Lagunitas - Brown Shugga

[Dry Cownty Brewer]

I stopped in to one of the bodega style liquor stores that I only visit when I am headed to my Mom's for dinner and need to bring some good beer. You know the place, smells kind of stale, run by really shady characters that you have no idea how they get a liquor license or what language they speak, but they manage to have a pretty decent selection so someone knows what they are doing.

Anyways, I came across this six pack of Lagunitas Brown Shugga. Apparently, they intended to sweeten up a Barley Wine with some brown sugar, but what they ended up with was a whole different style of beverage. At first taste is was kind of like a barley wine or a sweet double ipa (circa Small Batch 471). However, any signs of sweet were complemented well by a good balance of hops and malts. The more I drank it, the more I appreciated how delicious this beverage is. At 9.5% and $10.99 a six pack, I was really impressed. I really wanted a 471, but that is now more expensive ($14.99 to $17.99 a six pack). The Brown Shugga was great for the price, warmed me up while outside on a cold afternoon, and I will definately pick some up again. I recommend pouring it into a goblet.

[Finch Platte]

Oh hell yeah.

[Cyclotic]

I stopped in to one of the bodega style liquor stores that I only visit when I am headed to my Mom's for dinner and need to bring some good beer. You know the place, smells kind of stale, run by really shady characters that you have no idea how they get a liquor license or what language they speak, but they manage to have a pretty decent selection so someone knows what they are doing.

Anyways, I came across this six pack of Lagunitas Brown Shugga. Apparently, they intended to sweeten up a Barley Wine with some brown sugar, but what they ended up with was a whole different style of beverage. At first taste is was kind of like a barley wine or a sweet double ipa (circa Small Batch 471). However, any signs of sweet were complemented well by a good balance of hops and malts. The more I drank it, the more I appreciated how delicious this beverage is. At 9.5% and $10.99 a six pack, I was really impressed. I really wanted a 471, but that is now more expensive ($14.99 to $17.99 a six pack). The Brown Shugga was great for the price, warmed me up while outside on a cold afternoon, and I will definately pick some up again. I recommend pouring it into a goblet.

funny you mention this. picked up a case of that one last week. surprisingly not much talk about it here.

[Quercus agrifolia]

Excellent choice. Lotsa folks say it's better with age, but I like it fresh.

Them boys at Lagunitas sure know how to handle the hops...

[Vlad]

Those fellas seem like they're having a lot of fun, eh?

[lil'stink]

Good stuff, not for the faint of heart. Try drinking one after a ride or on an empty stomach

[Cyclotic]

Good stuff, not for the faint of heart. Try drinking one after a ride or on an empty stomach

a few friends have indicated similar. personally, i haven't found the current release to be overpowering.

[jrm]

The Hairy Eyeball and Granlywine cant be to far behind...

<img src=http://www.lagunitas.com/images/beers_hairyeyeball_main.jpg>

<img src=http://www.lagunitas.com/images/beers_gnarlywine_main.jpg>

[Vlad]

I had a sixer of The Hairy Eyeball a year or two or three ago. Good stuff, great name for a brew.

[mtnbiker72]

currently consuming 102 IBU's of Hop Stoopid as I type!

[mtnbiker72]

Yep, drinkin' Brown Shugga' right now...very nice!

[Dry Cownty Brewer]

currently consuming 102 IBU's of Hop Stoopid as I type!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmhhhhh! I love me the hop stoopid. In fact, I love it so much that I have to deny myself the wonderful brew at times just so I don't get too used to it or complacent with it. You know? Something that delicious has to be enjoyed in moderation. Otherwise, it starts to become that beer by which you set the standard, and therefore, you are left with nothing but eminent letdowns.

[jrm]

be on the lookout. Sure wish they'd release it in bombers though.

[gaba]

My new ritual is a weekend ride at Annadel, followed up with a stop off at the Lagunitas Brewery Taproom. The smoked briskett paired with a couple of lil sumpin ales cures anything. They always have a variety of brews that aren't available elsewhere. Good live music there sometimes too. Parking can be a chore sometimes but it is worth your time. Drop in the next time you are near Petaluma CA.

[GeePhroh]

be on the lookout. Sure wish they'd release it in bombers though.

Fantastic! I was so bummed that they got too high to make it last year...

