Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA - Stone Brewing Co.

drabmuh

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

At the time of this review, this is #19 on the "Top Beers - American Double / Imperial IPA" list on beeradvocate.com. Served in a Stone IPA flute because I didn't have the 10th Ruination glass.

Beer is amber and clear wtih moderate and steady carbonation, some lacing, nice retention, a thick white head of small bubbles, looks good.

Aroma is mildly alcoholic and very hoppy, piny and earthy with hints of tropical fruits.

Beer is very dry, very strong, very bitter. It is sort of insanely bitter, this has to be close to the limits of detection, you can taste the higher alcohol unfortunately but overall it is a nice beer. If you like Stone you should drink this beer. I'll have it again.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 15:19:55 | More by drabmuh

TexIndy

Texas

3.98/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a tulip glass to highlight the aroma. Didn't see a bottled date but it's pretty fresh. It was a very hazy amber color with good carb strings. Good sized white head that settles into a good collar and covering foam. Great lacing with lots sticking.

The aroma is heavy on hops with citric (grapefruit, mango) leading the way with some grassy hops as well. You can smell the bitterness coming. Some malt and a lot of alcohol as well. Great aroma. The taste is also very hop centric with the sweet malt and sweeter citric hops leading out. By mid drink, the bitter pine and resiny hops take over and lead to a strong bitter finish. Eye puckering for sure in a good way. A lot of alcohol shows as well which I didn't like as much. Mouthfeel was full and creamy with good carbonation and strong bitter aftertaste.

Overall, a really good ADIPA that was just a bit too bitter for me to really enjoy after about a 1/3 of the bottle. I love a good balanced ADIPA and am working my way up the bitter mountain as well but this one is an expert climb for sure. Still high recommend especially if you love the bitter. One-time release and was avail here in TX. Rotation - too bitter for me to get another bottle for myself but would try on-tap or sharing.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 01:34:01 | More by TexIndy

FosterJM

California

4/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1351st Review on BA
Bottle to CCB Snifter

Thanks to Callmecoon for sharing

App- A very clear orange with yellow streaking throughout the glass. A nice small white head was there and dissapeared rather quickly.

Smell- Super hoppy with a bitter quality behind it. Wasn't overly floral or citrus as I was hoping for. Solid aromatics, just a bit thick with pine and resin to back it up.

Taste- Suprisingly dank for a hopped up version. I was thinking this was gonna be like a Citra subsititute but behold that didnt happen. Clearly it was more malty version and amped up ABV. A little one sided for me. It was good, not great like I expected.

Mouth- A fuller medium body with a ample medium carbonation. Residual pine and malts without a lot of that citrus note I was looking for.

Drink- It was good, wasn't great. I did grab another bottle to give it a shot in a better glass and more calm setting. (I might update this one)

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 23:58:45 | More by FosterJM

RBassSFHOPit2ME

California

4/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Hard to rate this one. A Grateful Dead Hop Lover's Delight.

Hard to pack so much hops into such a dry and medium to heavy bodied beer.

A - A bit too dark copper for my liking but good head and lacing.

S - Pungent hops hops hops. You know it's hop overkill with this one. Oranges passion fruit, booze and a scotchy hops aroma, similar to standard Ruination BUT on steriods.

T - Much the same as the nose. First 10oz will BLOW YOUR MIND have you thinking world class. Next 12oz too malty, spicy, boozy and heavy, giving you a hop stomach ache. Those last 12 oz will have you fighting to finish your beer and having you wishing less malt. For those of you who ave had multiple years of Younger will be able to tell why this is a very good but not great TIPA.

M - Pretty bitter in the finish which is loved, but you're breathing booze afterwards also. Too Heavy after 10oz. I swear, after one bomber you're not going to want more of this same beer from the big sweet malts. It's not too bitter as it suggests...it's right on par as it should be to balance out the huge hop and heavy sweet malt bill. Heady to me is more bitter.

0 - A Novelty...I Promise your first 10oz, you'll be swearing this is the best hoppy over the top beer EvAR, then become skeptical. Falls above average of the 10+% TIPA's out there...

