Lagunitas XS Ale

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

22 oz bomber is what I had on hand to taste this with my brother, while visiting on Labor Day and charring up some cow meat. Aroma was just a bit better than average with an up front malty aroma, but there was some hops in the background. They were faint, but there if you dug a little deep. Appearance for me could have been higher, but we had a TON of floaties in my bottle so that took a minor hit. It was dark amber colored, nice off-white head so not bad. Mouthfeel is what really I found intriguing with this beer because of the creamy nature of a strong ale at 7% (okay, okay...6.9% precisely) but it wasn't overly harsh in any way. Flavors were slightly sweet, but nicely balanced between hops and malts with a bit more bitterness coming around going down. My overall impressions with this beer is that it IS good and very drinkable.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 8

Very nice. Pours a clear amber with a very nice, very tight head that left a great lace down the glass. This is as good as appearance gets. Scent is a bit weak, but malts and floral hops. Flavor is solid. Definate alcohol presence but it’s not overbearing at all, which is interesting in itself. The hops and malt are very well balanced with the floral hops coming out on top. Very nice indeed. Palate is average: crisp yet creamy. I’d like a bit of mineral to this to take it up a notch, but it’s still fine. Overall I really like this and think it’s one of there better offerings of late. Definately worth seeking out.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 8

Nice copper colored brew with a thick off white head. Floral hop nose. Creamy palate with a good maltiness to it. Very enjoyable brew.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 8

Medium reddish amber color. Medium white foamy head. Aroma is hoppy and sweet. A medium to full bodied American String Ale. Interesting beer it is malty and sweet enough for the malt lover and still is hoppy enough for a hophead. Malts are fruity and sweet. Hops are grapefruity and piney. I can feel the extra carb load already. Iím glad someone is NOT catering to the Adkins diet craze. Nicely balanced. Very smooth taste. Nice semi-dry finish. It would make an excellent session beer if the alcohol was a little lower, but I will drink this one often. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and dry. Aftertaste is slightly sweet, with a very slightly alcohol bite.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Quite a nice looking dark amber almost browm coloured ale..good sized frothy off white head. Very malty aroma, but with a slight spicy hop background. The taste is manilly smooth semi-sweet maltiness..then near the end it breaks up and the bitterness shows through and continues well into the after taste..there is a slight alcohol warming in the belly ( seems more than 6.9%). Very smooth on the palate then semi dry finish with great aftertaste. Nice drinkable ale from Lagunitas they have yet to let me down.