Undercover Investigation Shut-down Ale
Lagunitas Brewing Company
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- From:
- Lagunitas Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Strong Ale - American
Ranked #68 - ABV:
- 9.6%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #7,332 - Avg:
- 4.07 | pDev: 10.07%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 26, 2022
- Added:
- Mar 10, 2009
- Wants:
- 148
- Gots:
- 1,096
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
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.
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.
3.45 by TMoney2591 from Illinois on Jan 26, 2022
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
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
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
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
4.25 by NickMunford from Wyoming on Jul 18, 2021
3.36/5 rDev -17.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Sigmund from Norway
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
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Sigmund from Norway
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
4.02 by Sinister from New York on Feb 21, 2021
3.93/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
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
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
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
4.23 by unclekeith from Alaska on Aug 28, 2020
4.25 by Velivolus1 from Vermont on Aug 02, 2020
4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by maxpower from Missouri
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
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by maxpower from Missouri
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
4.06 by lebrisa from Connecticut on Jun 03, 2020
4 by RiceOwls27 from Texas on Apr 16, 2020
4.5 by doctorgary from New York on Mar 10, 2020
4.31 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona on Feb 02, 2020
4.11 by Malarchy77 from Connecticut on Jan 31, 2020
4.91/5 rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by JasonQKing from Texas
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
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by JasonQKing from Texas
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
3.02 by Jdells09 from New Jersey on Dec 12, 2019
4.09 by Bierliebhaber3 from Massachusetts on Oct 19, 2019
4.12 by heymikew from California on Aug 07, 2019
5 by Kwright from North Carolina on Jul 27, 2019
4.08/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by IKR from California
Appearance: Clear amber color with a modest-sized light beige head that slowly faded. Nice looking beer.
Smell: Pine forward hop aromas with some mild fruit notes.
Taste: Moderate nondescript fruit notes with some moderate pine hop notes. The beer starts off mildly sweet but works its way to a fairly dry final finish.
Mouth-feel: On the light side of medium bodied with a medium level of carbonation.
Overall: A good easy drinking Strong Ale,
Jul 09, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by IKR from California
Appearance: Clear amber color with a modest-sized light beige head that slowly faded. Nice looking beer.
Smell: Pine forward hop aromas with some mild fruit notes.
Taste: Moderate nondescript fruit notes with some moderate pine hop notes. The beer starts off mildly sweet but works its way to a fairly dry final finish.
Mouth-feel: On the light side of medium bodied with a medium level of carbonation.
Overall: A good easy drinking Strong Ale,
Jul 09, 2019
4.84 by Jussei from Ohio on Jun 22, 2019
4.2 by GuitarIPA from Connecticut on Jun 13, 2019
4.25 by ian_graf from Minnesota on Jun 09, 2019
3.96 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington on Jun 05, 2019
3.94 by DanLane from Virginia on May 16, 2019
4.07/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by manoshandsoffate from Pennsylvania
This is a real treat, bought as part of a mix-a-six at Bartonsville Giant. Poured out of 12 oz. bottle into pint glass.
L: Pours a rich cascading copper amber, with a big solid head that slowly recedes, leaving plenty of sticky lacing behind. Hazier than most beers I drink.
Smell: Sweet but rich. I detect rye bread, malt, toasted caramel, and honey. Notes of vanilla and tobacco emerge as it warms. Also a very mild, almost stale fruit note.
Taste: Luscious and luxurious. At first the hops tingle your tongue with bitterness, then you get the sweetness of the caramel and malts. There's something complex and smokey towards the back of the throat, like beef jerky. No burn whatsoever, and no tricks to hide the booze. For a beer of this alcohol content it is remarkably well balanced.
Feel: Very little carbonation. Still, the beer doesn't feel flat or sticky at all. Very smooth and clean, somewhat chewy and thick but not overly heavy.
Overall: Great beer. Most of the time I'm too broke to buy stuff like this but I decided to treat myself tonight. I'm glad I did. This isn't the most refreshing beer but it might just be the most palatable high-ABV offering you can buy.
May 14, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by manoshandsoffate from Pennsylvania
This is a real treat, bought as part of a mix-a-six at Bartonsville Giant. Poured out of 12 oz. bottle into pint glass.
