Cali-Belgique - Double Dry Hopped (Calypso) - Stone Brewing Co.

techn0phobe

California

3.45/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Interesting seasonal but not one I will rush back for.

A- very soapy, suddy pour and looked appetizing in the glass for a while. Most of the head dissipated after a couple of glugs, however, but acceptable lacing left on top.

S - I got more of the syrupy Belgian sugar on the nose. Not overbearing, but doesn't smell much like a Us IPA at all - it's transatlantic influence defines the scent.

T - Tantalising hops, citrus and a hint of bitterness upfront quickly gives way to Belgian candy.

M - front of tongue, top of pallet heavy. A bit astringent - felt the carbonation.

Overall: Belge comes to California, rather than the reverse. Just made me want a Stone IPA or Ruination. Not a bad brew to try out, however.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 01:55:26 | More by techn0phobe

Cavanaghty

Maine

3.5/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a sample glass.

Appearance: Amber color, with a white head.

Smell: Citrus, malts, hops, pine notes, and cloves. Interesting combination of scents coming from this beer.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Smooth medium bodied. Taste of citrus, hops, malts, and cloves. Much like the smell, it is an interesting combination of flavor.

Overall: Not a bad brew, but not my first choice. Little bit of an identity crisis with this one, wants to an IPA and a Witbeir at that same time, I guess that is the best way to describe it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2012 14:29:56 | More by Cavanaghty

BeerManDan

California

3.98/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The color when poured into a clear pint glass was amber with a reddish hue. The smell of mild piney hop with spices was evident in the aroma. The taste was of a medium pine flavor with a touch of spice and fruit. Not overly bitter. Well balance flavor and a big surprise for this IPA. In fact, a pleasant surprise.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 22:25:22 | More by BeerManDan

jjboesen

Maryland

3.23/5  rDev -19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a recommended tulip glass, this is Belgian IPA is a cloudy amber color beer that luxuriates under a frothy cap, one which breaks up like a whispy cloud.

The nose is consistent with the style; there is a whiff o apple, peach and honey; the taste is nice and pleasant with sweet bites of mango that transform into a subtle hop fade - the sweetness is retained.

This is a light and airy beer, more so than would would get from a dry-hopped process. Comfortable body that goes down easy on the palate. We all realize that some Belgians can sway to the sweet side; this decent beer does not. There is a simple balance here. I would not drink more than one in succession, however.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 00:26:56 | More by jjboesen

AwYeh

California

4.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at 101 Bottles in Kent, Ohio. Served into a tulip. Quite happy to try this rare beer!

A: Pours a foggy, deep yellow color with a finger of white head topping off the glass.

S: Big citrus hop aroma hits me immediately; they're slightly stronger than the also powerful Belgian aromas that show up owing to yeast and candi sugar. Fairly sweet overall, but nicely balanced.

T: Once again, balance rules this beer; I get a lot of citrus and pine hops, alongside the aforementioned Belgian flavors. Some Belgian IPAs get to the point where Belgian flavors dominate them and show a bit of clash within their flavors, but not this one.

M: The quick notes I jotted down outside are just gushing about this one; it's creamy, it's smooth, and it needs to be ordered by you if you're fortunate enough to see it.

O: Very solid beer from Stone; I know some of their Belgian offerings have been met with a bit of skepticism here on BA since they began to introduce them, but I would order this again in a heartbeat if I saw it a beer and there weren't any new, highly touted offerings among the beer's tap list. I'm not sure that you'll see this at a bar that serves anything other than the best, but it's well worth trying if you do get a chance. Kudos to Stone; after this offering, I'll be more likely to try the next batch of their ordinary Cali-Belgique IPA, or maybe even their Belgian flavored Old Guardian or anise imperial stout.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2012 07:57:01 | More by AwYeh

sonata2008

Minnesota

4.68/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Golden, lemony, and clear. A bit of lacing, but not much. Very little foam.

