Lagunitas Sneak Release Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale - Lagunitas Brewing Company

foxcaptain

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at local Flying Saucer Emporium. Pours dark amber red. Little to no head with tan color. Lacing on glass very pronounced. Taste is malty and sweet with an alcohol warmth on the back end. Aroma is pine and grapefruit. Delicious DIPA will definitely try again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2011 23:31:05 | More by foxcaptain

chilidog

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another homerun!!
Pours an awesome looking amber/red. Tan head thats soft, maintains and coat laces and rings all glass. Carbonation was just right.

Aroma of malted hop with a sugary backdrop.

Taste is sweet malts, toasted biscuit, with a hoppy overtone of grapefruit and pine.

Mouth was soft on the lip, smooth on the drink. Not a hoppy sting but very easy to handle. At 9%plus, can be abit too easy, oh ya!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 03:26:05 | More by chilidog

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Caramel and ruby color with great clarity and a nice off-white had with good lacing. Pretty beer.

Big hop aroma, pine and some grapefruit. Toasted malt and sugar sweet aromas as well.

Big juicy hop flavor up front -- pine prevalent. Then you get brown sugar and caramel, some fruit, wood, heavy booze and a bit of cherry. This is a big beer. Hops come back with the alcohol for a sweet, bitter, and malty finish. Fantastic.

Full bodied, some carbonation. Mouth coating and a bit tacky.

This is another winner. Love the combination of flavors, but it is still big hop beer. Very worthy.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 22:11:39 | More by OtherShoe2

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.7/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap. Pours a dark ruby color with a thin layer of head. Some lacing. Aroma is hoppy, and sweet. Some grains as well as some booze. Taste is of dark fruits, booze, sweetness, and a bit of hops. Certainly can taste the 9+ abv but its not too rough. Pretty easy to drink considering. It does have that typical Lagunitas but its not as hoppy. Overall, I like it and would have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2011 16:58:50 | More by PicoPapa

DNICE555

Connecticut

3.55/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Eli's. Free beer tastes soo good. Thanks Nick. I'm a raquetball adonis.

a - Murky amber brown with no head by the time it got to me. It's ok though waitress was smokin

s - caramel malts, sweet fruit, bread

t - malt, fruit, sugar, alcohol, minor hop presence

m - medium body medium carbonation

d - very sweet for a dipa. hops were lacking balls.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2011 02:04:21 | More by DNICE555

mdfb79

New York

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had at a DC tasting thanks to nimbleprop. Bottle from 07-08.

a - Pours a murky amber brown color with one inch of white head and low carbonation evident.

s - Smells of caramel malts, sweet fruit, bready malts.

t - Tastes of caramel malts, fruity malts, sugar, and a hint of alcohol, but not much.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

d - I thought this was a really nice beer that was more like a barlewine to me. It's held up really well and I would love to try again.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2010 23:45:25 | More by mdfb79

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A dark yellow to light orange color, a little ruby highlight to it, good stuff, Lagunitas always looks the role. Big hoppy aroma, standard fare.

Big beer, much like Sumpin Sumpin, but whereas that had wheat, this is just barley with gobs of caramel. The hopping is big and grapefruity, the typical job by Lagunitas. If you're a fan of Arrogant Bastard Ale, this beer should do the trick for you, and its just a tad cheaper.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2010 16:20:43 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Rookie71

Florida

4.97/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: A bronze colored pour with about 1-2 fingers of head

S: A nice hoppy smell with a bit of fruitiness

T: A nice strong punch of hops

M: Mild carbonation, relatively smooth, with a little alcohol feel in the finish

D: One of my favorites. I will miss it until next year as I think i have depleted all of my local supplies. I have purchased at least 20 six packs of this, although much has been shared with friends. A really great beer to sit down and drink 2-3 while watching my favorite sporting event on television

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2010 16:12:55 | More by Rookie71

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A lovely pour reveals a radiant dark copper body, topped by a large creamy tan head. Retention and lacing is just short of spectacular, and rounds off a great appearance. For an imperial IPA this definitely errs towards sweetness on the nose, with large caramel notes sparring with grapefruit and spicy alcohol. The hops are definitely more underplayed in the aroma than I would expect for a Lagunitas beer, but its nice to see that there's more to them than just hop bombs (you start to wonder after a few...).

The line between an imperial IPA and a barleywine can be a fine one, but I'd be tempted to say that this one often drifts over to the barleywine style because of its more apparent alcohol and tendency to sweetness. Regardless of what style it tastes like, I'm pleased because its a delicious beer. Dark fruit and caramel seem to lie at the core of the drink, permeating a molasses-tinged sweetness throughout, This is alleviated by a moderate citrus hopping, which combines with alcohol to provide a peppery finish. Some neat stuff going on here for sure. The body matches the big attitude of the beer, with the residual sugars providing it with a nice, big slickness, and the carbonation making it almost creamy.

