Lagunitas Imperial Stout

Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, California

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Deep, dark brown, opaque. Espresso head fades to lace the glass. Fine bubbles. Nice.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Very little aroma, hop or otherwise. Subtle chocolate. Roast and sweet aromas emerge as it warms.

TASTE: 8.25/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Sweet, licorice, chocolate, sour notes. Whiskey. Very malty.
  
• Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Alcohol. Roast, sweet finish–really well-balanced. Bitterness is there (and welcome), but restrained.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Big and boozy, big body—just plain big.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
Watch out! This is 9.9% ABV, and you can taste it. Big, boozy, sweet and warming. A good imperial stout.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Another sweet, tasty Lagunitas beer at a good price. This is a big, solid imperial stout, one we'd definitely buy again. Kudos to Lagunitas for delivering a great-tasting, complex, original brew.
Ben: This is something your Uncle Vladimir would enjoy during January in the heart of Siberia (though, be warned: he could probably drink you under the table with this one).