Baird / Ishii / Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA - Stone Brewing Co.

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.84/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 Collaboration

A: Pours a hazy to cloudy golden peach in color with some very light amounts of visible carbonation and some orange and golden yellow highlights. There are significant amounts of white particles in suspension. The beer has a finger tall off-white head that redues to a medium sized patch of very thin film covering the surface of the beer with a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of citrus/orange hops along with some lighter notes of green tea.

T: Upfront there is a light to moderate flavor of pale malts with a light amount of wheat. There are light to moderate flavor of citrus/orange hops and some light notes of green tea. Light to moderate amounts of bitterness which lingers for quite a while.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and slightly crisp with moderate amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: This beer has really held up surprisingly well considering the style - the alcohol is well hidden and the hop flavors has not really faded much over time. I liked this better than a lot of the Stone beer as this has a slightly different hop profile.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 02:46:03 | More by dbrauneis

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pretty old as far ipas go, about 6 months, and according to stone this beer is 3 months out of code but it smells and tastes pretty darn fresh. hazy burnt orange hue with a white head.

earthy and herbal hop character with a soft tea presence on the nose.

light breast malt body lets the hops and tea shine. big herbal leafy hop presence throughout with a nice bitter finish. tea comes through in the back end and as a lingering flavor on finish. semisweet tea flavor lingers in the mouth. pretty nice, hops and tea compliment each other rather nice.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 02:13:04 | More by jtierney89

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is an...unusual beer. It screams west coast ipa, but then, the green tea steps in. It quickly becomes a tug of war between very overt flavor patterns. The hops step up, but the green tea beats them back. The hops step up again, but the green tea wins again. Back and forth, back and forth. The green tea seems to win out, providing a very unique twist to a dipa. Doesn't quite mesh together here, but it's interesting. Glad to try it once. If it was on cask, I would probably try it again. But I doubt that will ever happen, so I think that's it for this beer as far as I'm concerned.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 16:42:54 | More by RblWthACoz

PDXHops

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Note- Consumed fresh in August 2011. (I'm way behind on review notes.)

12 oz bottle poured into a Duvel tulip. Light amber body is hazy and then some; tea leaves partially to blame there. Nice tightly bubbled head with a generous dose of lacing.

I don't have a lot of experience with tea-infused IPAs, but this one's working out just fine. The tea is content to be a background player in the nose and let the herbal hops shine. A rather dry malt profile that lets the hops and special guest ingredient show their stuff. The tea seems to somehow draw focus to the hops; I'm really digging this stuff. Nice clean finish that has both the cleansing quality of a spot of tea and a nice hoppy punch. (I'd be up for tea time every afternoon if this was on the menu.) I'd buy this one regularly given the opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 00:54:04 | More by PDXHops

beer2day

North Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

from tasting notes

Hazy orange gold with 1 finger medium to dark cream head. Not much in the way of retention or lace. Heavy amount of sediment present.

Nose is green tea. Definitely green tea. Good amount of grapefruit and orange zest. Very nice.

Tea is even more present in the flavor. Again, nice mix of grapefruit and orange peel, but definite tea component. Adds a nice complexity to the finish. Well done, again.

Feel is heavy, but befits the strong abv and slows down the consumption rate.

Overall, well done and would love to see this done again.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 01:23:46 | More by beer2day

stampfler07

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a slightly cloudy golden with white head that hangs around for a while, little lacing, some suspended sediment in the glass

S- Light tea aromas, nice hop aromas and malt sweetness

T- Tastes like an alcohol heavy IPA on the front without much tea presence, in the middle the tea really comes out, flavors blend very well, the finish tastes almost exactly like an unsweetened tea, lightly bitter, slightly dry

M- Lots of alcohol warmth, moderate body, lightly carbonated

O- Really interesting brew, nicely blended between the IPA and the green tea, definitely glad I picked this up, worth the experience

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 03:06:08 | More by stampfler07

ngeunit1

California

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a very cloudy golden-orange color with a thin finger of frothy white head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some light lace.

S - Aroma is a mix of lemon, grapefruit, and floral hops with some sweet lightly bready malt, green tea, and a bit of candi sugar.

T - Starts off with a mix of lemon and grapefruit hops with some bitterness with some sweet, lightly bready malts, and a bit of green tea. Through the middle, some floral and pine hops come through with some more bitterness and some more green tea flavor and a bit of sweet candi sugar. The finish is a mix of sweet candi sugar, citrus and tropical hops, bitterness, and green tea.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry and bitter finish.

