The other day at Hollinghead’s, a customer said to no one in particular, “This is my Target. You know how you go to Target for a few things and end up spending $200? I always buy more beer than I came in for. The selection here is phenomenal.”
DAMN STRAIGHT. That night, eight taps at the legendary family-owned and -run deli had Lagunitas flowing, so I started with the Brown Shugga 9.9 percent ABV American Strong Ale. Rich-tasting, fruity, with a somewhat-sweet caramel taste in front and a strong fermented aftertaste, it wend down like a thick wine. I followed with a Bottle Logic Rubidium Red IPA—at 7.7 percent ABV, you get the great flavor of a red and the slight bitterness of the hops at the end.
And then I settled on the Waldos’ Special Ale. Here’s its official set-up:
“In 1971, the Waldos met one afternoon at 4:20 in the front courtyard of their school near the statue of Louis Pasteur. They set out in a ’66 Impala armed with a ‘treasure map’ on a journey to find a secret garden near Point Reyes. They met there at the same time every day and continued their quest. They never found the secret garden. . . . But they kept lookin’. The dankest and hoppiest beer ever brewed at Lagunitas was made with the help of the Waldos for all treasure hunters.”
Released just a few days ago on April 20, this is the dankest! The hoppiest! If IPAs are your thing, get this 11.5 percent triple-decker before it’s gone! Plenty of tropical fruit and citrus help with all the hops going on with this beer—let’s just say it’s released on 4/20 for a reason. And pro tip: It pairs nicely with Our Toke of the Week. BOOM!
Hollingshead’s Deli, 368 S. Main St., Orange, (714) 978-9467; www.hollingsheadsdeli.com.
