Review: Lagunitas IPA

The very first time I ever tried Lagunitas' IPA was back in 2016. I wasn't really a big fan of the beer as it was usually a tad oxidized/not its freshest by the time their 12oz bottles made its way from California to here in Manitoba. Prior to this beer making a return to Manitoba a few months ago, one of the last times I recall having this beer was at a Doc Walker CD release party/show at the King's Head and I was excited to see it on tap as the pub at the time wasn't pushing much for IPAs, so it was that or Labatt 50 for me. I sipped on it and just like out of the bottles.. it was off. I hadn't had it in several years until it recently came back to my local liquor stores, rebranded in 500mL cans. This time around it's being brewed out of Netherlands instead of California, which seems weird but if they can keep the beer consistent enough and affordable, I won't complain. 

Appearance: The beer has a good clarity to it with a moderate amount of carbonation in the body, while the colour of the body is a golden-amber hue to it. The beer's head starts off pretty frothy and thick, and eventually diminishes to leave behind just a layered lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Sweet honey notes right from the beginning, quite a bit of a pine-forward bitterness from the hops, somewhat grassy as well as has a decent deal of straw to it. A tad floral.

Taste: Sweet-forward IPA with notes of honey, again, as well as pine and a floral hop profile in every sip from the beer. Light straw and grassiness to it, it's rather smooth with a watery mouthfeel and a slightly straw and slightly bitter aftertaste at the end.

Overall Thoughts: Not too light for a Macro IPA, nor is it too aggressive either. It's a very easy to drink IPA for me, pairs well with Buffalo wings and pub grub. It's just weird that this is being made out of Netherlands for the Canadian market but at $3.79/500mL can, I'll take it.. that's cheaper than most IPAs at the moment.. until the liquor board increases the prices again any day now..