Hairy Eyeball Ale - Lagunitas Brewing Company

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

For a strong ale, this is a massively sweet & creamy beer. Loads of caramel, toffee and other sticky sweets come through on the nose and tongue. It's slightly boozy, but not bad for a 9%. There is a slight hop bitterness there, although I imagine with time a bottle of this would turn out similar to their Olde Gnarlywine. Another solid entry from this brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 19:42:01 | More by TheRealBigC

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This brew was served from the tap at MacGregor’s Grill and Tap Room in Canandaigua, NY. It arrived in a standard goblet, and showed a deep brown color, bordering on a rusty red. It held a one finger yellowish head that had medium retention. No sediment or haze was noted, and carbonation appeared high. The first thing noted from the aroma was a thick burst of tropical fruit, with the sweetness of Juicy Fruit bubble gum. The fruit itself was made up of distinct notes of mango, lime, passion fruit, and strawberry. The malts were toasty and burnt, and of the caramel variety. Hops were citric, and came more towards the back of the nose. As we sipped, mango and pineapple became apparent from the very start. These mixed, sitting well behind the darkish malts that came crashing in. This beginning was pretty reminiscence of your standard brown ale. The middle showed a bite of earthy hops, with metals of yeast and baked bread. The malts deepened a bit, becoming darker, with hints of coffee. The finish is a booze bomb. Vodka alcohols hit you like a ton of bricks, with spicy pepper, caramel toast, and a clean piney hops for a final balance. The aftertaste breathed of bitter malts, bitter piney hops, fusel booze, and hollow echoes of tropical fruit. The body was medium and the carbonation was medium. The feel showed a steely thickness which was cutting and cool. The mouth was eventually coated with a fine astringency. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank as a sipper.

Overall, the best thing about this brew was the unique fruitiness, especially for the style. The malt profile was also interesting, as it started lighter and paler, and moved to an almost stouty mouth. A negative, however, was how overly boozy the finish seemed. If not for the nice balance from the rest of the flavoring it would have made this one a bit hard to handle.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2012 17:41:35 | More by TheBrewo

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter at The Firkin.

According to the bartender, they intentionally age several of these kegs for months to see how they develop. This particular keg was aged for nine months (proper gestation, sounds to me). It pours a deep ruby-brown topped by over a finger of cream-tan foam. The nose comprises light raisins, light figs, wheat, and mild biscuits. It's all kinda weak and nondescript to my 'strils. The taste holds notes of figs, light roasted malts, raisins, dark wheat, brown sugar, cinnamon, toasted biscuits, very light wood, light orange rind, and very light bitter coffee. Damn, is the stuff all over the place (in a good way)! The body is a straight medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fairly dry-ish finish. Overall, a very solid brew, one that clearly blossoms with age.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2011 04:48:59 | More by TMoney2591

avaldivia

California

3.93/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Lagunitas

A: Dark amber color with a nice head which did not go away quickly.

S: Nice malt character. Alcohol is definitely noticeable on the nose.

T: Caramel and dark fruits upfront. Kind of sweet. Alcohol finish. There is no hiding that kick in this beer. I don't mind that alcohol punch so, I find it nice.

M: Medium to thick bodied. A bit syrupy.

O: Solid. Not a beer a will order every time at Lagunitas, but every now and then, it is very enjoyable. Especially if it is cool outside.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2011 16:29:42 | More by avaldivia

mattcrill

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Aroma: Caramel and maple syrup malt-like notes. Low-moderate fruity esters. No hop aroma.

Appearance: Rich copper colored pour with a low off-white head.

Flavor: Rich caramel and toffee notes. Bread dough-like malt base. A firm, earthy hop bitterness balances the malt flavor. Balance is nearly even but towards the malt slightly. Finish is clean and dry.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with medium carbonation. Slightly warm and slippery due to the alcohol.

