Lucky Baldwin's Lagunitas Fest

I stopped by Lucky Baldwin's Delirium Cafe last night on my way home from work expecting to get a pour from one of their regular taps. Surprisingly, the "Lagunitas Fest" that was suppose to start today (Saturday) and run for 9 days actually got going a night early. As usual they had a buy the first pint for $7 and keep the cool Lagunitas pint glass deal. Refills are then $4 if you have the glass. It was jam packed on this Friday evening and there were only 2 seats open at the bar in which my buddies and I were forced to squeeze 3 seats.

As far as I can remember, the Lagunitas beers on tap were:
1. IPA
2. Sirius
3. Sonoma Farmhouse Saison
4. Sonoma Farmhouse Hop Stoopid
5. Undercover Investigation Shut-Down
6. Olde Gnarleywine
7. Maximus
8. Pils

I tried the Sirius, a cream ale that is probably one of the hoppiest you could find. The Sirius is 7.2% alcohol in an anorexic malt body. It pours a lager-like crystal clear but rich golden (points for the style). Alcohol and hops in the glass with faint pale malt. The hops are mostly pine and a little earthy, and leaves a clean but brisk bitterness. A good and refreshing beer.

Next up was the bartender's recommendation, Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. This beer falls into the double IPA style. It pours a very deep amber/red and the aroma consists of very fresh smelling hops that give off mostly pine, on a deep caramel malt body. The taste is a lot of malt sweetness and fresh juicy hops. It's standard double IPA sticky, but not overly syrupy. Overall a very good DIPA.