IPA (India Pale Ale) - Stone Brewing Co.

mwc115

Arizona

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I used to like crappy beers, or actually maybe I didn't even like them really... I just drank them. Until a friend got me trying some REAL beers and turned me onto Stone Brew. I've had their AB which is a treat, but recently decided to put Stone IPA on tap at my house because it's drinkability is better. This is a truely great beer. My most favorite part is the smell. After my first few glasses I can anticipate sniffing the hops and then getting a good taste of them afterward. If you want (with a tap anyway) you can make a nice head on the beer making quite attractive with a rich yellow/orange color. Has a nice smooth mouth feel as it slides down with a delicious hoppy flavor. Malt and alcohol are present but the hops mutes them. Definately has a bitter ending, which I've grown to like. It fades after half a glass, but can be quite aweful if you had anything sweet as it has a hint of grapefruit at the end. This is probably one of the first beers I take nice long draws from because it actually is that enjoyable. As a word of advice, I see this beer being hated by the average macrobrew beer drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2006 21:22:15 | More by mwc115

NolateM

Connecticut

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a pint glass. This beer pours shimmering clear-orange with a thick frothy white head, some decent lacing.

The aroma is citrusy and hoppy, bright with orange-zest.

The flavor is the definition of the IPA. Just the right amount of hops to put it a little bit over the top, just the right bitterness, just the right amount of more-than-subtle citrusy acidity, just a tiny bit of pine-like flavor. The mouthfeel is perfect, it goes down so incredibly smooth, finishes clean but still lingers just a tiny bit so you don't forget how great it is. It doesn't taste AT ALL like 6.9% alcohol.

This might be the smoothest IPA on the face of the earth. This is what it's all about. This is why I love India Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2006 17:59:38 | More by NolateM

blsfreak

Indiana

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Yet another outstanding brew from Stone. The color is great, the smell is hoppy without being overbearing, and this is one of the best IPA's I have had to date. I could drink way too many of these, they go down smoothly and taste wonderful. The brewmaster at Stone never stops amazing me.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2006 03:42:34 | More by blsfreak

mattgert

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Excellent IPA. Nice citrus/hop smell, pours amber/gold with nice head and lacing to the end. Has a great bitter hop smack with refreshing citrus notes followed by a malt backbone to balance things out. For an IPA I think this is a little on the mild side for hop bitterness. Very well balanced and exceptional in every aspect. So glad to have found this one!... especially since Three Floyds is on standby in Cincy...

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2006 01:22:36 | More by mattgert

addmorehops

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Long time coming for this review. This is the choice that occludes all others when I stop at the case shop. It denies me many tempting opportunities to rekindle fond memories of Hop Devil and other faves like DF60 or new interests like B2H or Green Flash WCIPA.

What can be said of one the best hophead delights. If you haven't found your hoptopia, you probably haven't tried this.

In your face hops within a well rounded flavor palette. Hats off and bang a gong.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2007 22:21:11 | More by addmorehops

Kudashov

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sports on Saturday could have been better . Red Sox lost , Yankees won . My horse " Dominican " had no shot at winning the derby pool and the NASCAR race was cancelled . Pour into a pint glass the copper color and the aroma of hops is inviting . The off- white head lasts . Amber color is clear when held up to light . I love the Ruination for the piney , hoppy , grapefruity flavor . Hophead ?
I have been on a quest to try all the different IPA's from different brewers but this is where it might end . This is a tough call for me . Ruination or this IPA . Christ !! Drinkability is a 5 and this will be in my fists today when Curt Schilling takes the mound for the Sox .
Mixed in with some golf , and the Rangers vs. Sabres hockey game .


Again , my sports day was not that great but finding a beer with this wonderful flavor turned my sports Saturday around ,

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2007 10:18:20 | More by Kudashov

montageman

Michigan

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a pint glass.

What is there that can be said about this beer that probably hasn't been said already? This has to be the quintessential American IPA. Perfect taste and near perfect everywhere else. Stone never ceases to amaze me. This will become one of my go to beers. Absolutely awesome. Highest recommendation.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2008 04:12:47 | More by montageman

icemonkey908

Minnesota

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

pours a wonderful copper with a fairly substantial head. aroma is very pronounced, mostly citrus and floral hops. Taste is bold and hoppy, but just the right balance for an IPA. This beer is a perfect example of the style as far as I am concerned. Will get it whenever possible.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2008 00:07:05 | More by icemonkey908

bacabuck

California

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Could this be heaven in a bottle? I think it might just be.

