Stone Ruination IPA

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

This bottle is slightly older than should be, which is why i didn’t rate the aroma, it was just slightly off, smelling of boiled cabbage and cauliflower (not right,) but the flavor seems to be all there. After sitting open it relaxes a bit and the aroma returned, but not enough to rate it. After a bottle of Pliney the elder, perhaps my palate is already ruined unfortunately, but tastes quite floral, with slight citrus notes, and pine in the spring after a gentle rain. Quite enjoyable, and i can’t tell if its the pliny or the age of the bottle, but going by the description on the bottle not as big in hops as i thought it would be. I may delete or alter this rating after my next bottle of IPA tonite.

very thick rocky white head. also very hazy with an orange tint. Grassy and citrus aromas, touches of pine and malt. Strong bitterness backed by malt that only serves to help coat the bitterness around my mouth. Nice and clean, though, with slight alcohol warmth. Extreme for sure, but nothing to write home about.

Absolutely "perfect". That’s the only word I can use to describe. Hopped, malty, and alchohaly all rolled into one. Yes, I realize that "alchohaly" is far from a real word, but who cares when the beer is this incredible?

Wow! This was a great IPA! You could almost chew the hops. Lovely light amber color with a fine head. The taste still had room for some subtle grapefruity tendancies. Well done Stone!

The first time I drank this beer I instantly tasted a nice bubblegum flavor. This time I am not sure I taste that but I do taste a very perfume, floral, and extremely bitter taste. The smell reminds me of Stone IPA, no surprise there. The bitter aftertaste is strong with this one but in a good way. Appearance is yellow with a perfect white head filling the top two inches of the mug. There is a little astringency in the mouthfeel. This beer was nice to revisit. This really is ruinous to the palate, thanks Stone! Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 08-20-2007 15:09:38

Pour from the 12oz. bottle into a pint glass: Yummm I can practically chew the hops in this beer. Pine, grapefruit peel, slight clove spices, rose flavored tea, lychee pulp, and a thick chunk of earth. This beer just makes me want to chew on some bark right now. It’s delicious. Drinkability: Check. Rebuy: Mmmyea. #105 on 31082009, DG.

A great alternative to any IPA, this being my favorite of any IPA I have tried. Extremely bitter but inviting. One must drink before intense movement.

Bottle at GBBF 2009: very very bitter but very very tasty, cirtus peels, pine, herbal hoppiness, some caramel sweetness of the malt, hugely aromatic, some soapy notes, lychee, rose water and wood, amazing beer.