IPA (India Pale Ale) - Stone Brewing Co.

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured this 22 oz bottle into a pint glass. This American IPA poured a hazy golden color, produced a thick creamy head, excellent retention and excellent lacing. The aroma consisted of malted grain, citrus and pine. Medium in body, this AIPA has a foundation of malted grain, biscuit, fruity easter and dominant piney hops. Bitter and well balanced- Nice example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 20:42:38 | More by GossageBrewery

dougbassett

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

One of the "1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die" -- #20 of the ones I've reviewed here.

The paradigmatic American IPA. There are others I like better, but if I wanted to introduce a newcomer to the style, this is probably the one I would give them. It hits all the classic notes.

Pours an impressive golden brown/bronze color. The head disappears quickly but it's nice to see it while it's here. Classic nose of orange peel, lemon and dry Xmas spice -- flavors more or less the same with a terrific finish at the end -- the bitterness lasts a long, long time.

Like some other beers I've tried of it's type, I think it's only real fault is that the body/mouthfeel is really too light to support the flavors contained therein. This would've been even better at a heavier concentration.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 23:30:59 | More by dougbassett

gr0g

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Amber in color, slightly hazy. Solid two-finger head that leaves a nice sudsy ring around the crown of my pint glass. Plentiful hop aromas, primarily of grapefruity citrus with a touch of pine. When I first got into IPAs, the aroma score would've been higher, but Stone's IPA lacks the tropical fruit notes present in other top-notch IPAs. Still, pleasantly floral and yet pungent, letting you know the hops are in charge of this beer.

Flavor is bitter from start to finish, and while it isn't balanced by any definition, there's still a solid malt profile. Grapefruit on the palate as in the nose, some resin follows, and some slightly sweet caramel notes finish it off. Spritzy carbonation and slightly oily texture give it a mouthfeel that's an ideal match for the flavor.

Overall score gets a bump because of ubiquity and consistent quality. For "old-school" C-hop IPAs, Stone's is hard to beat.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 22:42:48 | More by gr0g

capnamerica

Arkansas

4.93/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Stone Brewing IPA from San Diego

A - Hazy light golden with a nice white head.

S - Excessively hoppy with strong pine notes. Dank/pungent herbal aroma.

T - Extreme hops right away. Moderate bitterness with a dry yet refreshing finish.

O - One of the best beers I've had. Very anxious to try more Stone Brewing products.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:01:19 | More by capnamerica

CorvetteMike

Rhode Island

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

IPA has been my beer of choice for any years. I live close to Boston and have sampled many local IPS's. One local Eastcoast beer has been my favorite until now. This Stone IPA has received a 5 star rating because it is a superior beer.

a: Wonderful honey color.
s: Light hop/citrus smell.
t: Well balanced smooth taste.
m: Medium body with no after taste, smooth.
o: Best Westcoast IPA.

This beer does not need any improvement.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 19:24:34 | More by CorvetteMike

TastyAdventure

Kentucky

3.61/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A- very cloudy light orange. 1 1/2 finger head, frothy. clings to glass.

S - citrus like hops, more bitter hops, pine?

T - unlike most IPAs (IMO), the bitterness in this one is not overwhelming, which def. scores it points. The grassy flavor in the middle, does not. The hint of pine helps out the grass. Somewhere in the middle of all that hops, there's a subtle sweetness that tastes a little like sweet orange juice.

M - thick and nice for an IPA. good level of carb.

O - I'm not a fan of IPAs, and this one did not convert me, but still good for the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 22:18:13 | More by TastyAdventure

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.24/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: It has a nice clear golden/orange color to it. It has a nice off-white head that dies down moderately slow and leaves very nice lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of resiny pine, citrusy hops, bready malts and caramel.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a some delicious pine resins, citrusy hops, some grapefruit and sweet bready/caramelly malts blancing it out.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a very nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with great flavors and aromas. Solid IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 21:21:56 | More by SebD

Badger72

Louisiana

4.91/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

To me this beer is the benchmark for any good IPA. When I drink an IPA I always compare it to Stone because it is my favorite beer to drink. It's the beer that I always seem to come back to and always enjoy. It has a good ABV, but it is hidden well. The smell is fantastic and you can really smell the hops. The taste is very in your face like any IPA, but in a good way. The taste is very hoppy and with a hint of pine. This is a great beer and a staple for any craft beer drinker.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 13:52:03 | More by Badger72

Andrew041180

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Poured into some kind of bell-mouthed pilsner glass. A little bigger than the bottle required, but all I had handy. Color is very close to golden, and slightly hazy. The pour resulted in about an inch of head that disolved relatively quickly and left little to no lacing on the glass.

S - Not as noticable as some others, but it did have the characteristic west coast hops aromas that I really enjoy.

