Try?
Lagunitas needed a bigger brewery, of that there was no doubt. So, they contracted with Germany’s Rolec to build them one. A brand new 250 barrel brew house to be exact, one capable of putting out 600,000 barrels annually. Sadly, things didn’t go exactly as planned, and the lauter tun was smashed in bad weather on the way across the ocean. They did get another, though, and happily the capacity at Lagunitas’ Petaluma, California location has now been kicked up a notch.
You’ll forgive me if the tragedy of the smashed lauter tun calls forth a Monty Python moment. I paraphrase:
“Listen, lad. I built this brewery up from nothing. When I started here, all there was was swamp. Other brewers said I was daft to build a brewery on a swamp, but I built it all the same, just to show 'em. It sank into the swamp. So, I built a second one. That sank into the swamp. So, I built a third one. That burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp, but the fourth one... stayed up! And that's what you're gonna get, lad: the strongest beer in these islands.”
Ahem. What is the point of life if we can’t occasionally laugh at our adversities?
Anyway, Lagunitas seems to have been happy with their new brewhouse, because they announced in April 2012 that they’re opening a second location in Chicago-with another 250 barrel Rolec brewhouse. That will put their annual capacity over 1.2 Million barrels a year. Are they planning to expand distribution? It appears so. Of course, none of this should be a surprise, since Lagunitas sells truly wonderful beers at bargain prices. Indeed, they are in this reviewer’s estimation one of the best beer bargains out there.
So, you now ask, somewhat impatiently, what does any of this have to do with Lagunitas Doppel Weizen? A lot really, since apparently the volks at Rolec inspired the beer. The label of Lagunitas Doppel Weizen says as much. This is a Lagunitas Limited release that I purchased in late 2011. They call it “our own Bavarian-style Doppel Weizen”. The beer, a weizenbock, is potent indeed at 9% alcohol by volume per the label. It has held up well indeed as I pop it in July of 2012.
Lagunitas Doppel Weizen pours to a murky orange color with thick creamy head formation and a strong estery banana nose. A thick layer of foam clings to the side of my glass as the liquid descends, all the way to the very bottom. The palate is smooth and deceptively drinkable but loaded with complex and appropriate notes of banana, clove, and vanilla. There’s a touch of malty caramel present and plenty of tart, crackery wheat. The finish is dried with a big alcohol warmth.
It’s the proportions that set this beer aside from your average weizenbier. The caramel gives the beer more chewy body, and is not really something common in your everyday Hefeweizen. But the banana, vanilla, and clove notes so common to the latter style are here in far more force. Compare Lagunitas Weizenbock to Aventinus and see what you think.
Overall, an excellent interpretation of the style. $5 for a bomber of this brew gets this one a 5 star rating with me, and if they keep putting out beers of this quality it won’t be long before our friends at Lagunitas need a third brewery. That hopefully won’t burn down, fall over, and sink into a swamp.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