L: Pours a rich cascading copper amber, with a big solid head that slowly recedes, leaving plenty of sticky lacing behind. Hazier than most beers I drink.
Smell: Sweet but rich. I detect rye bread, malt, toasted caramel, and honey. Notes of vanilla and tobacco emerge as it warms. Also a very mild, almost stale fruit note.
Taste: Luscious and luxurious. At first the hops tingle your tongue with bitterness, then you get the sweetness of the caramel and malts. There's something complex and smokey towards the back of the throat, like beef jerky. No burn whatsoever, and no tricks to hide the booze. For a beer of this alcohol content it is remarkably well balanced.
Feel: Very little carbonation. Still, the beer doesn't feel flat or sticky at all. Very smooth and clean, somewhat chewy and thick but not overly heavy.
Overall: Great beer. Most of the time I'm too broke to buy stuff like this but I decided to treat myself tonight. I'm glad I did. This isn't the most refreshing beer but it might just be the most palatable high-ABV offering you can buy.
May 14, 2019
4.25 by Velivolus from Vermont on May 14, 2019
4 by grinreeper from New York on May 10, 2019
4.29 by Kyleyhoopster from Massachusetts on May 07, 2019
4.09/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by penguinsgoboom from California
A: Pours a one finger head. Deep caramel amber.
S: Sugary piney hops. Molasses, dark citrus, a nice pungency that keeps it grounded. Lemon to balance it out. Alcohol is definitely present
T: Starts off with a bready sweetness, culminating in a spicy grapefruity taste before a mild hop bitterness creeps and fills the mouth. The hop sensation lingers for awhile, creating a slight warming sensation.
O: The alcohol is hidden well. This is a sticky sweet malty beer that's saved by a hop cleanse after every sip
Apr 28, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by penguinsgoboom from California
A: Pours a one finger head. Deep caramel amber.
S: Sugary piney hops. Molasses, dark citrus, a nice pungency that keeps it grounded. Lemon to balance it out. Alcohol is definitely present
T: Starts off with a bready sweetness, culminating in a spicy grapefruity taste before a mild hop bitterness creeps and fills the mouth. The hop sensation lingers for awhile, creating a slight warming sensation.
O: The alcohol is hidden well. This is a sticky sweet malty beer that's saved by a hop cleanse after every sip
Apr 28, 2019
4.16 by doowhat from Arkansas on Apr 27, 2019
4.06 by SolarPower36 from Florida on Apr 23, 2019
4.02 by VolatileAgent7744 from Kentucky on Apr 22, 2019
4.15/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by emyers from Illinois
12 oz bottle poured into a snifter.
Cloudy amber with a thin off-white head.
Nose: pine/floral hops, biscuity toasted malt, and caramelized sugar.
Taste: Caramel malt up front, floral hops, and a nice dose of buttering hops on the finish.
Feel: medium body, medium-low carbonation. Very drinkable.
Apr 18, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by emyers from Illinois
12 oz bottle poured into a snifter.
Cloudy amber with a thin off-white head.
Nose: pine/floral hops, biscuity toasted malt, and caramelized sugar.
Taste: Caramel malt up front, floral hops, and a nice dose of buttering hops on the finish.
Feel: medium body, medium-low carbonation. Very drinkable.
Apr 18, 2019
3.59/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
Definitely defies what it is. On tap at Industry Public House with Leah. Hoppy, malty at the same time. Yes, rich. Heavy on caramel. Deep rich Amber color. Nice beer. Strong alcohol.
Apr 16, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
Definitely defies what it is. On tap at Industry Public House with Leah. Hoppy, malty at the same time. Yes, rich. Heavy on caramel. Deep rich Amber color. Nice beer. Strong alcohol.
Apr 16, 2019
4.1 by HabaJohn from Illinois on Apr 15, 2019
4.1 by D-Duvelicious from Illinois on Apr 14, 2019
3.99 by robebo44 from Virginia on Apr 12, 2019
4.09/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by Magilla60 from Pennsylvania
Deep amber color
Apr 08, 2019
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by Magilla60 from Pennsylvania
Deep amber color
Apr 08, 2019
4.31 by EAR from Arizona on Apr 05, 2019
Undercover Investigation Shut-down Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
4556 ratings