Lagunitas Hazicus Maximus 6Pk Cans is a hazy imperial IPA brewed at 9.0% ABV by Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California. What separates this beer from the saturated hazy IPA field is the deliberate addition of concentrated hop terpenes sourced from Abstrax, a flavor-technology company—layering aromatic intensity that conventional dry-hopping alone cannot achieve. It holds an 89 rating on BeerAdvocate, placing it in the publication's "Very Good" tier.Quick Facts: ABV: 9.0% | IBU: 65 | Origin: Petaluma, California (Sonoma County) | Style: Hazy Imperial IPA | Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing CompanyProduction & HeritageLagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 in the small Marin County town of Lagunitas, California, before relocating to Petaluma in Sonoma County. Now fully under Heineken ownership since 2017, the brewery continues to operate its original Petaluma facility alongside additional brewing operations in Chicago. Hazicus Maximus distinguishes itself through the incorporation of liquid hop terpenes from Abstrax—these concentrated botanical extracts, delivered in liquid form, add aromatic and flavor compounds on top of an already aggressively hopped hazy double IPA running at 65 International Bittering Units.Tasting NotesAroma: Red grapefruit and papaya dominate the nose immediately, followed by rolling waves of passionfruit and pineapple. A faint dank, resinous undertone anchors the tropical fruit and keeps the aromatics from becoming one-dimensional.Taste: The entry is a burst of juicy grapefruit that recalls slightly dank, fresh-squeezed citrus juice. Mid-palate, ripe stone fruit and orange sherbet sweetness emerge, supported by a buried but present white-bread malt backbone. The 9.0% ABV is well-integrated, adding body and a silky texture without obvious heat.Finish: Medium-long with lingering grapefruit pith bitterness and a trailing note of tropical fruit sweetness. The 65 IBUs provide a firm but measured bitter close that cleans the palate and invites another sip.How to Drink Hazicus MaximusPour into a tulip glass or stemless IPA glass at 40–45°F to fully release the terpene-driven aromatics; drinking straight from the can sacrifices much of what makes this beer distinct. This is primarily a sipping beer, but its bold citrus-tropical character also works in a Citrus Shandy with fresh lemonade to offset the high ABV, a Tropical Radler blended with grapefruit soda for a lighter warm-weather serve, or a hop-forward twist on a Michelada where the natural grapefruit notes complement lime juice and hot sauce.Best For Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts at a summer cookout Exploring the emerging terpene-enhanced brewing category Building a hop-forward tasting flight with friends Pairing with bold, spicy Tex-Mex or Southeast Asian dishes Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Hazicus Maximus taste like? Hazicus Maximus tastes like intensely juicy grapefruit layered with papaya, passionfruit, and orange sherbet, all supported by a soft white-bread malt sweetness. A faint dank quality and firm 65-IBU bitterness keep it balanced despite the massive tropical fruit presence.How does Hazicus Maximus compare to Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA? Both compete in the hazy imperial IPA space at comparable ABVs, but Hazicus Maximus distinguishes itself through the addition of concentrated hop terpenes from Abstrax, resulting in amplified tropical and citrus aromatics. Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA delivers a more conventionally hopped profile without terpene enhancement.Is Hazicus Maximus good for hop lovers? At 65 IBUs with added hop terpenes and aggressive hopping, Hazicus Maximus is squarely aimed at drinkers who want maximum hop intensity in a juicy, hazy format. The hazy imperial IPA style delivers a softer, more rounded bitterness compared to a traditional West Coast double IPA at similar strength.Where is Hazicus Maximus made? Hazicus Maximus is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company at their facility in Petaluma, California, located in Sonoma County. Lagunitas was founded in 1993 and also operates a second brewery in Chicago, Illinois, though the brand's roots are firmly in Northern California.What foods pair well with Hazicus Maximus? Spicy Thai green curry, where the tropical fruit character cuts through the heat; grilled carne asada tacos with citrus salsa that echoes the grapefruit notes; sharp aged cheddar, whose richness balances the hop bitterness; Nashville hot chicken, where the beer's juicy body tempers the spice; and coconut shrimp, which naturally complements the tropical fruit profile.What sizes does Hazicus Maximus come in? Hazicus Maximus is available in a 6-pack of cans, which is the primary retail format for this expression.Is Hazicus Maximus worth the price? Hazicus Maximus positions as a premium craft imperial IPA, priced in line with other high-ABV hazy offerings from established national breweries. The terpene-enhancement process and 9.0% ABV provide a distinctive drinking experience that justifies its placement in the upper tier of craft 6-pack pricing.Why Hazicus Maximus?The defining feature here is the use of concentrated hop terpenes from Abstrax—a production decision that genuinely separates Hazicus Maximus from the hundreds of hazy IPAs competing for shelf space. Rather than relying solely on massive dry-hop additions, Lagunitas layers terpene extracts to push aromatic and flavor intensity further while maintaining a drinkable (if potent) 9.0% ABV profile. The approach earned an 89 on BeerAdvocate, confirming the technique translates convincingly to the glass. For drinkers who feel they have exhausted the hazy IPA category, this terpene-driven approach from one of California's most recognized craft breweries represents a legitimately different take on the style.