Recommended...GREAT VALUE AT $5.99!!!

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 03:32:19 | More by RBassSFHOPit2ME

Beaver13

Colorado

4/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

22oz bottle. Pours clear reddish gold with a medium fluffy off-white head that retains well and laces the glass.

The aroma is piney, resiny, peppery and dank hops and some sweet caramel malts with a touch of alcohol. Some fruits come out as it warms.

The flavor is sweet bready caramel malts and fruit with a resiny, floral, slightly charred hop finish with lots of bitterness in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation.

Overall, I think the additional malts (and alcohol) make this seem a little more balanced and less one-dimensional than the regular Ruination. A fun big resiny hop bomb.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 03:47:57 | More by Beaver13

ocelot2500

Arizona

4/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy burnt orange color with a tight white head that leaves bits of lacing.

Smells of big pine and citrus hops.

Tastes of big hops upfront with a solid malt backbone. Hops lead off with notes of grapefruit, pine resin, and some tropical fruits. Fairly bitter, but the malts are sweet enough to balance it. Malts come on the end with some caramel and toffee along with toasted bread. Finishes a bit hot, but not unpleasantly so.

Mouthfeel is full with a smooth amount of carbonation.

Overall, this does fit with the ruination idea, but it is a little more balanced than the original.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 02:42:48 | More by ocelot2500

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big bold DIPA, hits the mark. Wafts hop aroma. Translucent body with enormous soapy head. Smooth and big 100 IBU territory. Reinvigorates a romance for the style.Fruity tartness.
Very drinkable and well integrated, though with pineapple acid it is a sipper.A bit boozy. Doug's bottle.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 00:16:52 | More by northyorksammy

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured out as a nice slightly hazy golden color. The head head it white, it's sticky and leaves a prominent lacing on that glass. The smell of the beer is fresh, lively and floral. Citrousy notes of lemon and lime with some malts in there too. The taste of the beer packs a pretty good punch, the hops are big, lots of citrus and bitterness to the flavor. The mouthfeel has a good amount of body to it. The carbonation was at a good level also. Overall it's a solid beer, very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 20:26:40 | More by Knapp85

tut2528

Illinois

4/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoy by ???? the date has been smudged off, but I think it says 08/26/12?

A: pours a light orange-peach color with about 1 fingers worth of head formation with moderate lacing and slightly transparent. carbonation is moderate. (4.0)

S: big orange citrus and apricot notes are right up front with underlying grapefruit note as well, big grassy hops, strong caramel, slight green tea, slight alcohol burn (2.5)

T: Yup.... this brew is done... completely fallen off. The hops are present but they are mild at best. I do get an intense bitterness (but its honestly not a hoppy bitterness.. almost sour), strong caramel, lots of heat from the alcohol, some sweetness from the apricots and acidity from the orange peel. But the balance is just way, way off. (2.5)

M: Solid medium bodied brew, nice carbonation, but the bitterness on the palate is overwhelming. (3.0)

O: this is close to a drain pour for me. The local liquor store was stocking this on the shelves when I walked in, so I got excited and purchased one. Like an idiot, I failed to check the bottled on/enjoy by date until after I got home. All I can say is that Ruination is a damn freaking good IPA and I'm certain that this one would have been just simply awesome... With that being said I have decided to give this brew 4's across the board since I wasn't able to enjoy this one at its freshest date. However, the scores next to each aspect indicate where I think the brew currently stands as of today (10-18-12). (a generous 3.0 overall)

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 23:42:41 | More by tut2528

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.03/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a nice transparent golden orange color with good carbonation leaving a nice 1/4 cap and light lacing

S: Mainly pine sap, orange zest, grapefruit with some light booze stinging the nostrils

T: Imediate sharp booze sting which lingers and lingers. The booze rides with a sharp grapefruit, orange peel note blended with some pine needle and breadiness and a hint at caramel. The finish is a tad bit oily with a light soapiness and medium bitterness to finish it up

M: Medium bodied, well carbonated, bittering hops and citrus pllus really stick to the palate

O: Good. What else can I say?

