Hairy Eyeball Ale - Lagunitas Brewing Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Volo had 7.3% a.b.v. on their menu, but there was more of a 9% presence here. Brownish with a mocha head, significant head and lace, overflowing bottle a bit like Belgians do once the bottle was opened. Horrible aroma, fishy and like someone sweaty had drunk from this glass just prior. Not like to think about that. Pefectly served at Volo at just under room temperature and enjoyed on their deck. Smooth, creamy, refreshing, full mouthfeel. Hops came at you more and more, but carbonation was not overbearing rather drying. Spicy hop aftertaste.Had two years later, aroma quite passable and so an upgrade.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2005 13:32:00 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Candied cranberry with orange slice edges. Once the final few ounces are added, the beer becomes murky caramel. There's a huge amount of yeast in suspension, with the occasional bubble plowing its way up to a great looking head. The cap is equal parts ivory and ecru and sports a finely pitted, finely bubbled surface. Enough lace sticks to keep me enthused about the overall appearance.

The nose is caramel malty, orange and pineapple fruity and spicy in the way that some Belgian beer is spicy. I don't believe an actual Belgian yeast was used, so perhaps the brewers added clove or something similar. It's different and I like it.

Hairy Eyeball Ale tastes like the beer equivalent of fruit salad. It's a veritable cornucopia of orange, lemon, grapefruit and pineapple chunks soaked in melted caramel and brown sugar syrup. I'll thrown tobacco in there as well, even though it doesn't sound very appealing in a fruit salad. While I can appreciate a minor alcohol bite, it's incredibly soft and well-integrated. That tells me the beer is well aged. I'm guessing it's two years old at least.

I'm still picking up a moderate spiciness that might be due to some amount of rye malt, or might be due to the addition of spices themselves. I'll take a wild stab and say ground clove, ginger and cinnamon. I think I read somewhere that Lagunitas considers this beer to be a Christmas ale. I'll go along with that.

The (estimated) two years in the bottle, in addition to taming the alcohol, have melded the individual members of the flavor profile very well. They've also resulted in a mouthfeel that is incredibly smooth and creamy. It needs a bit more chewiness and a few more bubbles before I'll consider bestowing greatness upon it.

I think Lagunitas is one of the most underrated, least appreciated craft breweries in the entire country. Their big beer is top-notch. Olde Gnarlywine, Brown Shugga', Cappuccino Stout and Imperial Red are all fantastic. Hairy Eyeball, as well, has both flavor and power to spare. In fact, it can stand nose to nose with some of the best American strong ales... and not blink.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2007 16:55:32 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Really a very intresting beer here, and something i have been meaning to come across for quite some time. Served cold but allowed to warm, this one was consumed on 04/07/2009.

The pour was very nice. Rich looking copper color with a light cloudiness to it. I was impressed by the thick look to it. Rich head of white across the top faded quickly leaving behind only token lace in its wake. The aroma was sweet, lots of caramel and a touch of piney hops make it just bitter enough to get by. Really nice profile here as I take the first sips. Rich malts, smooth, easy caramel flavor with a light and subtle bitterness that reminded me of a nice barleywine. Medium feel here as the syrup like nature of it lended itself to a bit thicker of a profile. thought the alcohol was very well hidden indeed,

Overall a very solid beer with a tight flavor profile. The rich malts dominated everything through enough hops shone through to provide a nice balance to it. Reminded me of bigfoot.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2009 02:27:26 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

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

On-tap at Stone

A: The pour is a clear dark amber color with a mild, slightly off-white head.

S: The nose is sort of weak with and interesting mix of sweet caramel, toffee, and coffee (could have been some roasted malt). I tried letting the beer warm up, but still a bit muted.

T: The flavor is a bit more intense than the nose, but similarly lackluster. Not bad, but certainly not fantastic. The malty sweetness is the primary flavor with some hints of toast and roast and a light bitterness.

M: A full-medium body with a low to moderate level of carbonation.

D: For the ABV, it's fairly easy to drink, but it 's not necessarily a beer I would look to try again. One of the few Lagunitas beers I haven't been too crazy about.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2010 09:33:38 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Poured into a snifter. The color is a nice really dark red-amber with a really thin head that doesn't really last. The nose is strong and malty with some brown sugar, caramel, dark fruits, and a bit of light booze. Really nice and complex. The taste is some brown sugar and light dark fruits. The feel is a bit boozy but quite nice with a good body and drinks well.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 01:18:48 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.53/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a dark reddish-brown body with a small, thinning, white head.

Smell: A scent of freshly opened boxes of raisins overlaying a light, earthy maltiness and notes of sherry and roast.

Taste: Moderately sweet, earthy maltiness with just a slight roastiness. Prominent raisin fruitiness. Light sherry, some spices, and even a dash of coffee. Medium-light bitterness. Hint of alcohol on the drying, lightly astringent finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium-low carbonation.

