Rebel IPA vs Lagunitas?

Finally tried Rebel at a Buffalo Wild Wings in AZ tonight. My take:

This is a beer I'd be more than happy to drink at a place like BWW. I doubt I'll be drinking it at home, but I don't drink Lagunitas IPA at home either. Both solid brews that will probably be the best offerings at mediocre beer bars but neither are worthy of a pickup when you have a legitimate selection to work with.

 

I'm repulsed by some of the things that were said in this Twitter conversation. It's unprofessional to openly dis another brewer/brewery, regardless of what Tony may have heard about the tap handles being taken over.

 

I agrees. Tony Lagunita acts like that immature indie boy who can't fathom how Flaming Lips are signed by Warner Bros while he suffers on Skwiddle Records. As if he doesn't want to crush any competitors.

 

It sure is drinkable, but wouldn't be my choice over any lagunitas brew if I had to pick one over the other.

 

I'm the same way. I enjoy almost everything Lagunitas does but really dislike their flagship IPA.

 

Holy beer geek flame war, Batman!

 

While I am a fan of most of Lagunitas offerings, I am not a fan of Tony's childish rants. some friends and I tried Lagunitas IPA vs. Rebel IPA side by side and the results were mixed, giving the slight edge to Lagunitas. BBC has some terrific offerings as well as some sub standard ones, and the same could be said for Lagunitas; the big difference being that Jim Koch seems to be above the crazy rants on Twitter and other social media.

 

Finally got a 12 pack of Rebel.... What a let down! Looked for a 6, but they only had 12. I saw a review of it earlier that was really spot on, saying that its the most inconsistent beer they ever had. I concur. First one was really hoppy, I tasted nothing else. Second one, not so much, but had a funny aftertaste. 3rd one was actually pretty balanced. Now #4 and theres no hop flavor at all. The head/lacing has been completley different on each one, its like Im drinking a different beer each time. All of them being mediocre, none of them coming anywhere near being, IMO, a "west coast" style IPA. Sam Adams needs to stick to malt forward beers, seriously, Im not trying anything hoppy by them ever again. The White Water sucked, Latitude is just a step above the "good" Rebel I had... What are they doing over there? I think I figured out why Jim Koch doesnt like DIPAs or hops, because he doesnt know what to do with them. Sounds like hes jealous of DIPAs and hops. They need to replace all their hoppy beers with Scotch Ale in the 6 pack again and then Ill buy some. Otherwise, pass. I shoulda bought Torpedo(cant ever find Lagunitas, my sister always brings me some, she lives in Illinois) Same price, more ABV, WAY more flavor, better mouthfeel, aroma, consistency etc. Ah well, love trying out new stuff... Its all about the chase, man.

 

I don't see why they would care that an East Coast brewery is making a west coast style IPA would hurt them. It's more of a form of flattery IMO. Also Rebel IPA is a pretty weak IPA in my opinion and Lagu's IPA is way better but maybe that is just my west coast bias.

 

Luckily I didn't have to buy a 12 or 6 pack. We have a store in Cali called Total Wine and they let you purchase single bottles of any beer they sell. It makes trying different beers a lot easier and cheaper.

 

That might be true elsewhere but it sure doesnt come across on "twitter"

 

who in their right mind would by a sam adams ipa? and/or a sam adams ipa over any quality/craft brewed ipa? their beer sucks.

 

Lagunitas is my favortie brewery, but...

I'll ditch Lagunitas Pils for Noble Pils or Boston Lager
I'll ditch Lagunitas IPA for Double Agent IPL (haven't had Rebel yet)

 

Lagunitas IPA is the beer you drink at shit bars with zero selection -- just like Sam Adams' Boston Lager or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. None are bad per se, I just don't understand the love for any of these. It'll probably take being dragged to a sporting event before I ever even taste Rebel.

 

Disagree and disagree but Noble and the IPL are definitely some of Sam's better core beers.

 

Being from Chicago, one might expect that I'm a bit of a Lagunitas homer, but I tried the Sammy Rebel, and really enjoyed it.

 

Rebel is great. Maybe the hardcore hopheads want something more hoppy but for me it was fine and just hoppy enough.

 

+1. Had a pint at the new Buffalo Wild Wings near me. Meh.

 

I wrote a very long review on Rebel IPA the other night after popping a bottle for the first time. I have some strong thoughts on the issue. Sam Adams' founder Jim Koch is on record with the concept that as a beer drinker's palate evolves, they look for heavier and heavier (more IBUs, gravity...) beers. Then there's a turning point where they eventually want to go back to a solid beer. Not Budweiser, but something say, like Boston Brewing Co's Sam Adams Boston Lager. It's got good body, it's just a solid offering. I have a feeling that Rebel IPA was made in this image. A drinkable IPA that won't knock your socks off when you kick a few back.

I do shudder to hear it referred to as a "west coast IPA" because let's be real, it's quite pathetic when it goes up against the likes of something like Lagunitas IPA. It's more akin to Lagunitas Daytime if anything. I am not saying it's not a good brew. By all means, it's quite flavorful and once again, a solid offering from Sam Adams with their vision clearly present in the final product. But to compare it to Lagunitas IPA, or even something like Racer 5, Ballast Point Sculpin, or Stone IPA, cannot be done. It simply does not fit the category of "west coast IPA" when those are the biggest names from the west and their products are _nothing_ like Rebel in terms of strength.

 

If they were really going after Lagunitas then they failed miserably. I love Sam Adams but this IPA is unmentionable.