Lagunitas Frank Zappa Conducts Lumpy Gravy

Ever since I read about their libertarian ways, I’ve been wanting to sample some of the Lagunitas Brewing Company’s wares - and man, what a damn fine choice this bottle of their seasonal Zappa beer was to start things rolling.

A mighty (7.2% by volume) brew released as the third in the series marking the 40th anniversary’s of Frank Zappa albums, Lumpy Gravy pours out as a deep, almost burnished, copper and ruby pint. Definitely this is something to admire. Drinking reveals this is a pretty malty brown ale, with a lighter hand on the hops than I’ve come to expect from the west coast craft brewers. Despite the hight alcohol content, it’s not overly-sweet, and I manage to polish off the 22oz bottle with little difficulty.

Definitely one to keep an eye out for, if you can still find it. I think Whole Foods had quite a bit left last time I was there… you might want to pick up a couple if you see ‘em.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Lagunitas Lucky 13

Oy… what a beer.  This bottle packs a flavor filled punch that made me very sad to be done with it and also the lush of the picnic I was at… :)  There I was, walking around with my Lagunitas Lucky 13 (no product information on their website), enjoying my picnic and sharing a taste with anyone that wanted one… and it wasn’t a hard sell since this beer tasted so good.

Per the website, this beer is on limited release and we actually got it a bit early in Fred Meyer in Monroe, WA.  Sometimes it is good to be in Monroe.

June to August 2008
Sirius Ale 6 packs, Kegs
Lucky 13 22 oz, Kegs

As far as the taste goes, this is one thick, dark, viscous, amber ale that has a kick and a punch and isn’t afraid to push you down and make you call it daddy.  The smell is thick and indulgent with plenty of hops ready to touch your taste buds.  The first sip out of the bottle was heavy, flavorful, strong.  A mouthful of beer that I still haven’t forgotten today, a week later.  At ~8% ABV, this beer hits quick and you are glad for it.  A very, very good red ale that I won’t soon forget.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

 

Lagunitas Imperial Red Ale (Limited Release)

These breweries are killing me!  How, in this day and age, can you not have your beer on your website?  It boggles the mind.  Ah well… lets consider this the unofficial source until they get their act together…

Lagunitas Imperial Red Ale (Limited Release):

• ABV: 7.6%
• IBU: 84.20
• O.G 1.072

Text on bottle: “This special Ale is, in reality, a reconstructed exhumation of the very first ale that we ever brewed way, way, back in 1993.  Brewed with a big head, a muscular malty thorax, a silky texture & all strung together with a hoppy sweet nerve sack… yum.”

Dug’s Take: Pretty damn good beer.  Very strong and lives up to the words that were so elegently printed on the bottle.  I had this on a somewhat cold spring day, today (see pic below), and it warmed me right up.  Had it out of the bottle, so don’t know about the head but it definitely has some bite to it and is very malty/hoppy.

Good stuff.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

   

Lagunitas IPA

Last beer of the weekend and last untasted beer in the fridge, Lagunitas IPA treated me right this evening.  In trouble now, though, that is for sure.  After a quick work out in the morning, I am heading to what you might consider beer nirvana from what I can tell.  QFC on the Sammamish plateau has to have one of the best beer selections I have seen.  They are the ones that had the Kona Pipeline Porter that I purchased the other day.  A broad range of singles and six packs from micro-brews from around the country and world.  Some really great stuff.  If I can sneak a picture of the selection, I will tomorrow…

Anyhow, Lagunitas IPA was a good, solid IPA that would stand right up there with their Maximus, Inversion’s IPA, or Stone’s IPA.  All rated about the same, IMO.  Good hoppiness, not too bitter, and a bit of a kick in the back of your throat.  Good head and nice redish-gold color.  I would definitely drink this again. 

Bottle:

Lagunitas Maximus

Second beer of the night, Lagunitas Maximus…  I opened this one as I was enjoying some Audioslave on our kitchen stereo.  For some reason, the two went very well together.  This beer is quite a bit different than the Murphy’s Stout I enjoyed just prior.  A lot hoppier and more bitter.  Still a great beer, but probably never meant to chase Guinness-style.

 This beer took me from Audioslave to the first of two movies tonight, Hot Rod.  All I can say is Metacritic had this one nailed.  A terrible flick that I fast forwarded half of.  Don’t waste your time or money watching this… trust me.