Drinkability: A bit too sweet and a bit too coarse, though it fits the name.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2008 00:32:51 | More by ChainGangGuy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

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

Bottle courtesy of Secret Santa: Poured a deep dark brown color ale with an average foamy head with average retention and no lacing. Aroma of big caramel malt is quite imposing and dominating. Taste is also dominated by some heavy caramel malt with some notes of bitter hops. Lacking some floral or citrus notes with not as much hops as I was expecting considering the brewery. Full body with average carbonation and no discernable alcohol. This one was a bit of a surprise considering the lack of hops (yes there is a lot but not as much as I would expect from Lagunitas) but the malt was very efficient.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2008 19:58:07 | More by Phyl21ca

oberon

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a nonic a deep ruby color with a dark brownish tint a quick to form one finger slight off white head atop,great balance and complexity in the nose deep brown sugar and alcohol dipped dark fruit intertwined with spicey/grassy hop really trying to hold up to the malt...advantage malt but a close call.Big and warming with great flavor and balance gummy,juicy malt with that brown sugar and raisin-like quality finishing resiny and piney inducing great hop burps.I love these kind of big American brews insanely balanced,big and bold with great complexity,Lagunitas rocks!

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2007 02:52:34 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle cellared one year... A dark mahogany body reveals orange and ruby highlights when held to the light; and it's creamy light tan head slowly erodes to a wide collar without leaving behind much more than spotty lace. The nose is rich with caramel, molasses, piney hops, light spice and wood. It's quite refreshing, and reminiscent of a crisp fall evening under the stars. It's medium-bordering-on-full bodied and just slightly zesty in the mouth before warming to become creamy and smooth as its very fine carbonation "pillows up". Caramelized brown sugar and light spice dominate the rich, malty flavor before a splash of alcohol becomes apparent. Some softer notes of caramel and nuttiness follow in the finish. Resinous, piney hop flavors are present the whole way through, but shine in the aftertaste. Exceptionally well-balanced and highly drinkable despite its strength. A most wonderful holiday meal beer or nightcap!

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2003 21:44:38 | More by NeroFiddled

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

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear, crimson coloring, with a healthy tan head on top.
Aroma is rich and sweet, port-like, dark fruits, yeast, and spice. Heady.
Tastes...delicious! Huge flavor, dark fruits aplenty, cherries and grapes, berries and melons, lush and delightful....rich and tasty....zing, zing, zing, zoom, zoom, zoom...very tasty...9%? 'zat'all?
Full bodied, long, rich, fruity finish.
A really nice barelywine. Creamy, richly rewarding, just like a barleywine ought to be...big thumbs up from me.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2005 10:42:47 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

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

The beer pours a ruby red/brown color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a warm, malty scent that boasts of crystal malts and a slight raisin aroma. The taste is good. It has a smooth, burnt caramel flavor that goes down easy and finishes rich and warm. It has a roasted/raisiny finish. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good strong ale. It's full flavored and packs a punch.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2007 01:43:26 | More by WesWes

zeff80

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a cloudy, burgandy color with a thin, bubbly, off-white head. No lace.

S - It smelled of molasses, caramel, dried fruits. Some floral and grassy notes.

T - It tasted a little boozy with a powerful, malty caramel taste. There were dried cherry and plum flavors, too.

M - It was soft, smooth and chewy. A medium-bodied beer.

D - This is a nice strong ale. Fairly easy-drinking despite the powerful ABV.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2008 02:11:04 | More by zeff80

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

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep ruby color topped by a creamy tan head. In the aroma I get notes of crystal malt, and a hint of citrusy hops at the end. Aroma has notes of toasted/ biscuit malt as well. Wow, a smooth creamy body greets my tongue as I take the firs sip of this beer. It is lightly sweet up front and finishes with a fruitiness that reminds me of raisins. There is a slight bit of bitterness in the finish, just enough to provide a foil to the maltiness that is the center-point of this beer. This beer is a very nice, well balanced beer. It is so smooth and well integrated. If you like malt accented strong ales witha bit of balancing hops, then this beer is for you

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2004 19:32:04 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of caramelized malts, dark fruits and some hops.

T: The taste is sweet, very malty and kind of buttery up front with flavors of dark fruit and caramel. There's a mild but complimentary hops presence that provides a nice balance. The 8.80% ABV is nearly undetectable. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down dangerously easily, not too filling, deceptively strong kick, this is a very good beer to drink for a while if you want to try pounding a stronger beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2008 02:24:38 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.08/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours brown/chestnut with 3 fingers+of rocky tan colored head. Pretty good lacing & very good head retention

S: Chocolate & malt

T: Chocolate, toasted grain & nuttyness up front. Breadyness & warming alcohol soon follow. Pralines & toffee soon show up as well. Finishes dry, warming with some pretty piney hops at the back of the throat.

MF: Medium bodied, almost chewy with quite a bit of carbonation, which detracts a little

Drink very easy for the abv, nice take on the style & worth a pint or two

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2007 05:37:15 | More by russpowell

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This one poured out as a reddish brown colored ale. The head was white and foamy looking and leaving just a touch of lacing behind on the glass. The smell of the beer is a little sweet and a little fruity, it's got a little bit of everything going on in there. The taste is kind of the same way in my opinion. I'm not sure exactly what they're going for here but it's interesting. The mouthfeel was drinkable, decent carbonation and nicely balanced. Overall I'd like to have this one again one day just to give it another shot. Perhaps I'd enjoy it even more the second time around.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 16:57:19 | More by Knapp85

emerge077

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours into a highball glass a deep chestnut brown, with a slight reddish tint. Tan foam, small head, laces a little bit.

