Stone RuinTen IPA - Stone Brewing Co.

kojevergas

California

2.51/5  rDev -42.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2

10.8% confirmed. Bottle acquired at a local SoCal bottle shop on Saturday. 1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap and posh etched label served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are actually high even though I despise Stone; I've heard some pretty good things about this one.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a 2.5 finger beige colour head of nice cream and thickness, and great retention (~7+ minutes) for the high ABV. Frothy, silky, and appealing. Body colour is a surprisingly hazy murky orange-copper. Tangerine orange, if you will. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Carbonation bubbles are visible in usual quantities; carbonation seems fine. Nice sticky lacing clings to the sides of the glass as the head slowly recedes. I'm actually fairly impressed with the appearance, though the lack of clarity and translucence has taken me off-guard.

Sm: Hop character is generic floral with light grapefruit, some nectary notes, and some pine. But what catches my attention is not the hops; it's the overdone milky sweetness. Nectary and sticky and too prominent for the style. They definitely doubled the malt to compensate for the hops, but I don't know that they did it well judging by the aroma. I don't detect any yeasty notes or alcohol. A messy aroma of moderate strength. The emphasis is in the wrong place and there doesn't seem to be any balance - but hey, it's Stone.

T: Some wretched grapefruit with an overly sweet malty foundation that really destroys all balance - especially in the third act, where I'm left with a milky rotted tangerine character that lingers off the finish. Blech. Some nice juicy citrus up front, but it's quickly destroyed by the poor malt build. I don't know which pale malts they selected, but they're not doing it for me here. Amarillo or columbus would have been much better hop choices. Hop character lacks diversity, depth of flavour, or evocative quality. Overdone caramel contributes to the third act nightmare. Butterscotch. Cream. It's like it becomes a crappy saison in the third act, but without the accompanying spice - just milkiness and caramel malt. Alcohol does come through, but it's well hidden for the most part - and besides, it's the least of the problems here. To be honest, the flavour isn't that bad in the opening act; the grapefruit is a bit more overt and the maltiness hasn't gone rogue yet. But the balance - both structurally and in terms of flavour - is wretched. Another mess from Stone brewing. Pineapple hits on the climax. Maybe some clove? Who cares. It's complex without any balance or subtlety; any homebrewer can dump a bunch of ingredients in, but it takes a master to control them. This tastes like a homebrewer got control of some fancy toys.

Mf: Smooth. Wet. A bit creamy - a strange and out of place attribute for an Imperial IPA. Good carbonation - a highlight of this beer. Presence on the palate is poor; it overwhelms. I wouldn't say it ruins; it's just a mess dumped on your tongue.

Dr: Another mess from Stone that fails to impress. I wish I loved this like others do, but to me it's just more testament to the ineptitude of Stone's brewers. Why I keep buying their beer I don't know. I guess I keep hoping I'll come across one that's great. I definitely wouldn't get this again; more for all of you. I'll be sticking to Alpine's IPAs. To this beer's credit, the ABV doesn't come through as much as you'd expect; I'd peg it for about 8% if it were a blind taste. I wouldn't call it drinkable, but I won't have any trouble killing this bomber alone. Disappointed. I hope the Enjoy By waiting in my fridge is better.

Low C-

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 05:11:16 | More by kojevergas

SPLITGRIN

Kentucky

4.63/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Pours to a very hazy orange copper gold body. Head is a full two inches of biscuity off white creamy fuzz. Nose is fruity up front then dominated by resiny full with hints of pine and woodsy grasses. This beer hits the mouth with a tangy champagne bitterness that is wonderfully dry and very crisp. Prickly on the tongue with a long lingering bitterness on the mouthfeel. This brew really defines a great DIPA on the dryer side. This is one I would love to have more of to pair with food. Hopefully they bring this one back as a permanent brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 23:49:27 | More by SPLITGRIN

BeerSocrates12

Texas

4.79/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Serve by me...at home...out of a Bomber in a Dogfish Head IPA glass. Got this bottle back in early July 2012....aged it in near cellar conditions. ( cool corner of my closet)

Appearance: Pours a mid to dark amber color with a white, thick frothy head. Nice lacing.

