Lagunitas Sucks Brown Shugga Substitute Ale - Lagunitas Brewing Company

beagle75

Iowa

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip pint glass.

A: Clear, brassy golden color with over one finger of diminishing white foam head. Heavy lacing remains on the glass.

S: Hops are abundant and dynamic up front, with ripe and sticky tropical fruit as well as a complimentary green dankness. Pineapple and guava are particularly pronounced, although fruity hops begin to fade after this beer has been in the glass for 15 minutes. Faintly toasty base malt is revealed then, but remaining balanced.

T: Begins very off-dry, with aggressive acidic hops oils that defy simple flavor classification but integrate well with the aromas from the smell. Potent hops-derived flavors stretch well into the middle, aside developing bitterness, taking on a surprisingly green quality into the finish. Bitterness becomes potent by the finish, balanced in the presence of the pronounced aromatic flavors.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, acidic and slightly sticky on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: This big IPA is the hedonist's choice for the style--it presents abundant hops and abundant malt sugar that are surprisingly successful at balancing each other. As a DIPA it is more believable, but here it wins because it retains easily observed defining characteristics that the bigger DIPAs simply lose control over. Flavors may step over a line of appropriateness--if this is a regular IPA--but seem tight and much more modern compared to most DIPAs. Pliny it is not--that beer is an exercise in restraint while this is a projection of excess on a budget. Exact style aside, this beer succeeds resoundingly at delivering some of the most desirable hops qualities available without the burden of a 10% abv investment.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 21:49:27 | More by beagle75

Jakob

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +8.2%

05-18-2013 16:18:08 | More by Jakob

jono0101

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +8.2%

05-18-2013 15:57:18 | More by jono0101

Mscarpen

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-18-2013 11:20:36 | More by Mscarpen

mkirkland80

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

05-18-2013 02:11:39 | More by mkirkland80

melisassy

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-18-2013 01:54:51 | More by melisassy

timoteo833

New York

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-18-2013 01:54:43 | More by timoteo833

GinsuDave

Michigan

4/5  rDev -8.9%

05-18-2013 01:11:24 | More by GinsuDave

stevegregg

Georgia

4.75/5  rDev +8.2%

05-18-2013 01:10:13 | More by stevegregg

Kevincredible

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -14.6%

05-17-2013 22:54:34 | More by Kevincredible

EricClayton

West Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-17-2013 19:07:10 | More by EricClayton

BigbROB

Illinois

4/5  rDev -8.9%

05-17-2013 18:56:28 | More by BigbROB

hsaye

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

05-17-2013 18:48:31 | More by hsaye

eliz108

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-17-2013 14:39:04 | More by eliz108

persnickyty

New York

4/5  rDev -8.9%

05-17-2013 11:18:39 | More by persnickyty

pryopen

South Dakota

4.75/5  rDev +8.2%

05-17-2013 04:39:14 | More by pryopen

chossboss

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -14.6%

05-17-2013 04:36:47 | More by chossboss

TreyIsWilson

Michigan

4.68/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A - Copper in color with crazy lacing. Nice 1/4 inch white head.

S - Citrus definite lemon and orange rind.

T - Very easy to drink. Hops are present with a hint of lemon and pine.

M - Medium body with light carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel with great finish.

O - Fantastic DIPA! Very easy to drink. This is a winter staple in my fridge.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 04:08:31 | More by TreyIsWilson

Big_J22

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +8.2%

05-17-2013 01:48:55 | More by Big_J22

Fcolle2

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -20.3%

05-17-2013 00:34:48 | More by Fcolle2

Slay40

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -20.3%

05-16-2013 22:35:02 | More by Slay40

Blashawright

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -20.3%

05-16-2013 22:23:48 | More by Blashawright

carlosega

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

05-16-2013 20:15:01 | More by carlosega

meb3476

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

05-16-2013 19:47:26 | More by meb3476

Westuh

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +8.2%

05-16-2013 18:28:24 | More by Westuh