Lagunitas Kill Ugly Radio

Brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Petaluma, California USA

Being a huge fan of Frank Zappa, I was excited to learn that Lagunitas is continuing their series of commemorative beers for the 40th anniversaries of his groundbreaking albums. Freak Out Ale was good, and I have high expectations for this tribute to Absolutely Free. Poured into a flared pint glass. Apple juice colored body with a perfect 2-3 finger head of just barely off-white color. Lacing is insane, really sticky and resiny with stupendous retention. Aroma evokes memories of Alesmith IPA, very juicy and sweet while still strongly hoppy. I get lots of citrus zest and sweet grapefruit. Taste isn’t as sweet as the aroma would indicate. Piney and grapefruity hops dominate and leave only a little room for maple syrup maltiness. Finish is bitter but pleasantly so, as it lends a crispness to the mouthfeel. Really smooth drinkin’ here, however the body is a bit thin for such a hoppy and bold beer. Carbonation is perfect and with the relatively low ABV for a DIPA, booziness doesn’t come through at all. The smoothness and the nice finish really enhance the drinkability. I’d say this is far better than Freak Out Ale which was a single IPA, and far better than Maximus, Lagunitas’ popular DIPA. A worthy successor in the Zappa series, and a great beer to match a great album.

A fine IPA - but a little on the light side... Aroma of grapes, citrus and light caramel. The flavour is quite one dimensional, but the dimension in focus is wonderfull. Light and hoppy with notes of grape, citrus and caramel - all with an fantastic freshness to it. Almost like the late FZ...

22 0z amber color with nice off white head, hoppy with some burnt malt flavor, dry finish, a nice IPA

Cloudy golden with a lasting white head. Peaches, grapefruit and apricots dominate the hoppy aroma. Sweet, floral, peachy, juicy flavour indicating a whole lot of late hops. Finishes bitter.

Golden in color with a touch of copper. There are scents of citric hops, caramel, orange and toffee. Medium-bodied with a rich, smooth midpalate that shows off some of the dry hops on the finish. Nice balance and length on this one.

Bottle courtesy of Unclemattie: Poured a clear amber color ale with a medium foamy head with minimal lacing. Aroma of cascade hops with some medium bitterness. Taste consists of medium caramel malt with some traces of c-hops bitterness and light floral notes. Body is about average with some good carbonation. Very average overall.

Bomber. Pours amber with the typical off-white head. The aroma is hoppy with decided citrus notes. The flavor is similar, resin and pine are balanced nicely with a malty backbone. Toasted grains and other earthiness give way to a mild hop finish. Alcohol is well hidden and there is some warming in this medium to light bodied ale. A nice IPA although I had very high expectations for this one and I was not blown away.

Bomber. Pours a dull translucent copper with an airy off-white head which leaves moderate lacing. Nose is sweet and citrusy with hops, and green apples....very little else. Taste is similar, with more citrus and green bitter hops, crystal malt, and notes of toasted grains. A touch of caramel malt sweetness levels out the hops but this still seems to be unbalanced. The mouth feel is medium-thin with little carbonation and a slightly watered down finish. Alcohol is hidden well and this remains moderately thirst quenching.