Aroma: Perfect blend of sweet, chocolate, and coffee.
Initial taste: Total match-up of aroma and taste, and the blend creates it's own unique personality.
Overall: First, yes why I've gone against my seasonal strategy and esp w/ a typically heavy, stout on a beautiful, late summer afternoon. I'm out of town, trying some brews I haven't seen avail. in my Chicago hood. And, if you've been reading the 2Bd's, you know are "favoritism" towards the Lagunitas brews...particularly because of their sub $6 bombers. OK, all cavets aside, loved this brew. It's not as heavy-handed as the style could be (Double or Imperial Stout). The alcohol taste level is right where it should be, you can taste it but it doesn't negatively impact the brew, but contributes to it. The balance of flavors and ingrediants is what the brewers art is all about, and Ruben and the Jets has it in spades. This brew's taste comes together into a perfect blend, resulting in a single unique creation...like a beer creme-brule...not to said it's too heavy or too sweet. And, the fact that Lagunitas is paying tribute to Frank Zappa, an great artist who's lack of air play today, screamingly points to the defects in today's music industry. Love this brewery on multiple levels, and this is just another proof point.
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Reviewed: Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 17:15:16