Lagunitas Maximus

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

Had this on draft the other night at Cobblestones in York, PA. This is probably the most over the top IPA I have ever had. It tasted like I was simply drinking liquid hops. There was no balance to it at all. Its smell and taste very fresh however so if hops are your thing then by all means find some.

Hazy copper pour, a bit of head but not much. Bitter scent of hops and something smoked. Taste of hops and spices (coreander and cinnamon). A nice sweet rise in the middle and a dry finish. Probably the best IPA I have had.

Appearance: Nice clear copper, small off-white head that lasts. Aroma: Beautiful hops aroma. More piney/resiny than I would say citrus.. but the citrus is there, very subtle. Simcoe? Malt there, but takes a backseat. Flavor: Delicious bitterness and hop flavor to match the aroma exactly. In fact, the definition for aroma is exactly the same as this + some strong, clean bitterness Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, fully carbed. Overall: Excellent IIPA. Very standard, nothing out of the ordinary, but no present flaws. WOuld drink often.

Bottle from Kensington Wine Market in Calgary. Pure copper in colour with a very dense, long lasting cream coloured head and high carbonation. Aroma has a lot of grapefruit, followed by a little pine, florals that build up too be huge the more you inhale and a faint smell of old books (pleasant and not the typical oxidative smell of cardboard though). Taste starts with a huge, sweet malt backbone leading into a good amount of bitterness. Not extremely complex. I did get a little bit of a fishy taste that could be a little dimethyl sulfide...would have rated higher if not present. Palate is medium bodied and resiny.

6pack from knightly sprits in o-town. Thanks again Alan! Clear copper pour with a fluffy white head and picture esque lace. Pine hops aroma. Strong but not cloying, lots of hops balanced this out.

Has a grassy aroma, a little earthy with a mild citrus. It pours beutifully, with a thick head that settles down, clear, copper/orange color. Nothing outstanding with the flavor, aboot a normal IPA, a little grassy. Bitter on the palate and finishes with th grassy flavor. Overall, it is not one of my favorite IPA’s, but not bad.

Bottle. Nice aroma of pine, citrus, caramel malt. Flavor keeps some strong, fruity malt, but the hops are a little less pointed in the mouth and turn to more general spiciness/bitterness. Still, not oppressively bitter, and has a particular, bitter finish that can be a blessing or a curse. Very nice.

Bottle. Pours orange with a thick white head and leaves nice, thick lacing. Aroma of rich bready/cookie malt and flowery hops. Flavor of lots of hop spices, bitter hops. The flavor is very muddied and it was hard to pick out anything specific. This beer has a spicy bite to it. Mouthfeel is thick and heavy. An ok IIPA but not very well balanced and too heavy for my liking.