A: Rich, clear golden hue. Tall oatmeal colored head with tight froth that continues to lace down the sides of the glass

S: Big hoppy must with lots of yeast

T: Wow. Bold and rich. Finishes with a nice clean bitterness that you would expect

M: Smooth

D: Pour me another. One beer can easily turn into a session.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2008 05:16:20 | More by bacabuck

SammiJo

New Jersey

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A-Golden color, clear body, fluffy white head, lacing down the glass

S-Piney hops with a touch of sweetness.

T-Hop flavor is multi-dimensional sweet citrus and piney at first with a bitter yet pleasant aftertaste. Malt flavor is not overly pronounced, but backs up the hops nicely. There is nothing unpleasant about the taste.

M- Balanced. There is a medium amount of carbonation. Not too heavy and not too light.

D- Very drinkable for any IPA lover. After finishing one, I could definitely have another.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2009 22:45:24 | More by SammiJo

unclejimbay

Florida

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A
The appearance of this brew was a standout charaterstic. Copper in color, with an excellent pillowtop head, that reduced to a nice fluffy cap. Impressive lace remains throughout entire beer.
S
Dominant hop aroma on a solid caramel/malt foundation. Floral aromas and tastes are a standout feature to this brew. More floral than most any other IPA I have had to date. My wife is not a hophead and she even defined the aroma and taste as "very floral".
MF
Medium-high carbonation, medium-thin body, light finish.

I very much enjoyed this brew. Hop dominant with floral bitterness and very drinkable. I would pursue it again, and could be the most enjoyable Stone offering I have had to date.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2010 21:47:24 | More by unclejimbay

rawhydes1

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

One of my favorite beers, hands down.

Wonderful citrus/grapefruit nose, and taste.

I like this beer so much, that after drinking, I don't want to brush my teeth. I only wish that STONE IPA came in a toothpaste.

Love this as a one beer treat, and can also drink it all night long.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2010 02:32:20 | More by rawhydes1

UncleRicoII

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Grabbed on a whim in my never-ending search for a better American IPA.

Appearance is light amber to caramel colored. Head forms to medium height of off-white color and retreats nicely leaving its fingerprint behind.

Aroma jumps into your nose as a citrus pine combo and sets the taste buds off in wanting their turn to enjoy the party.

Taste starts off like an above average IPA but quickly shift to a great hop taste served up with a citrus exclamation point.

After-taste is pleasant and sets the stage nicely for your next sip.

Highly recommend this IPA as the Gargoyle emblem has definitely protected the hops from evil spirits that can ruin a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2010 01:16:14 | More by UncleRicoII

Plokhooy

Texas

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

For what it's worth, Stone IPA and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale are the two stalwarts of the American IPA / Pale Ale class. Stone is a very drinkable IPA that is great for both hopheads and casual beer drinkers alike. Even if you are not a big fan of "hopped up" beers, this is still a must try.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2010 02:41:38 | More by Plokhooy

djbreezy

Washington

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

appearance - transparent amber, solid head, great retention, well carbonated

smell - piney and resinous hops abound

taste - big earthy and resinous profile, huge pine notes, very hoppy, well hidden malt body, west coast style

mouthfeel - dry finish, highly carbonated but not overkill, tingly on the tongue, medium/full bodied

drinkability - huge hop profile and very flavorful, hop complexity, easy to drink for 6.9 abv, a go to IPA, also Stone kicks ass for having best by dates on their beers

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2010 21:53:58 | More by djbreezy

mikeborglum

Missouri

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22oz. bomber poured into pint glass. Clear light golden color with creamy, fluffy and sticky white head that lasted forever! An excellent presentation. This is a hop beast with hop aroma all over and bitter taste to perfection with nice malt balance to the finish. Big, smooth and creamy body. This is IPA - WANT HOPS!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2011 01:52:48 | More by mikeborglum

Philousa

California

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sits an opaque gold in the glass with a good amount of head. Lacing is great, leaving a trail of your Stone experience like rings in a tree trunk. A complex hop profile greets the nose. It's earthy, citrusy, floral, and light with some bitterness. Pale malt meets the tongue first, tasting fruity with higher temperatures. This fades to bitter with hints of earthiness. The bitterness is a kick, but not overwhelming. There are some yeast flavors in the brew if you're looking for it, which speaks to the delicateness of this beer. The mouthfeel is balanced. Lots of carbonation, but it isn't harsh on the tongue or throat. Stone sure picked their yeast carefully. It feels a bit too malty at first, but it lightens up due to the carbonation.

