Lagunitas IPA

Last week I put out a call for guest reviewers. About 10 people excitedly inquired, and zero came through. No worries though. I asked again this week and I already have a couple of guest reviews in my inbox. Hurray! Tonight's review is from Christy (A.K.A The Beer B1tch [SIC]). She's been a fan of beer since she was 20. Only recently, with the encouragement of her husband, got into home brewing. In order to brew good beer she figured she better learn what good beer tastes like, and subsequently started her blog The Beer B1tch. I can't say enough how much I love seeing reviews from "newbies"...brings me back to earth; I was exactly where Christy was almost exactly a year ago today! Many thanks for the review!

Lagunitas IPA is a staple beer in our house. I think it's safe to call it my husband's favorite. I like it just fine, but 'favorite' is a strong word, especially when it comes to beer. How can you pick just one?

Tonight I'm reviewing the last bottle we've got in the fridge; I guess that means it's time for a trip to the liquor store. But I digress.

I poured from the bottle into a pint glass. The color is a pretty, clear amber, a shade or two lighter than honey. There was very little head--half a finger at best--though it did hang around for a good several minutes.

Aroma is a tough one for me, as I have pathetically poor scent receptors. I do smell hops--though they're not overpowering--and little else. Maybe some caramel.

The first thing that hits you when you sip this beer is the bitter flavor on the sides and back of your tongue. It's biting, and enough of a shock that it may be a turn off to some drinkers at first. But by sips 2 and 3 it's faded…or maybe my taste buds have been beaten into submission. There's a teeny, tiny hint of citrus that's almost overshadowed by the hops. It ends smooth, almost sweet. There's that caramel again.

There's lots of good carbonation in the mouth feel, and I guess you could describe that initial bite as crispness.

Overall, the more you drink of this, the more drinkable it gets. Like I said, that first bite will get you, but by the end you're staring at the bottom of your glass, wishing for another. I really do need to get back to the liquor store.