Lagunitas #10 (formerly #9)

Brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Ale
Petaluma, California USA

22oz. bottle. Tasted twice: Once in mid-summer 2005, again Feb. 2006. When fresh the spiced qualities of the beer were simply too pronounced and became moreso over the course of consumption. Prevailing notes of tarragon, parsley and other grassy herbs were coupled with soft apple fruit and honey. On second tasting the spices have really toned down leaving a much more pleasant drink. A lovely thinnish bright white head sticks around and provides lovely lacing. Notes of frosted flakes and fresh baked bread on the nose with apples and unripe pears making up the midpalate, and finally a little hint of hops almost pilseneresque on the finish. A lovely beer sharing qualities with both the rustic, earthy saisons of the farmhouse and the rich, smooth texture of the Golden Abbey Ales.

First impression of boiled vegetables and corn reaches out from the pils malt and cuts through the aromatics without mercy. To the best of my knowledge, this had been kept fairly well, bought from Julio’s in MA where I’ve had good luck so far. Appearance wise, it displays a very clear dulled golden shade with little carbonation that feeds a quickly departing white head. Wheat-like crispiness serves as a foundation over which various tartish fruit flavors emanate (banana, peach, green apple, perfumed grapes). The hops appear quite understated, I sure expected more of them from lagunitas, it’s not a problem, but once the carbonation stales down(deceptively fast), it gets dully and coriander takes too much room in a leafy, oily, milky way. Finishes sweet and with more DMS vegetal notes and texture looseness. Another disappointment from Lagunitas.

Bottles provided by Wolhfs and Facto, much thanks!

Pour a clean deep golden hue with a nice frothy head and left good lace on the Duval snifter. The aroma has notes of pale malts, grassy hops, orange peel, light herbs and heather, and dusty yeast esters. The taste is lightly citric and bitter but it mostly has a sweet bready malt overtone. Moderate even handed spice and flowery character shows on the finish. A very refreshing beer with it’s lively and crisp mouthfeel. Different for sure and a little of a lot of styles, a solid effort.

Bottle. Light golden color with a quick fading white head. Fruity, citrusy aroma; oranges and grapefruit. Fruity flavors as well, nice sweet hoppy finish. A good summer beer. Thanks to Duane for letting me try this one.

Bottle. Pours a slightly hazy golden with a medium white head. Clementine, yeasty aroma. Tangy, yeasty tatse with a lot of sweet orange and citrus flavors. Crisp solid Belgain ale.

22 oz. bottle 12/19/05. Pours a small white non--lasting head. Orange smell with a hint of lemon zest. Deep golden yellow color and very hazy. The beer is just filled with fruit and especially citrus flavors and although not present in the smell their is a slight hop flavor in the aftertaste. I love summer beers!

Thanks to sick_Boy282 for this bottle. Pours gold/orange, with a white head. Aromas are hops, fruit and malt. Flavors are fruit, sweet malt, hops, and some grain. Nice medium body, easy to drink.

Botle. Thanks Mike. Dark orange in color with a white head. Aroma is fruity yeasty and hoppy. Citrus hops. Banana notes. Fruity and hoppy flavor. Banana.Very smooth. Medium bodied. Light, crisp and refreshing. Well balanced. Very nice beer.