Lagunitas IPA - Lagunitas Brewing Company

Bosoxfan20

Oklahoma

3.69/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Poured from 12oz bottle into Speiglau IPA glass. Pours a translucent copper. Big 2 finger off white, thick and creamy head. Good lacing. Lots of carb bubbles and stick retention.

S- Wow. As usual, Lagunitas slaps you in the face with the hop aroma! Lots of citrus- orange, grapefruit, pineapple. Big floral profile as well. Touch of pine. More fruity than earthy. STings the nostrils. Also has some bready smell in the finish.

T- A little more balanced than i expected based on the smell, but the hops still reign supreme. Hop forward with a sweet caramel and biscuit malt base that pokes its head out just enough to give it some balance. Still very hop forward and hop heavy that may not be enjoyed by all palates.

M- Very dry and bitter finish as expected with this west coast ipa. Mid bodied. A little thin and oily/slick. Weakest part of this beer IMO.

O- A hop head's dream is what we have here. Not the most complex, but fairly balanced despite the huge hop presence. I truly amazing hop profile and a delight to drink. Would certainly have again. Just missed a little on the taste and feel for this to be a world class beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 22:59:28 | More by Bosoxfan20

Burkbom23

Connecticut

3.99/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Copper in color, and clear. Pour to a 1/2" white head. Lots of visible carbination. Light lacing not very sticky. S- Hops are the first aroma to hit the nose, followed by hints of citrus and some grain as it warms. Smelled great as soon as opening the bottle. T- Like the aroma tasted the hops up front followed by some breadiness. Bitter finish with some lingering hoppy flavors. M- Medium light mouthfeel, can feel the carbonation. O- Not overally hoppy, pretty good balance. Not very complex, but definitely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 01:15:12 | More by Burkbom23

flydudehsv

California

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle. Clear copper pour, thin off white creamy head and lots of sticky thick bands of lacing ... Aroma is citrusy grapefruit and light piney hops with a touch of caramel malts ... Taste is bitter and rindy with light piney and citrusy grapefruity hops, light sugar, sweet caramel malts and a nice punch of ibu’s ... Finish is dry with a lingering bitter dry hop and malty. .... Solid sessionable ipa abv hidden well ... Mouthfeel is lightly slick and oily.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 07:47:35 | More by flydudehsv

MisSigsFan

California

3.33/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

After all the hype I finally decided to try this beer, and sadly, it was a bit of a let down. Smell was slightly faint, but had pine and citrus aromas. Your typical west coast IPA, just not as bold. The taste was most of the same. It started out pretty well but sadly the taste dies too quickly. The balance between bitterness and flavor was definitely on the more bitter side, and I wouldn't even consider this a very bitter beer. It reminded me of a bitter, piney version of Corona, which isn't a particularly good thing. I think I'll just stick to Stone and Green Flash.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 21:28:16 | More by MisSigsFan

dar482

New York

3.53/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

It pours in a lighter gold color. The aroma is a lot like of West Coast IPAs. Fruitiness and big hops.

The flavor has a decent amount of grapefruit and citrus fruits. It isn’t too strong and doesn’t last for too long. It cuts a bit too quick for me and doesn’t have that big juiciness that I love from some IPAs from the region.

One of the better “standard” easy to find IPAs out there, but does not stand out for me.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2013 04:01:28 | More by dar482

mtboozeaddict41

Montana

4.29/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured a 22oz bottle into a pint glass

A: off the bat it has large scale retention on the head, looking off-white. Transparent orange color, very interesting.
S: Aromas of big and bold tropical fruit and strong hops. More than just citrus, but pineapple an mango creep in also. Piney and mellow intriguing spices. Awesome nose!!! magnifique
T: Breadiness and citrus fruit dominate the palate. To be honest, the meal I had before this might have ruined it. Nice hops though, Beautiful finishing hops. This IPA means business. Nice little spicy note on the finish.
M: Medium to full bodied. Highly carbonated but not overdone, finish is dry. Not bad dry, more off dry
O: Killer IPA, one of the better ones I've tasted in a while. Everything is in balance from aromas to fruit and hops. Everything this hophead needs. thx Lagunitas

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 03:19:31 | More by mtboozeaddict41

BeerWizard

Colorado

3.64/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Visually, the bottle looks like it came out of some brewery in a South American jungle. Big "IPA" in the center of the label that looks to be painted through a stencil, set on a tea-stained label with some red text that gives it flare and danger. Makes me think of palm fronds, machetes, machine guns, and cocaine production. Poured into a glass, it has a nice, almost-white head over an amber body. Fresh pine and tropical fruit on the nose. It smells clean and simple. Hops and fruit on the palate, grass, simple and not big, and a clean finish. Nice carbonation. It's not a huge beer, but it's nice and clean for the style, with really no bitter aftertaste, and the 6.2 ABV is nothing to balk at. I could see getting another sixer of this and doing some BBQ-ing. Goes great with pizza and hot wings, too!

