It's official.
Hard times have really hit. How do I know? My beer barometer is telling me,
that's how. To be sure, beer has been getting increasingly dear for a while
now. But not too long ago, I bought a bomber of Lagunitas Brewing's We're
Only in it for the Money Ale. And, I had to pay a whopping $3.49 for it.
Outrageous! Well, maybe, not. But considering that Lagunitas, that bulwark
of quality beer at affordable prices, usually ranged its beers in the $2.99
per 22 ounce bottle range, this is a serious sign indeed.
Of course, even at $3.49 a bottle Lagunitas beers are still a bargain and
one can hardly say that they're really only in it for the money at such
prices. Instead, the name here refers to the 1968 album by Frank Zappa and
the Mothers of Invention named, you guessed it, We're Only in it for the
Money. This is the fourth in Lagunitas series of limited-run specialty
beers commemorating the albums of Frank Zappa, the first three being
Kill Ugly Radio Ale
, Freak Out Ale
, and
Lumpy Gravy Ale .
Lagunitas is best known for its very hoppy ales, but with Lumpy Gravy and
now We're Only in it For the Money they've taken a stab at a few Belgian
styles. The latter was crafted in the fashion of a dark, chocolaty Dubbel,
while the beer under consideration today takes the next logical progression
to the Tripel style.
We're Only in it for the Money Ale pours to a brilliant golden orange
color with a very light and short lived head formation and a mushroomy
Belgian yeast nose. As with a good Belgian Tripel, the palate here is rich
and malty and surprisingly light. I do get some notes of sugary rock candy,
as well as some funky Belgian yeast notes. And in the finish, a bit of
balancing bitter hops as well as some alcohol warmth.
To be honest, I'm a little underwhelmed here. This isn't Lagunitas best
effort. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad beer at all; rather it's quite
tasty and easy to drink. But as far as Tripels go, it just doesn't knock my
socks off. I'm wanting a bit more body and flavor than I'm getting. Still,
this is a big beer at 8.2% ABV, has a really cool label, and it's a definite
bargain for the price. Well worth trying at least once, and while you can
get it.
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.