Lagunita Love/Like Story

Jimmy

Anyone who knows me personally can tell you I have a certain infatuation for ales. There is something about the flavors brought through in a good ale that tells your brain "this is what beer should taste like". I have noticed a certain trend in the ales I tend to favor and come to a very certain critique. California brews the best ales in the world.

As a native of the east coast and a huge fan of mostly every east coast brewer it is hard to say that out loud. The proof is in any Lagunitas beer you will purchase. I can not remember the exact Lagunitas brew that I first tried but, I do know it was my brother Danny who introduced me to the brand. I have purchased just about everything I find and have yet to be disappointed. 

But this love story is about a limited release by the name of Undercover Investigation Shut Down Ale. The label reads 9.6% alcohol so you assume the beer is hot. 666 IBUs make the hooligan in me smile, and expected as the label also reads very bitter. My favorite part of all Lagunitas labels has to be there ingredients. Instead of giving you an exact diagram breakdown vomited onto the side of the bottle they keep it simple...hops, malt, hops, hops, yeast, hops, water, hops. Gotta' love it. This bitter ale has a roasted smell on the top of the beer and that is the first characteristic you can taste on the initial sip. The bitter finish does not take anything away from a strong hoppy presence. The hops used in this beer compliment every part of the beer. It is noticed well on the nose as well as the body and finish. It is very difficult to balance bitterness and hoppiness. Even with a hoppy flavor, a bitter finish and a hot percentage this ale does not totally wreck the pallet.

                                                                                             

Kathy

Bittersweet.. Bitter. My love for Lagunitas is bittersweet, and this beer puts my feelings into literal reality in my mouth. The hop bitterness beginnings is won over by a nice roasty-toasty caramel, and with such a nice smoothness to the tongue. But the bitter bite returns and thats what I'm left with in the end. Overall, I'd say the layers in this beer balance and compliment each other well enough, and the ABV makes it an awesome one-and-done.