Question about a specific flavor (Lagunitas related)

While i feel that many of lagunitas' beers taste similar, i never got a vinegar taste from them. Even with some age on them they seem to hold up well. Perhaps they use a yeast that doesn't agree with your pallete

 

When I think Lagunitas, I think pine.

 

Can't say what you are picking up, but I don't get the vinegar thing. Lagunitas IPAs tend to be more piney than most, almost to the point of having a spearmint/menthol quality. I like it, but I could see how it could be off-putting to some.

EDIT: Do you know how old these beers were? Once an IPA gets pretty old, all bets are off.

 

Whats the date on it? I've noticed that maximus has a tendency to sit around. I've never had a lagunitas brew i didn't like but taste is subjective

 

Lagunitas has a common thread in its IPAs, but it's not as noticeable as the Sierra Nevada taste, which really dominates their stuff (at least for me and my palate).

 

They use English ale yeast in all of their beers. There is usually a noticeable fruitiness from the yeast strain to me.

 

Lagunitas uses bottled on dates im pretty sure. That annoying julian dating

 

Lagunitas is awesome. But, I've learned, they're not for everyone. I get lots of fruitiness as superspak said above (especially from Hop Stoopid.) Very kind of complex citrus, tropical, and some pine hops. I don't get vinegar (or menthol) at all. It could be the general bitterness of the beer that you don't like.

Another possibility is an infected beer. But since you detected this flavor in both Hop Stoopid and Maximus, this seems unlikely.

 

Maximus and Hop Stoopid are closely related. I pick up more burned Columbus on Stoopid though versus Maximus. You might not like Columbus hops which are more Earthy/Resinous on the Hop Spectrum.

Edit: Not all beers or Breweries are for everyone.

 

It is their house yeast. You will notice all their beers have a slightly similar flavor. Quite a few breweries have a very distinctive yeast flavor you can always spot: Sierra Nevada, Lagunitas and Rogue.

 

Just a wild guess, but doesn't Lagunitas use hop oil? First time I tried Hop Hunter my immediate reaction was "this has the exact same flavor profile (not the best description) as Hopstoopid. Sort of a menthol like taste, at least to me.

 

It is a combination of many things that can result in a house flavor. The malt, water, hops, and yeast all contribute. Procedures and equipment used also contribute to the house flavor.

From what you say, Russian River and Founders should taste like Sierra Nevada, as they use commercial lab pitches of the Sierra Nevada yeast.

 

I think you're mistaken, lagunitas most definitely uses Julian dating along the neck of the bottle.

 

Hop Hunter is from Sierra Nevada. Hop Stoopid uses hop pellets.

As far as OP, Lagunitas does have quite the piney flavor, even Gnarlywine. Never noticed vinegar or menthol in either Maximus or Hop Stoopid.