Undercover Investigation Shut-down Ale
Lagunitas Brewing Company

Undercover Investigation Shut-down AleUndercover Investigation Shut-down Ale
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From:
Lagunitas Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
Ranked #82
ABV:
9.6%
Score:
91
Ranked #7,333
Avg:
4.07 | pDev: 10.07%
Reviews:
1,097
Ratings:
4,560
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 21, 2023
Added:
Mar 10, 2009
Wants:
  151
Gots:
  1,096
Our malty and rich beer with a snappy hop finish truly defies style…Imperial Mild?...Uber ESB?... We do know for sure that it is Unforgiven and Unrepentant.

In remembrance of the 2005 St. Patrick's Day massacre and in commemoration of the 20-day suspension that followed, Lagunitas brewed this especially bitter ale. See, the ABC conducted an undercover investigation of our brewery, finding us guilty of operating a “Disorderly House.” We did the crime. We did the time. We got the bragging rights.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BlackBelt5112203:
Photo of BlackBelt5112203
Reviewed by BlackBelt5112203 from Michigan

4.29/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle poured into a snifter at cellar temperature.

L – Deep amber color with an awesome 3-finger foamy, billowing, cream-colored head. Fantastic retention and some awesome lacing. Clear with lots of bubbles.

S – Lots of aromas here including piney, resinous, and citrusy hops, rich caramel malt, and a spiciness that is reminiscent of allspice. This smells fantastic.

T – Bitter hops jump out right off the bat with resinous, piney, grapefruit, and spicy notes. As the bitterness fades, caramel and brown sugar flavors appear, along with a spiciness that I can’t quite put my finger on. The best I can come up with is some combination of pepper, allspice, and anise. Really, really tasty.

F – Medium-bodied with good carbonation, a sticky and creamy mouthfeel, and a bittersweet, spicy, and very dry finish. Citrus hop bitterness and spice seems to linger for the longest and pairs excellently with the throat-warmth from the alcohol.

O – This beer is awesome. It comes very close to the DIPA side of the spectrum as it is very hop-forward, but the extra sweet malts and spices make it more than that. It is very tasty and definitely drinkable, especially given the ABV. It has a nice, smooth burn from the alcohol and tons of flavor. I highly recommend this one.
Jun 02, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.08 by uncleotis from Illinois

Jun 21, 2023
Photo of bdoogy
Rated by bdoogy from Missouri

4.02/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
I love the intensity. It is a treat.
Jun 11, 2023
 
Rated: 4.29 by Beergod420 from Michigan

Feb 04, 2023
 
Rated: 3.75 by carolinabeerguy from North Carolina

Jan 04, 2023
 
Rated: 3.45 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Jan 26, 2022
Photo of LesDewitt4beer
Reviewed by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Notes from 2011-12. 12oz bottle into a pint glass.
L: copper, fairly clear. Lite tan head.
S: caramel candy, earthy and fruity.
T: malty, sweet with a fine hop bite that doesn't go too far. Some pine lingers.
F: fairly smooth drinking with a medium heavy mouthfeel. On par with Lagunitas.
O: reminds me of a Christmas ale but not as bitter. Excellent.
Oct 15, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by NickMunford from Wyoming

Jul 18, 2021
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

3.36/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
355 ml bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 9.6%, OG 1085, IBU 66.6. Beautiful amber to copper colour, moderate off-white head. Strong aroma of fruity American hops, old marmalade, caramel and crystal malts, alcohol. The flavour is very sweet, and the alcohol is not well hidden, but soon overpowered by a massive hoppy attack. Warming mouth- and throatfeel.Maybe too much of everything, but still a guilty pleasure to drink.
Apr 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4.02 by Sinister from New York

Feb 21, 2021
Photo of JohnniEMc
Reviewed by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The pour from a tap into a plain pint glass brings an amber-brown fluid, closest to 16 on the SRM chart. There's a nice light biege head atop, but attention quickly shifts to the enticing malty hop aroma. There is rich body here, as evidenced by all the pretty glass lacing. The initial taste is good, malty but with some hop contributions. What kills the enjoyment is the cloyingly sweet after taste. If a honey like finish to a beer sounds good, here it is.
Oct 09, 2020
 
Rated: 4.23 by unclekeith from Alaska

Aug 28, 2020
 
Rated: 4.25 by Velivolus1 from Vermont

Aug 02, 2020
Photo of maxpower
Reviewed by maxpower from Missouri

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle pours a deep amber in color with a beautiful creamy beige head that leaves sticky sheets of lace in the glass. Strong hop aromas of grapefruit and pine. Full bodied with a thick creamy mouthfeel. Flavors of pine and grapefruit. More of a strong IPA.
Jun 05, 2020
 
Rated: 4.06 by lebrisa from Connecticut

Jun 03, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

Apr 16, 2020
 
Rated: 4.5 by doctorgary from New York

Mar 10, 2020
 
Rated: 4.31 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona

Feb 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4.11 by Malarchy77 from Connecticut

Jan 31, 2020
Photo of JasonQKing
Reviewed by JasonQKing from Texas

4.91/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This here is the one that turned me onto American Pale Ales.

I think APA is now my favorite beer and it's thanks to Undercover Investigation Shutdown and others like it.

Doesn't look or smell too special but it tastes like a million bucks. For the high abv, you mostly just taste the hops and it is DELISH.

One of my top 5 beers I always look for and enjoy in season.

Great job, Lagunitas!
Jan 11, 2020
Undercover Investigation Shut-down Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 4560 ratings