Stone Cali-Belgique - Stone Brewing Co.

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4.34/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle to Dogfish Head IPA glass
Enjoy by: 04-16-04

A - Pours a clear honey amber with 1 finger of pillowy white foam on top. Impressive retention with polka dot lacing.

S - Belgian yeast upfront, taffy, limes, malt, lemon pepper, hints of thyme and rosemary, candied grapefruit and lemon oils comes out as it warms.

T - Ruby red grapefruit, with a sweet taffy/candy like malt in the background, old school bubblegum, the sweetness in quickly wicked away with a dry middle to finish. Lemon oils and herbs, lemon thyme, and some rosemary, the bitterness has a spicy sensation. Lemon/lime really come out more as this warms. Nice spicy finish.

M - Medium body, oily at first but the carbonation turns creamy mid palate providing a lush feel.

Very expressive flavors from the yeast that really meld with hops and malt. Complex herbal notes really took this up a notch. The bitterness is there but you have to think about it to really notice it, which to me, is impressive. Mouthfeel is has great transition and glides over the palate nicely.
The best American made BIPA I've had to date.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 21:33:52 | More by StaveHooks

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.38/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

P: A clear vivacious bright golden body with a full finger of milky white head.

S: Earthy, smells like walking in the woods in summer. Pine, funky yeast, a spicy tingle and a touch of smoldered barley.

T/M: Earthy notes continue but introduce ruby red grapefruit, and lemon zest. Spicy, funky yeast and barley. An active body with a moderate feel. Finishes dry and piney.

O: What can I say? I live this beer. The yeast strain is fabulous and the piney fruity hops mix well with the spiced earthed notes. For the price this will be picking up many more. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 03:25:25 | More by Hopswagger

Sludgeman

District of Columbia

4.73/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

$5.99 for the bomber. Enjoy by date of 7/25/13. Poured into a chalice.

Saison meets Enjoy By. Bought this beer as a flyer. How could I could I go wrong at $5.99 for the bomber. WOW - what a deal! When I first tasted this beer I told myself this is the Enjoy By receipe brewed with Belgian yeast - that's how great it tasted. I was not far off, the bottle says Stone IPA with Belgian yeast. This beer is THE DREAM for anyone who is a hop head but also a farmhouse freak. The refreshing complexity of a saison with some not too hoppy bitterness of a great Stone brew.

A - Poured a clear light golden with a white-white rocky head. Average lacing.

S - Piney, earthy and spicey with a little funk. Some hoppy bitterness and some light floral notes.

T - A clear IPA start, a hint of sweetness with a yeasty/funky finish.

MF - Creamy at first with a nice bright finish.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 02:01:14 | More by Sludgeman

robby23

Iowa

3.21/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

It had a little had light carbonination. Its a very light in tast but still has good aroma to a little out doors tast to it with a belgian wheet. The hops were a little weak but still had a little critus tang to it . No date on the bottle which was odd, but for the price it wasnt bad.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 19:13:48 | More by robby23

Bosoxfan20

Oklahoma

3.88/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Poured from a bomber bottle into a pint glass. Pale golden with 2 finger white head. Average retention. Soapy lacing.

S- Belgium yeast is the most noticeable. Some barnyard aroma, with a little peppery spice. Interestingly, not detecting huge hop in the nose. Slight amount of herbal hops.

T- follows nose quite well, but will a little more hop presence than nose indicated. Good balance. No weakness, no outstanding qualities either. Good mix of spice, earthy hops, and Belgium barnyard funk.

M- Mid body, fairly smooth and drinkable. Nice crisp finish. Maybe a little under carbonated for the style, but favorable for my palate.

O- Solid brew. Enjoyable. A style that I am really starting to appreciate more and more. This is certainly a nice hoppy take on a Belgium style beer. Amazing how different a slight change in yeast can make.

No bottled on date.

$3.99/bomber bottle

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 02:39:12 | More by Bosoxfan20

William85

Texas

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Reading the description of this beer on the back of the bottle, I suspected gimmickry -- I couldn't imagine that the addition of Belgian-sourced yeast alone could have a major impact on the taste of an otherwise textbook American IPA, and I thought this might just be a repackaged Stone IPA.

However, I was proved wrong even before my first sip: at first sniff, I could have sworn the snifter in front of me held a Belgian ale (albeit a very hoppy one). And this is exactly how the Cali-Belgique tastes -- as far as I'm concerned, it is a really hoppy Belgian Ale.

