Ruination IPA - Stone Brewing Co.

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

4.55/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Growler filled up yesterday.

A: Poured into a tall tulip glass. Big bubbly head, golden brownish amber. Amount of carbonation looks good.

S: Great on the smell. Very light and floral with some good sweetness.

T: I think this was the good IPA I had been craving. Seems very balanced with a good amount of hops but some good sweetness. The flavors fade to a good bitterness that goes away slowly but pleasantly.

M: Full body and super creamy. This is really the shining point of this beer and is without a doubt one of the smoothest beers I've ever had.

Overall very good indeed. The only problem I have this this guy is the taste is a little light on the complexity. As for an IPA though this is killer. Check it out.

Serving type: growler

06-17-2012 19:16:04 | More by Jamesthebrit

mindspin315

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Your palate has officially been wrecked! Ruination is one of the absolute biggest 'Hop Bombs'.

Look is a clear orange, small bubbles from the carbonation and a big fluffy white head.

Aroma is lots of pine needles soaked in hop oil, bitter grapefruit, and a touch of orange. A dank herbal aroma is quite pungent too, with a touch of vegetal hops. Overall the pine is smacking you in the face.

Don't try to drink another beer after this beer. It rips your taste buds up, in a good way. Incredible amount of bitterness hammers the palate almost right away. The mild grapefruit/orange come out first but are quickly buried under the pine/bitterness that grabs hold of the tounge. Carbonation moves the bitterness right along to a big dry finish. Overall medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Had this beer quite a few times before but had to pick it up when I saw it on tap at my local liquor store. This is a once in awhile beer for myself. Not something I want to try and enjoy all the time, but it certaintly gets it point across in a big way!

[93/100]

Serving type: growler

11-27-2011 05:49:09 | More by mindspin315

Durge

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A light golden tanish color with a giant white head and plenty of lace. The nose detects lemon cotton candy, and flowery banana bread. Very nice and kind of unique as hoppy brews go. The flavor brings lots more hops in the form of sweet bready herbal grass goodness. There’s wheat and sort of peachy fruit nougat. Delicious in a medium plus body with a polite carbonation and an easy, lightly frothy feel. A class hop brew!

Serving type: growler

11-14-2011 05:08:11 | More by Durge

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on 2011-09-03 in Columbia, PA from The Fridge in Lancaster.

A - Hazy amber/orange with a short, white head and pretty good lacing.

S - Mild aromas of tropical fruit, lemon grass, biscuit and floral hops.

T - Hop forward, then corn bread with a lemon-caramel glaze followed by bright citrus bitterness and some pine. The aftertaste is delicious combining citrus sweetness and deep bitterness that lasts and lasts.

M - Light-medium body and medium carbonation. Very prickly and resinous; just how I like it.

D - I never get tired of this brew.

Serving type: growler

09-03-2011 18:57:48 | More by Tucquan

DTJPPR

California

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From tasting notes combined in March and August 2011

A - This pours a beautiful burnt-orangish/copper color that makes you just want to throw it down your gullet. It is free of any clouding, and is clear despite its darkness. Leaves a decent 1-1.5 Finger head that fades somewhat fast leaving small traces of a fine lacing.

S - Not as strong of a hoppy smell as you might have thought. There's a piney scent that seems to linger the nose underneath the citrusy hop smells. Overall it smells very earthy, like walking through a hot Orange Orchard in Summer.

T - This is where things get fun. There's an upfront citrus pleasure that fades swiftly into a punch of warming bitterness. There's an intense hop flavor here that is remarkably complex in the mixture of flavors. With an exhale, the tree-barkesqueness/pine flavors come through along with more of the fermented orange flavors in a nice swirling mixture. This is a fantastic fruity/earthy IPA. Definitely delivers on its promise of strong hoppy flavor and a nice lingering bitterness.

M - Smooth and easy to pass, much like its appearance would suggest. Not quite watery, but close. The bitterness lingers after the swallow, which is nice with the flavors it leaves.

O - This has become one of my favorite's from Stone, and has become a real staple in my beer fridge. I can always count on being satisfied, especially if I only have time for a single pint of it. Give it a try.

Serving type: growler

08-26-2011 21:52:49 | More by DTJPPR

prdstmnky

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

1L growler from Al's of Hampden. Kegged 6/4/2011, super fresh!

