Lagunitas Maximus
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with a loud burst of citrus and pine resin, backed by a dank, almost tropical undercurrent that's characteristic of West Coast hop-forward brewing. On the palate, expect a firm bitterness that builds steadily, layered over a malt base substantial enough to keep things from feeling hollow but never sweet enough to distract from the hops. The body is medium-full, with enough weight to carry that bitterness through a long, resinous finish. It doesn't pretend to be subtle, and that's the point.
About the Brewery
Lagunitas was founded in 1993 in Petaluma, California, originally starting out of founder Tony Magee's home kitchen in Lagunitas. The brewery built its reputation on aggressively hopped, irreverent beers with a countercultural personality, most famously its IPA. Heineken acquired a 50% stake in 2015 and full ownership by 2017, though the core lineup and branding have remained largely consistent. They distribute nationally and are one of the more recognizable craft names on mainstream retail shelves.
Food Pairings
The assertive bitterness and resinous hop character here cut through fat and richness without mercy. A double cheeseburger with aged cheddar works well because the malt sweetness bridges the beef while hops scrub the fat off the palate. Bold, oily fish like grilled salmon hold their own against the intensity rather than getting steamrolled. Spicy Thai or Mexican dishes find a rough balance with the bitterness, trading heat for bitterness in a way that keeps both interesting. Strong blue cheese is a classic pairing for imperial IPAs — the funk and salt push back against the hops in a way that softens both.
Style Guide
American Double or Imperial IPA is essentially a bigger, more aggressive version of the standard American IPA — more hops, more malt to balance them, and an ABV that typically runs from 7.5% to 10% or higher. The style prioritizes hop intensity above all else, whether that means citrus and pine in the West Coast tradition or the juicy, softer profile of the Northeast. It diverged from its British Imperial ancestors by leaning hard into American hop varieties rather than the earthy, floral character of English hops. Where a standard IPA leaves room for the malt to show, a double IPA mostly treats the malt as structural scaffolding.