This is a model IPA that should be followed, if not replicated, by other breweries. Many say that Stone is too bitter or hop crazy, but when you compare this IPA to others (such as Lagunitas or DFH), you notice this is much more delicate than its competitors. There are floral and fruity undertones to this beer that you just don't get with others. Now it must be admitted that I'm a bit partial, since Stone introduced me to the wonderfulness known as hops, but I think there is a reason I listened when they spoke. Stone knows what they're doing here, and anyone with taste buds will sit a little straighter and take note. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 04:33:55 | More by Philousa

demuzik

Oregon

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is one of my all time favorites - drunk it forever, realized I never reviewed it:

An inviting light orange in appearance - crystal clear and well carbonated. Head retention is wonderful on these.

The smell is herbal and of pine; like being on the edge of a field with your nose in the forest.

The taste is sensational - one of the most iconic American IPAs available. Completely balanced, drinkable, and hoppy - this has served as a "gateway beer" to many of my former non-beer friends.

Long live Stone and this all time great.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2012 04:05:52 | More by demuzik

derekmorris7

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22 ounce bottle into pint glass, best by 2/28/2012. Pours slightly cloudy golden straw color with a nice 2 finger off white head with fantastic retention that reduces to a thick cap that lingers. Some nice lacing down the sides of the glass. Aromas of big grapefruit, pine, herbal, floral, honey, and a bit of biscuit. Nice and well balanced aromas with good strength. Taste of big grapefruit, pine, herbal spiciness, floral, caramel, honey, and biscuit. Good amount of bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of grapefruit, pine, herbal, floral, and honey notes on the finish for a while. Very hoppy, but still has a nice malt balance to even things out. Medium carbonation and body; with a slightly creamy and very crisp mouthfeel. Very drinkable, with hardly any alcohol warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an absolutely incredible IPA. Very hoppy, yet still has great balance; and is very drinkable at 6.9%.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 19:33:16 | More by derekmorris7

MattBrooks

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I had tried this brew in a 22 oz. bottle a while back, and recently bought a six pack to try at home. It was a little late at night when I got home from work, went to the fridge, grabbed a bottle-opened it and took a swig. I suddenly thought to myself "what am I doing?" I grabbed a pint glass and slowly poured this delicate libation in. I brought the glass to my nose and took in the aromas. "This must be what Bavaria smells like", I thought aloud. This beer has a golden hue and a nose of FRESH hops to it. I was once again, amazed by Stone, it smelled so fresh! The mouthfeel is heavy and the taste is quite strong, starting off hoppy and light like most IPA's but finishing with a little bit more bitterness than I was expecting. Which was a good thing. A perfect brew for anytime of year.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2005 12:24:06 | More by MattBrooks

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

i'm not gonna glorify this any more than i have to. the best IPA i've ever had.
'06 vintage.

A- 1 1/2in off white creamy chunky build-able foam has great retention settling to 1/4in disc leaving lots of sticky lace in waves and tabby cat spots and stripes over the hazy vibrant orange apricot colored elixir.

S- bready and sweet with spicy fruity citrus and tropical notes, starfruit, guava, mango, melon, and banana come to mind. the best part is the milky toffee cream marshmallow in the thick dense aroma. it's unlike anything i've ever imagined.

T- bittersweet citrus, grapefruit herbal pine, orange cream with a tropical tart cranberry splash, grains, cashew, aromatic wood, lightly toasted malt, earthy meaty spiced pork, pine sap, and a warm creamy fruity buttery bakery fresh yum. this is way too complex, i believe it exceeds that arrogant bastard. herbal lemon pineapple resinous hop aftertaste lingers for a while before transforming into a smooth cured tobacco dryness that doesn't go away. perfectly blended and full of character.

MF- soft and creamy and silky smooth, medium carbonation, like a beautiful goddess is making love to my face.

