange color with a soft yellowish-tan head at about 2 fingers. The head is slow to fade, leaving behind some respectable lacing.
The nose is interesting. It's almost a pale ale base, with bright, leafy and citrus hops presence underneath a sweet note of candied sugars and bright undertones of light fruits. Malts are below the other aromas but certainly present, and a light whiff of alcohol comes and goes.
This is a pretty unique one to me, and the more I drink it the more I think this is what I was thinking a cream ale should be. The concept seems like it would make for a delicious beer, but I've never been blown away by one before. This is the closest I've come thus far in that respect. There's a nice underlying complexity to this beer, well blended and making for a nice concert of flavor. A candied sugar sweetness that isn't overbearing works with a soft malts presence and a variety of fruits to balance a nice raw, leafy, citrus tart hops flavor. Let this one sit on the tongue for awhile. I didn't get a full appreciation until I did.
This is certainly a smooth beer with a very nice creaminess to it, but I feel it would benefit from slightly more carbonation. Body is medium.
The ABV just creeps to the higher end, but this beer is quite drinkable and easy to appreciate.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2010 14:17:48 | More by Brenden

hoegaardenhero

California

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: amber-brown with fluffy white head that leaves some sticky lace on the glass; beautiful flowing rising bubbly movement from carbonation

s: tangy spicy citrus hops; light caramel malts; some raw grain; very light scent

t: first warm sweet caramel and grainy malts hit the tongue followed by the slow rise of citrus hop flavors that fade back leaving a warm sweet hop/malt blend on the tongue

m: a little aggressive for me but i guess that keeps it refreshing

d: an interesting beer; not as flavorful as i was expecting it will be interesting to see what happens to this in the cellar
~~~
well, this bad by has been chilling in the cellar for around 2 years, time to give it a second try

a: really beautiful deep hazy amber with about 1/4 inch of dense white head that has ok retention but eventually fades to leave just a ring of white and a few wisps

s: potent! first is fragrant floral hops; after that is kind of a warm caramel scent followed with lots of tangy citrus hops on the nose; a lot of spicy hop scent is still very present as well as some toffee notes

t: vanilla; warm caramel that slowly becomes buttery toffee on the tongue; light hopiness with spice and citrus on the finish but mostly the long buttery goodness is what defines the sip; very good and better than i remember it

m: smooth; very mellow carb with a creamy and slightly cloying sticky mouthfeel

d: i think this has gotten substantially better with age; much more mellow in some respects (especially mouthfeel) but just so much more buttery and smooth in taste; great

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2010 03:03:57 | More by hoegaardenhero

kegger22

Michigan

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lagunitas Sirius Cream Ale was a hazy amber color with a modest off-white head that quickly faded away.

The aroma was first about malt, and second, a little citrus hops.

The taste was a nice balance of citrus and sweet, smoky malt. I found it to be a pleasing combination.

The mouth feel was medium bodied and oily, with reasonable carbonation.

Drinkability was good due to a respectable 7.00 ABV and a very palatable taste. I would happily drink Sirius again.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2010 05:06:45 | More by kegger22