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 05:38:27 | More by BeerWizard

spoony

Colorado

3.79/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

From a 355 ml bottle into a globe glass.

A-The brew pours with one fat finger of yellow-tinted, off-white foam. The foam drops quickly to a thick cap, but never fades entirely. The brew is golden and mostly clear.

S-This is a tropical fruit style IPA with mango, pineapple, and citrus fruits and little in the way of dank pine or sage.

T-The taste is also on the fruity end of the hop spectrum. I taste mango, lemon, some pineapple, and some grapefruit. I also get a bit of soapy spiciness. Malts are mostly missing, as you would expect.

M-The feel is creamier than many IPAs with medium body. The oiliness factor is medium to low.

O-I like Lagunitas brews and I like fruit-forward IPAs, but this one fell a little short for me. It wasn't a bad brew, but the tropical and citrus flavors felt more muddled than complex, and I just never got into it. Perhaps I had an old bottle because the whole thing tasted a little stale?

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 03:47:10 | More by spoony

scottfrie

California

3.68/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle into snifter. Probably should finally review this one.

A: Pours a clear light honey color with a couple fingers of thick off white head that slowly faded into a thick scum leaving large patches of sticky lace down the glass.
S: Dominant fresh cut grass hops, light pine needle, maybe citrus rind, but mostly cut grass and leafy hops. Not overpowering like their dipas, but a powerful hop punch none the less. Sweeter malt undertones.
T: Leafy grassy hops, pine and caramel malt are well balanced together. Maltier than I remember in years past, but I think my palate has just shifted. The finish cleanly bitter and piney and thankfully not overly sweet, and the aftertaste is full of fruit nectar sweetness drizzled in caramel.
M: Medium body, refreshing mouthfeel, drying but not crazy, with soft scrubbing carbonation.
O: One of my old time sessionable ipas. Definitely not my favorite, nor the best, but an old reliable standby.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 05:29:26 | More by scottfrie

DrinkMoreBigBeers

Michigan

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Could not find a date on the bottle. Looked on the neck where they are normally but it was not there.

A - poured out a rich golden slightly hazy body with a creamy 2 finger white head. Looks well carbonated.

S - On the nose is a nice sweet hoppiness, which smells nice and fruity like orange, with a heavy dose of caramel melding with it. Has a thick syrupy smell to it, almost like orange rock candy.

T - The bitterness hits right away and fades slowly. Also there's a pungent lemon rind, citrus flavor, tangyness with a hint of the buiscuit malt tones coming through in the finish. This is definitely a hop forward west coast IPA with a strong hop forward profile. Slight alcohol on the finish of this one.

M - It is light bodied, with an oily slickness, and a rather high amount of carbonation. It's on the dry side and leaves you craving another sip as you mouth dry's out and the flavors disappear.

O - For a easy to drink west coast IPA this one is rather enjoyable. I'm not totally in love with the hop profile of this one, with its slightly tangy and the lemon rind flavor it proves a little to much for me. But that is just being picky, so if you like a hoped forward west coast easy drinking IPA this one is for you . Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 00:01:30 | More by DrinkMoreBigBeers

TheMultiYeast

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours clear amber with two fingers of head.

Mellow aroma indicates this is a highly drinkable IPA. Subdued citrus, earthy pine, grass.

Really clean hop flavors upfront, grassy quality is there, pine, slight lemon, well balanced, low bitterness, slightly metallic aftertaste.

Light body, prickly carbonation. Might grab this again for a backyard BBQ.

Not the best offering from Lagunitas but decent for the price.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 04:24:28 | More by TheMultiYeast

vicg12

New York

4.89/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Love love love this beer. Been hearing many good things about Lagunitas, so when I saw a beer on tap from them I jumped on it. Very happy I did. Super bright hoppy burst of flavor and smell. Small-medium head. Just so full of flavor, super refreshing. Had two right in a row before I had to leave, or else I would have had six more. Highly recommend, one of the best IPAs or beers I have ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 01:07:40 | More by vicg12

rawfish

California

3.74/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours clear and sparkling copper. Frothy three finger head with rather poor retention but the messy lacing is pillowy and long lasting.

Some pine, sweet grapefruit citrus and nectar hops. Mild and clean malt, slightly bready.

Pale malt is doughy and bread crusts, a touch watery with flavors of pine, hemp and herbaceous hops before a citrus acidity kicks in with cleansing bitterness. Clean and assertive beer, it's good but less intense than alot of other ipas.