Aroma: strong aged malt characteristics. Strong citrus and gentle pine nose. Some booziness. Still a decent hop nose after almost 8 months.

Taste: aged malt for sure. Very light caramel and I suspect some biscuit malt maybe...would explain the fantastic head. This is what I want a strong Imperial IPA..hell even a hoppy barleywine to taste.

Mouthfeel: the slightest of a chew...like a Barleywine almost...very noticeable booze bite and still a decent hop finish...they must of used a lot of citras.(IMO) Balance comes to mind.

Overall: a great beer. I'm surprised it aged this well in less than 8 months...I'd expect these characteristics from a year+ old Hog Heaven or Hopsickle...reminds me of the two year old 120 I had last year.(less boozy of course)

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 01:34:45 | More by BeerSocrates12

djjacobsen

4.4/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

excited to score a bottle of this one. It goes very heavy of the hops, of course, Citra and Centennial dominate the nose along with citrus and very, very light pine. The taste was fairly frustrating as the nose gets overpowered by the 10.8 ABV. Definately better than standard ruination, but fails to have that wow factor that we search for in the ultimate beer. enjoyable for a hop-head but this will faintly be remembered for nothing more than an over-the-top anniversary release.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 23:01:36 | More by djjacobsen

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.04/5  rDev -30.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes. Bottle from Rick’s in Alexandria. Served in a Stone goblet. Pours a moderate golden color with a nice white head. The nose is an overload of citrus hops and a bit of pine. From there, it goes downhill. The flavor is indeed quite hoppy and fairly nice, but it’s also fairly boozy, which is an unpleasant sensation when combined with the extreme bitterness. Definite heat there. Not very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 03:17:58 | More by Thorpe429

Topher78

California

4.68/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The beer poured a golden color with a fingers worth of a white head that left great lacing. The aroma was of citrus and pine. The flavor profile was dominated by citrus and pineapple with numerous tropical fruits in the background. The mouth feel was sticky and finished dry and bitter.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2013 18:25:11 | More by Topher78

beergoot

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Golden amber body topped with a thick, chunky white head. Rush of floral hops (like perfume); citrus fruits; biscuit and caramel malt notes in the aroma. Warm and delicious rush of flavors with a strong bitterness; warm bread with a delicate fruit-like undertone; alcohol heat is well-pronounced. Medium-body; juicy.

A powerful and flavorful brew. A little over-the-top with the boozy ABV character, but lots of interesting tasting notes within its depths.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 00:47:04 | More by beergoot

Luk13

Quebec (Canada)

3.13/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle. Slightly hazy gold pour with smallish white head. Aroma is hoppy, menthol, some stinky onion, not particularly enticing. Taste is oniony, wet, really bitter. Not much tropical fruits and pine, lots of bitterness and alcohol. Really not what I was expecting. A bitter disappointment to say the least.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 19:44:20 | More by Luk13

MrVonzipper

California

4.88/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Tied with DDH Ruination as the best ipa Stone has produced by far. A true CA masterpiece. Giant citrus, tropical fruit and oily pine notes balanced in a big way with a moderate boozyness and a solid malt backbone. This should be made again and again. I was beginning to despise Stone til they redeemed themselves with this bad boy.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 11:01:09 | More by MrVonzipper

metter98

New York

4.28/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is very hazy amber orange in color and poured with a half finger high off white head tat died down a bit but never completely faded away.
S: There are strong aromas of citrusy hops in the nose-so strong that I could smell the hops from a foot away after pouring the beer.
T: The overall taste is very malty and has notes of caramel malts along wits lots of flavors of citrusy and grapefruit hops. A moderate to strong amount of bitterness is present and stands out in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little crisp on the palate with a moderate mount of carbonation.
O: This beer is definitely a malt and hop bomb and definitely tastes strong with some notes of alcohol in the taste. It is more of a sipping beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 20:07:47 | More by metter98

ummswimmin

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I lucked upon this bottle a few weeks ago. I grabbed the last bottle in the store with a big smile on my face.