Pours a fairly clear, golden orange color with a good 3 fingers of foamy white head that leaves seafoam lacing throughout.

Big nose on this, can smell it on the table 3 feet away as I type. Citrus and tropical fruits, along with some pine notes - not a whole lot of malt aromas to speak of (yay). Lots of pine and grapefruity hop flavors upfront, that kinda linger with some other citrus in the middle, before a nice, dry finish. Medium bodied, somewhat light carbonation, and dry.

Ive had this many times before, but never from a keg this fresh - what a treat!

Serving type: growler

06-21-2011 00:49:18 | More by prdstmnky

AndersonGT

Maryland

4.7/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow, this lived up to all the hype!

A-Great amber color. Nice head.

S-Super piney, super hoppy

T-Oh so good. Excellent hoppy hit that lasts all the way through.

M-Easy drinking. I could knock out quite a few of these if they were not so expensive.

O-If I ever want to splurge this will be a good choice. Very pricey but well worth the money. Top 5 beer for me.

Serving type: growler

05-05-2011 23:30:50 | More by AndersonGT

socon67

New York

4.18/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours golden and setlles to a more orange-ish hue. A lively white foam completes the pour.

S - Scents of fruit (pineapple, apricot) are present. Not nearly as piney or hoppy as other DIPA's.

T - Much more mellow than other imperial IPA's. This is more sweet with fruit than hoppy. It certainly stands out.

M - About as good as it gets with a smooth finish, a well masked ABV, and a well balanced sweetness to bitter. Easily could drink many of these.

O - I'd seek this out again. Maybe not a top tier DIPA but Stone has made another quality ale.

Serving type: growler

04-08-2011 21:17:48 | More by socon67

InIBUsWeTrust

Florida

2.08/5  rDev -52%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

I'm pretty lopsided in my verdict with the Ruination IPA. In fact, I demand a fresher keg! Maybe this time it will suit my hop friendly palate.

Appearance - Flat

Smell - Atrocious

Taste - Average IPA

Mouthfell - Gargle & Rinse?

Drinkablity - Serve this to your dormitory frat wannabe's

Serving type: growler

02-18-2011 20:27:12 | More by InIBUsWeTrust

pilotgod

Oklahoma

4.78/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler from brewery poured into Unibroue tulip.
From notes on tasting in August 2010.

A: Pours a light copper, that while dark is perfectly clear with no haze at all. Head was initially about one finger, but that quickly subsides to a thin film of bubbles that remains at the center of the glass and on the edge. Lacing is fine, but moderate.

S: Not as in your face with the hops as I expected from a DIPA, but the hops and citrus are there and a noticeable amount of pine needles comes through to give one the smell of hiking through piney woods near a river or stream. The citrus smell is very much like grapefruit with a little orange lingering behind.

T: Unlike most IPA's where the hops are the first to hit you, instead this one waits and takes you off guard. The first taste is of grapefruit like citrus with a little pine flavor following on. As the citrus starts to subside the brewers spices can be detected and about the point you think you might be able to peg which spice or spices it is, the hops come with a mightly blow like the hammer of Thor on your tastebuds. A very bitter taste hits, then runs and leaves that slight bitter feel. That is why I drink IPA's is because I like the taste of hops and that bitterness and Ruination delivers exceptionally with both.

M: With less carbonation than is encountered with other IPA's, Ruination is a little smoother than would be expected. The bitter finish does result in a dry feeling, but that is easily cured by another sip.

D: I love Ruination and grab it every chance I can. I enjoyed the growler, but think I will go with the bottle next time as the carbonation was a bit light and I think this may be improved with the bottle.

Serving type: growler

01-22-2011 23:15:18 | More by pilotgod

welldigger888

South Carolina

4.88/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into an ABA shaker pint, growler was filled from a 3 week old keg. Poured a golden hue with some orangish hints, fluffy snow white head & outstanding lace blankets glass.
Strong hop nose that runs herbal perfume pine resonous & grapefruit rind.
WOW, LOVE THIS STUFF!!!Thick bready malt holds up well to a hop forward flavor profile here.Sticky pine reson citrus grapefruit with a long bitter dry finish.
Oily creamy mouth on this.
Love it, drink it!!!