I've read other reviews of this beer in which folks declared themselves as Belgian Ale lovers who enjoyed this IPA in spite of themselves; and as a hophead who doesn't generally enjoy Belgians, I would describe this as a Belgian Ale which I can easily drink. I would definitely recommend this beer to anyone who likes either hops or Belgian yeast.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 04:16:49 | More by William85

MeneerBeerSnob

District of Columbia

4.05/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into a tulip.

A-Pours a bubbly golden with a finger of white head that quickly fades.

S-Smells of Belgian yeast with a background of hops, citrus and floral notes.

T-Sweet Belgian funky yeast followed by a hoppy bitterness.

M-Smooth medium body, moderate carbonation.

O-Leave it to stone to make the best Belgian IPA. There's a really great balance between Belgian yeast and hoppy bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 01:58:46 | More by MeneerBeerSnob

SanDNigel

California

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

A- The beer pours a bit crisper than the standard STONE IPA, the smallest hint more clear and lighter. Mott's AJ color almost to the T
S- The Columbus/Chinook/Centennial are having a slap fight with the proprietary Belgian yeast. With hops coming out victorious
T- So very similar to the STONE IPA, but with an unmistakable/very confrontational (in a good way) Belgian yeast forward. Definite hop smack though
M- Very Belgian feeling en la boca. But quick hop bitter/floral palate punch When you sip its a 'Tripel' and when it sits your mouth it's an IPA
-This is a good beer. A very easy to drink good beer, that happens to pair nicely with almost anything else you can put in your mouth.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 20:26:13 | More by SanDNigel

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: very hazy, orange colored, smallish white head.

aroma: spices, citrus, and funky-ass Belgian yeast. Beautiful. Like a trappist tripel with a hoppy kick. Nice, nice, nice.

Taste: Belgian yeast flavor leads it off, commands the palate, with the bitter hoppy edge riding side saddle. Funky, weird, wild, and hoppy as heck. If I were drinking this blind, I'd assume it was Belgian and never guess it was hailing from San Diego or thereabouts. Rounds out rather dryly, eases easily off the palate, but leaves one with the memory of fruity hops and esters, a blistering barrage of hops, and unmistakable Belgian yeast.

It's a wonderful marriage of Stone IPA and Belgian-style IPA. It's sweet, hoppy, wild, and dry, and I'm falling madly for it. Quite drinkably, passes the gullet with the greatest of ease. Each new sip leaves me loving this, and marveling at the mastery of it's creation. Mmm, mmm.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 08:07:37 | More by feloniousmonk

TownDunkel

Texas

4.01/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

IPA - Never the biggest fan but it grows on me each time I drink a good one (and this was a great one)

Appearance - Pretty gold yellow color with a nice white head

Smell - Now that is some hoppy goodness! sweet and citrusy

Taste - A neat mix of sweet and spicy with a good aftertaste of hops, lots and lots of hops, very dry but in a good way

Mouthfeel - Keeps me long and refreshed but dry!

Overall - A great rep of the style, if you wanted to try a great IPA this is the one

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 01:42:23 | More by TownDunkel

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Enjoy by 07/25/13. Poured half into a shaker pint.

Light copper color to the beer. Beautiful clarity. The head turned down from what I expected. Maybe three-quarter inch.

Citrusy American hops with tropical notes plus fruity Belgian yeast aronas. Very fruity, in total. Mango, apricot, ruby red grapefruit, light pine, pear, pale malts, and almost a hint of maraschino cherry. Smells marvelous.

Clashing tanginess of super West Coast hopping and fruity/nutty/spicy Belgian yeast reminds me of drinking a glass of orange juice right after brushing your teeth. Like a lingering pine-like mintyness in the finish that's almost sanitizing in the mouth. Too loud with the Anerican hops. I still pick up grapefruit, pineapple, pine, papaya, and orange. Alcohol is a component, as well.Yeasty esters spins the spokes of tart apple and some nuttiness, but it's all getting a little lost. I really wanted to say great things (and I still enjoy drinking it), but something is strangely awry. Clearly an above-average beer, but slightly offending for the style.

Clean middling body with smoothness. Booze is popping out just a bit. Carbonated to a lower-medium.

Knocking it back a quarter of a point here. Has that imbalance that I've found in Heavy Seas Loose Cannon (albeit, that's an American IPA). Anybody else get me?? BROS, chime in here...

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 02:30:31 | More by thecheapies

MShirokov

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tastes like an ok IPA to me. Where's the Belgian yeast? Where's the complexity of flavor?
One-dimensional, leaves a bitter aftertaste I don't like. The bottle was cheap, so that's at least one good thing about it. Not gonna drink the rest. When will I learn to stop taking advice from Binny's employees?