Overall impression: A well-balanced American Strong ale. Not hoppy enough to scratch the itch, not malty enough to put it over the top. Not my favorite Lagunitas beer but a very solid example.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2011 17:06:51 | More by mattcrill

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brown, letting light through easily, minimal head. Scent is of musty earthy hops and combines with a strong molasses and fig backbone. Taste is slightly thin in complexity and the body follows suit with some wateryness. taste brings some more fruittyness with spice, but the earhty and musty hops cover up much of this. One of the weaker flavored and bodied strong ales I have had.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2011 15:32:31 | More by rfgetz

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a tulip. Dark brown body with some red hue. Good tan head that leaves some good lacing all along the glass.

The aroma is an understated balance of dark fruits, sweet malt, and just a touch of hops. Interesting and hard to place where this is going.

Well...I like the flavors pretty well. The hops are not too bitter, but are prominent and mix with the overall malty and dark fruit flavors pretty well. Very interesting and, again, hard to place this overall. But, it's tasty.

Medium mouthfeel, and just a hint of booziness. Overall a good offering, and different enough to be interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2011 02:12:41 | More by FanofHefe

LBBeer

California

3.9/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at The Factory Gastrobar in Long Beach, CA.

A--Looks like a perfect deep rich brown ale. Nice frothy brown-tinted head.

S--Lots of sweet malt on the nose.

T--Slight clash between the roastiness of the malt and significant dry hop character, a very interesting combination, if not subtle.

M--Big, smooth and almost creamy on the palate, again a contrast to the dry finish.

O--Lagunitas doesn't disappoint, but this brew is a bit all over the place!

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2011 05:28:33 | More by LBBeer

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

served on-tap in a 10 oz glass.

appears a very dark amber in color, with thin white head. looks good. aroma is mild, but pleasant. caramel, bready malt.

taste is rich with sweet malt, enough hops to balance, and some fruit flavor buried in there. no evidence of the 9% alcohol.

body is medium, but the carbonation is very smooth and makes for an easy to drink beer. overall, a pretty solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2011 16:02:43 | More by jmdrpi

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a deep dark ruby color with a huge brown foam head that dissipates into a film. There is some spotty lacing down the side of the glass.

S: Faint scents of dark fruit, figs, plums raisins with a faint amount of caramel. A little dissapointing on the nose.

T: The taste was much more impressive than the smell. Starts off with a sweet taste of caramel. The middle brings out the dark fruit, mostly plums and raisins. Finishes with a nice undertone of hops and an ever so small amount of alcohol.

M: A nice full bodied beer, nicely carbonated. Leaves a creamy fruity taste on the palate.

O: This is a really nice Strong Ale. Not overly sweet, a nice hop undertone with the alcohol pretty well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2011 14:58:42 | More by IronCitySteve

rarbring

Sweden

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A clear dark ruby amber beer, an off-white head leaving curtains and lacing.

Smelling of fresh baked darked bread and new cut grass.

A sweet start, some dried fruits, raisins and apples, an alcohol note, then bitter seeds.

Medium carbonation, a soft but yet boozy texture, rather complex and a dry finish.

Interesting and rewarding, much going on.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2011 22:20:21 | More by rarbring

Damian

Massachusetts

2.83/5  rDev -26.7%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Drank on-tap at Atwood's Tavern, Cambridge, MA
Served in a stemmed glass

Gorgeous appearance. Deep, dark, crimson-mahogany. The translucent liquid was topped by a near two-finger head of beige colored froth. Thick, lasting rings of lacing coated the glass.

The aroma was surprisingly mild. In fact, I could hardly detect anything. Subtle caramel malts possibly. A bit toasty. Somewhat fruity and semi-sweet. A touch of alcohol hid in the background.

Like the nose, the flavor profile was a big letdown. Malty and biscuity up front. Fruity in the center. The finish was moderately hoppy and dry. The hops were somewhat earthy and herbal. There was a slight alcohol warming on the finish as well. Regardless, the 9% was remarkably well buried.

The mouthfeel was super creamy and lush. Medium-full bodied. Pillowy and silky smooth with a slick, moderate effervescence.

Hairy Eyeball Ale was a true oddity. Although the appearance and mouthfeel were exceptional, both the taste and aroma were hugely disappointing. I felt like the life had been sucked from this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2011 03:00:45 | More by Damian

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one on draft at Abbaye served in a tulip shaped glass. Pours a dark brown with little head. Little aroma of dark malts. Tastes like brown sugar, molasses, raisin, fig. No noticeable hop character. Interesting beer - a real sipper due to its complex profile. Couldn't even notice the high ABV. Enjoyed it & would try it again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2011 01:19:05 | More by jwhancher

musicforairports

New York

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at The Ruck in Troy.

