Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA - Stone Brewing Co.

kzoobrew

Michigan

4.48/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Brilliant orange copper body. Body is very clean and free of sediment. A frothy four finger egg shell colored head is perched atop. Excellent retention, the head works its way back slowly leaving a thick sheet of lacing plastered to the walls of the glass.

It is a bit of a foregone conclusion that Ruination 10 was going to be hop forward though I still find myself pleasantly surprised. The hop profile is very well balanced. Strong tropical fruit and peach aromas are countered by assertive pine and citrus pith. As you dig through the hops you find a subtle sweet malt presence. Very clean malt aroma reminiscent of lightly toasted bread. A touch of alcohol is picked up though its presence is not obstructive.

Apologetically bold, the hops absolutely brutalize the palate. Heavy resin coats the tongue before the lighter tropical and citrus fruit flavors develop. The bitterness is apparent through out finds its way to center stage near the back of the palate. Lingering pine, pith and resin dig in. There is a general sweetness that is picked up which you can contribute to the malt though you will not find much in the way of a discernible malt flavor.

The body is on the fuller side for a West Coast Double IPA. I am very surprised by the soft, creamy texture of this beer, it is surprisingly appropriate. The finish is a bit longer than most of Stones IPA line up, citrusy sweetness and lingering bitterness still lay heavy on the tongue after the swallow.

As you pour and smell the beer it is very difficult to find fault. As you work your way back the beer does come back to the pack a bit but we are still talking about a mighty impressive beer. For a beer labeled Ruination, who made its name destroying palates, there is an appreciable amount of balance. The hops are blended in such a way that no one note over powers another. Malt presence is rather low but makes crucial contributions in areas that allow the hops to shine without becoming overbearing. A tremendous beer, well worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 21:14:03 | More by kzoobrew

PlayitAgain

New York

3.5/5  rDev -20.1%

05-20-2013 03:02:15 | More by PlayitAgain

ShawnMH

Indiana

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-19-2013 15:20:43 | More by ShawnMH

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

3.25/5  rDev -25.8%

05-18-2013 18:28:10 | More by eyeenjoybeer

Shogun730

California

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-17-2013 21:32:05 | More by Shogun730

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-17-2013 15:11:21 | More by twenty5

bostonbeans

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%

05-16-2013 23:26:35 | More by bostonbeans

carlosega

Ohio

4/5  rDev -8.7%

05-16-2013 20:19:19 | More by carlosega

jwk7324

California

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-16-2013 05:47:37 | More by jwk7324

phooky

New York

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-16-2013 00:03:12 | More by phooky

tnbeatty

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-15-2013 21:00:29 | More by tnbeatty

Absolut

California

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-13-2013 18:52:07 | More by Absolut

rboinski

California

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-13-2013 16:56:08 | More by rboinski

csfcmitchell

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-13-2013 15:51:25 | More by csfcmitchell

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-13-2013 14:50:31 | More by mikeincharleston

lpayette

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-12-2013 20:03:37 | More by lpayette

MCImes

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-12-2013 18:57:56 | More by MCImes

coldmeat23

Oklahoma

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-12-2013 15:45:57 | More by coldmeat23

MinorThreat

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev -3%

05-11-2013 21:03:00 | More by MinorThreat

BRoss242

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev -14.4%

05-10-2013 09:50:04 | More by BRoss242

krisbee

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-10-2013 03:01:15 | More by krisbee

ItalianHopHead203

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-09-2013 14:21:36 | More by ItalianHopHead203

opothecary

New York

4.75/5  rDev +8.4%

05-09-2013 12:51:00 | More by opothecary

HinghamRick

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-08-2013 15:00:39 | More by HinghamRick

rkorn

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%

05-08-2013 02:48:23 | More by rkorn