Try?
So. Lagunitas Lagunator. What the hell is that? Lagunitas says:
It’s a dry-hopped California Common with a massive malt character, rounded out by a bitter balance from some experimental hops from the Yakima Valley, this beer will leave you saying ‘I’ll be bock!’
Hmmm. I’ll be bock. Technically, the Lagunator can’t be a Califonia Common and a bock. You see, a bock is fermented with lager yeast and then cold lagered to smooth it out. A California Common (aka steam beer) is a hybrid that is brewed with lager yeast but then warm conditioned to allow a soft fruitiness. So, you can’t be both, Lagunator. And oh yeah, that -ator suffix is a doppelbock hallmark.
Some more from Lagunitas:
He
awoke from the time transfer naked, damp, dizzy, disoriented, and alone,
except for the bottle of some auburn ale he still clutched in his sweating
hand. He looked to the right and then to the left for some kind of shelter.
In an instant, a towering figure cast a long shadow over him and he saw a
single enormous hand extended his way. All of his synapses crackled as he
recognized the massive and terrifying form as that of the great ‘Brewmaster’. He
heard a deep voice say, “Come with me if you want to live”. He now knew the
bottle in his hand must contain the rare Lagunator and he also knew that he
might survive to enjoy it. Experience all the terror and the drama…
Lagunitas Lagunator has an alcohol content of 7.7% by volume with 42 IBUs. It’s a steal at $4.99 for a bomber bottle. I paid $6 for a 23-ounce mug at Taco Mac.
That mug of Lagunitas Lagunator arrived a beautiful golden brown color with a thick creamy head and soft cookie malts and citrus in the nose and palate. Taking a sip the beer is plenty toasty nutty like a bock, but a bit fruity too like a California Common. It’s citric hoppy in a big way with soft resin and a spicy bitter finish.
I’m calling it a bock, it doesn’t have the chewy maltiness of a doppelbock although the strength is commensurate with that style. It’s delicious however you slice it, a solid 4 stars with an extra half tacked on for the great price.
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
