Lagunitas Brown Shugga'

by Jim Lannen

This week brings a new bottled beer to our list courtesy of the Lagunitas Brewing Company.

The last few years, West Coast IPAs have been becoming more and more popular. Lagunitas has become a staple in this style of beer. Originally founded in Petaluma, California back in 1993, Lagunitas has become one of the hottest and fastest growing breweries in the United States. In recent years, they've even opened a brewhouse in Chicago. (Take a peek at the following video with their founder.)

We have poured their IPA on draft for over a year now while also featuring their New Dogtown pale ale and Little Sumpin' Sumpin' ale. The next beer brought to our list is called Brown Shugga. 

Brown Shugga is their seasonal winter brew, available October through December. This beer stems from their 1997 failed attempt at a batch of their Olde Granley Wine. The result? An all new beer style.

A cross between a barley wine and an American strong ale, this beer will sure warm you up. It's a slow sipper, perfect for this time of year. Packing a whopping 9.9% ABV, it pours with a long, large head and has a dark amber color.

The signature ingredient (and quite obvious one) is brown sugar. The malt is the first flavor which hits the tongue, with a brown sugar/floral sweetness slowly developing in the aftertaste. The combination of brown sugar and floral notes adds to a caramel type flavor. The semi-bitter hops are also distinct throughout.

As the weather turns cooler by the day, stop in and try one of these winter warmer brews, only available for a limited time.