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 00:55:23 | More by barleywinefiend

mfavoino

Washington

4.03/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle poured into a pint glass on 7/3/12.

Appearance: Pours a light translucent amber with a generous foamy head that retains very well.

Smell: Huge citrus hop presence that smells crisp and jumps out of the glass. Grapefruit, citrus, and some pine resin on the back end.

Taste: Big hop flavor that follows the nose and booze flavor right away. Crisp and slick on the palate. Not a lasting bitterness...nice and smooth.

Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel with adequate carbonation. A little bit hot on the tongue with the abv.

Overall: A hopbomb that is worth giving a try if you're into that sort of thing.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 03:36:57 | More by mfavoino

Viciousknishs

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- beautiful looking beer. Coppery amber color with a finger and a half of tightly bubbled off white head. Superb retention with solid lacing.

S- leafy woody hops with notes of orange peel and sticky pine sap. Substantial hop oil characteristics with a resiny finish on the nose. What malt!?!? Ok there is a smidge of dry shortbread cookie like malt drowning under the pile driver of hops in this beer.

T- Bittersweet on the palate at first with a sugar cookie like malt and leafy hops. It then transitions into a tongue blistering bitter with notes of orange peel, woody pine and resiny hop oil. Noticeable alcohol with a lingering hop bitterness on the finish. Palate ruined? Check... Good job Stone.

MF- slick oily mouthfeel with a heavy body. Average even carbonation,

D- drinkability be damned with this beer. It says it ruins your palate on the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 04:15:44 | More by Viciousknishs

Intrinsic

Quebec (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Although there's nothing super-special about its appearance, the 10th ann. IPA has a very nice orange-amber colour that puts it just above average. The smell is pungent - loads of piney hops. It doesn't prepare you for the intense up-front malt blast, perfectly balanced by the even more intense bitter finish. Very piney. Very heavy, quite dry. Overall, a great example of the style. I would definitely buy this again if only they sold it in Quebec....

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 01:27:56 | More by Intrinsic

DonDirkA

Arizona

4.03/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nose is super bitter hops with an obvious malt backbone. Resin, pine, grapefruit, orange and caramel. The taste has a lot of malt up front. Very caramely wrapped up with resinous sticky pine, grapefruit and a hint of orange zest. There is alcohol heat in the stomach but none in the taste. Its definitely "ruination" for the palate. I think its awesome, but I liked it better on tap and I still think the double dry-hopped Ruination blows this out of the water. These extreme palate wrecking DIPAs always leave me a little disappointed because I hate an IPA with this much malt. I know its supposed to be for balance but I thought the whole purpose of a DIPA was hoppiness. Still an awesome brew from Stone though. I prefer their 16th Anniversary. I can't wait to get a chance to try the Enjoy By IPA to compare it.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 07:35:43 | More by DonDirkA

McStagger

California

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am excited about this one. Ten bucks a bomber...

A: Pours a murky, hazy orange with one and a half fingers khaki white head. Retention is stellar. And I mean stellar. Not a lot of carbonation visible. Truly impressive looking.

S: Big bruising caramel malts with spiced grapefruit leaping from the glass. Fragrant aromas of lemon and pine needles are also present.

T: Rich malted toffee/caramel sweetness leads turns into citric hop madness of grapefruit and meyers lemon. This transitions to an ashen bitterness that takes a turn for the astringent before another wave of alcohol sweetness overtakes. The bitterness can't hide the syrupy or boozy undertones.

M: Full bodied, to put it mildly. The carbonation puts up a small fight, but ultimately relents to the malt monster that this beer is.

O: Not as good as the regular Ruination. Or even the regular IPA. Still, this is a damn fine beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 09:42:50 | More by McStagger

Arbitrator

California

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Rose & Crown. $6 for 250mL, wahoo great deal

A: Pours a murky burnt orange in a mason jar. Filled to the brim with very little head.

