A Happy Mistake: Lagunitas Sucks and Brown Shugga

Every now and then something happens that throws a wrench in your game plan. That happened to Lagunitas back in 2011 when they were unable to produce their annual release of Brown Shugga. As a result, they released the self deprecating Lagunitas Sucks and proclaimed it a Brown Shugga substitute. It was received so well that they make it every year. Recently I tried both, and I figure its appropriate to discuss them together.

First up we have Brown Shugga. Lagunitas doesn't claim a style here, so we will just call it a strong ale, weighing in at a big 9.9% ABV. It pours a crystal clear brown with a beige head. The nose is surprisingly light for a big beer, with just slight hints of malts detectable. The flavor is less subtle. Tons of sweet malt flavors forward accompanied by some (who would have thought) brown sugar notes. It finishes pretty boozy, but not as much as you would expect from a beer of this strength. It is a solid offering, though not a stand out favorite of mine.

Next up, however, is the happy mistake dubbed only as Sucks. Sucks pours a crystal clear light gold with a big, fluffy off white head that leaves behind a ton of lacing. The nose is big and hoppy, with lots of citrusy tangerine notes. Those citrus notes follow through in the flavor. There is a lot of grapefruit flavors, and the bitterness is subtle but present. This stuff is incredibly delicious and refreshing, and at 7.8% ABV, it is a little more drinkable than the beer it substituted. This has become a go to IPA for me. Not only is it unbelievably delicious, but the price is way below what it could be for a beer of this caliber (Under $10 for a sixer!). Between this and Hop Stoopid, Lagunitas is killing it in the IPA department.