Stone India Pale Ale

Tons of citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and pine hop flavors and aromas. Strong bitter finish. Alcohol is not noticeable at all. Very enjoyable.

Pale orange pour with a nice luminescence at the center. Big frothy head, booming floral hops in the aroma, Cascade and maybe some Chinook? Delightful, just like you’d expect from SoCal masters like Stone. Caramel malts are initially detectable in the flavor but this one is really powerful in the hop department, with the dry-hopping contributing estimably not just to the scrumptious flavors but to the balance of the brew. Sessionable as hell, and compares favorably with high-level quaffers like Two Hearted.

more easy going then stones reputation would lead you to believe. hops are certainly on the attack, but its hard to believe this is 70 IBUs. still, very dry and more floral then strictly bitter. an excellent showcase of the style no question, world class. however, this doesnt toe the line between IPA/IIPA as much as two hearted does (despite the similiarly high ABV for the style)

Sure, when I was in San Diego, I didn’t get a chance to try this. Now I find it in Wisconsin? Very hhoppy goodness. If it wasn’t so darned expensive, I’d have it all of the time.

Bottle from BSF, GBBF ’08. Coppery gold with a white head. Sweet piney hop aroma. Sweet malts in the taste with golden syrup, balanced by grapefruit and intense concluding hoppiness. Classic.