Lagunitas Brown Shugga

Brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Petaluma, California USA

On draft at RFD in D.C. To me this is a case where the sum is not greater than it’s parts. It starts off looking pretty good with a amber brown color and small, off-white head. The small head manages to leave decent lacing all the way down the glass. The aroma is pretty stunning with lots of pine and citrus notes, a dead giveaway that there is going to be a ton of hops. Some sweetness is evident in the nose, but it is only a hint of what is to come. With the first sip, the hops come blasting through but are quickly washed away by cloyingly sweet notes of syrup, honey, and light caramel. Unfortunately all the sugar sticks to your tongue and just doesn’t go away. Higher carbonation may have helped here. Overall I can’t say this one is remotely sessionable or a beer I will have again. Just too much of a syrupy mess.

12 oz. bottle. Dark amber pour. Thin head and lacing. Aroma is a mixture of molasses, sugar, floral hops, and cherry (possibly other dark fruit as well). Flavor is a complex of analogous flavors. A few distinct characters emerge: brown sugar, maple syrup, grapefruit, and candied caramel. The finish is slightly bitter relative to the rest of the ride -- a subjugation of floral hop qualities. It’s on the sweet side but very enjoyable.

2008 Release 12 oz. Bottle Sampled 12/24/2009. 9.5% ABV--51.1 IBU’s --OG 1.100 $9.29 / 6-Pack. Remarks Thin off white mild lace head.Clear bright rich red color with mild sediment flecks at end.Aromatic cherry fruit ester floral hop malt front.Mild cloying thick rich sweet big red candy fruit caramel body.Mild hop hot EtOH smooth rich clean end.Too sweet. 3.8 / 5.0 2005 Release 22 oz. Bottle Sampled 2/5/2005 9.9% ABV 51.1 IBU’s OG 1.100. Remarks Mild lacy head.Clear rich bright amber red color.Rich malty sweet floral hop front.Creamy sweet smooth tangy rich caramel malt mild banana cherry complex tasty body.Balanced rich hop spice EtOH end. 4.75 / 5.0 2006 Release 12oz. Bottle Sampled 12/28/2006 9.9% ABV. Remarks Mild lace head.Clear bright thin amber red color.Mild floral hop fruit cndy front.Thick mild creamy rich sweet caramel brown sugar fruit body.Hot EtOH hop spice smooth rich end.Tangy smooth big unique. 4.0 / 5.0 2006 Release 22oz. Bottle Sampled 12/9/2006 9.9% ABV. Remarks Mild lacy head.Clear bright thin cherry amber color.Spicy malty vanilla cherry hop front.Sweet smooth creamy cherry vanilla caramel butter body.Smooth hot EtOH hop spice end.Rich Root for the Home team. 4.0 / 5.0 2009 Release 12oz. Bottle Sampled ? 9.84% ABV 51.1 IBU’s $9.99 / 6-Pack

Guess I am not a Barley Wine fan. Have yet to find one I am crazy about, a few I would drink again and this booze sugar fest is not one of those.

Pours clear amber with brown tints. Aroma of molasses, brown sugar and a slight hint of malt, perhaps chocolate? Taste is sweet. Flavor of malt, molasses, sugar, and smoke. Quite good. Very flavorful and unique.

bottle, pours amber with a medium light tan head. Aroma is full of cascade hops and nuts. Really nice mellow sweet maple syrup and candied sugar mix with a strong piney hop finish. This is so well balanced and easy to drink with no sign of the 9.5%. I’m a fan, would love to try the other varieties.

nice pour with a whistful and lasting head on it. This brew seemed lethargic to me if that makes any sense. Sort of like a turtle covered in molasses crossing a hot highway in the Georgia summertime. A lot of thick caramel notes almost to the point of cloying my senses out. A touch sweet would not be an exaggeration. Heady woody notes in there if you can find them. Certainly a sipper, but one might be just enough for me.

This beer was surprisingly good. Strong alcohol presence, but it’s balanced well by caramel, toffee, brown sugar and a touch of hops. excellent head retention and lacing. A pretty color and smooth mouthfeel.