Lagunitas, from Petaluma, California, is known mostly for their amazing (and value-driven) Imperial IPA called Hop Stoopid. Luckily, we have finally been given the okay to get Lagunitas in Kansas and Missouri — so I have not been deprived by any stretch of the imagination. The first day I saw Hop Stoopid available here in Kansas City I purchased eight bottles right on the spot. At only $3.50 for an amazing 22 ounce bomber of hop goodness, how can you go wrong? So when I saw their barley wine called Brown Shugga getting ready to hit the shelves I jumped at the opportunity to buy some of them as well. A fan of barley wines already, I figured this couldn’t be too bad of a beer knowing that the brewery knows a thing or two about hops. But what struck me about Brown Shugga the most is how light the hop presence is for such a big beer. It’s easy to pick up a small amount of hops on the nose, but it doesn’t translate over to the palate as much as it should. Barley Wines are known for having a large amount of hops, but the focus here is more on the malts and sweetness from the brown sugar that is added to the beer. All in all, I would say this is a good beer from Lagunitas. However, loads more hops to bump up the bitterness and aromas would definitely turn this one into a great beer.
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This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Great Lake Swimmers
Brewery: Lagunitas
Beer: Brown Shugga
Style: Barley Wine
Location: Petaluma, California
ABV: 9.84%
Rating: 85/100
