Lagunitas Lucky 13. Alt

Tasted at 8th Street Grille on Monday afternoon after getting off work, rather early at that. Clay had notified me that they had tapped it on Saturday, so it was a mission to get this one reviewed before they ran out. Like old times, I didn't have my laptop with me (I came straight from work) so this was written on paper, and then later transcribed. 
8.9% ABV

Appearance: Bright oranges copper and glowing with fantastic clarity. Served in a large snifter. Small, soapy white bubbles accumulate near the edges of the glass. The beer is still looking except for the occasionally a bubble will slowly flutter to the surface.
Aroma: Fruity - reminiscent of ripe plums, apricots and golden raisins. Sweet candy sugar can be picked out too. Some faint spicing rounds out in the end, grains of paradise? Coriander?
Taste: Juicy! The light caramel sweetness easily compliments the rich citrus fruit bitterness derived from the West coast hops that are all too common to CA. Grapefruit juice but with the bonus of sugar sprinkled on tip to thin out the body and tartness. Very prominent tropical fruit essence with some spices that emerge in the end. The more I drink it the more I think...Coriander! Thus, minute notes of orange come through. The finish leaves a rind bitterness on the palate. Think Pineapple/mango rind.
Mouthfeel: This beer fortunately has a thinner texture to give it a feel of a near bubbling grape juice. Easy drinking and surely something that can creep up on the unsuspecting drinker. Carbonation is minimal, but enough to know it's there and to enrich the feel. Drying finish, but not resinous.

Overall Impression: I was worried I was going to get a mouthful of acidity and Simcoe. but a Juicy fruit burst rushed over the palate encouraging a mild surprise in the preliminary sips. Light and drinkable with no sacrifice to flavor. Overall, it reminds we of a sparkling white grape juice with a dose of pineapple while still maintaining the typical characteristics of a beer. Fantastic.

Note: A very similar flavor to DFH Aprihop but with less carbonation and even more fruity.