Ok, I have certainly come across some beers
in my time with some pretty strange names. But I think this may be the most
difficult beer I’ve ever tried to buy. Oh, it wasn’t hard to find, mind you.
It was just hard to ask for.
John: “Hi, do you have Lagunitas (bleeeep) ale in yet?” Beer Salesman: “Lagunitas what?” John: “You know, (bleeeep) ale? It’s new”. Beer Salesman: “I don’t know what the (bleeeep) you’re talking
about”. John: “Oh. Come on. You don’t have the (bleeeep) ale? I just drove
all the (bleeeep) way from (bleeeep) Vinings to get some (bleeeep) ale, the
beer so good they censored the name, and you mean to tell me you don’t have
any?” Beer Salesman: Oh, you’re looking for (bleeeep) ale. Yeah, we have
that. Why didn’t you say so in the first place?
See what I mean? Anyway, don’t ask me why they call it “The Censored” ale.
Of course, they’re looking to drum up publicity, no doubt. But all Lagunitas
will say about it is this:
The original name of this original ale was derived from an origin so
heinous that we can not reveal its aboriginal orogeny. Sorry”
Well, that’s a lot of help. I assure you, there is a name behind the
“censored” tag on this beer. I won’t tell you what it is, but I will give
you a hint: the last letter is the same as the first, but appears in reverse
on the label.
Awww, (bleeeep), let’s try the (bleeeep) beer, shall we?
Lagunitas
The Censored Rich Copper Ale pours to a….well, you can figure that part
out. It really is deep copper in color, however, as coppery as the kettle it
was brewed in (unless they use stainless steel, of course). The beer has a
moderate head formation and a slightly fruity, grassy nose.
The palate is richer and far more full bodied than your average copper ale,
which is akin to something in the amber ale/pale ale category. That’s due to
the slightly higher original gravity (1.065), and as a result the beer is
higher in alcohol too (7.7% by volume). I’m getting notes of sweet chewy
caramel, chocolate, pine, and a hint of fruity raisin.
The finish is warming from the alcohol, rich and decidedly dry. You’ll get a
little more subtle piney hop character and enough bitterness to balance the
beer (25.08 IBUs says the bottle label). This is a very nice and complex
brew, unlike any I’ve tried in a while. I’m almost reminded of a lighter
version of an old ale with a little less dark malt.
Try it, you’ll like it. Even if you don’t know what the real name is.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For
reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.