Lagunitas Imperial Stout 22OZ

Lagunitas Imperial Stout 22OZ is a bold American imperial stout brewed at 9.9% ABV, packaged in a 22-ounce bomber bottle. Brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company — founded in 1993 in Northern California — this expression earned an 85/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and carries a strong 3.9 out of 5 rating across more than 59,000 reviews on Untappd, reflecting consistent approval from the craft beer community.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.9%  |  Origin: Petaluma, California  |  Style: American Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company  |  IBU: 72.45  |  OG: 1.092

Production & Heritage

Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded by Tony Magee in 1993 in the tiny Marin County town of Lagunitas, California, before relocating to nearby Petaluma as production scaled. The brewery is now part of the Heineken International portfolio. The Imperial Stout is built on a grain bill loaded with highly roasted malted barley — described by the brewery itself as "plenty of it" — creating a dense, rich wort with an original gravity of 1.092. That heavy malt backbone is balanced by assertive hopping to 72.45 IBUs, which prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying and adds structural bitterness to an otherwise dessert-like beer.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark roasted malt dominates the nose immediately, followed by waves of fresh-brewed coffee and bittersweet dark chocolate. A subtle hint of vanilla and a faint warmth of alcohol round out the bouquet without overwhelming it.

Taste: The entry is sweet and full-bodied, with molasses and dark chocolate hitting first. Mid-palate, the roasted coffee character intensifies alongside notes of black licorice and toasted grain. A light woodiness and vanilla appear toward the peak, while the 9.9% alcohol remains remarkably well hidden beneath the malt density.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering bittersweet chocolate and smoky roasted barley trailing off slowly. A dry, slightly ashy quality emerges at the end, keeping the overall impression balanced rather than syrupy.

How to Drink Lagunitas Imperial Stout

Pour into a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature — around 50–55°F — to let the roasted malt aromatics open fully. Drinking straight from the bomber mutes many of the subtler chocolate and vanilla notes. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try a Black Velvet, combining the stout with dry sparkling wine for a striking textural contrast; a Beer Float using a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to amplify the existing vanilla and chocolate character; or a Stout Flip, shaken with a whole egg and a touch of simple syrup, which transforms the roasty base into a creamy, dessert-like drink.

Best For

• Cold-weather evening sipping sessions when something dark and warming is called for
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who gravitates toward big, roasty stouts
• Pairing with a dessert course at a dinner party — especially anything chocolate-based
• Cellaring for 1–2 years to observe how the roasted edges soften and sweetness develops

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lagunitas Imperial Stout taste like? It delivers a rich, sweet profile dominated by dark chocolate, coffee, and molasses, with supporting notes of black licorice and vanilla. The 9.9% alcohol is remarkably well integrated, making it deceptively smooth for its strength.

How does Lagunitas Imperial Stout compare to Firestone Walker Parabola? Parabola is a barrel-aged imperial stout typically released at a higher ABV (around 12–14%) with pronounced bourbon barrel character, making it a more intense and limited offering. Lagunitas Imperial Stout is a non-barrel-aged expression that emphasizes pure roasted malt and chocolate flavors at a more approachable strength and wider availability.

Is Lagunitas Imperial Stout good for sipping neat? Yes — its complexity and smooth integration of alcohol at 9.9% ABV make it well suited for slow, contemplative sipping from a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature.

Where is Lagunitas Imperial Stout made? It is brewed by the Lagunitas Brewing Company, headquartered in Petaluma, California, with additional production at their facility in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Lagunitas Imperial Stout? Flourless chocolate cake mirrors the beer's dark chocolate core. Smoked brisket or pulled pork echoes its smoky roasted grain character. Blue cheese provides a salty counterpoint to the malt sweetness. Coffee-rubbed steak bridges the roasty, savory notes. Dark bread pudding with caramel sauce complements both the molasses and vanilla tones.

What sizes does Lagunitas Imperial Stout come in? The expression is commonly available in a 22-ounce bomber bottle, which is the format most widely distributed.

Is Lagunitas Imperial Stout worth the price? It positions as a mid-range craft imperial stout — accessible in price relative to barrel-aged or limited-release competitors, while delivering a level of malt complexity and drinkability that justifies its place in the category.

Why Lagunitas Imperial Stout?

What separates this beer from the crowded imperial stout field is the sheer volume of highly roasted malted barley in the grain bill, which produces a smoky, roasty depth that many competitors achieve only through barrel aging or adjunct additions. At 72.45 IBUs, the hop bitterness provides meaningful structure without turning the beer into a hop-forward hybrid. The result is a straightforward, malt-driven imperial stout that earned an 85 from Craft Beer & Brewing and consistent community praise across tens of thousands of independent ratings. For drinkers who want the intensity of the imperial stout style without barrel-aged price tags or flavor gimmicks, this Lagunitas expression delivers honest, well-executed brewing.