This is a really impressive IPA all-around. You get a lot of hop presence in the nose. I really enjoyed the bouquet on this bottle. You get this citrus, flower, and a bit of vegetal presence.

The flavor profile is complex, well balanced, and very clean. I like the continuation of the massive hops. You get the balance from some of the malt.

This is an impressive IPA. It was inspired from another great IPA. I really liked this creation from Stone.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 01:02:56 | More by ummswimmin

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Stone Brewing
RUINATION 10th Anniversary IPA

LOOK: Clear orange colored brew with a soapy white foam leaving a web of lace on the glass. Appears like a resinous, sticky icky IpA.

SMELL: Big time tropical fruit, almost like fresh squeezed pineapple juice. Just a little bit of grapefruit, pine and resinous notes.

TASTE: Lots of earthy hop bitterness, grapefruit rind, and alcohol. Enamel stripping bitterness, muted tropical flavors. Oily citrus comes through, and a honey-sweet malt flavor is barely there with the onslaught of hops. The alcohol is well integrated and subdued, cut by the hop bite. Like a spiked pine and citrus soda, if such a thing could ever exist. This beer gets better the more you drink it, I'm diggin.

FEEL: Full bodied, a bit syrupy and sappy, moderate carbonation. The oils from the hops completely coat the palate, and dries it up. Truly living up to the name I am hereby ruined. Another casualty of West Coast hops.

OVERALL: This anniversary beer is a celebration in its own right. Great hop flavor, well masked alcohol, and enough bitterness to make the average beer drinker cringe. For those who love hops, this is for you.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 19:57:13 | More by Stinkypuss

SadMachine

New Jersey

4.7/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Reviewed from notes from 7/29/12. Wish I had taken better notes! haha!

A- Finger and a half head over a beautiful deep gold/amber pour.

S- Nose is overwhelmed by citrusy hops, especially grapefruit aroma. This will be a hop-bomb!

T- While all the hops that were in the aroma are there in the taste, this is actually extremely well balanced with a heavy dose of caramel malts.

M- Nearly perfect for the style.

O- An outstanding Imperial IPA!

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 17:41:21 | More by SadMachine

JDizzle

Indiana

4.93/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass. The drink by date is 8/23/12-a bit late, but I like a dated DIPA. I had it fresh as well.

Looks really nice with an orange cloudy finish. A little white head with epic lacing. It's a beaut Clark!!

Smellsl like a huge malt and hop bomb-my fav!! Massive hop aroma followed by a nice malt bill. One of the best smelling DIPA's out there.

Taste is llike the smell...bombtastic!!! This is an all time favorite. Everything is right about this beer. I get no alcohol at all. It's tropical, resiny, piny, bready, and perfect!.

Mouthfeel is pretty thick and has a definite hop bitterness that last.

Top 5 of all time!! Stone is badass as usual!

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 02:31:39 | More by JDizzle

dfillius

Michigan

4.4/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass
A: Hazy amber-gold liquid. 1 finger fo head with good retention. Ring and fuzz of head left throughout. Nearly ideal.
S: Tropical fruit, man candy. Pineapple, mango, some pine. A tad one-dimensional.
T: Hop bite with some sweetness thrown in. All hops after a while. Pine, fir needle, savory dankness. For the hopheads out there! Almost like Hog Heaven (from what I remember) but less thick.
M: Chewy, devastatingly bitter. Definitely a palate wrecker. Dry finish with no heat at all! At 10.8% ABV, that is amazing.
O: I am glad to have the full bomber. I will buy again. Stone IPAs - I love 'em! Worth every penny. Note, when I did have a second one 3 weeks later, the hops had degraded a bit and it was hotter and not as enjoyable. Pliny effect.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 21:31:31 | More by dfillius

bjohn84

Minnesota

4.55/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Hazy with a butterscotch brown. Off white creamy head forms on top

S - As soon as I crack the seal on the bottle I get loads of intense citrus before I even move the bottle, Tangerines, apricots, some floral hop notes, as it warms a bit I begin to smell the alcohol more

T - Oranges and other citrusy fruits, comes through sweet with loads of bitterness and lasting flavor after the swallow. Small numbing from alcohol, but the flavor of the alcohol doesn't harsh things up like some others this high in the style.

