Lagunitas Seasonal 22OZ

Lagunitas Seasonal 22oz is a rotating craft beer release from Lagunitas Brewing Company, served in a 22oz bomber bottle with ABV varying by seasonal expression. The winter release, The Hairy Eyeball, stands as the lineup's most recognized entry, earning an 88 out of 100 on BeerAdvocate and landing in the 91st percentile on RateBeer.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies by release (8.8% for The Hairy Eyeball)  |  Origin: Petaluma, California  |  Style: Rotating Seasonal  |  Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 in the small town of Lagunitas, California, before relocating to nearby Petaluma. The brewery built its reputation on aggressively hopped, full-flavored ales that pushed against the mainstream beer landscape of the early 1990s. The seasonal program showcases the brewing team's range — The Hairy Eyeball, the flagship winter seasonal, is built on several varieties of crystal malt, producing a big, brown warmer with layered malt complexity and strong hop presence. Each seasonal release reflects Lagunitas' willingness to brew bold, unapologetic beers that reward adventurous drinkers.

Tasting Notes

(Based on The Hairy Eyeball, the winter seasonal release)

Aroma: Caramel and toffee-rich malt lead the nose, followed by dark stone fruits — plums, cherries, and a hint of black currant. Deeper underneath sit notes of cocoa, light coffee, and earthy nuttiness.

Taste: The entry is decidedly malty and sweet, with brown sugar, dates, and raisins building across the mid-palate. A firm wave of almost peppery hops arrives to balance the sweetness, giving the beer a barleywine-like character. Dark but never burnt, the palate stays complex without tipping into heaviness.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with residual sweetness from crystal malt gradually giving way to persistent hop bitterness. Dried fruit and a faint cocoa note linger as the alcohol warmth settles in.

How to Drink Lagunitas Seasonal

These beers are best poured into a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature — around 50–55°F — to let the malt complexity fully develop. The Hairy Eyeball, at 8.8% ABV, drinks best slowly and deliberately. For food-friendly serves, try it alongside a charcuterie board where the malt sweetness complements cured meats. A beer float using vanilla ice cream and The Hairy Eyeball plays the caramel and cocoa notes beautifully. It also stands up well as a braising liquid for short ribs, where its dark fruit and malt depth concentrate into a rich sauce.

Best For

• Cold-weather drinking sessions when lighter beers feel inadequate
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates seasonal, limited releases
• Pairing with a holiday dinner featuring roasted or braised meats
• Exploring Lagunitas beyond their flagship IPA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lagunitas Seasonal taste like? The winter seasonal, The Hairy Eyeball, delivers rich caramel and toffee malt sweetness balanced by peppery hop bitterness, with dark stone fruit, cocoa, and a warming barleywine-like character at 8.8% ABV.

How does Lagunitas Seasonal compare to other craft seasonal beers? Lagunitas' seasonal releases tend to run bigger and bolder than many competitors, leaning into high ABV and aggressive malt bills rather than the lighter, spice-driven approach some breweries take with their winter warmers.

Is Lagunitas Seasonal good for sipping? Absolutely — the elevated ABV and layered malt complexity reward slow, contemplative drinking, especially when served in a proper tulip or snifter glass at cellar temperature.

Where is Lagunitas Seasonal made? Lagunitas Seasonal is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California, where the brewery has operated since relocating from its original founding location in the town of Lagunitas in 1993.

What foods pair well with Lagunitas Seasonal? Braised short ribs benefit from the beer's dark fruit and malt depth. Sharp aged cheddar mirrors its caramel sweetness. Barbecued brisket matches its smoky, roasted notes. Chocolate brownies or flourless chocolate cake echo the cocoa and coffee undertones. Roasted root vegetables with brown butter complement the nutty, toffee character.

What sizes does Lagunitas Seasonal come in? The seasonal release is available in the 22oz bomber bottle format, which is the standard large-format single-serve size for craft beer seasonal and specialty releases.

Is Lagunitas Seasonal worth the price? Lagunitas Seasonal positions as a mid-range craft beer offering, delivering higher ABV and more complex flavor profiles than standard year-round releases, making the 22oz bomber a solid value for drinkers seeking a fuller experience from a well-established California brewery.

Why Lagunitas Seasonal?

The Lagunitas seasonal program represents one of California's most established craft breweries operating at its most creative. The Hairy Eyeball, the winter flagship, earned an 88/100 from BeerAdvocate and sits in the 91st percentile on RateBeer — strong marks for a seasonal release in a crowded category. Built on multiple crystal malt varieties and finished with assertive hops, it delivers the kind of layered, warming complexity that justifies slow drinking on a cold night. For anyone who knows Lagunitas only through their IPA, the seasonal lineup reveals a brewery with considerably more range than its reputation might suggest.