Lagunitas Maximus

Brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Petaluma, California USA

Here is a DIPA for the ages! Everything about this ale is superb, from the citrus aroma to the perfectly balanced aftertaste. In between are a nice copper/orange color, a beautiful off-white head with excellent lacing and a taste that tells you it’s a DIPA - not by its strength but by its depth. Mouthfeel is opulent. All this combines to perfectly integrate the higher alcohol content. Definitely a keeper.

I might not be the world’s biggest Lagunitas, but I gotta call it like I taste it and this is one tasty DIPA. Quite excellent really in every phase, and easily one of the top 25 DIPA’s out there I think. Aroma is a really nice 1-2 punch of piney and citrusy hop goodness, but it’s more than just that. There a lingering perfumey character that is really noticeable and a touch of malty sweetness. Appearance is a solidy, hazy medium orange in color with a beautiful, thick and creamy off-white head that had some great staying power. Looked quite beautiful the entire time with suprising lacing after every sip. Mouthfeel was sily smooth. No harshness here, no overcarbonation. Flavors were well integrated with a pleasant hop/malt combo that was neither overwhelming or too subtle. I think this was about as balanced as I like my DIPA’s to be and still have enough hop profile to please me. Orange, tangerine, and grapefruit are really at the forefront with this beer. Very nice and I think this is something that I know I can go to on a regular basis now. If you see it, don’t expect to be blasted by a ton of hoppage. What you get with this one is a signifigant difference than some DIPA’s, which is to say it’s balanced. Highly recommended.

Surprised to find I hadn’t rated this one. Nice amber color with a medium head. Aroma is very citrus-hop centric with a nice bit of malty sweetness coming through. Flavor is a nice grapefruit/citrus/sweet bready malt combo that works well all around. Nice tingly, hoppy mouthfeel. More like a stronger IPA than a DIPA, but who cares? Similar to Kill Ugly Radio in many ways. Solid DIPA!

650ml bottle from Bevmo. Pours a rich copper color with a one finger white head that has good retention time. The aroma is ripe with citrus--mostly grapefruit and oranges--and a touch of caramel. The flavor mirrors the aroma with a fair amount of biter hops added. The hops dominate but are not overbearing, as there are plenty of superbly balanced sweet caramel malts. The mouthfeel is smooth, silky and full with perfect carbonation. The finish is short and clean. The alcohol is well integrated. Overall: This is one of the great IPA’s. Recommended

Pours crystal clear with a firm head. Aroma is huge cascade, with some hints of crystal malt. Flavor is big hops upfront but with a strong malt backing, lots of crystal, yet fairly light body. Alcohol is apparent, but not aggressive or overwhelming. Definitely one of the top IPAs out there.

More of an IPA than a DIPA, but a fine tasting brew nonetheless. Nice balance, wonderful hop aroma escapes the glass, taste is balanced between bitterness and sweet malt. Super balance, and a great IPA.

Gold with a pillow of white head formation on top. The aroma is gorgeously strong of flowery fresh hops with a layer of citrus hiding behind. It delightfully adds to the anticipation of tasting the beer bellow. The flavor is surprisingly light on bitter hoppiness upfront. While the hops are clearly noticeable, the bitterness is well masked by the citrus and sweetness. The body is easy to cut through and the alcohol is deceptively tame making this a dangerous IPA in the wrong hands. I could drink this all night.

Bottle at RBNAG 07. Golden / orange colour with an off-white head. Aroma is sweet, hop, citrus. flavour is sweet, hop, citrus, hay. nice beer.