Lagunitas Lucky #13

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

This beer pours a deep amber with a medium off whtie head. The aromas are grass, and slight citrus. The flavor reminds me of a double or imperial IPA. I like it though. Very dry and bitter with a grassy ending. This is a nice beer! Cheers!

Enjoyed 6/1/08 from 22 oz bomber. Pours a gorgeus clear red color with little carbonation and lingering orange-tan head. Very aromatic, smells strongly of citrus (grapefruit) and other fruit tones, very little hop "spice." The taste is a little unpleasantly bitter immediately only because it also immediately tasted sweet, but finishes with a more balanced hop finish. I’m afraid that I served too cold, because as it warmed the malt backbonebecame more apparant andbalanced the beer nicely. Mouthfeel was a little thinner than I would have expected, but for a big beer this was very drinkable.

Amber colored, 2 inch frothy head. Nice dough and hop aroma. Very aromatic. Creamy mouthfeel. Very sweet and hoppy. Delicious. A real winner. Powerful finish. Why aren’t you drinking this beer, right now?

6/04/2008: According to the bottle label, Lagunitas Lucky 13 is "A Mondo Large Red Ale". Yes, yes it is! Amber red in color with a clear complexion, a thick, foamy beige-colored head, a super fresh hoppy aroma that jumps out of the glass, and a strongly malty and hoppy flavor, this is one super big red ale! As mentioned, the aroma showcases a really fragrant hoppy (pine, resin, some citrus and grass) along with some toffee-like maltiness. The flavor delivers true to the aroma and is really nicely balanced between a resin and vague citrus hop flavor with a moderate level of bitterness and slightly roasted, somewhat fruity, sweet caramel maltiness. More and more citrus (tangerine a sweet red grapefruit) and earthiness become evident with each passing sip and as the beer warms. This beer feels strong, but the flavor definitely supports it and the alcohol is extremely well-hidden. This beer has a medium-full body and is very smooth, even a bit mellow, and really easy to drink. I like this beer quite a bit. There is a lot of great flavor and character accompanying a higher alcohol content all at a very affordable price. I have been wanting this beer ever since it was released and it was well worth the wait!

1 pint 6 fluid oz bottle (O.G. 1.085, 76.92 IBU, Alc 8.3% By Vol., $4.99+tax) from Rozi’s Wine House in Rocky River, Ohio.

Clear red, frothy head. Pine and peach hops aroma with light caramel malt and a hint of celery. Sweet, sticky and fruity with big hop flavor. Clean and straightforward. Little noticeable alcohol. Good balancing bitterness.

Interestingly good. (Or goodly interesting?)

Appearance: Like a dark bourbon with head

Aroma: Hops (Cascade? Mt. Hood?), bitter tobacco

Taste: Earthy! hops, leather, tobacco, strong alcohol notes -- almost whisky-like.

Palate: Nice and spritzy.

Overall: Don’t know if I’d commit to buying a 4-or 6-pack of this, but I would definitely revisit it, given the opportunity. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

2008 Bottle - Pours translucent amber with a small off white head....aroma is citrus hop flowers, sugary toasted malt, and pine tree...flavour is sharp and mellows as it warms, malty bitterness, yeast, residual taste is burnt sugar hopiness...quite good...

From a twist-off bomber. Copper colored with a thin diminished head. Nose is sweet and resiny with pineyness and citrus coming through, along with some sweetish wort smells. Taste is very fruity and hoppish in the front, sweet in the middle and end. Not as dry as expected. But nice nonetheless.