Lagunitas Cruising with Ruben and The Jets

Brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Petaluma, California USA

Very lovely, silky smooth on the palate. 8.6%? Very well hidden then. I get those hints of the chocolate nibs without this delving into "chocolate stout" territory and the peppercorn is restrained.

bomber. pours a light black / dark brown with a average tan head. some chocolate in the aroma... not very strong overall. Nice pepper spice up front with a bit in the finish as well. Nice and soft on the sides with a solid medium body throughout. Overall a nice stout with a twist of pepper. The pepper really adds an element that makes this one stand out.

Pours dark brown plum with with a thick creamy tan head. Aroma is strong creamy roasted chocolate malt, dark plum or prune fruits and some vanilla. Flavor starts with a strong plum and bitter chocolate. Slightly peppery in the finish and very creamy nuttiness. Surprising little burst of fruit and hop spiciness in the finish adds a nice zest. Medium to full body and moderate carbonation. Really nice tasty and complex brew. Very good all around.

22 oz. bottle shared by kleyland. Brown pour with a large, light brown head. Aroma of sweet chocolates and a hint of pepper. Flavor is sweet and malty, with the aforementioned chocolate, pepper, and roasted nuts. Bitter finish.

Poured a dark mahogany with firm tan head. Aroma was cocoa, plums, vanilla, and roasted grains. Flavor was an interesting mix of malts (chocolate and pale), mild dark fruit, a bit of espresso, some bakers chocolate, and a small dose of bittering hops at the end. A complex and interesting brew that will keep you wondering what you think of it, all the while you are enjoying it.

Nice off-white head. The beer doesn’t look like a dark stout. The head is fluffy and sticks around. The beer is opaque, but the beer is not as dark as other stouts. Nice nutty and roast aromas come from the beer. It is aromatic, but not as much as other beers, but don’t get me wrong this beer smells pretty good. Nice stout taste. Has a nice roast and nutty flavor. I think the roast and nutty flavor come through more than any other flavor(s). The beer is average palate. Overall, this beer is pretty good and you should appreciate the nutty and roast flavor(s).

Interesting. Sort of in the vein of a foreign stout. Very dark brown, but ruby light definitely passes through the middle. Slight head. Aroma is fruity, slightly roasty, and sweet. Flavor essentially matches, with some spiciness in there I had been attributing to them having potentially used a Belgian yeast strain, but I am now attributing it to the peppercorns. Interestingly enough, I didn’t get any chocolate - just dark fruit and very light roast notes. Not bad, just sort of a different kind of brew.

One of the rare disappointing brews I’ve had from Lagunitas. Pours a medium textured somewhat translucent dark brown color. Initially props up a thick but big-bubbly light tan head which fades gradullay to some spotty wisps of foam. Just a slight bit of lacing coats the sides of the glass. Weak aromas of roasted malts, coffee and licorice with some background berry and grassiness. Mouthfell was too thin and watery for an top notch 8.6% abv stout. Not much body or fullness here on the palate. Flavors were slightly more assertive and enjoyable as compared to the nose. Roasted dark malts, licorice, dark dried fruits and coffee are modestly perceived. Finish is sweet and sugary. Amazingly for such a weaker tasting stout the alcohol is no way overwhelming. Not a great effort here by one of the better brewers on the market.