Pours dark brown ... hard to tell if it's black in a darkened bar. Has a big head, though, and some super lacing.

Smells like dark fruit, roasted malts, some sweetness.

Tastes like lots of malts--fig-like fruits, some chocolate. Finishes with some alcohol and some citrus-y hops. Lots of malt, but still the typical Lagunitas hop-profile present here too. There's a lot going on here, and while it all tastes good, it could probably mesh well a bit better. Still like it, though.

A bit thick on the mouth and not easy to drink quickly. I like this on draft; not sure if it's something I'd pick up a six pack of, though.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2011 02:46:33 | More by musicforairports

begforme4484

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a darker brown color. Decent head, good lacing.

Some sweet candy smells. Herbal/citrus hop notes.

Dark fruits, a nice sweet candy flavor, and some herbal hop notes. Very nice.

Medium bodied, with lower carbonation.

ABV is hidden well and is very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2011 15:31:41 | More by begforme4484

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

tap

Pours dark brownish red and opaque with a bit of lacing.

Smells of lightly toasted elements and a bit of dark sugar malt.

Tastes a bit buttery with some strange dark fruit sweetness and winter spices, along with a little hop.

Thicker feel with little carbonation.

Interesting beer but didn't really appeal to me for some reason. The taste was just not what I was expecting. Sort of weird flavor combination, closest to a winter warmer maybe but more potent.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2011 01:34:00 | More by Cylinsier

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Plan B in West Hartford, Conn.

A: Deep, reddish amber in color with garnet highlights and a foamy, dense cap of white foam. Clarity is muddled by a chilled haze, but is fine enough, with good, clingy lace as well.

S: Roasted malt, a bit of tobacco and fruity esters float around the aroma. A spicy, mellow, herbal citrus smell gets caught up in it too.

T: Sweet, deep roasted malt flavor up front balanced by doses of herbal, earthy, citrusy hops. Lots of complex, fruity ale flavors make up the malt complex, which is complimented by some smoky flavors and a demure alcohol presence. The finish is full bodied and bittersweet with bits of lingering hops, orange peel and spiciness.

M: Full bodied, rich mouthfeel with some chewiness to it. The darker roasted malts make up the complexities in the texture, I think.

D: Another fine sipping strong ale from Lagunitas. They always seem to make their hops known, as evidence by this brew as well, but with a delicate and complex malt balance. Too many of these brews at 9% ABV in one sitting and the next day, you probably realize why it's called "hairy eyeball."

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2011 23:08:38 | More by Gambrinus1184

Durge

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Found this on tap at the Mellow Mushroom in Greensboro, NC, it shows a very opaque black color, chilled in a nice goblet. It has a giant milkshake-like light tan head with tons of lacing left behind. The aroma brings malty caramel and yeasty evergreen with a sweet brandy touch. Neat. The flavor brings a sort of Dr. Pepper, malt blend with some hints of whiskey and maybe juniper toffee. There are some chocolate and maple brown bread ideas milling around as well. This is medium-heavy bodied with moderate carbonation. It has a thick, near syrupy feel and is not highly drinkable in my book. Very good, interesting stuff although it seemed somewhat unbalanced, hard to capture on the taste buds, almost harsh. Alcohol is notable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2010 03:28:02 | More by Durge

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a mahogony brown with thin lacing and no carbonation.

S - Mild malt profile with some dark fruit. Not overly aromatic so I'm having difficulty picking out much more than this.

T - Brown sugar, molasses and dark fruit with a caramel/toffee backbone.

M - Creamy, thick, big bodied, and sweet throughout the sip. At the very end there's some mild hopping that surfaces and lingers for a little bit.

D - Very drinkable - nice balance.