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 16:21:33 | More by MShirokov

Onenote81

North Carolina

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

A friend brought a bottle of this over the other night when we were hanging out. Poured into a pint glass. Pours a clear golden with a large white head on top. Nice herbal aroma - grass, honeysuckle, Belgian yeast, some faint citrus. Crisp lively mouth, with moderate to high carbonation.

Nice melding of the styles here as there is plenty of Belgian yeast character to keep that crowd happy, but it carries a nice hop profile that imparts a pleasant bitter snap, albeit on the milder side. This for sure isn't a hop-head's IPA, but it's not claiming to be. Rather than being an IPA that has some Belgian character, this is much more Belgian forward with just a touch of hoppy goodness. Mild fruit noted with lemon zest making some presence, faintly spiced on the finish.

Admittedly, this isn't one of my go-to styles, but this one was really well-made and quite tasty. If ever in the rare mood for a Belgian IPA, this'll be the one I reach for.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 16:28:22 | More by Onenote81

dbossman

Nebraska

4.01/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Golden, apple juice-like-hue with a large, sudsy off-white head and decent lacing

S: Apples, pears, cloves, and coriander from the yeast and pineapple, citrus, grass from the hops; a touch of alcohol burn at the back of the nose too

T: A nicely balanced marriage of tropical flavored west coast hops and fruity, spicy Belgian yeast all on top of some slightly bready malts

F: Fairly cream, medium body

O: A nicely done Belgian IPA; I love the way the hops blend with the yeast and just enough malty breadiness at the base

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 02:38:54 | More by dbossman

itlnstallion11

California

4.31/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A- beer pours a nice darker golden color with a nice white head that does not fade fast. Looks like your typical IPA with a hazy appearance.

S-smell is blissful! It's got that west coast ipa smell of grapefruit, pine, some orange, and I get a pleasant scent of pineapple. The unique part about this beer is the Belgian yeast smell that you would get from a Belgian trippel. It has that banana zest that I really appreciate in a Belgian ale with the west coast IPA tartness.

T- awesome flavor! It has the bitterness of the Stone IPA along with its quintessential pine, orange, grapefruit and that pineapple that follows the nose IMO. The end has that sweet spicy Belgian yeast flavor that I know and love that really makes this beer stand out from the rest.

O- great beer it's a unique hybrid that stands in a class of its own. It has the standard west coast IPA flavor that Stone does damn well. Then they throw in the Belgian yeast that seriously puts this beer in an awesome spot in my book. I think this beer can appeal to both the IPA drinker and the Belgian ale drinker. I'm more of a Belgian guy myself and this beer is super refreshing to me for the warmer California months I know and love.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 05:20:58 | More by itlnstallion11

mpyle

Maryland

3.3/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Brilliantly clear, deep golden color. Pours a nice sized white head, creamy and with good retention.

Solventy pepper aroma. Almost medicinal in a cough syrup kind of sense. Belgian aromas dominate any hop aromas for me.

Slightly sweet phenolic character at start, again a bit medicinal. Nice peppery spiciness, and some piney hop flavors. Finishes with an assertive hop bitterness still coated with a peppery Belgian character.

MF - Medium body and carbonation, no astringency, minimal alcohol warming.

Overall - The merging of styles detracted rather than enhanced it for me. Some of the aroma and flavor character struck me as unpleasant. I'd take a conventionally made Stone IPA over this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 22:28:45 | More by mpyle

jibbyvonjibb

California

3.26/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

26 days old (bottled 03/01) - calculated by subtacting 120 days from exp. date of 6/29/2013 (according to Stone's website).

A: Copper color. Clear. Small head.
S: Sweet spices dominate: clove, pepper. I actually don't sense the usual hop flavors: citrus or pine. Bubble gum.
T: Some sugary sweetness.Bready maltiness. Slight acidic tang.
M: Medium-light, definitely on the light side of the style.
O: I would classify this as a Belgian Pale Ale more than an IPA because I don't sense much hop aroma or flavor. Nothing offensive about it, just not crazy about the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 00:06:44 | More by jibbyvonjibb

juliusbush

California

4.41/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into a Sam Adams 16oz glass.

The color is a Golden-amber, not quite copper, yellow.
Producing a Bright white head that reseeded quicker than expected but a nice soapy ish lacing

An initial whiff of a traditional California well hopped beer, followed by subtle banana and fruit esters

The carbonation is the first thing that hits my palate, followed by a kindof tangy hop bitterness pairing With a little malt and mellow sour notes

It leaves a smooth almost oily mouthfeel and the backend settles with a more dull and a more malty bitterness.

