Lagunitas Special Release 6Pk

Lagunitas Special Release 6Pk is a six-pack of Lagunitas' Waldos' Special Ale, an unfiltered triple IPA brewed at 11.4% ABV. Widely regarded as the dankest and hoppiest beer Lagunitas has ever produced, this annual release carries a 4.1 out of 5 rating across more than 83,500 reviews on Untappd, with the 2025 edition climbing to 4.2.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11.4%  |  Origin: Petaluma, California (Sonoma County)  |  Style: Triple IPA  |  Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 by Tony Magee in the small town of Lagunitas, California, before relocating a year later to nearby Petaluma in Sonoma County. Waldos' Special Ale is brewed with a grain bill that includes malted rye, oats, and spelt, then dry hopped with HBC366, Galaxy, Mosaic, and Simcoe at a staggering rate of approximately nine pounds of hops per barrel. Released annually around April 20th, this unfiltered triple IPA represents the brewery's most hop-intensive offering and stands apart from the core Lagunitas IPA lineup in both gravity and aromatic complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: An immediate wave of tropical fruit — mango, papaya, and passion fruit — gives way to resinous pine and dank herbal tones. The unfiltered character adds a raw, yeasty backdrop that amplifies the hop aromatics.

Taste: The entry is deceptively smooth for 11.4%, opening with ripe tropical fruit before a surge of citrusy bitterness takes hold at mid-palate. Layers of oat-driven creaminess balance the hop load, while rye grain adds a subtle peppery edge. The malt structure is present but restrained, letting the hops dominate throughout.

Finish: Long and resolutely bitter, with lingering pine resin and grapefruit pith that persist well after each sip. A gentle warming alcohol presence emerges on the tail end, a reminder of the ale's considerable strength.

How to Drink Waldos' Special Ale

Best served chilled between 45–50°F in a tulip glass or snifter to concentrate the volatile hop aromatics. Pouring into a glass rather than drinking from the can allows the complex aroma profile to fully express itself. Given the 11.4% ABV and intense hop character, this ale is best enjoyed on its own rather than in cocktails — treat it as a sipping beer. That said, hop-forward beers of this caliber can work as a float on a classic Michelada for added bitterness, as the base for a bold Beer-garita (beer margarita) where the tropical hop notes complement lime and agave, or blended into a Black and Tan with a malty stout to create a layered contrast between sweet roast and bitter resin.

Best For

• Celebrating 4/20 with an authentic, brewery-endorsed tradition
• Gifting a dedicated hophead who has tried every IPA on the shelf
• Sharing among friends during a craft beer tasting flight focused on high-gravity IPAs
• Marking the start of spring with a bold seasonal limited release

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Waldos' Special Ale taste like? Waldos' Special Ale delivers intense tropical fruit and citrus hop flavor up front, followed by dank pine resin and a firm, lasting bitterness. The grain bill of rye, oats, and spelt provides a creamy, slightly peppery malt backbone that prevents the hops from becoming one-dimensional.

How does Waldos' Special Ale compare to Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA? Both are high-gravity, hop-saturated ales, but Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA typically reaches 15–20% ABV with a sweeter, more boozy malt profile from continuous hopping during the boil. Waldos' Special Ale sits at a comparatively more drinkable 11.4% ABV and relies on aggressive dry hopping with Galaxy, Mosaic, and Simcoe for its tropical and piney character.

Is Waldos' Special Ale good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its high ABV, the unfiltered body and oat-forward grain bill create a smooth enough texture to sip slowly and appreciate the layered hop complexity without harsh alcohol burn.

Where is Waldos' Special Ale made? Waldos' Special Ale is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company at their facility in Petaluma, California, located in Sonoma County. The brewery has operated in Petaluma since 1994, one year after its original founding in the nearby town of Lagunitas.

What foods pair well with Waldos' Special Ale? Spicy buffalo wings match the ale's bitterness and amplify its tropical fruit notes. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the hop resin. Grilled jalapeño burgers echo the peppery rye character. Fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the tropical hop profile. Rich carrot cake with cream cheese frosting offers a sweet contrast to the lingering bitterness.

What sizes does Waldos' Special Ale come in? The Lagunitas Special Release is commonly available as a six-pack of 12-ounce cans, the standard format for this seasonal offering.

Is Waldos' Special Ale worth the price? Waldos' Special Ale positions as a premium limited-release triple IPA, and its nine-pounds-per-barrel hopping rate, complex multi-grain bill, and consistently strong community ratings support its place above everyday IPAs in both intensity and value within the craft beer category.

Why Waldos' Special Ale?

Few beers carry the cultural weight and brewing ambition of Waldos' Special Ale. At approximately nine pounds of hops per barrel, it stands as the most aggressively hopped beer Lagunitas has ever produced — a claim the brewery itself makes without qualification. The combination of four distinct hop varieties, an unconventional grain bill featuring rye, oats, and spelt, and a decision to leave the beer unfiltered results in a triple IPA that rewards careful attention rather than casual consumption. With a 4.2 Untappd rating on its latest release and a loyal following that treats each April drop as an annual event, Waldos' Special Ale has earned a rare status: a limited release that consistently delivers on its reputation.