Aroma is malty, with a little raisiny sweetness.

Hop bitterness shows up in the taste, but any hop flavor/aroma is buried under a bucketload of dark caramel malt and molasses flavor. Alcohol is readily apparent. Mouthfeel had a little creaminess to it, but wasn't huge. Worth a try, but I won't look for it again.

Tried this for $4.75 at Four Moon Tavern in Chicago.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2008 22:44:02 | More by emerge077

Halcyondays

California

3.65/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle, I assuming this bottle is around a year old,

A: Pours a dark maroon into a goblet. Soft, light cap of off-white foam, soapy lacing around the perimeter of glass.

S: Great smell of aged caramel malt. Heavy on the dark fruit, hard candy.

T: Similar to the smell, but not as sweet as the nose would imply. Strong hop presence of bark and pine. Malt is sweet and syrupy, with a good amount of residual sugar in it. Dried fruit - especially raisin form a major component of brew.

M: Relatively light for the flavours it's carrying, but still has a solid backbone. Light carbonation, not the smoothest going down. Has some thin notes.

D: A solid sipper hybrid of styles I have here. Not blowing me away, but nice enough and good to drink. A solid brew from Lagunitas.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2008 00:23:11 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: clear bronze and mahogony red color. Thick and fluffy 3"+ head lasts forever which was surprising for a higher alcohol beer. Some decent lacing developed.

Smell: caramels and chocolates are mild and soft on the nose.

Taste: dark chocolate, caramel candy, hints of molassess and prunes, alcohol, and a strong bitterness make up a hearty and warming ale.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp and dry throughout. Long aftertaste as the flavors just last on your tastebuds. Medium bodied.

Drinkability: warming alcohol and hearty flavors make this a slower sipping beer which is great on a cold winter evening. Very tasty and worth picking this one up.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2007 23:41:18 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Ours ruby orangish brown - similar to deep cranberry with a thin head that becomes a patch, but returns sith a gentle swirl of the glass.

The smell is of caramel, soft dark fruits and an earthy dough.

The taste is malty - caramelish, sweet grains, and a touch of brown sugar. It is soon enhanced/balanced by a mix of dark and tropical fruits. Sharp spiciness comes from a variety of wintry spices - nutmeg, clove, cinnamon(?). An underlying doughiness ties it together. Spices and hops strong enough to add to balance and flavor, while leaving it with an overall malty character. This is complex and rich - the flavor interact well. Alcohol is fairly well covered for abv - just enough to add a soothing warmth. Rich finish. Flavor, especially maltiness, lingers for a long time.

It's full bodied and silky smooth. Has a creaminess about it with a mellowed alcohol dryness.

This is a wonderful winter brew. Very flavorful. A nice one to enjoy in the winter. Be careful though, the alcohol level is about 9%, though it seems a bit less.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2007 15:42:39 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

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

12oz bottle - I kind of miss the nonsensical label edge ramblings from the bigger bottles.

This beer pours a clear, very dark chestnut brown colour, with orange highlights, and one finger of foamy pale beige head, which leaves a scattered web of lace around the glass in its wake. It smells of toasty caramel malt, and mild pine/citrus hops. The taste is big caramel and treacle-flecked malt, vanilla, citrus cream, pine hops, and acrid warming alcohol. The carbonation is moderate, the body slightly short of full, round weight, and smooth enough. It finishes quite off-dry, the well-established malt persisting, amongst a tugging blended hop bitterness.

Seems like I've seen this before from this brewery, but I'm not complaining - a solid, strong west coast ale. Well, maybe the booze isn't as well hidden as usual, but that's just splitting hairs.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 06:10:37 | More by biboergosum

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

It's an American strong ale with roots in the English barleywine style. It's malt heavy, with a lighter hops compliment. The malt profile is rich and fruity, like apples and berries. The hops seem slightly fruity, not too harsh, but add a nice balance. This beer isn't amazing, but it's well-balanced and worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2007 07:43:01 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Always down for sampling a new Lagunitas beer...appears a dark ruby cola hue with a large tan head leves fine lacing all around my chalice very nice looking brewski. Aromatics come on strong with a great malty profile full of raisins and dark chocolate with some mild herbal pine hoppiness evident also noted was a minimal tart character that I was getting. Flavor is strong and assertive just like an American Strong Ale should be, some malty bready caramel malts with more fruit soaked ripe alcohol notes but finishes with a solid bittering pine hop flavor...definitely comes off much more hoppier in flavor than the smell was letting go, this is probably due to less finishing hops. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied somewhat mild syrupy texture even carbonation carries it well so that it doesn't stay coated on the palate. Drinkability from a fan of the brewery and uniqueness of all their beers, this one just adds to their likability solid American Strong Ale that I will definitely have again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2007 19:27:33 | More by WVbeergeek