D - Very drinkable. Really nice hop profile from start to end with a good amount of bitterness throughout. I also really like the green tea flavor.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 22:50:56 | More by ngeunit1

t420o

California

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From old notes sep 4, 2011

Stone Japanese green tea ipa

A- pour produces a 1 finger off white head that rests atop a golden/sunset orange beer with a good amount of fine sediment floating arount making it hazy. Not much in the way of lacing 3.5 

S- citrusy with grapefruit predominant also some lemon zest and tangerine. This is backed up bu a biscuty malt. A definitely tea scent but not necessarily green tea. Smell excellent 4

T- this beer is actually tea forward. I get it on the forefront and all the way through. It subdues some the citrusy hops and balances it out. There are tastes of green tea, grapfruit, tangerine, lemon, bitter hops,  some alcohol warmth and taste. Very well done. The alcohol warmth actually makes it feel kind of like a warm tea going down. 4

M- good mouthfeel. Nice viscosity and good carbonation 4

O- a good beer and one I'd like to try again especially on tap. Good drinkability and well done 4

B+/a-

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 06:10:05 | More by t420o

dananabanana

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer when it first came out but just now found an old notebook with a bunch of reviews I never typed up.

A: Translucent gold with a rim of bright white foam.

S: Light and crisp. A little bit of citrus. Green tea smells delicious, and is not overwhelming.

T: Sweet green tea flavor-- a lot sweeter than I expect from an IPA. Citrus-y hops, perhaps orange. I really love the tea flavor. You can't taste the 9% alcohol.

M: Refreshing and crisp. Would be a great summer beer.

O: Intriguing and unique. Overall I really enjoyed this beer and would love to drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 21:06:31 | More by dananabanana

SchmittyRexus

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Very large head. The color is a deep yellowish gold (a bit ironic considering Stone's opinion of "fizzy yellow beer").

Smell - The smell of the green tea is very strong. Behind that there is the hops, and the combination is not entirely pleasant.

Taste - The green tea and traditional IPA make an interesting combination. The tea really comes forward and cuts down on the bitterness of the hops.

Mouthfeel - Smooth and creamy.

Overall not as intense in the hops department as a lot of other IPAs, but the green tea is very prominent, so I would only recommend it if you're a tea drinker as well as a beer lover.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 04:33:21 | More by SchmittyRexus

barczar

Kentucky

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a fairly clear orange copper color with a one finger cream head that dissipates into a solid layer of foam. Lots of debris in suspension.

Aroma is fairly citrusy, lemon, grapefruit, a bit of caramel malt breadiness, and herbal tea.

Flavor is heavily green tea throughout, with an herbal bitter finish. Lemon tang emerges in the initial taste and gives way eventually to the bitterness. Mint and floral flavors are intertwined in the green tea component.

Body is moderate, with a moderate amount if carbonation and slight alcohol warmth. Floaties are undetectable.

An interesting beer that delivers on its claims. Lots of green tea and fruity, bitter hop. It's very drinkable, given the abv. A bit too biter for the somewhat uncomplicated hop profile.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 04:02:32 | More by barczar

david18

New York

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was one of a number (I believe 4) collaboration beers between Stone and two other brewers. They are all excellent but I think this is the best one.

Appearance is a light pale, very hazy with a good amount of carbonation. Leaves some lacing behind.

Aroma is very intense citrus and herbal hops with a little bit of green tea as well. Overall the green tea is very subtle, which is a good thing.

Flavor as well is among the better double IPAs with good bitterness, hop flavor and balanced malt. Again, some sense of the tea but not enough to make it strange.

Overall a very good beer that I was sad to run out of.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 19:00:18 | More by david18

macktbone

California

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Purchased from So Cal and held for over a year until another brewery scheduled a Japan benefit.

A- Nice bright apricot color but extremely muddled with "bottle condition". Virtually no head but not suprising at 9+ %.

S- Lots of pear and traditional green tea aroma. A sweetness of sugar and bold aromatic hops.

T- More hops up front that the green tea, but it sneaks up on you along with the alcohol. Warm aftermath that lingers and creates a new aromatic hop flavor.

M- more carbonated that originally appeared. Nicely thick and surprising for an IPA. More in-line with a much darker and substantial style.

