During this time of greater disruption due to the novel coronavirus, we here at Wall Brew Co sincerely hope everyone is safe, happy, and healthy. Both myself and my girlfriend have decided to participate in social distancing that might help flatten the curve of the virus’ spread. 

We’re conserving resources, using everything we have fully, and have even mapped out our food consumption while we’re holed up. This includes some old beers we found in her fridge. I’m talking about a few Lagunitas Lil Sumpin’ Sumpin’ IPAs that are over a year old. 

Considering I was originally going to do a brew this weekend – obviously that’s been postponed – I wanted to get sumpin’ posted on the site for all you, dear readers. 

Overall: Good, but kind of stale

Let’s face it, large craft brewers like Lagnuitas – though their acquisition by Heineken UK might cast doubt on the title of “craft brewer” –  aim for longer shelf lives and greater consistency than us homebrewers. This was helpful for the brews I’ve consumed the past two days, as they tasted similar to what I expected they should. I’ve drunk quite a bit of Lagunitas in the past – or “Lag” as the chavs that frequented the pub I worked at in the UK would call it – and am no stranger to its characteristics. 

Highly hopped IPAs like Lil sumpin’ sumpin’ can usually last much longer than other beers, in fact, that was part of the point of an IPA. This shines through with this year old IPA. It was kept in the fridge for that full amount of time, which likely helped retain any air of freshness, no matter how slight. 

Like most older beers, the Lagunitas tasted a little thicker, a bit more like a sweet syrup. This almost tastes like brown sugar heated up, then brought back down. Immediately following that sweetness, a good hit of bitterness begins to balance it out. All of this is capped with the floral, heavy hops that we all have come to expect from Lagunitas. 

For a much higher fidelity review of Lagunitas, presumably conducted within a reasonable time of brewing and purchase, check out your favorite beer rating forum. 

I’ll post more of my social distancing beer reviews as the situation progresses and as I am able.

As always, stay safe and stay healthy. I promise I’ll brew a beer of my own soon – I’m working on a Jeremy Bentham themed beer as we speak…