Watery bodied but with adequate malt to balance the hops, cleansing finish and carbonation feels slick and flat at times. Probably the weakest part of the beer is in this category.

Well built and designed IPA, great value limited only by self imposed boundaries to heighten production. A gentler, kinder IPA that earns its right to be called as such, starter beer to the IPA world, wish I had tried this sooner.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 03:49:39 | More by rawfish

bambam2517

Arizona

3.71/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Fresh 22oz er from the tap at a local restaurant. Paired with Italian food.

A - Dark bronze body, pretty flat in terms of carbonation but the lace that was there did last all the way through the 22oz glass.

S - Citrusy hops, somewhat herbal. Seems scaled back from alot of the west coast ipas, remained to be seen in the taste though...

T - Really well balanced IPA, as the smell suggests it is more subtle than alot of them being brewed now. It makes for a very drinkable beer, as it doesnt wear my palate down and the flavors stay balanced and pair nicely with food.

M - Great up front and mid-palate, only ding I'd really give it is a bit of a twinge in the aftertaste.

O - A good option to go with if youre looking for an inoffensive IPA that you want to session or have a meal with.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2013 17:47:46 | More by bambam2517

wejohnsn

Texas

2.9/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Poured from a brown bottle into a mixing glass. Not much of a head, amber color. I could smell grapefruit and taste the rind other than that seemed flat for an IPA but the flavor grew on me and got better. Got it at HEB in Belton, TX marked at 49 cents a bottle....most likely old which would factor in the lack of a head...price sticker had a date of 11/28/2011

not bad. not great. better than budweiser or miller.

I would drink this again, especially at 3 bucks a 6 pack!

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 02:17:32 | More by wejohnsn

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Clear orange with two-finger, white, frothy head that lasted a few minutes and left a nice film. Pretty good lacing.

S: Bright citrus and pine. Sweet malt.

T: Light sweetness and moderate hop bitterness. Citrus hops and light toasted malt.

M: Medium bodied with lively carbonation. Crisp.

O: Pretty good IPA. Looks and smells great. Taste was a bit boring, but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 00:48:29 | More by SolipsismalCat

tubeyes

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A clear copper, soapy white head with lots of bubbly lacing
S piney hops, some bubblegum
T more oily piney hops, and delicious bubblegum goodness
M well carbonated and hoppily bounces down tongue and throat, hoppy bubblegum aftertaste
O greatly enjoyed the bubblegum hoppy yumminess, I love it when IPAs have by bubblegum characteristics. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 01:55:37 | More by tubeyes

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A - A very active pour off of a standard pour yields a finger's worth of fluffy off white colored head... Limited retention gives way to a full rich lacing... The color is a mix of light copper and muted amber... Limited carbonation - just a few individual stray moderate paced medium sized bubbles rising sporadically throughout...

S - Somewhat muted, but the hops are still at the forefront... They take on a mix of earthy and slightly sweet citrusy character... A very light malt base comprised mostly of biscuit... Perhaps just a hint of caramel...

T - A good balance of biscuit and earthy hops... A light kiss of caramel sweetness... A piney resiny finish... Just a tinge of metallicness on the finish as well...

M - Medium bodied... Clean... Crisp... Limited carbonation... Ever so slightly sticky...

D - Simple... Straight forward... Enjoyable for what it is... What it is, is an unpretentious moderately hopped American IPA that is accessible to the masses and still enjoyed by BAs everywhere... Not necessarily something that I would drink with regularity, but I'll gladly welcome it in my glass when the opportunity presents itself...

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 02:52:54 | More by philbe311

smiga

New Jersey

3.69/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A- Golden orange. Nice head poured heavy into .05l cylinder. light carbonation. Head 2 fingers, average retention, great lacing.

S- Nothing heavy about this beer. It's gentle and fresh west coast style, refreshing. Citruis & pine, more fruit. But less aromatic than other hop heads, which makes it quite approachable.

T- Much more hop than malt. Pleasant. orange, zest and fruit. Moderate bitterness emerges at the mid-palate, and moves into a solid bitter finish with just a faint hint of booze.

M- Medium-light bodied. A touch dry at the end. Not bad.

O- Above average, but more of an every day, easy drinking American IPA. If you're seeking refreshment, everyday, afternoon and first beer, this is a good one. If you are into unique and thrilling aromas and flavor arcs, this Sonoma born IPA is mild and just above average.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 00:21:15 | More by smiga

Moose90

Colorado

4.19/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottled – October 31 2012
Tasted – February 3 2013

A – Pours a light amber with almost a bit of a green hue to it, has a thin fluffy white head that leaves lacing.

