Stone Ruination IPA

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Escondido, California USA

Light hazy amber / orange in colour, so-so off-white cap (could be creamier), some spotty lacing. The aroma is soft all around but still thick. Lots of sweet malts - more than I expected. Some pine, the usual candy citrus (softer than the norm). I think I Need another one for review as I cannot nail the aroma down well enough. The hops (leafy, hot, pine, spicy, some grapefruit) are not super overpowering but are still very harsh (I like!!!). Bready malts. A decent blend of flavours but seems muted somehow. Full bodied, smooth all the way through, some mild alcohol bite, fading piney bitter finish.

Once again, I prefer the trappist quads over anything else but every now and then I come across a gem of an IPA or Stout. This is one of them. Bitter to the end but not obnoxiously so. The trait of every great beer is balance and this certainly has it. Easy to drink on a hot day........too easy. Great feel on the tongue. Any serious IPA lover would appreciate this beer.

Bottle. Small fizzy white head that mostly diminished. Spare display of lacework. Golden color. Aroma of grapefruit, peach, citrus, fruit, piney. Over the palate came also light perfume like and mild soap notes supplied with nice backdrop of caramel and toasted malt. Full bodied with an average carbonation and dry texture. Moderated bitter and sweet flavor that was well balanced. Cannot believe how smooth and almost creamy like this goes down. Dry bitter creamy finish. Lovely.

1. Cask Stillage at the GBBF Bar Sans Frontiers Earl’s Court, London 08/08/2007 Very fruity hoppy aroma. Golden coloured strong in alcohol very hoppy and fruity with a pine taste. Crisp and dry bitter finish. 2. On Tap at the Falling Rock Tap House, Denver 10/10/2007 Very hoppy aroma. White head. Golden coloured strong in alcohol and very hoppy with a fruity and bitter lasting finish.

"Yellowy beige with a hint of orange when held to light a thick creamy cap sits atop this legendary brew, retention not bad that leaves behind spotting lacing. Aroma is yummy candied grape fruit, some pine; I think some lemon lime, very nice smooth malts. Great smelling brew. Mouth feel is next to perfect smooth creamy carbonated but not stingy. Flavour is smooth but not nearly as intense as I was expecting especially for in IIPA. Lots of citrus but more of a lemon then the normal grapefruit, lots of floral notes and a very nice caramel malt. The finish is clean and refreshing with a mild bitter after taste. For an imperial IPA this was maybe to mild if was just an IPA it was close to perfect. I loved drinking this brew and will do it in a heart beat given the chance but comparing to others in the style it falls a touch short. I wan to add if this was just an IPA I would have scored closer to a 4.5"

Bottle - same nice detailed citrusy hop profile as IPA, but with a solid kick of added bitterness that really insinuates itself on the palate. Great lemony-citrus and conifer aroma, I can smell the glass from 3 feet away. Good stuff and not overpowering alcohol that most DIPAs feel they have to force in.