Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale Brown Shugga' Substitute, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA

Lagunitas hit another homerun with their latest Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale Brown Shugga’ Substitute. The label itself sets a tone with the following message, “This sad holiday season we didn't have the brewing capacity to make our favorite seasonal brew, the widely feared Brown Shugga' Ale. We're just out of capacity. There is nothing cool about screwing up this badly and we know it.”

Popping off the cap you are introduced to a brew that does not follow your traditional winter seasonals, there are no cloves or cinnamon, just smooth malt and great bittering hops providing a citrusy alternative. The 7.85% ABV does some damage. As always I am impressed with what Lagunitas churns out, even if it did mean no Brown Shugga’ this season. I give it a 4.