S – Juicy and resinous hop here. Pine and citrus coming through as well.

T – Nice and bright hop character. Some grapefruit appears here and compliments the lemon/lime and pine notes. Semi-sweet, but nicely balanced with crisp bitterness.

M – This is smooth, bright, crisp and refreshing. Nice and clean and has a nice lingering finish.

O – An ever consistent IPA, always dependable and a quality drinker. Would be a good one to have on hand all the time. It's nothing crazy remarkable, but it is certainly a high quality brew that I enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 22:41:26 | More by Moose90

elcrawl

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

had this on tap at Guu's. was a pretty dark red for an ipa. had a pleasant hoppy aroma. Taste was a very nice balance of sweet hoppiness and maltiness. Quite a bit different than the hop bomb i was expecting. very smoothe, good mouthfeel, and after drinking two apparently there is some alcohol in there too! Overall, quite a unique ipa than what we usually get around here, nice to have a well-balanced versus hop-bomb ipa. look forward to more before the keg blows!

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2013 02:36:55 | More by elcrawl

kojevergas

California

3.55/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottled January 14th, 2013. 12 oz bottle acquired as part of a six pack at Von's grocery store. Reviewed live. Expectations are moderately high given the brewery - which reliably cranks out pretty good IPAs, but then they all sort of have the same essential hop oil/extract flavour. 6.2% confirmed. Served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass.

Served straight from the refrigerator. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a two finger beige colour head of nice cream and thickness, and very good (5+ minute) retention for the above average ABV. Little lacing as the head recedes. Body colour is a clear translucent textbook copper. Quite vibrant and inviting. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Nothing unique or special here, but it's right on the money for the style.

Sm: Floral and nectary hop character. Lemongrass and citrusy esters. Grapefruit citrus esters. Light pine. Oily hop extract (shocker!). Clean pale malts. Inviting and fresh. I'm excited to try it. No yeast character or alcohol is detectable. A moderate strength aroma. Par for the style.

T: Delightful floral and nectary hop notes, with timid guiding grapefruit throughout. Light oily hop character; not as pronounced as I remember it was in other Lagunitas IPAs - but certainly still there. It's identifiably Lagunitas. Clean lemongrass and pale malts form the refreshing supportive body. Quite tasty, with little bitterness; it's well hidden by the well exected malty backbone, but there isn't too much malt-induced sweetness. Nicely grassy. I quite like it. No yeast character or alcohol comes through. Assertive, refreshing flavour. I wouldn't call it subtle, but it's got a good balance for the style and enough complexity to impress. This is not a boring or bland beer.

Mf: Refreshing, smooth, and wet, with enough coarseness to aid the emergence of the flavour profile. Good palate presence. Fresh and enjoyable. Pleasant to drink. Good carbonation, if a touch overdone.

Dr: I'll have no trouble killing the six pack, and I'll enjoy doing it. This would be a great choice for common fridge stock. A reliable consistent IPA that refreshes, though it does have a hint of bitterness. Might be a good "trainer IPA" for getting used to the style. Lagunitas has again brewed a good-not-great IPA with a central hop essence that is common along its lineup. I'd get this again, but I doubt I'd pay for it on draught unless it was at happy hour prices. Hard to beat at this price point. Consider me impressed. Hides its ABV quite well.

Low B

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 06:04:52 | More by kojevergas

beerdrifter

Germany

3.56/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Clear yellow-orange pour with a two finger off-white head with great retention and lacing. Perfumey floral nose with hints of mango, orange peel, pine, lemon, and that odd, almost squashy smell I almost always seem to detect with Lagunitas beers. The taste is citrus dominated with hints of tangerine, lemon, and grapefruit along with pine, mango, caramel, and unfortunately, that squashy-pumpkin character again. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with nice carbonation and good balance between the sweet malt and bitter hops. The finish is crisp, tangy and dry. Overall this is a solid IPA, but I just can't get past that squash thing.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 17:11:45 | More by beerdrifter

Ray_Turner

California

4.31/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A = Nice light amber gold color

S = Gentle hoppy fragrance, not overwhelming.

T = Good balance of hops and malt flavors

M = Pleasant aftertaste

I don't like I.P.A.'s that are overwhelming, this was a pleasant balance of ingredients. The combination of taste, smell, reasonable pricing, and availability makes this a great everyday refreshment.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 18:49:08 | More by Ray_Turner

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.69/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A nice big two and half fingers of head on a medium straw colored body.
The aroma is a bold lemon.
The taste is lemon, grapefruit and pine bitterness all bundled up in a great way.
The texture is crisp with moderate carbonation and medium body.
Here's a great IPA that drinks almost too easily.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 06:23:56 | More by Fatehunter