D- The aftertaste is not fully appealing for an IPA and is not my favorite. Support your local brewery and any opportunities to give back to charity. I'll probably give these away or use them to enjoy the company of others.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 07:36:08 | More by macktbone

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a medium orange amber with a thin white head and a hint of lacing. Great aroma of piney and herbal hops, a hint of tea. Nice malt body with complex pine, citrus and herbal hops. Light tea presence. Great herbal hop finish. I really liked the balance of malt and hops in this IPA and the slight tea flavor is a nice addition. This is a very nice IPA. I'm surprised by some of the low ratings on this. Sadly, it kept me awake from the caffeine, so probably not a repeater.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 03:46:33 | More by LiquidAmber

GarrettMD

New York

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Hazy light orange with a thin layer of white head. A few floating chunks but I did a bad job avoiding the sediment.

S - Light citrus hops, such as orange and grapefruit. Not getting green tea, but it's an interesting combinations of aromas, so maybe I'm just missing it in there. There's also a touch of alcohol, and a very nice caramel malt aroma coming through.

T - Initially I wanted to say there was more malt than hops, but a few sips later I deleted all of that. Same hops as the aroma, citrus, primarily orange and grapefruit. Still not too much green tea, but I'm looking past that because it's a delicious DIPA regardless. Lots of hop bitterness goes with this too, I thought it was initially alcohol that was tingling my tongue, but upon more sips, it's definitely the hops.

M - Medium body, sticky sweet. Tingly feeling from the bitterness as described above. Finish is a nice mix of sweet and bitter. The sweet malts coat the mouth, but as that fades, the hops are still there to remind you what this beer was. I get the strongest taste of green tea from this beer after burping...

O - Really liked it. Didn't get too much green tea, but got a good DIPA anyway.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 02:32:37 | More by GarrettMD

00trayn

Virginia

3.83/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a cloudy orange with a small head and minimal lacing.

S - An interesting combination of hoppy citrus and the expected green tea scent coming through. It's light and pleasant.

T - The tea flavor definitely comes forward at first, with a subtle citrus and spice as well. Slightly bitter finish. The alcohol content is hidden well, I wouldn't guess it's over 9%.

M - This beer came off as over-carbonated. It was smooth though.

O - An interesting beer that I was excited to try. It disappointed slightly but it was still refreshing and different.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 02:59:42 | More by 00trayn

pigc

Nebraska

3.3/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours light orange with two finger head that fades quickly. Floaty bits of yeast dance around.

S - Citrus, orange, green tea.

T - Light citrus followed by a wave of alcohol and then the green tea hits you and a dry finish.

M - Medium body with dry mouthfeell.

O - Interesting collaboration beer. The hops may have faded somewhat as I have had this bottle for a few months. The green tea aspect is noticeable but I don't think it adds anything positive to this beer. At 6.99 for a 12oz. bottle this is a bit overpriced for what you get.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 02:54:07 | More by pigc

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this from 2beerornot2beer in the Blind Beer Round 6 BIF.
12oz. bottle poured into my Smuttynose Big Beer Series Snifter:

A: Pours a wonderful golden orange with hues of red and yellow. There is only about a half finger of pure white head, that settles quickly. I get some nice lacing as it drinks.

S: Big citrus notes (tangerine, lemon, and grapefruit) with some serious malt as well. There are some underlying tropical fruit notes, but it’s mainly citrus and malt.

T: This beer starts off with a blast of sweet malt, but that almost immediately shifts into huge citrus flavors. Massive orange and tangerine, some lemon and a bit of grapefruit. Those flavors last until the finish, which adds just a touch of sweetness.

M: Medium bodied beer. Tons of citrus flavors, with a decent amount of malty sweetness. The carbonation is light, but it persists from start to finish.

O: I’m loving the citrus flavors in this beer. It’s not overbearing, but it’s pronounced. Wonderful.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 21:43:40 | More by trxxpaxxs

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance. Pours a hazy, amber-gold with half a finger of white head.

Smell. Citrus fruits, mainly oranges and grapefruits, a little toasty malt and a hint of green tea that I wouldn't have picked out if I wasn't looking for it.

Taste. Grapefruits, piney hops and citrus rinds, bitter hops. Again, I can taste the tea, but wouldn't have known it was there if I wasn't looking for it. A little boozy.

Mouthfeel. Medium+ body with medium carbonation. A little warm.

