Stone India Pale Ale (IPA)

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Escondido, California USA

Clear amber, nice head and lace. Citrussy, grapefruit hoppy aroma with obvious malt. Starts with mellow but noticeable citrus bite, develops quickly into piney, grapefruit hop taste, then finishes with grassy and citrussy hop bite. Wonderful hoppy experience.

Excellent IPA. Golden hued pour with off-white foam head. Great citrus/pine hop and floral hop aroma. First taste and you know what you’re in for. Dominated by bittersweet hoppiness and a long, surprisingly smooth, hoppy finish. Notes of spices and fruits detail the body. Better than Dogfish 60. Its only problem is the price tag for a 6-pack.

Aroma of sweet nectarines, tart apples and cherries with an undeniable hop presence. Appearance is reddish gold with a creamy carbonated head. Flavor hits with a mouthful of citrus hops, cherries and sugary fruits. Palate is bubbly and creamy going down the chute. Wow!

This is a superb IPA with as much complexity and strength as many doubles; yet it still amazingly achieves a subdued balance (unlike Ruination). Out of bottle this golden-amber ale has light opacity and a frothy off-white head. Smell is hop-dominated with a sweet blossom and light citrus character. After several sips one can identify oranges, tangerines, light caramel malt, subtle orange zest, guava, sweet floral undertones and a hoppy finish. Body is shockingly light ad crisp. What this beer achieves in hop-flavor without excessive bitterness is inspiring.

Well, since it’s been a while and I’ve sampled many offerings since I wanted to re-review my favorite beer, Stone IPA. Text and stats on the original review follows. Long story short...it’s still right up there... 12 oz. into Duvel tulip... 2+ finger butter/eggshell head tops a clean and still honey/copper body. Head is slightly meringuish with great staying power and a lot of lacing. What an IPA should look like. Greapefruit is subtle yet strong with slight floral notes and mild caramel malt. That’s what I’m talkin’ about...overall citrus is dominant but not one-sided - aroma has Beautiful Chemistry in spades. Caramel malt comes forward in an even keel. Hoppiness manifests itself in more of a bitter citrus tone than on the nose...with a little warmth there’s solid balance but the citrus and malt do quiet down rather quickly. This achieves almost perfect balance on the palate. Malt is clean but hearty and hops provide ample bitterness and citrus. Finish is strong and even-keeled. Husky but bright. Never gets old. One of the most drinkable beers around in my opinion and my favorite beer to drink all-around. Excellent for all seasons - hearty enough for cold, light enough for warm. Quenches thirst and provides a strong but clean flavor profile.

Good stuff! I really like this one more than the Ruination. Good hop flavor but not at all overpowering.

Can’t believe how widely distributed this one has become. A very good example of the style--probably more on the English than the American side (which is, after all, a good thing).