Stone India Pale Ale (IPA)

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

A dazzling sunset of golden orange hues is topped by scattered clouds of white fluff which refuse to secede to the setting sun which fills my glass. Rays of her bouquet tickle my nose, bursting into a bouquet of orange, melon, nectarines, lemon, grapefruit, wet hop oils and grass. Sprinkles of joy dance in the apple of my eye which has been wholly captivated by the Stone IPA. Romantic illusions aside, how she tastes could make or break our union and with faint trepidation, I take deeply of her nectar. Sparkling bright with a body that immediately sticks to and coats all open surfaces. Orange nectar and nectarine juice linger while lemon and cut grass revitalize my tastebuds. Succulent summer melon creeps into her palate while my mouth waters after each drying finish. She is a perfectly played one-two punch of delicate sweetness followed by a strong crisp bitter hop presence while a hint of toasty malts support her performance from the shadows. Each mouth-watering quaff shortens our time together, shared by bitter-sweet sticky memories of orange, melon, hop oils and pine, lemon and grapefruit. Highly sessionable, my glass has long been empty while only pleasant memories remain.

Stone is now three-for-three in the success department, but I expected no less. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I have a 6th sense for beers, and maybe I do, but that many Stone fanatics can’t be wrong. Stone Brewing has brought this year to a wonderful close for me and no matter your hop preference, their IPA is just right for you.

Wow, the bitterness is perfect. Very drinkable. An accessible IPA that contains all of the characteristics of a good IPA, full of hops, amber color, hints of citrus, and intense flavor.

Yeah, it’s bitter, but then what? This is a one trick pony with no complexity, depth or body. At least the Ruination has some ambition.

Oh joy and rapture finally an IPA that’s an IPA! Massive cascade and dark pineapple lumps on the nose. This kicks ass, it’s sweet but then the hops pounce like a rabid terrier for the kill! I’m trying not to get to over the top about this one because i’ve had some pretty average US IPA’s lately. Not as good as TWISTED HOP IPA or Armageddon but damn tasty!

Nice, easy to drink IPA. Nothing really stands out, it’s just extremely drinkable with a typical flavour profile leaning slightly to the brighter, hoppier side. The body is rather light with a decent amount of carbonation making it very easy to pour down. Good as most of the time with Stone.

Bottle. [thank you, after4ever]
Hazy darkish golden with a staying, frothy, off-white head. Good lacing. Nice hoppy aroma. There is pine, grapefruit, caramel, malts, grass. Great frothy mouthfeel, wonderful dryness, medium to high carbonation. Elegant hoppy flavour. There is a great deal of pine, sweet maltiness behind it. Some grapefruit and grassy notes. Long, lingering, dry, ashy, hoppy aftertaste.

Stone is consistent. I have been drinking their IPA for many years and cannot notice any change. There might be one or two brews out there to offer a challenge, but for the price, this is my staple IPA. Pour, head, aroma, fllavor, mouthfeel, finish are all top notch. I sure am glad somebody can make a beer this good, regularly. Thanks, guys!

12 oz bottle Aroma of pine and hops and IPA goodness. Poured a clear deep golden color with a small white head that didn’t linger. The flavor and palate were sort of a junior version of big brother Ruination. A superior IPA.