A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale - Lagunitas Brewing Company

dwagner003

California

3.96/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Took the beer straight from a 38-degree fridge and poured it into a pint glass. The head was minimal, even with a rather careless pour down the side of the glass. While small, the head is very tight, and it coats the glass all the way down. At cold fridge temperature, its flavor doesn't have a chance to really open up. Carbonation dominates your tongue. Let it warm up to the mid to high 40s, and the beer comes alive. It's smells like honey wheat bread, and tastes about the same, with a lingering maltiness, and a sweetness that sticks with you. Overall, it's a pretty good beer that is nice to sip on when you get home from work.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 23:04:36 | More by dwagner003

zimm421

Ohio

4.09/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured aggressively from a bottle into a tulip. Appears a nice orange color with fluffy white head, that leaves good lacing. Very clear, and the head never really dissipates completely.

The nose is fairly muted but the floral notes and sweet undertones are what come through the most. The taste is very well balanced. There is good caramel flavor, and the floral hops allow the beer to finish nicely bitter.

Mouthfeel is fairly sharp, and slightly sticky on the back end. Overall, this is a good brew that is very refreshing, and very full of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 01:16:09 | More by zimm421

bkeach

California

4.48/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

So yummy. Very refreshing and crisp with tons of hop smell and taste, but still as drinkable as a regular pale ale. I think the half wheat malt gives it a great refreshing mouthfeel as well. Just love the taste of this beer. I love SN's Pale Ale as a go to for a drinkable beer with food or something on a hot day, but when I want that with more hop and richer flavors I go for the little sumpin sumpins.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 23:23:33 | More by bkeach

CupcakeNY

New York

4.8/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours a beautiful brass color with a 3 finger head that is very slow to recede, but leaves a nice bit of lace when it does. Nose is full of hops--citrus and pine, maybe a touch of bread. Mouthfeel is smooth, with good body and nearly-undetectable alcohol. Taste is boldly bitter, with more grapefruit than pine in the taste compared to the nose, clean on the palate, not too astringent, extremely easy to drink. A top-drawer wheat IPA, one of the best I've had. Too bad it's a limited release!

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 20:10:25 | More by CupcakeNY

arizcards

Arizona

4.26/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Picked up a couple of singles at Total Wine at the end of March for $1.79 per.

Beer poured a clear golden orange with a nice white head on the initial pour.

Nose is hop city, fresh pungent citrus hops are very nice.

Taste is ipa all the way. Pale wheat is quickly dominated by a citrus and pine.

Mouthfeel is decently carbonated and extremely smooth.

Overall a very nice IPA that i would definitely do again!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 22:37:43 | More by arizcards

AmitC

Indiana

4.48/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.

Color is pale golden. About three fingers thick off white colored head with excellent retention and a super awesome lacing. Little stream of bubbles. Translucent yet clear.

Aroma is excellent and of top notch quality. Spicy and herbal hop aroma. No wheat character comes through in the nose. Strength is strong. Mango peel. A lot of citrus fruits. Wow.

Taste is like a citrus punch mixed with raw mango pulp. Very likable. Sap juice what i like to call. Spicy and full of awesome hops. Bitterness is good but the flavors are overwhelming. No trace of beer here as well. Finish is bitter, of course.

Mouth feel is medium bodied. A lot of oily character. Slick. Easy to drink. Warm.

Excellent brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 23:04:19 | More by AmitC

Bauzen

New York

4.24/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

There isn't too much depth and complexity to this beer, it's a solid choice if you're looking for a nice summer ale with plenty of dry hops and bitterness, but mild enough for the non-IPA enthusiasts to enjoy. The wheat really shines through, and begs for a zesty food pairing; tacos, guacamole, ceviche, or pretty much anything fresh cilantro. That's how I enjoyed it. The flavor doesn't linger long, and the ABV isn't killer.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 00:17:21 | More by Bauzen

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into pint glass.

Very nice golden honey color, with a decent head and beautiful lacing. Smell isn't as pronounced as I'd expect, slight notes of honey, pine and grapefruit. Nice malty flavor, with subtle citric fruits and light, damp woodiness, with a surprisingly tropical fruit note. Light mouth feel, nicely carbonated. Overall a great pale wheat ale, perfect for the first warm day of the year.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 02:47:35 | More by smooth_aleing

Omnium

Pennsylvania

4.49/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Bottle > Pint Glass
A - Pours a really nice yellow, just over a finger head thats thick with some nice lacing.
S - Honey, piney hops, some pineapple and wheat, just a little touch of light caramel malt.
T - Wow, this is not what I was expecting by any means, big time hop flavor with the smoothness of some honey, fresh pineapple and mango flavor, and a minor hint of wheat.
M - Refreshing and well carbonated, good bitterness and sweet fruit on your palate.
O - Shocked by this, not a traditional wheat beer by any means, drinks more like a great APA, or IPA, lots of delicious fruity hop flavor thats refreshing and smooth. Lagunitas still tops my favorite breweries.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 22:34:25 | More by Omnium

SometimesIfart

Michigan

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark but very clear gold with a huge off-white head. Left a good amount of lacing.

