Lagunitas Fandom Ale Fusion XXXIX

I think this is the first time I've gotten a Lagunitas beer on tap at my local beer slingers'. It's a wheat beer, and that has me even more intrigued. Fact is, Lagunitas is really my go-to for an IPA, and it's when they go off book they can they can really break new ground.

The very pale yellow/gold beer has a little head that appears to be sticky enough (for wheat beer at least). The aroma is curiously citrusy. Indeed, it's very mandarin orange, but I think I can smell the grains sulking in the background.

First sip has a very watery front-end, but spices and greens are sitting in the background. I think I get mangoes, some oranges, and even some watermelon mixed all inside there, but who can really tell a sip? Yes, a sip is a peek through microscope through the looking glass through a keyhole. That's not the way we test beer here.

Tip–in is very gentle carbonation caress with equally gentle mangoes and grapefruit just taking the whole scene in. The middle seems a bit watery at first, but then a wheat bread seems to form itself while the citrus is giving a nice background, but it's not taking anything over. The finish takes a sudden downward snap of bitterness, and then the trail off is somewhat bitter and tart fruits with spices that leave a bit of a sting.

Bottom Line: All told, this isn't the best Lagunitas, but it's still definitely a Lagunitas.

3.5/5