Lagunitas 2009 Correction Ale

     Review Date 7/24/2009

Let's face it: 2009 has really been the year of suck. Continuing the downturn that hit us in 2008, this has been the year of nothing but bad news. And as those wild and crazy guys at Petaluma, California's Lagunitas brewing company so astutely observe, "In the future 2009 will be there with 1929, 1941, and 1968." I couldn't agree more.

Well, I might have one small quibble about 1929, though. Although the investment bubble created by the vastly over inflated real estate market in the first decade of the 21st century is remarkably analogous to the wanton and reckless stock speculation that led to the stock market crash of 1929, we do have one small consolation our economically depressed brethren of that era did not: legal beer.

Not only legal, mind you, but quite tasty as well. Case in point: Lagunitas 2009 Correction Ale. I can definitely attest to the fact that this beer is by far superior to any bathtub brewed home concoction of the days of prohibition (and allows you to shower each day, too). So, despite the fact that all of our net worths seem to be decreasing these days (as the countdown on the label here shows, 401k, 301k, 201k....), at least we can drown our sorrows in a decent glass of beer. Or two. Or three.

Lagunitas 2009 Correction Ale pours to an absolutely beautiful deep golden amber hue with a very thick and creamy head formation and a bright and spicy citric hop nose. I'm delighted as soon as I take a sip: the crisp, light but firm malt body has just a hint of chewy caramel, enough to provide plenty of flavor while still allowing this to be a quaffable late spring to early summer brew.

But what really makes this a fantasically refreshing brew are the spicy hops: bright and citric, ripe with juicy orange, they slowly ascend and overtake the malt, then explode in the finish in all their grapefruity glory. And yet, for all that, this is not an overly bitter beer, at least not by beer geek standards. There's as much flowery hop aroma, if not more,  than bitterness here, and this beer enthusiasts suspects dry hopping is the reason why.

I find this beer to be a lot like Lagunitas Sirius Cream Ale, but I like that beer, so no worries. A little stronger than most at 6.3% alcohol by volume, this is a wonderul little American Pale Ale. It's NOT a double IPA, as Lagunitas proudly declares on the label in reference to the fact that a lot of their beers have been accused of being just that. It is a very drinkable brew, and perfect to pair with spicy foods like wings and enchiladas.

It's also a bargain at around $4 for a 22 ounce bomber bottle, a fact that might allow you to plow a few extra bucks into your sadly neglected retirement fund. Now see? 2009 wasn't all bad after all, was it?