S - Honey malt and pine resin dominant the nose. Pineapple and lemon come through along with an extremely slight amount of malt.

T - Small amounts of pine resin and honey malt come through at first, followed by the grapefruit and lemon. Finished slightly malty.

M - Medium, slightly watery body with light to medium carbonation.

O - Overall, It was pretty solid. Tastes like your typical IPA. I think it's placed under the wrong style honestly.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 06:22:34 | More by SometimesIfart

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.09/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A- light copper/gold color. ~2 inch head of loose white foam. Leave some light lacing down the sides.

S- very thin. Smells some light hops, sweet notes. Not a lot, but everything that is there smells good.

T- nice. Good blend of light citrus hops, orange and grapefruit. Then there is a smooth sweetness of the wheat. Almost a berry type undertone. Really a good blend of the two styles.

M- higher side of medium carbonation. Fits the flavor profile well. Little bit oily in a good way.

O - the best representation of a style that I generally don't like. Every other wheat pale I've tried seemed confused and unbalanced. Lagunitas hit the nail on the head as far as mix of hops to pair with the wheat. Great summer day beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 23:50:34 | More by Beerandboards

elvisdoc

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Very nice taste and finish, IMO. A hoppy ale that is very approachable and drinkable all night long....however ABV can catch up to you....you have been warned...that said I found myself impressed with the overall flavor of this ale.

One to keep on hand for friends...this is a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 00:06:10 | More by elvisdoc

echris310

California

1.95/5  rDev -54%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1

This beer is honestly. Way. Ovet rated...

Wat ever they say about it is just bs this has nice color

Nice body foam

Nice beautiful bottle

But da taste is just honestly discusting taste like over sweeted beer eith 2 much sugar or watever over bullshit they put on it

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 06:58:58 | More by echris310

JayQue

Virginia

4.41/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Really outstanding beer, more so because it is classified in a style that usually includes some pretty wimpy beers. This one would hold its own as an IPA or APA as well. Nice amber color. Head and lacing are a bit light. Good floral hoppy smell, prepares you for the great, pronounced taste.

Strong floral and citrus hop flavor with some balancing bready maltiness. Strong flavors, very pleasant...could drink this until the alcohol caught up with me. Mouthfeel is crisp and rich, just right for a hoppy beer.

This is a great beer, I'm surprised I never sought it out before...I will now!!!! This is a new favorite.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 00:14:52 | More by JayQue

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.63/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured this American Pale Wheat Ale from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. This ale poured a clear pale color, produced a thick white head, left an OUTSTANDING amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma consisted of fresh baked bread and mega amounts of floral hops. Medium bodied this wheat ale had a foundation of soft malted wheat, that gives way to a citric hops. By far the best American Pale Wheat Ale I have sampled. Nothing ordinary about this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 23:30:59 | More by GossageBrewery

ronflyersfan99

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

really good beer went well with my kobe burger! I suggest drinking it with a frosted mug,and be careful drinking it .it sneaks up on you.i love it i love it ilove it! nice bottle bartender suggested it!also women like it its a good little conversatin piece!

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 21:50:07 | More by ronflyersfan99

hopfen

California

4.75/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Couldnt beleive I saw sixers of this down the street at the Marina Market/liquor when stopping in for some milk last night. $8.99 later I was on my way home with my first offereing from this brewery [I know, Im a late bloomer :) ]

A- Poured into a long stem tulip and noticed the golden sunset amber colors had a slight haze to them assuming due to the wheat malt used. (I didnt know this was a wheat ale when I bought it until going on Lagunitas site before I popped the bottle).

S- OMGosh, incredible! Such a rich deep citrus walloping scent my nose was doing somersaults. Slightly spicy with pine and some floral elements but what hits you is the citrus orchard. Mouthwatering smell, the best Ive smelt yet. I could just whiff it all day without taking a sip, its that good to the nose.

T- Following the footsteps of the aroma, the taste is magnificent. Simply complex with a rich fruity citrus explosion followed by an unexpected hop bomb. What a great balanced combo! The taste lingers on just long enough to make your mouth say one thing, MORE!

M- Wheat beers usually have a thick mouthfeel to them but this one breaks the rules, crisp and clean with the perfect amount of carbonation.

O- What a great tasting, smelling and overall drinking experience. The flavors hide the high ABV very nicely. Very sessionable, three bottles later I was feeling as good as it gets. This is a great brew but is more of an IPA than a wheat ale. Remarkable first impressions from this brewery. I sure do love living in Southern California and seeing sixers of this within walking distance of my house. Does it get any better? Not by much Im thinking, not by much. I would rate this a WC offering.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 16:45:05 | More by hopfen

blakelive784

Colorado

3.49/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 fl oz brown glass bottle served in a pint glass, reviewed live:

A - Pours a translucent pale orange/golden color with fizzy carbonation and a frothy two finger head. The retention's great, and there's tight, sticky lacing. A little generic.

S - Bright, fresh grapefruit dominates. Faint lemon zest and grassy hops. Restrained pine. I don't notice any wheat, but the pale malts lend a noticeable sweetness. Seemingly well balanced. Mild to moderate in strength.