D- the only things that would stop me from drinking this exclusively are:
1) availability
2) i still wanna try everything possible
3) i wouldn't wanna "get used to" the subtleties and amazing nuances this shit has got goin on let's have a round of applause for STONE (again) everybody.

EDIT: i dug another one out of my secret stash, this one has the date 21.1.05 debossed into the bottle so that makes it 3 years old! math! head was less vigorous, made about 1/2in settles fast but left alot of lace. where's it come from? same marshmallow milky toffee fruity hop aroma, but in the taste hops are more subdued, but much more developed and complex. as are the malts but the hops are the star from start to the long dry finish. cocoa butter sandalwood tropical fruit and alcohol! i really hop i can find some more of this shit.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2007 22:35:52 | More by hustlesworth

billybob

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

pours a honey golden color with a large white head and lots of sticky lace nice aromas of piney hops and fruit and spices. taste is fruity and sweet with hops from begining to finish. medium body good carbonation smooth and well balanced. great tasting beer will be looking for more.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2008 18:09:11 | More by billybob

SpencerSauce

Virginia

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Opened the bottle cap with the back of the blade on a machete like usual. haha seriously

A- looked golden with soo many bubbles. quite clear

S- like walking through a forrest of pine. Lots of pine and some citrus especially grapefruit. Hops are amazing

T- Grapefruit is most prominent. with pine and floral notes. The bitterness takes away alot of the taste at the end.

M- crisp and bitter.

D- easy, one of my favorite IPA's

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2009 14:42:44 | More by SpencerSauce

BobJustBob

New Mexico

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bottle into a 16 Oz. dimpled mug.
Where do I start?!
From the immense delicious head and traditional strawberry blonde haze that typifies a classic IPA to the intense spicy hoppyness, this is one incredible American-style IPA. Probably the best one I've tried yet.
The lacing is worth a note. It covers the whole glass, right to the bottom.
One point I need to make about this Beer, is that it isn't Hopped to the point where the Malty character doesn't come through. It's there, sure enough and perfectly balances the brew.
Although the ABV is fairly low, a few of these at the bar would still warrant a designated driver. It hits the brain like liquid Marijuana! Be advised and drink (ir)responsibly. (and I'm no light-weight.)
This is a classic that nobody should go through a lifetime without trying.
Essential!

---Edit---
Every time I do an IPA tasting, this one still comes out on top.
If there was a higher rating than an A+ I would give it to this Beer. The bottled version is astounding. On tap, it's enough to provoke spontaneous combustion.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 17:58:54 | More by BobJustBob

politicsandbeer

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Stone's IPA is the darling of hopheads far and wide. It's so adored I feel like I'm venturing into the lions den with this one. So here's my confession: I've tried it multiple times on draft at the beer wonderland Redbones in Davis Sq, Somerville and it totally failed to impress every single time, to the point where I'd had sworn off trying it anymore. Until now. I threw a 12oz into my 6-mix in a last ditch effort to find something endearing.

The pour was thick and with a solid head of foam. I can't even begin to describe the aroma. Well here goes: Fantastic! Deep green hops! Velvety sweet, soft and wonderful! If the beer stopped here I'd be happy. It smelled freaking awesome!

Ok, so I was damn impressed from the beginning. But the next hurdle was the taste. First sip was an assault of nasal filling hoppiness that zig-zagged all over my palette. Very hop oil heavy, some serious pine sap, grapefruit, minor citrus and it got greasy and a little leafy. Thankfully there was a solid amount of sweetness to back it up but it definitely didn't eclipse the hops.

Another attribute that really made this ale such a success was the thick, creamy mouthfeel while the carbonation kept it feeling a little frothy.

The aftertaste was full of little pinpricks of piney bitterness on the palette, like little electrical charges "fzzzting" and crackling. The oil left a really nice coating on the tongue. Visually, a heavy lacing clung to the glass the whole way down.

After I was done with this glass I was absolutely craving another one. I'll have to stick to bottles for this puppy from now on because this was one helluva great ale.

Speaking of bottles, they have very unique labels, or lack thereof. I looked into it since it's obvious they don't glue paper labels onto their bottles. Instead they use a process called Applied Ceramic Labeling which consists of silk screening their logo onto the bottle and then firing it at @ 1150 degrees so the color actually becomes part of the bottle. Über nifty!

politicsandbeer.com

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 17:31:13 | More by politicsandbeer