Lagunitas Brewing Company Born Yesterday American Pale Ale at 6.5% ABV (C$8.96 at Andrew Hilton Wine & Spirits, 946 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 15-Jan-2016)
Appearance: clear deep gold with two fingers of fluffy white head, excellent retention and lacing. (5/5) Aroma: bright citrus, tropical fruit, pine resin, onion, pale malt. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, strong bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
Well, it wasn’t born yesterday, but they told me it was born in December when they filled the growler, so that’s close enough. I was initially really excited by this, but the onion note just keeps growing… and growing… and growing… The video on Lagunitas’ web site admits to Equinox, Mosaic, Amarillo, Simcoe, and Citra, but I’m not sure which one is the onion/garlic culprit – usually it’s Summit, but that doesn’t appear to be present in this one. Regardless, there’s a definite onion/garlic character. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a world-class beer, but it’s not quite the paragon I initially thought it might be. (And can anyone explain to be how a 6.5%, 65-ish IBU pale qualifies as an “APA” and not an “IPA”? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?) (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
