Lagunitas – Lucky 13 Alt (8.9% ABV and 77 IBU) is what I would call an “Imperialized” version of an Alt-style beer. I consider Alaskan Amber (5.3% ABV and 18 IBU) as the standard bearer for this German inspired old-style beer and Alaskan Amber is the flagship for Alaskan Brewing Co. Lagunitas took the Alt-style and amped it up in both ABV and IBU. Lucky 13 is an anniversary ale that pours orangey copper with a two-finger bubbly head. This is a real treat and Lagunitas did a great job with taking a style and putting their own spin on it. I have recommended it to a few friends and I look forward to hear their impressions. I also appreciate that Lagunitas also thanks some of the initial craft brewers in the anniversary label thanking Anchor Steam and Rogue Ales.
Last night we had dinner with some friends and Randy had purchased some nice selections. He picked Firestone Walker Union Jack (7.5% ABV) a really nice IPA for me and a Stone Smoked Porter ( ABV and IBU) for him along with a couple of bottles of Ovila Abbey Dubbel to enjoy with appetizers and dinner. Union Jack is awesome and I am very happy that Firestone Walker is now being distributed in Colorado. This is an excellent IPA and I will purchase it again. I tasted a small sample of the Stone Smoked Porter (5.9% ABV and 53 IBU) and as I told Randy – I have liked everything I have tried from Stone. Someday, I would like to do a side-by-side comparison of some of the noted smoked beers and pit Alaskan Smoked Porter vs. Stone Smoked Porter. It was also very good to taste the Sierra Nevada – Ovila Abbey Dubbel (7.5% ABV) again (reviewed in the blog earlier) and it paired perfectly with marinated and grilled flank steak. These four are very good beers from brewers in California and each did very well with four different styles.
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