It's official. Hard times have really hit. How do I know? My beer barometer is telling me, that's how. To be sure, beer has been getting increasingly dear for a while now. But not too long ago, I bought a bomber of Lagunitas Brewing's We're Only in it for the Money Ale. And, I had to pay a whopping $3.49 for it. Outrageous! Well, maybe, not. But considering that Lagunitas, that bulwark of quality beer at affordable prices, usually ranged its beers in the $2.99 per 22 ounce bottle range, this is a serious sign indeed.

Of course, even at $3.49 a bottle Lagunitas beers are still a bargain and one can hardly say that they're really only in it for the money at such prices. Instead, the name here refers to the 1968 album by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention named, you guessed it, We're Only in it for the Money. This is the fourth in Lagunitas series of limited-run specialty beers commemorating the albums of Frank Zappa, the first three being Kill Ugly Radio Ale , Freak Out Ale , and Lumpy Gravy Ale .

Lagunitas is best known for its very hoppy ales, but with Lumpy Gravy and now We're Only in it For the Money they've taken a stab at a few Belgian styles.  The latter was crafted in the fashion of a dark, chocolaty Dubbel, while the beer under consideration today takes the next logical progression to the Tripel style.

We're Only in it for the Money Ale pours to a brilliant golden orange color with a very light and short lived head formation and a mushroomy Belgian yeast nose. As with a good Belgian Tripel, the palate here is rich and malty and surprisingly light. I do get some notes of sugary rock candy, as well as some funky Belgian yeast notes. And in the finish, a bit of balancing bitter hops as well as some alcohol warmth.

To be honest, I'm a little underwhelmed here. This isn't Lagunitas best effort. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad beer at all; rather it's quite tasty and easy to drink. But as far as Tripels go, it just doesn't knock my socks off. I'm wanting a bit more body and flavor than I'm getting. Still, this is a big beer at 8.2% ABV, has a really cool label, and it's a definite bargain for the price. Well worth trying at least once, and while you can get it.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.