Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Lagunitas's "The Hairy Eyeball"
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Apr 28, 2010 7:30PM
Hope you enjoyed Karl keeping the seat warm last week. This week, we're going to leave the Baltic behind and head to California.
Lagunitas's "The Hairy Eyeball" can be mistaken for a spiced brown ale. In fact, it's an American strong ale they release every January. It actually holds up quite well for spring. A friend bought a six-pack for us a few weeks back from F&R Liquor in Pilsen (2129 S. Halsted, 312-421-3031). this is a viscous beer, with some pronounced caramel and maple syrup on both the nose and palate. It pours a dark brown with a cream head, leaving thick lace rings on the glass. Crystal hops used in the brewing impart some nice pine undertones to the palate. You could actually use Hairy Eyeball as a pairing with a stew, or to spice the stew itself.