Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with roasted coffee and dark chocolate, backed by a faint sweetness that suggests vanilla and espresso grounds. On the palate, flavors of bittersweet cocoa, cold brew coffee, and toasted malt dominate, with a subtle molasses undertone that keeps things grounded rather than cloying. The body is full and chewy without being syrupy, and the carbonation is moderate enough to let the malt character breathe. The finish is long and dry, leaning on bitter roast and a gentle warming from the alcohol.
About the Brewery
Lagunitas was founded in 1993 in Petaluma, California, though it has since expanded with brewing facilities in Chicago and elsewhere. The brewery built its reputation largely on hop-forward ales — particularly its IPA, which became one of the best-selling IPAs in the United States. Heineken acquired a majority stake in 2015 and full ownership in 2017, though the brand has maintained its irreverent identity and broad national distribution. Seasonal and specialty releases like this stout sit alongside a year-round lineup that skews heavily toward hop-driven styles.
Food Pairings
A bowl of beef chili works well here because the roasted malt mirrors the char on the meat and cuts through the fat. Chocolate lava cake or a dense brownie plays into the beer's cocoa notes without overwhelming either element. Aged gouda brings a caramel nuttiness that complements the malt sweetness, while smoked barbecue brisket finds a natural partner in the coffee bitterness, which acts almost like a dry rub counterpart. Blue cheese is a bolder option, but its funk and fat stand up to the beer's weight without the pairing feeling forced.
Style Guide
American Double or Imperial Stout is essentially a stout pushed to its logical extreme — more malt, more hops, more alcohol, typically landing between 8% and 12% ABV. The style traces its roots to English Imperial Stouts brewed for export to the Russian court, but American craft brewers adopted and intensified the format starting in the 1990s, often layering in adjuncts like coffee, chocolate, or vanilla. Compared to a standard American Stout, the Imperial version is heavier-bodied, more complex, and carries enough residual sweetness to balance significant roast bitterness. It's distinct from a Milk Stout in that it doesn't rely on lactose for body, and from a Porter in sheer density and intensity.