M - Plenty of malty backbone and body to make it a sipper, Feels kind of sticky as well

O - I love hoppy beers, and normally I find the Double/Imperial IPA to come through too malty for my tastes. This one overcame that obstacle and still had plenty of citrus come through, and enjoyed it quite a bit.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 02:20:00 | More by bjohn84

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

gatornation

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

from 22 oz bomber

A-pours a hazy glowing orange color with fluffy white head nice lacing looks fresh
S-was pne and citrus hops with a sweet soapy grassy smell
T- very hops forward with loads of resinous pine hops followed by more tropical infused hops,sweet malt and lemon grass
M- dry with crisp hops ABV so well hidden you can drink the whole bomber fast really nice hp presence
O- delicious wish this was the regular ruination would love to see this one in 4-paks

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 14:44:46 | More by gatornation

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.8/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed a bomber of this at The Neighborhood in San Diego a week ago. Review from notes.

Pours a glowing amber red with a persistent eggshell head. Scads of lace drape the glass. The aroma is strongly grapefruity with lots of tropical fruit and pine notes as well. Malts are pretty much AWOL in the nose. The taste follows suit with a massive wall of mouthcoating pine tar hops. Tropical fruit notes and white grapefruit skin show as well, as does some aspiriny bitterness. The malt profile is restrained, but adds a lot of complexity. Its doughy and bready. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with light carbonation and plenty of pucker from all the bitterness. The finish lasts forever and is very bitter. Alcohol heat is fleeting, impressively well hidden.

This beer doesn't dissapoint, even though its not the freshest of the fresh at this point. Massive hops, balanced with just enough malts. Hopheads need to try this.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 05:53:51 | More by CAMRAhardliner

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

$12.50 for the single. Bomber to tulip.
Sampled 08AUG12

The distribution network was inexplicably slow and I'm sure this beer's prime has come and gone - so take this review with a grain of salt.

[A] With a semi vigorous pour, a one finger high is produced. The color reminds me of French vanilla. Very small foamy bubbles give the appearance of a creamy texture, but modest retention gives way to a soapy surface. The body really illuminates when backlit. Color is medium orange, looks menacingly thick - and the slow moving bubbles prove it. Lacing is entirely random.

[S] Before the cap was completely pried off, the intense hop aroma had already wafted to my nose. It's like it was dying to escape the bottle (like two months ago, right?). Big sappy pine plus orange and red grapefruit scents. Ennn-ticing.

But. Sadly. The fresh hop aroma is quick to disappear and we are left with just an-above-average DIPA nose. Of course the ABV comes across and the caramel malt aromas begin to set in as the hop character searches for the white flag.

[T] Piney, resiny. The citrus fruit barely translates. The sweet, caramelly wort has emerged from it's hoppy cover. Damn, I wish I got to experience what the fuss was about.

[M] The mouthfeel is very enjoyable. Bitterness is constantly invigorating. Body leans full, texture is chewy and sticky yet the effervescence lifts the beer off of the tongue.

[O] Well, as expected, Stone 10th is extremely underwhelming at this point - obviously a shell of it's former self. I expected some major drop off going in to this experience so I'm not mad. I'm sure it was a lovely brew in it's hay.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 10:50:08 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

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

CHickman

New York

4.55/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap at Sapsuckers in Huntington, NY: pours a slight hazy yellow gold color with a massive 1 finger foamy white head that faded extremely slowly and left very good spotty lacing and rings as it went down; typical for Stone IPA and always a pleasure to look at.

Smells of big juicy citrus hops up front, followed by piney notes, grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, floral hops, grains, biscuit, light caramel and brown sugar, and then some more citrus. The malt backbone adds balance and this is a really nice fresh smelling IPA.