My overall impression is that if I didn't know what beer this was, I may have been more confused, but the titles describes a unique style well and it is perfectly suited to be a brilliant Stone product.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 05:59:20 | More by juliusbush

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.69/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Bomber > Lagunitas mason jar

A - Pours a hazy, off-gold color, very thick 2 finger head, good lacing.
S - Smells awfuly sour, some dry pine, dank hop oil, bready malt, lots of spice.
T - Good upfront belgian flavor that fades to a sour bitterness that i find a little unpleasant.
M - Kinda refreshing once you get past the sour hop bite, and i feel the alcohol in the flavor a bit.
O - I'm not a belgian IPA guy, this has a lot of spice and character in this brew, that I'm sure would get some people excited, but its the sour belgian quality that doesnt sit right with me. Not awful, but not my thing.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 22:59:28 | More by Omnium

Zbyler

Connecticut

3.83/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- pale yellow with a nice white head. Mild carbonation.

S- bready notes for sure, slight hop aroma, citrus.

T- Belgian all the way until about mid taste when the hop bitterness becomes apparent. Bready, belgian yeast, slight sweetness to it. Bitter hop finish.

M- crisp, clean, lightly carbonated, not very complex. Feels like you're drinking two different beers as it passes through your mouth. Belgian on the front and pale ale on the back.

O- I was pleased with this brew overall. I am glad it wasn't as hoppy as some belgian IPA's tend to be as that is not my favorite style. The belgian aspect of it was great.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 18:22:51 | More by Zbyler

sooner961

Oklahoma

4.24/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I was pleasantly surprised at the aroma of tonight's "Cali-Belgique". I dare say it had a "floral bouquet" scent about it. After tasting it a few times (drinking "through" the beautiful, foamy, 1/2 inch head) , I'd say the floral aroma was true, but with a citrus twist to it (limon/orange). Hops were definitely in the mix of flavors, but not overwhelmingly. The only "gig" I'd give it was the lingering yeast taste that stuck on my palate, which made me take another drink, one after the other. Overall, a great beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 03:16:39 | More by sooner961

Jemonster

California

4.09/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: High clarity and pale yellow IPA. Thin white head and low carbonation.

S: Good Belgian yeast funk! Some clean and herbal hops, citrus, sweet white bread, cedar.

T: Mind blowing! This is really different than anything I've had before, I dig it! There is kind of a sweaty aftertaste, which it gets dinged for. Bonus for originality. Sour notes and moderate hop bitterness. I feel like there are some floral notes that want to come out but are masked. Heavy yeasty, malty flavor.

M: Dry and thin, light on the palate. Medium level carbonation. Lets the bitterness hang on just long enough.

O: It's great for a niche beer. I don't know if I could drink these every day, but I think it might come down to taste acquisition. Really unlike anything I've had before. A good example for home brewers to see what a big difference a yeast makes.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 03:10:13 | More by Jemonster

Samuel906

California

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Light and golden in color almost crystal clear transparency and lots of effervescing bubbles. Fine head with some good retention. Smells fruity and yeasty with mild hops. Pineapple, cloves, citrus, and florals. Very light flavor but surprisingly well balanced. A unique combination of an IPA and Belgian. Very well rounded beer, lots of great flavors and great if you're looking for something new and unique.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 05:24:50 | More by Samuel906

Moose90

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz Bomber Into Tulip Glass
Enjoy By: 03.26.13

A – Light yellow with amber hues. Big fluffy bright white head. Leaving nice puffy lacing down the glass.

S – Big Belgian yeast notes. Chalky orange, citrus, and coriander. Some light pine from the hops.

T – Notes of citrus resonate again, as well as nice juicy and peppery hops. The profile is complex.

M – Clean and refreshing. Crisp, lingering aftertaste is nice.

O – Very unique beer. A super yeasty IPA. Hops take a back seat role to the yeast here. Nice overall.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 02:18:26 | More by Moose90

cvm4

Mississippi

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a clear orange/amber with a frothy white 2 finger head. Great lacing as it does down.

S - Belgian yeast esters on the forefront that is supported by light citrus to floral hops.

T - The yeast dominates just like the smell. The citrus hops & floral goodness leaves a light bitterness on the end.

M - Not a heavy body, a bit thin but has medium carbonation.

O - The belgian influence really plays well off the IPA aspect of this beer. Is nice to drink for a change of pace beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 19:54:19 | More by cvm4