Stone India Pale Ale (IPA)

Balanced, not overly complex and a wonderful drink. Lots of citrus and pine in the nose. Mildly bitter finish. One of my fave IPAs.

Tap. Pours a beautiful golden-amber color with a medium-sized, frothy white head. Nose is a massive assault of hops. Taste is the same, though the hops do create an overpowering bitterness throughout the beer. It seems a tad out of balance, with the strong hop flavor having nothing to back it up. I think it’s solid but it could have been better.

Hell, disappointed by this one. Expected much better from one of the mother breweries. Maybe it’s because Ruination was so awesome that this one just pales in comparison.

Simply great stuff. Superb aroma...beautiful hops plentiful in the nose...the mouthfeel is very suited to traditional IPA styles, retaining a nod to tradition, yet pushing their own identity just a little (not as much as on some of their other beers) the taste sends shivers and tingle on the tongue. Balanced bitterness, yet fully embracing an intense drinking sensation. One of Stone’s finest brews.

Bottle from Whole Foods Charlottesville. Clear orange pour with a large frothy head. Oily pine and floral hop aroma. Very fruity hop taste. Nice and bitter. Medium body.

Pale orange in appearance, excellent fruity and slightly malty flavor. Mildly hopped (to my San Diego-style IPA taste buds). Mildly sharp taste on the palate. Overall a great beer; goes down well and is extremely easy to drink.

So hard to compare against Stone’s (much) stronger hop brews. Judging against only other IPAs, Stone’s is hoppier (surprise), but less of a standout than an example of what do to right.

(USA) Courtesy of AFI96, Thanks Waylo. Pours an amber / golden color witha med-white head. Aroma is of citrus and hops with a nice balance of hops and fruit. The finish is dry and bitter, but very refreshing. If you some spare cash give this one a try.