lemasney (398), Trenton, New Jersey, USA
| 5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 10/10 | 5/5 | 10/10 | 5/5 | 20/20 | Feb 9, 2009 Style; glass: IPA; tulip
22 fl oz x 6.9% ABV = 151.8 / 60 = 2.53 beers * 150 C = 379.5 calories (est.)
Purchased at: Canal’s Lawrenceville for $7.99
Aroma: sweet, banana and cloves, some citrusy hops, pine, grass.
Visuals: packaging is beautiful, though screen printing always seems to be coming off the bottle. It gives the brand a bit of crumbly marble style, though I wonder if it’s intentional? Perhaps the most brilliant IPA I’ve ever seen, absolutely crystal clear. Like the final scene in THX 1138, it’s that bright sunlight. Golden, pale, transparent, bright white head, sticky fresh Belgian lace. Carbonation is continuous.
Taste: Delicious, sweet, and hoppy. A great blend, very much in the spirit of Chouffe’s Hobblon Dobblen (sp?). Expertly balanced, nice easygoing maltiness, great hops. Perhaps my favorite new session brew.
Palate: Crisp, clean, and refreshing. A dream of fusion of two of my favorite styles. I hope they develop an imperial of this. Starts very sweet, crisp, middle has a bit of a burn and slight roastiness, finish is hops and bitterness with a salty sweet end note. Amazing.
Overall: In terms of lighter brews and more reasonable ABVs, this is a clear winner, and easily my favorite IPA at the moment, and very much a favorite all around, though my top honor still goes to Mikkeller for Black. I’m going to get more, soon. Stone, just keep them coming, and please consider an imperial version of this.
originally posted at: <a href="http://beercritic.wordpress.com/"& crashcarr (5), Georgia, USA does not count | 4.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 10/10 | 5/5 | 10/10 | 5/5 | 19/20 | Aug 24, 2009 Lovely take on the Stone IPA brewed with Belgian yeast that adds a more citrus light flavor and sweetness that balances the bitterness of the "Stone" hops. dwyerpg (2529), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| 4.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 10/10 | 5/5 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 19/20 | Jan 19, 2009 What an aroma! A great mix of Belgian spice and fresh hops. The flavor is also a great balance of the two. First spice, then hops, then spice again in the end. Really a fantastic beer, and I had it almost warm. trayns (240), Beverly Hills, Michigan, USA
| 4.6 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 10/10 | 4/5 | 19/20 | Jul 30, 2009 Bomber. Pours a light golden color with a quick large white head. Aroma is large, with fruity yeast and hops being the most present. The taste is phenomenal. there is such a complex flavor of the hops and the big yeast character. It is almost a perfect balance of yeast and hops, as opposd to the usual malts and hops. This is quickly one of my favorites. It is a great twist on the IPA, there is the flavor and complexity of no other IPA. A wonderful drink all around. TheSponge (278), Lynnwood, Washington, USA
| 4.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 5/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | Feb 20, 2009 22 oz. bottle purchases today at Central Market in Mill Creek, WA. Pours a clear amber with a foamy cream-colored head. Aroma: Honey, hops, and grapefruit. Flavor: A perfect mix of an IPA and a Belgian-style ale (obvious). Farking shiat...I love this beer. Nik925 (303), California, USA
| 4.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 5/5 | 10/10 | 5/5 | 18/20 | Sep 26, 2008 The aroma gives little suggestion at the wonderful flavor this one has to offer. A simple Belgian smell gives way to an amazing IPA that has highlights of all the wonderful flavors you can coax out of hops. Strong grapefruit (Cascade), grass, hemp, and even a bit of bubblegum. The head is great, fades out though leaving some great lacing. Every now and then I think Stone is over-rated, but then beers like this remind me that they deserve all the praise they get. Pawola22 (713), Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| 4.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 5/5 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 18/20 | May 27, 2009 On tap at the bistro/brewery in Escondido. Pours a clear, bright orange body with a very dense, creamy and foamy, finger-width, white head that never completely dissipates and leaves a lot of sticky lacing. Aroma of bright and fresh floral hops as well as a dense, earthy pine. Lots of citrus and fruits from the Belgian yeast strain. Some light caramels as well as a bit of pepper. Smells and tastes just like their IPA with a Belgian yeast strain (obviously). The flavor is pretty damn good. The Belgian yeast adds a nice complexity that isn’t found in the IPA. Still has lots of floral and earthy bitterness, but more sweet and smooth fruits. Basically perfect balance. Finishes very dry with a fruity and long earthy lingering taste. Palate is medium bodied, but very easy drinking for such a flavorful beer. Overall, wonderful. Possibly the best Beglian IPA I’ve had. A great variation on their already amazing IPA. DuffManSW (288), Riverside, California, USA
| 4.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 5/5 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 17/20 | May 27, 2009 Bottle from La Bodega.. Pours golden with a fluffy white head and lots of carbonation bubbles...Floral and citrus hops in the nose with some belgian yeast.. Slightly sweet with alot of citrus hops.. Super tasty.. Nice twist on a already solid beer.
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