Cruising With Ruben & The Jets
Lagunitas Brewing Company

Cruising With Ruben & The JetsCruising With Ruben & The Jets
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From:
Lagunitas Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
8.6%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.69 | pDev: 12.74%
Reviews:
265
Ratings:
316
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 14, 2019
Added:
Dec 05, 2008
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  11
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Blybloke:
Photo of Blybloke
Reviewed by Blybloke from Minnesota

2.43/5  rDev -34.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Purchased this bomber at Princeton's Liquors in Maple Grove, MN.

Firstly, I was quite surprised to see that this is categorized as an Double/Imperial Stout.

I had no idea of what kind of beer this was when I purchased it. The bottle doesn't say - there's just a note that it commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Frank Zappa album (apparently entitled Ruben and the Jets).

It goes on to say it's a 'BoppaDooAyDoo Style Ale'

It poured a very dark, rich red with about a half inch of light tan head. I thought it was a bit odd to see such a color combo - tan head with a dark ruby body. The head stood for perhaps a minute and fell almost completely. Little to no lace.

Aroma was not very assertive. What I could smell was dominated by sweet, bready malts with a little nudge of coffee. Maybe some caramel too, but nothing too strong.

Taste was sweet, too sweet - not enough bitterness to balance. I found the first couple sips to be flavorful with molasses and raisins, but sweetness got pretty old, pretty fast. It was distracting.

Mouthfeel was decent - smooth from relatively low carbonation. Drinkability was low.

This seems like it wants to be an Imperial Red Ale more than an Imperial Stout. To me an Imperial Stout should be black and thick, with tons going on - this one was too red and one-dimensional imo.
Dec 13, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by DKGreen from California

Feb 14, 2019
Photo of mfnmbvp
Reviewed by mfnmbvp from Illinois

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 oz. bottle, no bottled date, 2008 vintage. Acquired a bottle of this awesome, retired stuff for a nice price, so I'm willing to give it a go. My oldest bottle of Lagunitas, and one of the oldest beers I've tried; 8 years in the bottle. Brewed to honor the 40th anniversary of the Frank Zappa album.

Poured into a Big Eddy snifter.

A - Was pleased to hear a slight hiss upon uncapping; it pours a dark brownish-black chocolatey body, just a few shades away from opaque, with some reddish-brown hues showing near the surface. Brings up about a finger of frothy mocha / milk chocolate head that hangs as a ring. Minor spotty lacing. Very impressive looking for an 8 year old bottle.

S - Aroma gives off notes of mustiness, oak wood / damp wood, malted milk chocolate, hints of band-aid, roastiness, maybe some subtle notes of barrel character, but nothing distinct.

T - Taste brings in lots of dark dried fruits - raisin, fig, dates, plum, cherry, with a bitter roasty chocolate malt / dark coffee roastiness, vanilla, caramel. Notes of woodsiness / barrel character.This thing has held up nicely.

M - Feel is smooth & creamy, all the while still retaining a bit of carbonation crispness. Notes of smooth milk chocolate / malt bitterness on the end ; finishes semi-dry. Very drinkable stuff for the moderate 8.60% abv, plus the age.

Overall, an interesting stout from Lagunitas; would love to try this again fresh to see how it has held up.

Lagunitas Cruising With Ruben & The Jets -----4/5.
Jun 08, 2016
 
Rated: 4.1 by shopk from Illinois

Mar 31, 2016
 
Rated: 3.9 by Sammy from Canada (ON)

Jun 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by XmnwildX12 from Minnesota

Mar 30, 2015
Photo of zac16125
Reviewed by zac16125 from South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2008 vintage
4oz pour from the bottle
at brevival 2015

Thought this beer was excellent. Surprised to come here and see it so lowly rated. 6 years in the bottle did wonders for this, IMO.
Mar 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by nathanmiller from New York

Jan 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.52 by BDeibs from Colorado

Jan 15, 2015
 
Rated: 4.09 by XicanoBeerRun from Texas

Dec 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Shawnspl from Rhode Island

Nov 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by utopiajane from New York

Oct 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Masters from Massachusetts

Oct 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.4 by Rekrule from Massachusetts

Oct 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Petegrieco from Massachusetts

Oct 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by zestar from California

Aug 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by KAF from Iowa

Jul 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Steve_Gonz from California

Jun 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by wrightst from Maryland

Apr 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BillRoth from Maryland

Dec 29, 2013
Cruising With Ruben & The Jets from Lagunitas Brewing Company
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 316 ratings