T - Pungent cascade and centennial hopping. Spicy grapefruit zest and light perfumy floral notes open, countered by sweet caramel and pale malts. A bit grassy and alcoholic on the finish. The alcohol's definitely noticeable, but it's unobtrusive. Very well balanced. Tasty stuff.

M - Well carbonated. A little heavier then I'd like. Medium bodied.

D - You'd be hard pressed to find many beers in the style that are comparable (I can think of one). Incredibly easy drinking and well priced. A bit simple, but incredibly refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 23:24:07 | More by blakelive784

MShirokov

Illinois

2.94/5  rDev -30.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

I was really looking forward to trying this beer, since people say it's a lot like Gumballhead, and some say it's better. It smells amazing, but as far as taste goes, I wouldn't have it again: the bitterness of the hops is overbearing and there doesn't seem much else to the flavor. There is no subtle complexity that Gumballhead has. This beer tastes like an IPA, and I'm not an IPA fan. Wish it had less bitterness and more of a complex wheat flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 18:14:05 | More by MShirokov

ubenumber2

Arkansas

4.06/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out of bottle into pint glass , very light colored , lots of carb , great head with nice lacing

Smell is very hoppy , leaning towards earthy and grassy to me and very nice to smell

Nice refreshing drink on this beer , goes down smooth just enough carbonation to give it a little bite

The taste is more than what I expect from a wheat beer , the hops really come forward and die off towards the end leaving a complex flavor of barley and wheat

Overall I'm not a fan of wheat beer , this has been my favorite so far. I could really get behind a 6 pack of this while mowing the lawn on a hot summer day , I will test this theory in a couple months

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 01:49:28 | More by ubenumber2

ehammond1

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (2013)

Liquor Stop
San Marcos, CA

A truly beautiful beer. Perfectly clear orange and light amber and copper, with a whipped-cream, very tight and small-bubbled near-white head that lasts and lasts. Leaves messy, irregular spiderwebs of lace down the glass. Gorgeous. Perfect.

A blast of citrus in the aroma (orange and pineapple), along with a touch of bread and sweetness, and clean caramel. Complete.

Moderate bitterness, lots of citrus, and a bit of bread make this an incredibly easy-drinking, delicious wheat ale...though given it blind, I'd say it's a damn fine IPA.

Medium bodied with moderate-high carbonation. Slightly sticky, but very drinkable.

Fantastic. This is the type of daily drinker I love. I would love a keg of this on at home. For the style, this is an amazing beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 03:11:03 | More by ehammond1

BBQSteve

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours amber orange with a few dancing bubbles in the light. Head is white and thin.

Smell is superb with that hits you in the face Lagunitas aroma.

Taste is crisp and citrusy sour piney but not over the top.

Heavy taste on the back of the palate is welcomed. Disappears quickly and leaves you wanting to repeat..

Crisp and bright on the palate.

Overall a personal favorite and new to me this week.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 01:46:11 | More by BBQSteve

Jacobob10

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a hazy, amber-orange with a long lasting head. Some sparse lacing on the glass. Heavy hop aroma with lots of grass and lemon and light bready malts in the background. Medium bodied and very refreshing despite its thick texture and bitter finish. This is a damn good beer and I would be happy drinking it anytime of year. I also found the blurb on the bottom of the box very entertaining... well worth the read.

"You ever notice how everything has to be today's version of yesterday's whatever. Well, whatever. Sometimes we wonder what the world would be like if everything was perceived for what it is, and not what it reminds you of. The sun would rise everyday as if for the first time, you'd work as if newly born, you'd see your lover next to you anew, the air would smell like flowers, work would be like the first day back in school, a beer would make your eyes roll back in your head in ecstasy - well, maybe not - but you get the idea. Cheers!"

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 01:00:18 | More by Jacobob10

bambam2517

Arizona

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From a 12oz. bottle to a pint glass, served at 40F.

I'm relatively new to Lagunitas, this is the third brew I've sampled from them. It made me feel like their growing reputation is deserved. Their IPA is alright and I thought the Brown Shugga Sub was a bit overrated, but this one is really great.

A - Dark golden body and it blows up into a billowy soft white head that lasted most of the way through my pint.

S - Really fresh Cascade hops. Best representative of them I can think of.

T - Esters of peach and apricot are emulated by the hop profile, slightly sweet up front and backed up by some nice bitter hop level at the end.

M - Tastes fresh and light, the finish has a bit of bitter as it should I think and the clean finish leaves you wanting more.

O - I think I'm going to have a new go to beer this season when the weather gets hot. We happy...

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 05:15:37 | More by bambam2517

BigJon

Florida

4.98/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

I can't say enough about this beer. This is my go to brew. When poured it has a beautiful golden appearance. It smells very hoppy with a fruitiness tone, I get the cascade hops instantly. Every bottle I have tried has the same crisp, full , fresh taste! Like I said , If I am having trouble deciding, I always grab a 6 of this.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 21:44:11 | More by BigJon