Serving type: growler

01-07-2011 02:12:23 | More by welldigger888

arboristfish

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a deep yellow, almost copper color, with a white head. The smell strong with citrus hops. The taste is a strong citrus hop flavor. Not getting much from the malt, from it being overpowered by the hops, and yet its in a good way. The mouthfeel is somewhat light and yet not medium. It is drinkable. Maybe ive just gotten use to ipa but I thought it was a very good beer.

Serving type: growler

11-20-2010 13:05:50 | More by arboristfish

Kendo

New York

4.38/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from the growler (32 ozer purchased from Westmere Bev this afternoon; full growler was $17.99) into a pint glass. Body is clear, light honey-amber with a half-finger whitish head, which settles quickly to film. Leaves no real lace.

S: Nice. Hops. Citrus, pine and tropical fruits. Slight note of wet cardboard, comes across as metallic or minerally at times.

T: Follows the nose. Sweetish malt foundation (honey-like a bit), followed by lemony citrus, and slightly grassy pine hops. Maybe a touch of mint toothpaste. Lingering lemon in the aftertaste.

M: Smooth, slightly oily/slick, which cuts a bit of bitter hop "bite." Doesn't feel - or appear to be - highly carbonated.

D: Very good. I remember back in the day when I thought this beer was too in-your-face hoppy. But now, years later, it seems only modestly bitter. This half-growler will be gone soon.

Serving type: growler

09-04-2010 23:12:10 | More by Kendo

oglmcdgl

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a growler at whole foods. Poured into my duvel tulip.

A- three fingers of sudsy off white head from a hard pour that slowly settles to a small amount of cascading lace and a big ring. A good swirl brings the head right back. Hazy copper orange in color.

S- piles of citrusy hops and a mild sweet malt backbone. Grapefruit and oranges, tropical fruits. Honey and powdered sugar. The smell just intoxicates you as the brew warms. Simply amazing.

T- hops, hops, and some more hops. Grapefruit dominates but there's some pine apple and tangerine in there too. Some pine and a grassy herbal veg touch, but to a lesser extent. Malts are there but never steal the show. Brings to mind toasted wheat bread and some light brown sugar. Long semi astringent finish.

M- a step or two about medium in body and even one more step in carb that tingles the tongue aggressively.

D- this one is all about the hops and doesn't leave you short. Not for the faint of heart for sure. I took me some years to enjoy this brew but now I really dig it.

Serving type: growler

08-25-2010 00:23:25 | More by oglmcdgl

originalsin

California

4.43/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Popped the top off this growler, eagerly anticipating that loud, intense "pop" but it seemed far more toned down than usual. The pour yielded a fat pillowy head nonetheless.
Smell is heavily of grapefruit - it's very very hoppy. This brew smells like a double ipa, I can't help but think that. A lot of hoppy goodness on the nose...
Taste follows suit - there's a big hop presence here, and a good deal of it presents itself as the mildly bitter taste of grapefruit.
There's also a strong malty backbone to this beer though.
The beer is medium bodied but still it's an easy drinking beer. Always has been a favorite of mine. I wish I'd opened this growler a bit sooner (waited a good month....) but still, it's perfect. I love Stone, and I love Ruination.

Serving type: growler

08-05-2010 06:12:01 | More by originalsin

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A 1L swingtop growler filled at Al's yesterday.

A: The DIPA is a golden orange, a glow that has sunset written all over it. Moderately hazy, the ale pulls off, on third pour, a finger of head that has legs.

S: Orange peel and grapefruit dominate, a syrupy sweet bitterness that is wicked bitter. The hoppiness is as floral as it is sharp, covering up all traces of malt (and therefore all semblance of balance).

T: The floral intricacies of the nose disappear in the face of an all-out assault on the senses (at least taste). The hops are a wall of bite, sharp and nearly unending. The devil is in the details though, as smaller sips reveal the breadth of the hops. The floral flavors are there, just look for 'em, along with the orange peel. Unfortunately a heavy-handed alcohol comes along for the ride. The ale lacks balance, plain and simple. Lots of hops, I like that. Too much booze, I don't like that.

M: Without the booze I really like the ale. The hops are floral and full, awesome in their own right.