S: Muted aroma of citrus: grapefruit, tangelo, and pineapple. Small pine needle aroma. A noticeable amount of pale malt sweetness.

T: Pale malt sweetness leads up front and dominates the finish, but the rest of the taste is accentuated by citrus hops (grapefruit, orange rind) and pine. This definitely has Ruination's signature on it. The sweetness leaves a small burn on the finish, but not as much as I found in (say) Marin Brass Knuckle.

M: A little burn in the finish reveals both the ABV and the sweetness, but it is restrained considering the big-ness of this beer. I am impressed; I have honestly thought that Stone lost its creative mojo 3-4 years ago... This is a great interpretation of a triple IPA.

O: I reviewed this separately from the bottle version since I felt pretty differently about them. I didn't have the patience to let this one warm up, and the Rose generally serves its beers too cold, so not the best experience in general. I liked it, but I'd recommend the bottle more.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2012 23:20:42 | More by Arbitrator

tewaris

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Ruination 10th Anniversary IPA shared by Joe at Dan's. Side by side with Ruination. Thanks!

Much darker and thicker looking than the regular. Certainly a more "serious" attempt at ruination of the palate but a tad too big for its own good. It's moving from one of my favorite IPAs towards the Devil Dancer territory and that's not a plus in my book... more viscous and unpleasantly bitter at times in comparison to the regular version. Also maltier.

However, considered on it's own it's still a pretty good 4+ rating DIPA; just not the clean, dry beer that Ruination, Pliny and Heady are.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 01:07:03 | More by tewaris

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle from the Village Pump, $7.49. I've been waiting for this.

A crystal clear copper with a dense, off-white head with solid retention but surprisingly little lacing, this looks nice. The second and third pour from the bottle, OTOH, have very nice lacing.

The nose is a big, fruity hop assault. Not as awesome as regular Ruination simply because it is maltier, but the alcohol is well-hidden. Fruity, pulpy oranges, grapefruit and papaya round out the nose. For having used a pound of Citra per barrel in the dry-hop schedule, this smells surprisingly muted, and the Centennial doesn't really lend the floral notes you'd expect. Minty alcohol, caramel, toasted biscuit and more fruity hops round out the nose. Excellent.

The palate opens bruisingly bitter with rather pungent orange peel, grapefruit zest, oily orange zest, tropical fruit (mango and papaya) and mild pine. I can't overstate hop much citrus oil character is present on the palate, it is rather hilariously over the top (and fitting of the name IMO). So dank and resiny! Mild sweetness is present on the mid-palate, but is is complemented (and then dominated) by the hoppy flavors. Mildly boozy on the finish with a blend of pleasing bitterness, a moderate alcohol bite and a little toffee, this beer is a riot on the palate. The only other beer that I can think of that is so over the top is the older batches of White Knuckle (circa 2008). Medium in body with a medium-low level of carbonation, this beer feels nice on the palate. Kudos to Stone for brewing such a good TIPA and making it so widely available.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 00:30:14 | More by DefenCorps

beerandcycling88

Washington

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into a snifter

A Pours a hazy amber color topped with a white head.

S Lots of tropical fruits, sweet citrus and some bittersweet grapefruit.

T Taste is about the same as the nose with lots more grapefruit, citrus and tropical fruits. Lots of hop flavor with not too much bitterness.

M Medium body and carbonation. Smooth though.

Overall this is a great IPA that I'm quite glad I picked up. Definitely better then the regular Ruination and quite and excellent way to celebrate 10 years of a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 23:52:14 | More by beerandcycling88

albertjr21

New York

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Into a snifter pours a brilliant and very clear orange rust color under a fair and well sustained head. Aroma is undeniably hoppy with a lush bouquet of floral and pine hops that braces the senses for a hop invasion. Sharp bitter concentration of pungently strong pine accented hops delivers the "Ruination" as promised... Finish leaves a semi salty, grassy pine tattoo on the palate that resonates long after. Nuclear level hop flavor is balanced out fairly well by a solid supporting malt backbone that lets the bitterness burst through.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 03:23:39 | More by albertjr21

Casedogg43

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

My 2nd and last bomber. Drinking it as I type!

