Beer pick of the week: We’re Only in It for the Money
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
We’re Only in It for the Money
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, CA
8.2% ABV
For its fourth installment in the Frank Zappa tribute series, Lagunitas honors the 40th anniversary of the release of the Mother’s of Invention album “We’re Only in It for the Money,” featuring that album’s Sgt. Pepper cover parody on the label. Billed as a Belgian-style tripel ale, this “Money” pushes the boundaries in a way that Zappa would certainly appreciate. Despite a rather anemic head, a fragrant bouquet of floral hops, tropical fruits, and spice emanates from this deep amber beer. The taste of burnt candied sugar, ripe apples and bananas, and clove and allspice meld into a tasty cobbler that defines the flavor profile. More spices emerge on the back end, with ginger, pepper, citrus, black tea and a drying alcohol complementing the sweetness. Smooth, sticky, and a bit heavy for the style, Money is as complex as the music that it honors.
(Photo by Jeff Holland)