Haven't had this beer in a long while. I opened a (5) year old bottle of this a few weeks ago and unfortunately, it went down the drain. This beer doesn't strike me as one to be aged for that period of time, maybe a year or two, that's about it. Would definitely purchase this again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2010 03:30:50 | More by jzeilinger

impending

California

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

At the source. Deep mahogany brown, mild carbonation, little lacing.

Aroma of dark fruits, malts, caramel and hints of the alcohol - very rich scent.

The taste is rich as well. Take the aroma and multiply by two and this is the flavor reward. Excellently balanced beginning, middle and end. Sweets - fruits with alcohol - hops.

Double the ingredients and you have a barleywine - excellent example of a strong ale. My favorite from Lagunitas.
cheers
jd

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2010 01:13:17 | More by impending

bryanmetzger

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Beautifully poured beer at McNulty's Pub in Cleveland Heights. Great lacing, Great aroma, a little on the thin side in the mouth, which seemed to accentuate the higher ABV. Overall, Quite yummy, a treat. A sixer would be a full evening at home, but I might have to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2010 02:39:36 | More by bryanmetzger

metter98

New York

3.8/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured very dark amber with a little beige-colored head.
S: There are moderate aromas of roasted malts with notes of dark fruits and sweetness.
T: It definitely tastes like a strong beer and the flavors are dominated by the malts. There is also some bitterness from the hops and hints of caramel, raisins and spices.
M: The beer feels medium-bodied on the palate and somewhat syrupy and sticky.
D: This is a beer that really needs to be sipped, although the alcohol is masked rather well. I couldn't see having more than one of these in a single sitting.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2010 23:41:31 | More by metter98

therica

Maryland

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Smokin' Joe's Saloon, East Carson, Pittsburgh's South Side. This one really caught us off-guard since there was no description, just the title so we assumed it was an APA or IPA. NOT!

A= mahogany brown, modest tan head and some lacing.

S= toasted caramel, nutty notes, dry grasses, hints of maybe cherry or other fruits, nice nose of hops bitters and florals.

T= somewhat like mixing a solid IPA with a nice nut-brown. Best of both worlds, hops bitters and florals, burnt caramel/toffee and burnt nutty flavor, roasted malts.

M= slightly nutty but otherwise similar feel to an APA/IPA, plus some light syrup.

D= very drinkable with forewarning of what this beer is!

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2010 00:51:20 | More by therica

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Well I had the pleasure of having a pint of this beer at "The Lodge" in Boca Raton Florida. This is one beautiful beer. The head was a thick/creamy perfect cap on the top of the pint. Awesome retention and structure. Just lay there like off white heavy whipped cream. The beer was a very dark/murky brown color that looked like rugged/worn leather. Too dark to determine if it was hazy, but it sure didn't look like there was a lot of clarity.

Aroma was deep & inviting. The aroma of thick malt hung in your nostrils. Caramel and a slight whiff of alcohol also played a role here.

More toffee like than caramel in the flavor. Almost some burnt flavors and maybe some molasses. Huge malt punch with an accompanying amount of alcohol flavor. Thick flavor from front to back with very little hop presence. Strong Ale is the correct description of this beer. On target with flavor and feel.

Mouth feel was thick and smooth. Fairly bold body and very subtle carbonation. This beer lay heavy in your mouth prior to swallowing. Nice. You could almost chew this beer.

You take your time with this pint, but it's very nice. Very interesting. Something tells me this is a different beer out of the bottle vs. the draft version. I am guessing that I would like this more on draft. But one never knows.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2010 21:23:58 | More by Reagan1984

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.68/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Prime 16 into a snifter.

A: Clear, dark, ruby-brown body topped with a quarter-inch of fine, persistent off-white foam; decent lace. Good-looking beer.

S: Smoothly sweet malt - maple, chocolate, and some hazelnut. Pretty good.

T: Follows the nose at first, but finishes with a mild hop bite, and a bit more booze than I'd like.

M: Fairly sticky medium body with tons of soft, roiling carbonation.

D: A little too sweet and hot for me. Not terrible by any stretch, though.

Notes: While a thoroughly enjoyable malt-bomb, this isn't one that really stood out to me in any way. I'm glad I tried it, but won't be seeking it out in the future.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2010 00:42:06 | More by woosterbill