Lagunitas Maximus Colossal IPA 22OZ

Lagunitas Maximus Colossal IPA 22oz is a 9% ABV West Coast Double IPA brewed in Petaluma, California, and packaged in a 22-ounce bomber. Scored 93/100 by Beer and Brewing Magazine and rated 89 on BeerAdvocate across nearly 6,000 reviews, Maximus has earned a firm reputation as one of the more reliable and accessible imperial IPAs on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9%  |  Origin: Petaluma, California  |  Style: Double / Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 in Lagunitas, California, before moving to its current Petaluma facility. The brewery became widely known for its hop-forward beers and irreverent branding, later entering a partnership with Heineken International. Maximus is built on a trio of American hops—Simcoe, Cascade, and Centennial—layered over a grain bill of malted wheat, biscuity Munich malt, and English Crystal malt. The defining production characteristic is its massive dry-hop addition, which amplifies the aromatic intensity well beyond what the base hop schedule alone would deliver.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with resinous pine and bright citrus peel, then shifts into floral and mixed-berry territory courtesy of the aggressive dry-hopping. A subtle biscuit-like malt sweetness anchors everything underneath.

Taste: The entry is fairly sweet with caramel and Munich malt warmth, which quickly meets a firm, assertive bitterness on the mid-palate. Pine, grapefruit, and a peppery spice note compete for attention, while the wheat base lends a smooth, almost creamy body that keeps the 9% ABV deceptively drinkable.

Finish: The finish is moderately long with lingering resinous bitterness and a dry, herbal quality. Faint berry and floral echoes persist as the malt sweetness fades cleanly.

How to Drink Maximus

Maximus is best poured into a tulip glass or standard pint at around 45–50°F, which opens up the hop aromatics without letting the alcohol heat dominate. The beer also works as the hoppy backbone in a few unexpected mixed drinks. A Hop Shandy (half Maximus, half fresh lemonade) tames the bitterness for warm-weather drinking. A Michelada built with Maximus adds a serious hop kick to the tomato-lime-chile framework. And a Beer-a-Rita—blending Maximus with lime juice and a splash of triple sec over ice—plays the citrus hop character against bright agave sweetness.

Best For

• Sharing during a backyard barbecue or cookout with bold, smoky foods
• Introducing a craft-curious friend to the Double IPA style
• Pairing alongside a flight of West Coast IPAs for a tasting session
• Winding down after a long week with a single, satisfying big-format pour

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Maximus taste like? Maximus delivers bold pine, grapefruit, and peppery spice hop flavors balanced by caramel and biscuit malt sweetness, finishing dry and resinous. The 9% ABV is well-integrated and does not come across as hot or boozy.

How does Maximus compare to Pliny the Elder? Russian River's Pliny the Elder is widely regarded as the benchmark West Coast Double IPA, leaning drier and more aggressively bitter with a lighter malt body. Maximus runs slightly sweeter and fuller-bodied thanks to its Munich malt and wheat base, making it a more approachable entry point into the imperial IPA category.

Is Maximus good for beginners? Its smooth malt backbone and berry-floral hop character make it more welcoming than many Double IPAs, though the 9% ABV and pronounced bitterness may still challenge drinkers new to the style.

Where is Maximus made? Maximus is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company at its production facility in Petaluma, California, located in Sonoma County. Lagunitas also operates a second brewery in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Maximus? Grilled burgers or tri-tip benefit from the hop bitterness cutting through charred fat. Spicy Thai noodles or buffalo wings find balance against the malt sweetness. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the caramel malt notes, while dark chocolate with sea salt echoes the beer's sweet-to-bitter arc.

What sizes does Maximus come in? Maximus is available in a 22-ounce bomber format as well as 12-ounce bottles commonly sold in six-packs.

Is Maximus worth the price? Maximus positions as a mid-range Double IPA that consistently over-delivers on hop complexity relative to its price tier. With a 93/100 from Beer and Brewing Magazine and strong community ratings, it represents solid value within the imperial IPA category, particularly in the large-format 22-ounce bottle.

Why Maximus?

The combination of Simcoe, Cascade, and Centennial hops backed by that massive dry-hop charge gives Maximus an aromatic intensity that many Double IPAs in its price range struggle to match. Its grain bill—built on malted wheat, Munich malt, and English Crystal—provides a fuller, smoother body than the stripped-down malt profiles common in the style today. A 93/100 score from Beer and Brewing Magazine and an 89 on BeerAdvocate confirm that this is not just a big, loud beer but a genuinely well-constructed one. For drinkers who want bold West Coast hop character without sacrificing balance or drinkability at 9% ABV, Maximus continues to earn its name.