[GTscoob]

funny you mention this. picked up a case of that one last week. surprisingly not much talk about it here.

Not recently at least

It's a great beer but they couldnt make the batch last year due to hop availability so I'll have to keep an eye out as it's delicious.

[Blue Bye]

Based on these comments I'm thinking I should try to find this and give it a try. I've liked everything I've every tried from this brewery.

[92gli]

My new ritual is a weekend ride at Annadel, followed up with a stop off at the Lagunitas Brewery Taproom. The smoked briskett paired with a couple of lil sumpin ales cures anything. They always have a variety of brews that aren't available elsewhere. Good live music there sometimes too. Parking can be a chore sometimes but it is worth your time. Drop in the next time you are near Petaluma CA.

Stopped by there when I was in the area on vacation in september. Really cool place. Live music out back every day at 4:20

[jtmartino]

be on the lookout. Sure wish they'd release it in bombers though.

Almost all beers that you can buy in 12 oz and 22 oz bottles are more expensive per oz. in the bomber format. Since Brown Shugga is currently a seasonal release, and it's harder to make than Hop Stoopid (and takes more ingredients,) I would assume it would be at least $6 a bomber, whereas six 12 oz. bottles is only $10. A much better deal in the six pack.

[Klurejr]

Almost all beers that you can buy in 12 oz and 22 oz bottles are more expensive per oz. in the bomber format. Since Brown Shugga is currently a seasonal release, and it's harder to make than Hop Stoopid (and takes more ingredients,) I would assume it would be at least $6 a bomber, whereas six 12 oz. bottles is only $10. A much better deal in the six pack.

The worst part about that is so many of my favorite beers only come in Bombers....

If I could get Ballast Point Victory at Sea in a sixxer that would be fantastic!

[GTscoob]

Almost all beers that you can buy in 12 oz and 22 oz bottles are more expensive per oz. in the bomber format. Since Brown Shugga is currently a seasonal release, and it's harder to make than Hop Stoopid (and takes more ingredients,) I would assume it would be at least $6 a bomber, whereas six 12 oz. bottles is only $10. A much better deal in the six pack.

I love my growlers but it seems like most of the time you're either breaking even or paying more for beer when getting it 64oz at a time, at least here in GA.

[bbracket]

Love the Brown Shugga was happy to find it on tap at our local Tap House 7 Monks here in Traverse City, MI

[cammccarty]

Just picked up a sixer of this last week. Great stuff from Lagunitas. Was wondering why I was "feeling" one beer, then looked at the alcohol percentage. By the fourth it was almost lights out.

[GeePhroh]

By the fourth it was almost lights out.

Damn, buddy...go big or go home!!

[Harry Mackenzie]

I had a 6 pack of Brown Shugga about two weeks ago. Very tasty and numbed away the pain from trying to get back into running for the winter.

[piratewake]

Just got some today while in Phoenix on business....... Only grabbed 4 and now only have 1 left. I'm thinking about aging it and letting it sit.... To age barley wine do you leave it in the fridge or is room temperature and in the dark best? Thnx in advance

[InvictaS1]

funny, i came across this thread right as i was drinking some brown shugga. never had it before. probably not something i'd drink all the time but the combination of sweetness, bitterness, and taste of alcohol is a nice change of pace.

[Bald_Ben]

My folks live in Santa Rosa (right next to Petaluma), but Brown Shugga is a pretty compelling reason to visit for Thanksgiving on its own.

[jtmartino]

My folks live in Santa Rosa (right next to Petaluma), but Brown Shugga is a pretty compelling reason to visit for Thanksgiving on its own.

I wouldn't even both with Lagunitas...I'd go straight to Russian River.

[<sL4yEr>RuLz]

Doing it right!

Damn, buddy...go big or go home!!

[Carl Hungus]

I wouldn't even both with Lagunitas...I'd go straight to Russian River.

I'd go to both.

[GeePhroh]

Doing it right!

Please, sir...not the shovel again...

[jtmartino]

I'd go to both.

[Carl Hungus]

Doing it right!

Abyss straight out of the bottle?!? How uncouth!

[92gli]

Got a case last night. Love this stuff

[shredjunkie]

Was at the brewery last weekend, the Brown Shugga saved me from excessive hoppiness. Damn tasty stuff.