A very strong entry that drinks more like a delicious American barleywine or some sort of strong ale. It certainly doesn't have the in your face hopping you'd expect from an imperial IPA, but thankfully it replaces it with a luscious complexity. Nice stuff. Thanks Shawn!

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2010 19:06:04 | More by bobsy

IPAescotch

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: a light bronze illuminated the dusty stange beer glass

S: A plum and campfire smell, not overpowering.

T: Consistent hoppy back-flavor with some fruit and caramel malts.

M: Creamy and lovable.

D: Absolutely charming, and with an abv to be proud of

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2010 23:29:09 | More by IPAescotch

adamette

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Live Review. Poured from the 12 oz. somewhat stubby but typical Lagunitas brown bottle that I bought as a single at Save-On Tobacco & Beverage in Mentor, Ohio last week for $1.69 into my Cooperstown Beverage Trail pint glass. No observed "best by" date.

A Generous 4 inch very light brown head over a dark copper but translucent body that reminds me of one of my favorite Lagunitas beers, the Hairy Eyeball. Good lacing too on the inside of the glass. I like the look of both beers. 4.0

S Very good malt sweetness that reminds me of the malt presence of a Belgian Dubbel. I do not pick up much hop bitterness despite the IBU stated on the label as being 72.41. I do pick up the warmth of the alcohol and at 9.75% ABV that is not a surprise. The smell is interesting and intriguing. 4.0

T My tastebuds are flooded with sweetness in the front, some bitterness that lingers on the back of my tongue and a slight burn of alcohol. There is a date or dark fruit taste that predominates as well. 4.0

M Big, syrupy, thick, bodacious. Love it. 4.0

D One and done for me due to many factors but the most significant is the relative size of this beer. 3.0

Notes: There is so much going on with this beer, it reminds me in that way to Arrogant Bastard. Upon further sips and contemplation, the closest beer that comes to mind is again Lagunitas' Hairy Eyeball. I think that it is a slightly hoppier version of H.E.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2010 12:31:22 | More by adamette

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean orange-ish to copper color, with a small off white head. In the aroma, a mellow grapefruity hop. In the taste, grapefruity hops and a smooth maltiness. A smooth, medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry, grapefruity hop aftertaste. Nice big hops, and bit malty, and hides the ABV well. I can dig it!

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2010 15:12:35 | More by OWSLEY069

aasher

Indiana

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle

Appearance: rich dark amber color with cream colored head, which laced the glass

Smell: smelled like an American strong ale, very aromatic and powerful, good hoppiness

Taste: tasted similar to a lot of Stone's beers, tasted like an American strong ale too, good hoppiness and malt flavor, the alcohol was well hidden, I was surprised to see it was an imperial IPA

Mouthfeel: medium bodied, good amount of carbonation that tingled on the tongue, alcohol not present in the aftertaste

Drinkability: more drinkable than you'd think by reading this beers info, it had very good flavor and smelled great, it was thirst quenching

I'd recommend picking one of this up if possible, very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2010 00:02:07 | More by aasher

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this beer on tap in Houston. I really liked it.

Each pint came with little to no head, but left a nice amount of lacing in the glass. Bright clear orange/amber color with no visible carbonation.

Aroma was bright hop focused with floral and citrus notes. Not devoid of malt character.

Excellent flavor and balance here. Very hop focused but with nice malt character. Caramel and fruity notes just behind the hop bitterness. The alcohol notes are hidden well, but you still realize it's a bit kicked up.

Mouth feel was silky smooth with a bit of oil. Carbonation brightened the flavor.

I really enjoyed drinking this beer and thought it was a fine DPA

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2010 17:26:41 | More by Reagan1984

katan

Colorado

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap into a pint

a- pours a deep dark brown color. Very opaque, but not hazy. Strong mocha head, well retained.

S- strong floral hop note. Grapefruit and some malts back it up.

T- starts off floral, but yet has a nice caramel malty background. Gets much more hoppy, chewy from a biting hop note Finishes with a thick and clinging note of floral hops and caramel malts.

M- very strong bodied. Thick and creamy. Coats the tongue. Carbonation is noticeable, but only a light hit to the palette.

D- very dangerous in it's drinkability. Not filling, smoothon the palette. Abv could be a problem.

Another solid ale from Lagunitas.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2010 01:08:41 | More by katan

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Comes out of the tap a dark translucent golden amber with a thick, pale tan, fine-bubbled head that persists. Strong aroma is surprisingly hoppy with an evergreen undertone and just a hint of apple. Lively flavor is hoppy, slightly malty, slightly fruity and just a teeny bit bitter. Strongly fizzy texture leaves behind a pleasant tingle.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2010 00:06:01 | More by Cyberkedi

kraigguffey

Georgia

4.83/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

After a recommendation from Rob at my local brew store I grabbed a sic pack of this Imperial. Wow, I own him a beer. This beer is the perfect summer Imperial IPA, maintaining the bite of an Imperial but still maintains a very crisp taste that goes down easy in the humid heat of the south.