A: nice 1/2" of head. With some solid lacing.

S: piney hoppy and some malts. Hint of floral too

T: hops and big on the malts. Truly like big brother ruination!

M: this is a big slick mouthfeel for a IPA. Imperial it is! Really like that aspect.

O: really good, very balanced. But yet happy it's my last one. I've almost confused myself with that feeling. Maybe because I'm finishing with a Zombie. For a quite malty IPA, I like it. Normally, I run from malty IPA, thumbs up here!

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 01:53:14 | More by Casedogg43

portia99

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a Dogfish Head signature glass.

A - Pours a very well hazed, almost dirty golden amber color with a finger of thick, dense foam of an off white color. Thick, sticky webs of lacing are left on the glass with rocky islands of foam on the surface.

S - Still smells almost identical to a regular Ruination, but with a bit more alcohol. Thick, citrusy and resiny hop aromas mixed with an abundance of sweet and caramelly malt mixed with some booze. Overall has a "sticky" smell to it, almost in a concentrated and syrupy way.

T - Nothing is shy in the aroma here...everything is intense and amped up. Heavy base of sweet, sugary, caramelly malt at the base...has a bit of a barleywine-like malt character. Tons of hops balance things as well as can be expected. Sharp bitterness that cuts through the syrupy effect, but diminishes at the finish, returning the flavors to a sweeter, citrusy/tropical fruity barleywine. Reminds me a bit of the Southern Tier Backburner with a little age on it. Booze is noticeable and slows the consumption of this beer down quite a bit. Not quite a sipper, but quaffing this will surely do some damage.

M - Thick and a bit syrupy...definitely a fuller bodied beer. Syrupy still comes to mind. Alcohol warmth, heavy citrus, caramelized sugar and intense bitterness almost overpowers the taste buds and coats the mouth in sticky sweet and resiny goodness.

O - Overall a very good double IPA, although not the hop bomb that might have been expected out of Stone for this special release. Malty is a bit of an understatement...and balanced, this is not. Really complex combination of flavors and sensations. A worthy beer for sure, although I think I like the standard Ruination a little better.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 23:08:33 | More by portia99

vkv822

Oregon

4.08/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz : tulip snifter

Clear orange, with a thick, foamy off-white head.

Big citric fruity hops, resiny spice.

More big resiny citric hops. Light spice, along with alcohol warmth.

Medium body-full body, quite bitter finish.

A very good DIPA. Big bold flavors, but none become brash or over bearing. While not one I would feel the need to have routinely, I do hope I have a chance to enjoy this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 08:32:06 | More by vkv822

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.08/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sweet looking bottle opened on 6.20.12.

A - Pours a very slight hazy medium orange with a one finger off-white head with good retention.

S - Very piney and grassy, somewhat sweet smelling.

T - Pine and grass bitterness dominates, some orange as well.

D - Good carbonation and a medium to light body. A touch bitter.

O - A great hop bomb! Bitter pine and grass with some nice orange balance.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 04:06:56 | More by HuskyinPDX

morimech

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, dark amber color with two fingers of head that had excellant retention before settling to a thick cap. Heavy lacing is left down the glass.

Huge hoppy aroma. I get big doses of grapefruit and pine. More subtle elements of tropical fruit (passion fruit and mango?) Not much else gets past the hops besides some alcohol.

Pale wrecker for sure. Big blast of hop bitterness accompinies the hop flavor. Resiny with slight dankness. Malt gives some sweet caramel base but it does not add much. Alcohol flavor and warmth in the finish. Not very easy to drink.

Big body and nicely carbonated. One of the better textures for a DIPA.

A twelve ounce bottle would of been enough for me. Finishing off the bomber was a chore because of palate fatigue. Will not be revisiting this beer. It delivers just what it stated it was going to do. Good clean hop qualities.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 19:15:17 | More by morimech