Lagunitas says:
“This one is a mondo 10% ABV Stout for the DieHards who ask… “why not a big ol’ stout in the summer?”’
Lagunitas Fusion III
Imperial Stout, 10% ABV
Sayeth the Guys:
Ryan: Lagunitas does some things very well, like putting hops in beer and making wonderful things happen. In fact, looking at their everyday lineup and seasonal’s almost every Lagunitas beer I’ve had has been heavy on the hops; Pale, IPA, Pils, Maximus, Hop Stoopid, Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ and Lucky 13. The only Lagunitas offerings I’ve had that border on dark is their Gnarleywine, Brown Shugga and Hairy Eyeball. So I guess that begs the question, “Can Lagunitas do a big, dark beer?” Why yes. Yes they can.
The Fusion III, a limited release draft only beer, pours a midnight black in color with a dense, khaki tan head that leaves significant lacing on the glass with each sip. A nose of the slightest hint of cocoa and a little peanut butter leaves a lot to the imagination as to what this will taste like. Take that first sip and you get a lot of chocolate up front, somewhat sharp, with cocoa and cocoa nibs stealing the show. There is just a teeny bit of coffee in the aftertaste but overall it is all chocolate. Let it warm, though, and you’ll see much more balance. The cocoa flavors smooth out to a rich and tasty milk chocolate that finishes with a french roasted coffee bitterness. There’s a 10% ABV in there somewhere but I can’t seem to taste it. I can feel it, but can’t taste it.
This was a surprising offering from Lagunitas. Not that I expected it to be bad – I just didn’t expect it to be this good. Sometimes an imperial stout can be too boozy and somewhat undrinkable, not this one. Sometimes it’s a one note beer – all coffee or all chocolate, not this one. Kudos to Lagunitas for a great imperial stout. I know this was a limited release so if you do find it I would highly recommend bellying up for one.