Tastes like the nose, but with more malt presence; flavor consists of piney notes/pine cone, grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, orange peel, floral hops, roasted grains, biscuit, caramel, wheat bread, grass, light brown sugar, herbs like tea leaf, and then some more bitter citrus notes that trails off on the clean side. Not the hop bomb that I expected, but it's incredibly smooth and well balanced and really easy to drink. No sign of the ABV, and the spices were mild like floral notes or dry hops; for such a big beer this is sessionable.

Mouthfeel is creamy and crisp at the same time, with average carbonation, a medium body that's almost chewy and a nice bitter hoppy finish.

Overall not what I expected from Stone since it was not full of sizzling hops that smacked your taste-buds around, but it was just as delicious as I had hoped for so this was a winner in a slightly different form. Glad I got to try this one time release. This was so smooth that it exceeded my expectations.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2012 03:54:30 | More by CHickman

KajII

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

[Suggested Glassware: Tulip Glass]

The pour was a cloudy burnt orange with an average (1-2 finger) off white frothy head that reduced down to a large puddle and collar of residue, and had good spotty lacing.

The aroma was of pine and resin hops, grain malts and a soapy yeast with notes of citrus (grapefruit and orange), caramel and a mild apricot sweetness.

The taste was a little sweet and a tad bitter with a hint of caramel and a mild fruity ester at first, and then had a serious hoppy citrus bitterness along with a mild alcohol tinge at the end. The flavor lasted an very long time after the swallow with a nice bitter and mild sweet hoppiness settling in on the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was between light and medium in body with a dry yet slightly oily texture and a medium carbonation.

Overall a very well put together brew with tons of flavor and a smooth feel, which just complimented the mildly sweet bitterness...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 20:43:29 | More by KajII

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Momar42 for the bottle! About 5 oz poured into a tasting snifter, and compared side-to-side with Stone 16th anniversary IPA.

A: Pours a cloudy golden amber color - the clarity of the 16th is a lot more appealing to me. There isn't much head to this other than a bit of an offwhite collar, albeit with good lacing.

S: Very sweet, with a little augmenting citrus peel and piny hops. Sadly not fresh, but still decent.

T: Man, I can tell this could have been amazing fresh. In spite of this, it's still really enjoyable right now. Lots of big maltiness while the finish is still fairly strong with sweetish grapefruit and touches of herbal pine.

M: Not too heavy in texture, and as such comes across as a little boozy - but it's still far more drinkable than a 10.8% has any business being. The finish isn't as hyper-dry as regular Ruination, but it does build up a peppery sensation.

O: Flawed in its old age, but still a damn nice drink, one that kicked the 16th Anniversary around the schoolyard. I'll give it a 4.5 here on the basis of "this was likely fantastic fresh".

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 19:24:26 | More by ThisWangsChung

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.95/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz. bottle served in my DT tulip. Pours a dull burnt orange hue with a 2.5 inch cream-colored head that sizzles and pops as it slowly collapses in on itself. Head eventually settles into a broken, frothy cap with some residual textured clumps of lacing present as the liquid recedes. Clarity is on the murky side. This beer is a malt bomb - I can smell it from two feet away. That said, nose also expresses a slight oniony character, earthiness, citrus and rind (in that order). Big malt presence in the flavor profile. There's a caramel/toffee presence off the bat which is quickly cut by ethanol and earthy/rindy citrus flavors. The onion quality present in the nose comes out again towards the back, but it is much less assertive in the flavor profile. Finish is a combination of sweet and bitter; a nice juxtaposition. Great mouthfeel - medium-bodied with a lively, although not overly assertive, carbonation. There's a slightly oily texture and a light acidity that stimulates the salivary glands along the sides of the cheeks. Overall, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to try this. All of the elements don't necessarily come together for me, but this is a pretty good DIPA. I'd like to see what 2-3 years does to this beer. I definitely think it will take on some barleywine-esque qualities as it matures.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 01:07:51 | More by Jwale73