Overall. Not a bad ipa, just not mind-blowing. I like that there is a charity effort behind this one. For that reason, I would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 01:33:21 | More by Rutager

hopfacebrew

Colorado

2.75/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Recovered review from my hacked account. jmkratt:

2.75/5 rDev -37.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Picked up a bottle while the Stone rep was still at the store so it's as fresh as I will be able to get. Sounded interesting! The beer pours a crystal clear golden honey color with a decent 1 finger white bubbly head. Some retention and lacing. There is a fair amount of fine sediment as well. The aroma is...odd. I am picking up a chemical-type character like plastic? Also a lot of citrus hop character. Not sure what's going on here. Starts off with a citrus hop character but is immediately overwhelmed by a strong tea flavor, which I believe was what I was picking up on the nose. Doesn't seem to balance well and is difficult to swallow. The plastic character is really detrimental. I don't think the tea works at all. I can't say I've ever had a Tea Beer and honestly doubt I ever will try another after this beer.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 07-23-2011 01:53:19

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 15:53:29 | More by hopfacebrew

Pencible

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: This poured an opaque dark straw with chunky sediment and moderate off-white head.
S: It smelled like orange and lemon zest, with grapefruit and a little copper hops and honey.
T: It tasted like very bitter citrus zest and copper, with unripe grapefruit and light caramel malt, and a little herbal hops. It had a very bitter lasting aftertaste.
M: It was watery with lots of carbonation. Very light body.
D: This was a decent IPA, but didn't have any real tea character and the other flavors weren't delicious. The body was a bit weak, and the finish was a bit harsh. So each element was less than great, and when put together it was a below average beer. Still not bad, but really not that good.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 18:28:16 | More by Pencible

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #55 (August 2011):

Brewed to help Japan’s Tohoku region disaster relief effort—good ideas come from good people. Dull, hazy golden hue, and a good lacing to boot. Green tea comes through just enough in the nose and lets the hops float around for a while. Smooth, creamy medium body. Green tea flavor sticks to the palate from start to finish. Hops are bold with a thick herbal flavor and more restrained bitterness to let the tea and, well, the beer come through. Mild dry breadiness from the malt. Alcohol is warming but not a bother. Tea flavors and hops linger into the dry finish. An amazing extreme brew for a great cause.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 13:34:46 | More by BeerAdvocate

vfgccp

New York

4.3/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A – Bright, orange gold. White head settles into a medium halo.

S –Light, floral hop character. Honey, orange blossom and a hint of sweet grapefruit. No green tea in the nose really.

T – Soft and mellow profile. Distinct, dry green tea opens the profile before hiding behind a honey and herbal center. The green tea returns on the backend and lingers through the finish.

M – Soft, medium body with low carbonation and a soft bitter finish.

O – A masterful execution of the brewer’s vision, with great green tea flavor. Stunningly quite booze for 9.2%.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 02:23:36 | More by vfgccp

BrewerB

California

3/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Kevin hooked me up with this beer recently and I'd forgotten he did until a couple of days ago. We'd split one at City Beer Store a few months back and I was the only one in our group that enjoyed it. Thanks again, Kevin!

Pouring into a New Glarus pint glass. Hazy orange with a thin off-white foam that's retaining well. Lots of sediment floating around in the glass.

Living up to its name, there's an unmistakable green tea-like aroma protruding in front. A floral, jasmine-like scent immediately follows. Also detecting a faint citrus.

Firmly bitter but a unique soap/floral flavor takes the first strides but stubbornly makes room a green tea latte sweetness. Somewhat spicy hop with a lingering jasmine floral character in the finish.

Medium bodied, moderate carbonation.

While this beer may have accomplished what it set out to in terms of a green tea flavor, as an Imperial IPA it just can't hold a candle to the better examples of the style. Soapy/floral mix is off-putting and detracts from drinkability. Despite that this is only 12 oz, I do not intend to finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 04:56:11 | More by BrewerB

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.33/5  rDev -14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from an inch or so above or so above the glass give you a really big white head that slow fades into a pretty decent lacing above a particle filled but otherwise clear honey golden color.

Pine, sour citrus leaning towards lemon, with some floral yet herbal hops aroma.

Light pine with some citrus hops taste with a slight sour bend to it.

A dry almost puckering aftertaste on this medium bodied IPA that is pretty decent but lacks the hops bite I kinda like in Imperial IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 23:14:43 | More by LXIXME