I'm sad to see this beer as a "special release".

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2010 23:20:56 | More by kraigguffey

MeisterBurger

Ontario (Canada)

2.83/5  rDev -31.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear brownish copper topped by a thin off white head. Minimal lacing.

The aroma is bright citrus hops, slightly grassy with a hint of sulphur. Caramel malt comes out little by little.

The taste is lighter than you'd expect, with a sweetness followed by an oddly grassy bitterness in the finish. Piney. But mostly grassy. Some of the sulphur is in the taste too. A bit of alcohol heat in the back of the throat. Not really much going on but light sweet caramel washed away by a leafy bitterness.

The body is also lighter that you'd expect for something so bitter with noticeable malt, but it's very light with low carbonation.

Overall this wasn't great. Too grassy and unbalanced and slightly harsh. A rare disappointment from Lagunitas for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2010 01:56:30 | More by MeisterBurger

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - Very nice deep amber tone with a inch of sticky white head. Lovely
S - Expected hops and got it. Wonderful grapefruit and citrus tickle the nose. Can't wait to drink
T - Hoppy yet sensibly malty almost like a brown ale. Bitter yet sweet. Awesome.
M - For 9.75 (damn it's almost like an imperial!) it sure tastes smooth.
D - Exceptionally affordable and drinkable. I will have to pick up two more bottles out in Wexford. A+

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 06:02:29 | More by DrDemento456

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sep 1, 2007

22oz. Sneak Release bottle poured into a pint glass.

Pours a dark amber, almost copper with a small head that retains well throughout with some nice lacing.

Aroma and flavor is a nice blend of citrus/pine hops and caramel malt. Well balanced.

Sweet and syrupy with mild carbonation. Nice mouthfeel. Goes down smooth and easy, and you hardly notice the 9+% ABV...well at least in the taste...you will feel it. You do taste the alcohol more as it warms.

A great bang for the buck. Another solid brew by Lagunitas. I'm a big fan of their Maximus IPA, and enjoyed the Lucky 13 as well. Kudos, Lagunitas, you've done it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2010 22:38:48 | More by elgiacomo

biophiliadude

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

bottle to pint.

A: Cloudy, red brown. 1/4 inch head with lacing.

S: hops and oak.

T: IPA but sweet over powers bitterness. Citrus. Pears.

M: Smooth fruits, then hops and bitter on the exhale but overall slightly watery.

D: Hoppy but with the water. Sweet and not as bitter. I look for more of a punch in my IIPA but this one I could drink more of because of it's watery nature. Still I prefer a heavier IIPA.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2009 06:41:31 | More by biophiliadude

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale poured on-tap into a snifter. A nice mahogony with ruby highlights, this beer looks decent some lace is noticed.

Aroma is strongly malty, fruity and just a hint of hops.

Bitter grapefruit up front, with notes of pine. Resinous and earthy hop oils. Big time chewey malt flavor, dialing in caramel like sweetness but some dark fruit pits are also there. Hint of peat and slight astringency.

Mouthfeel is full bodied and a bit chewey as noted earlier. Strangely watery finish.

All in all, a good DIPA with a surprising bit of balance. Complex enough for contemplation. A sipper for sure, and strong as can be. Good though.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2009 16:53:49 | More by Stinkypuss

jabel9

New York

4.55/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is an extraordinary brew by a brewery that has recently claimed much of my attention. The aromas that come from this brew were floral hopped and a bit malty. Being imperial, I was a bit surprised with how watery the mouthfeel was, but don't let that deter you from enjoying this brew. The high alcohol content (9.5%) is hidden well and this beer is very smooth. I have had a few of the Lagunitas brews now and this has been my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2009 18:34:03 | More by jabel9

magine

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Duvel glass.

Pours a dark copper, deep dark orange. With a nice creamy off white head that fades to a thick island. Nice sticky lacing.

Smells of hops and some malts. Some sweetness and maybe citrus or caramel is detected as well.

Tastes very hoppy, yet can still taste the malt balance. Very creamy and has a nice floral sweetness to it that is done perfectly. Nice bitter taste but not overly done. Has a nice warming vibe to it as well. Th high alcohol level is masked very well. Damn a fine tasting brew.

This brew is excellent - can be dangerous as well. The brew is smooth and creamy, has a sweet hoppy taste. Also has a very refreshing taste to it as well.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2009 01:26:59 | More by magine

far333

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Clear orangey honey color with a full inch of frothy foamy thick head that slowly settles.

Aroma of grapefruit, floral notes and brown sugar, plus a subtle hint of the ABV.

Rich flavor of pine and grapefruit rind, alcohol warmth, and firm malt backbone to balance it out. Notes of honey, ripe apple and pear, scorched brown sugar. Faint notes of phenols and smoke.

Substantial mouthfeel, full and chewy, some alcohol warmth, followed by a definite tingle across the tongue.

Good drinkability, but it will sneak up on you.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2009 00:03:46 | More by far333