D: Under 8%? That surprises the hell out of me. It feels like it should be twice that. I'm not worthy anymore, methinks.

Serving type: growler

05-15-2010 01:42:46 | More by akorsak

jpmclaug

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a growler into my Duvel Tulip (Growler from Greens on Piney Grove Columbia, SC)

A - Glowing orange-amber with a big off white head, lots of bubbles run up the side of the glass, above average amount of lacing sticking to the glass

S - Rather mild nose. Strong lemon smell with hints of sweet malt.

T - Piney hops dominant the flavor. A hint of sweetness when it first hits my tongue but that gives way to a lingering piney bitterness.

M - Well carbonated with a medium body

D - Not a real hard one to drink but I'm not the biggest fan of piney DIPA's. I think this one might not taste as good thanks to the growler of Coast's Boy King DIPA that graced my tongue recently.

Serving type: growler

03-30-2010 01:18:20 | More by jpmclaug

cdizinno

South Carolina

4.3/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Hazy amber color with a nice foamy off-white head. Moderate lacing that sticks well.

S: Disappointing. Very mild! Some sweet hops and citrusy smells. Slightly piney, but all very mild, even as it warms up to room temperature. I've had some realy great DIPA's lately and expect that fragrent Hopslam pine and citrus smell.

T&M: Sturdy medium body with a smooth mouth feel. Some floral and slightly piney hops taste with a bit of malt. Next is the hop bitterness which is piney, citrus rind, and woody flavors. Finishes with that typical coarse bitter hops, semi-dry.

Wow! Hoppy, Hoppy, Hoppy. Excellent.

Serving type: growler

03-29-2010 21:23:24 | More by cdizinno

deruiz10

California

4.38/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Growler poured into a pint glass.

A - One and a half-finger white head leaves behind massive lacing. Pour is a very slightly cloudy yellowish orange.

S - Spicy hops, grapefruit, and a slightly sweet pine undertone.

T - Truly palate-ruining spicy hops predominate, but upon closer inspection juniper berries, spicy citrus, and mildly sweet malts form the foundation. The finish is more gentle than I was expecting with a mild hop bitterness lingering.

M - Mild carbonation, but creamier than most IPAs. But it works to keep the hops from feeling too sharp on the tongue.

D - Perhaps the ultimate hop-lovers beer, this baby is named very appropriately. Best to save this one for sipping or for cutting through some seriously spicy salsa (my favorite way to drink it).

Serving type: growler

12-22-2009 21:41:12 | More by deruiz10

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A lucid, dazzling orange that is blindingly bright when held into the light. Whether it's a naturally occurring haze or those florid rays that bewilder the eyes, one or the other is preventing me from seeing my finger on the other side. Its surface is bundled up with a thin but bubbly strip of white twine.

Chinook and Centennial hops make for a heavenly scented balm. We've since seen this again and again with American IPAs (and DIPAs) but Ruination may have been the first and the one that continues to most clearly illustrate it. Its perfumy solution combines festering, candied and ethanol-soaked citrus fruits and tickles the nose like a feather.

Dissecting these hops turns up flavours of spiked coconut milk, candied pink grapefruit and bubble-gum wrapped tangerine wedges. The flavour is fresh, fruity, floral and lively - like a citrus fruit salad infused with crushed mint leaves, roasted pine nuts and drizzled in honey.

The malts are not entirely inconsequential either. Bready, bakery-fresh muffins and syrup coated pastries make a fairly sturdy base for all this acidic, near-spicy hoppiness. The bitterness isn't crushing, as its name would suggest, it's brisk and snippy and massages the tongue. One thing it isn't is overpowering.

In fact, I'm looking forward to having, not a full bomber, but a full growler of this to drink today. The beer is quenching, its electric blanket-like warming effect notwithstanding. The alcohol is ever-present but fuses well into the acidic citrus. Besides, I'd much rather take the extra percent or two and go with the Ruination over Stone's regular IPA.

Ruination IPA will ruin your chances of ever enjoying an industrially produced lager again. It will ruin your taste for mass-processed beer and even ruin your tolerance for others drinking them. This is a lesson in how beer should be made: with character and with pride. Look at the American micro scene - Ruination IPA has actually built a lot.