Smell: Very spicy, and hops are so apparent. I smell the "Belgian-ness" (i.e., unique yeastiness). Has almost a lemon fruity smell reminiscent of Mr. Clean, but in a very good way. A bit of pine in the background.

Taste: What an interesting taste! The spicy aroma really carries through to the taste. It's got a bit of bitterness which combines with the carbonation to give a tingling on the tongue. And, it is Belgian! You can really taste the phenol component. Not so much fruit. Maybe a hint of strawberries beneath the hoppiness. Definitely a lovely, complex beer.

Mouthfeel: Light carbonation with a tingly sensation. Not heavy or silky. The finish has a bit of bitterness from the hops but it is fabulous.

Drinkability: Highly drinkable. Very smooth going down.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2012 13:58:47 | More by sonata2008

ONUMello

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler into a goblet
A: Very hazy gold with an almost nonexistent head.
S: Very floral initially, followed by warm spices, rounded out by light tropical fruit & some hops.
T: True to the name, there is a dry hop component that lasts across the palate. Underneath that, there is a floral initial attack followed by a tropical fruit midpalate then a dried flower/hop finish that lasts an incredibly long time. Complex and tasty.
M: Medium-bodied, crisp and complex.
O: Another fantastic Stone beer. Tasty, unique and complex. I have yet to have a beer from them I don't love.

Serving type: growler

07-21-2012 23:24:23 | More by ONUMello

Brenden

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A rare sixtel (out of 2 available in the area) enjoyed on tap at The Attic last night.

The color is a medium gold with a brightness and clarity to it. A nice, creamy off-white head sits at a finger in height and shows some sturdiness. Consistent lacing is left on the glass in legs and patches.
This beer smells like a field of flowers and clovers with a strong yeast presence that blends well and speaks of the complexity found in the flavor. There are some tropical fruits and a big hop bouquet with very floral and drier hops notes, enough malt to balance and soften, and an undeniable Belgian yeast with a bit of sweetness (bubble gum) and lightly dusty earthiness. This is a fantastic beer that needs to be savored. Hoppy, as expected from Stone, with a softness from yeast and malts that plays very well.
Crispness is underlying in the feel before a nice smoothness comes out beneath and following it. The body is medium and the carbonation is moderate.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2012 16:24:03 | More by Brenden

nrbw23

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A- Pours a bright clear golden color with a fairly small white head. Head is gone pretty quick and leaves some very light lacing.

S- Smell is pretty tame. For being doubld dry hopped the hop aroma is pretty light. I'm picking up more of the spicy yeast than anything.

T- More spicy yeast than anything here too. A bit of tartness too. A very light hop bitterness.

M- Lighter side of medium in body and a good amount of carbonation.

O- Wasn't a huge fan of the regular version and this one follows suit. If you're a big fan of Beligian style beers this one maybe up your alley.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 02:21:49 | More by nrbw23

b3shine

Ohio

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

On draft at Dutch's (served in a pint glass). Looks good; lighter like a BIPA should. Smells good too; pears and apples. Tastes good too; much better than its non-dry hopped counterpart. Mouthfeel is good too; easy to drink, but distinct. Overall, a very good beer that I'm happy to have had the opportunity to try.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 23:33:43 | More by b3shine

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.45/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Served into a pint glass at the Winking Lizard for the Glass of the Month

A- Poured a bright clear golden color with frothy head and streaming carbonation. Leaves coating lace

S- Really great and complex aroma of sour apple, lemon, pineapple, mango, and Belgian yeast. Not very strong aroma for being double dry hopped though.

T- Big apple, lemon, peach, pineapple, mango, floral, coriander, Belgian yeast, and spice flavors. Some astringency and bitterness on the finish

M- High prickly carbonation, medium body

O- This beer tastes like a hoppy saison. Really delicious and highly drinkable ale. Another great beer from Stone with huge tropical and fruity flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 03:16:11 | More by Hoptometrist