Stone Cali-Belgique - Stone Brewing Co.

Foxman

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

It pours a very clear and carbonated golden amber. A single finger of thin off-white head slips briskly to a frothy archipelago. Twists of lacing gyrate on the inside of the glass.

In the aroma, pale malt and fruity sugar are crisped by soft esters, dry and spiced with clove. Apple, grapefruit, and pineapple bring the hops aromatically to mind.

Upon tasting, the malt is toasted and berry sweet, and joined by a sprinkle of candy sugar. Toffee, caramel, and yeasty biscuit are brought to earth by crisp apple and spice esters. Dry grapefruit and floral hops bring the bitter to play. Residual grain sweetness joins a slice of melon and toasted bread. A fairly lingering finish bears a dry bitterness that cleans as it goes. It delivers well on the name's hybrid promise.

Medium bodied, its creamy initially but the drop-off to almost nothing but glow is surprisingly abrupt.

This is easily one of my favorite hybrid styles, and perhaps this is one of the top American examples, if not the top. It's not flawless, but it is bold and adventurous, and it comes across as fun and nicely blended. The manageable ABV and understated complexity give it a solidly drinkable character. It's a nice benchmark for a damned intriguing international union.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2009 17:43:48 | More by Foxman

Spaz7

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-24-2013 21:11:59 | More by Spaz7

Kreko7

California

3.25/5  rDev -19.4%

05-24-2013 07:54:10 | More by Kreko7

hallospceboy

California

4.75/5  rDev +17.9%

05-24-2013 07:30:58 | More by hallospceboy

UWBadgerFan4Life

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-23-2013 02:29:58 | More by UWBadgerFan4Life

verge

California

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-21-2013 18:03:11 | More by verge

xShoWTeKx

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

05-21-2013 00:46:34 | More by xShoWTeKx

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-20-2013 02:44:58 | More by SmellsofMahagony

craftbrew502

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-20-2013 00:47:33 | More by craftbrew502

IP-EH

California

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-19-2013 22:09:12 | More by IP-EH

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

rturn2

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-18-2013 16:27:40 | More by rturn2

timoteo833

New York

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%

05-18-2013 02:06:12 | More by timoteo833

mattparsons

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-17-2013 22:01:43 | More by mattparsons

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-17-2013 15:05:50 | More by twenty5

powdersoldier

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-16-2013 14:59:05 | More by powdersoldier

Cvescalante

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-15-2013 19:21:31 | More by Cvescalante

Zbeetleman

California

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%

05-15-2013 03:04:29 | More by Zbeetleman

lucasj82

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-15-2013 03:04:08 | More by lucasj82

Absolut

California

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-14-2013 17:48:51 | More by Absolut

csfcmitchell

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

05-13-2013 15:53:03 | More by csfcmitchell

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-13-2013 14:52:09 | More by mikeincharleston

amcaleh

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-12-2013 16:46:51 | More by amcaleh

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

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -25.6%

05-10-2013 12:54:42 | More by tommyguz