What it is:
Lagunitas Brewing, in Petaluma, Calif., is well-known for a stable of weighty beers that don’t shy away from the hops, flavor or alcohol. In a sense its limited-run Our Own Bavarian-Styled Doppel Weizen is more of the same, but in another sense it is a revelation.
Leaving the hops behind, this weizenbock is a large, warming and weighty beer that might surprise some Lagunitas groupies (and there are plenty). Even more remarkable is the price. At $4.49 for a 22-ounce bottle, it is one of the best deals on shelves. Released in mid-September, it should be available through November.
In the bottle:
I liked this beer based on its pour alone: thick, cloudy, golden and autumnal, foaming into a savory head emitting banana, wheat and earthy yeast. It has a wonderfully thick body with heavy wheat character that might remind you of a light summer beer, but its viscosity and high alcohol content make it worth spending time with as the weather begins to cool. This brew has a light sweetness offset by yeasty dryness. It winds up crisper than you might expect from such a big beer.
Drink it with:
A large, savory beer deserves a savory meal. At this price, putting several bottles aside for Thanksgiving would be a good idea. Or, if you can’t wait, enjoy with a hearty stew.
Where to buy:
Available at Binny’s, among other stores; will be on draft later this month.
— Josh Noel, Tribune Newspapers
