Lagunitas 'Wilco Tango Foxtrot' Imperial Brown Ale

Lagunitas Brewing 'Wilco Tango Foxtrot' Imperial Brown Ale. 7.85% abv. 64 IBU. Ruby color, clear, with a finger of ivory foamy head. Excellent retention and lacing. Nose of mild cocoa, white bread, dark dried fruit. The fruity aroma focuses somewhat as wine grapes as the temperature rises.

Front taste of bittersweet dark chocolate, tangy berry, bitter herbal hops. Aftertaste of cocoa, red wine, sweet bread, herbal hops all underneath with a dry finish. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, round, slightly astringent, thick on the back of the tongue.

This is an excellent ale that is hard to pin down for category. The label says it's an ale, with the notes further teasing that it's perhaps a brown, perhaps an imperial brown. Lagunitas loves to toy with us by defying categories and brewing whatever the hell they want.

The latter description, imperial brown, is the closest in my opinion, with the prerequisite nutty flavor replaced by a taller malt expression complemented by a brighter hop bitter bite. Whatever this officially is, I enjoyed it and will surely have another. Another solid brew from one of my favorite breweries. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"WTF Ale. A malty, robust, jobless Recovery Ale! We’re not quite in the Red, or in the Black... Does that mean we’re in the Brown? Rich, smooth, dangerous, and chocolatey. It's a big ol’ Imperial Brown Ale to help you with your slippery slide on into springtime. Rich, smooth, dangerous & chocolatey. "
[source: lagunitas.com]