Serving type: growler

10-04-2009 16:40:57 | More by biegaman

womencantsail

California

4.43/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: A clear pale gold color with about 1 finger worth of foam that slowly drifts away. Pretty decent lacing.

S: Pine and citrus, hop resin, some floral qualities as well. Some malt sweetness, but very minimal.

T: Very bitter, lots of pine, some floral background. The hops are primarily on the front with a slight amount of malt on the finish.

M: Not much carbonation, medium body, kind of sticky on the tongue (especially as it warms).

D: Bitter and boozy, but a delicious DIPA.

Serving type: growler

07-26-2009 19:11:11 | More by womencantsail

Roeters

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I go the Growler at Hopcat in Grand Rapids. They have had this on tap for the last few weeks.

A: Great lacing with a thin white head (due to my pouring abilities) translucent golden straw color

S: Hops, Hops and more hops slightly citrus with just a slight carmel aroma.

T: Starts as a clean pale ale, then with seconds the hops start to to come in with a citrus bitter bite that carries through that beer to finish and leaves a wonderful after taste

M: Great carbonation and great bite of the hop bitterness

D: I love this beer, but it will kill your taste for anything else that you will drink for the day.

Serving type: growler

08-20-2008 05:18:43 | More by Roeters

steelscarab

California

4.8/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured fresh from my growler to the goblet.

Appearance: Pours a copper-hue with a nice inch of head that stuck around for a nice amount of time. It leaves nice lacing on the glass as well, but overall the appearance is nothing too special.

Smell: What this DIPA lacks in appearance, it fully gains back with its smell. Citrus hops goodness is unleashed upon the nose and dominates the smell, yet one can detect other subtleties. I smelt a bit of pine, malt, and even a bit of fruitiness. If you love hops, just the smell alone will make you drool for this ale.

Taste: Now this is truly a DIPA to be reckoned with. I first expected this ale to hit me in the face with its hops, but this is not the case and that's why I think it's so good. One tastes soft, bready malts that are perfectly suited for the high amount of hops of this ale. The hops are complex and strong, but not overwhelming. You can clearly taste the citrus, pine, and even a floral taste as well. You get a slight alcohol taste towards the end of the sip, but you barely notice it with the strong hop and smaller semi-roasted malt taste backing it all up. This is a very solid ale indeed.

Mouth: Good mouthfeel. It has a full bodied texture with just the right thickness you'd expect from the taste. Despite the thickness, it is very crisp and smooth as well. It ends with a bit of dryness that makes you anticipate the next sip with glee.

Drinkability: Very high drinkability, though one does need to exercise some caution with a DIPA like this. If you start out with this ale for a night of drinking, don't be surprised when all of your following ales taste like hop. Also, the smoothness of this ale conceals the higher alcohol content and its easy to drink a couple too many of this one.

Serving type: growler

04-18-2008 03:10:54 | More by steelscarab

rallison

California

4.47/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Amber golden with a two finger white fluffy head that sticks around and leaves some nice lacing.

S: Clean, fresh citrusy hops. Smells very, very refreshing.

T: Wonderful. Fresh citrusy hops are on the forefront. I'd call this a clean, hoppy double IPA. Not much malt to get in the way - not quite Hop Wallop in lack of malt, but still very much emphasizing the hops. And what tasty hops those are. Nice.

M: Nice carbonation level to tickle the throat, but a relatively clean finish (with hops lingering of course!) that makes this oh so drinkable.

D: One extremely drinkable double IPA.

Highly recommended. Classic West Coast Double IPA.

Serving type: growler

03-19-2007 02:22:33 | More by rallison

DrMalt

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a 650 ml bottle.

Poured a golden yellow with a white thick head. Good lacing & head retention.

Lots of hop aroma with hints of grapefruit & pine.

Taste was definitely hops bitterness upfront but some warming finish from the alcohol. Some earthy flavours coupled with citrus flavours. Less maltiness than other DIPA I have tried.

Mouthfeel came from the gravity (7.7% ABV) and the bitterness on the tongue.

Drinkability was amazingly easy given the higher alcohol. This DIPA was my favourite of our tasting which also included 5 other IPA's.

A very worthwhile IPA.

Serving type: growler

02-04-2007 19:32:10 | More by DrMalt