T - More malt forward than I remember my last glasses being, but not in bad way. I guess it just seemed far more balanced than I remember it being. The finish contained more of the hops taste that I was looking for.

M - Silky smooth and delicious. Very light carbonation.

O - Still one of my favorite, go-to IPAs. I'll advocate for Stone where ever I go.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 00:25:55 | More by Andrew041180

Roman5150

Michigan

4.66/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

All I can say is, wow. Another amazing beer by Stone. I've only had Arrogant Bastard, Oaked Arrogant Bastard (holy shit), and Double Bastard.

Appearance: 1.5 Finger thick off white head, VERY appealing looking cloudy ipa, dark orange

Aroma: One of the best smelling beers i've encountered, only 2nd to Hopslam by Bells. You can instantly smell the west coast piney ipa signature smell, very citrusy and smells of ripe grapefruit.

Taste: Bottle was 6 months old, so im taking into account a possible perceived lack of hop bite. However, I don't know if I should as this is just an amazing all around IPA. Scratch that, this is now one of my favorite IPAs. Not traditionally an IPA guy, but after going to school in Kalamazoo, MI for 4 years sort of changed that, drinking Two-Hearted on draft every weekend. But wow, just wow, out of all the west coast IPAs i've had this one takes the cake. Very citrusy initial taste, sort of tastes like grapefruit. Has a decent hop bitterness, but the citrusy flavorful taste counteracts this as it is a VERY drinkable beer. I drank this very fast, not intentionally. It just goes down really, really smooth.

Overall: One of my favorite IPAs, this is what I think all west coast IPAs should measure up to. The aroma and taste are out of this world and I will be buying this over and over again. As sort of a noob to the whole IPA craze, this may have fully converted me. While it won't beat Hopslam in my book, it is a VERY well balanced and beautiful IPA that everyone should try.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 03:03:05 | More by Roman5150

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

goldon ale slightyly hazy with really nice rocky white head with great retention and leaves clumps of sticky lacing all over the place. Sweet caramel, malty aroma. Of course lots of amazing smelling hops there as well. Ripe citrus flavors amazing floral aromas. Creamy mouthfeel on a medium body, really feels good in the mouth. Good ammount of biterness in the finish, leaves a dry aftertaste in your mouth. Really a well balanced ale. This is a really great bear. One of my go to IPA's for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 11:22:49 | More by Burkbom23

mwilbur

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz bottle into pint glass.
A: Pours a clear golden hue with a thin white head that quickly dissipates.
S: Citrus and pine hops... hint of sweet caramel malt.
T: Citrus, astringent herbal, and pine resin hop notes. Faint backbone of mild caramel malt. With warming, a note of honey emerges.
M: Light body. Faint sweetness is overpowered by strong hop elements (dry, bitter, astringent).
D: Good sessionability. Fairly straightforward and hop-strong. Would best be enjoyed with food.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 03:07:31 | More by mwilbur

JoeyD

Florida

4.08/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Beautiful, clean, smooth. What I imagine an IPA should be, though to be honest an IPA is not my first choice of beers. Maybe it's just the fact that I drank this beer after a short run, but damn this is a good drink.

ST - I enjoyed this beer straight from the bottle.

A - I can't really comment on this considering that I drank it straight from the bottle

S - Refreshingly dank...in a good way. If I was having this beer on 4/20 with eyes closed I might grab for the wrong intoxicant is what I'm saying. Very pleasant smell.

T - MMM. Well balanced. I don't have the ability to discern pine, citrus, grapefruit etc., but if I did they'd probably all be there.

M - Again, well balanced carbonation. Just enough to let you know it's there and not so much that it gets in the way of a smooth drinking experience.

Overall I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have a feeling it's one of the best representations of an IPA that I'll ever drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 22:09:07 | More by JoeyD

RyFikes

New York

2.25/5  rDev -47.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25

It makes me feel like a pussy because Stone prides themselves on having aggressive tasting beers, but this one is not for me. It has no balance whatsoever. It seems like Stone purposefully made it unbalanced so that it would be as hoppy and bitter as possible.

Maybe I got a bad batch, or maybe everyone else is playing follow the leader with this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 16:45:23 | More by RyFikes

jmutoml757

Virginia

3.84/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from a 1 pint 6 oz bottle into into pint glass.
A- dark amber, hazy, some carbonation bubbles rising entire time. nice, off-white two finger head that slowly dissipated leaving partial lacing throughout.
S- earthy, pine smell dominates, but there are hints of grapefruit as well.
T- hops comes through in a wonderful bitterness that IPA's should have; it finishes with a lemon/honey note that I find interestingly complex.
M-The hops sits on the back of your tongue. It is not too heavy, but it is there as it should be.
O- Above average in my opinion- it has the bite and bitterness I want in an IPA, but it is not overbearing or hard to drink. This is a beer to be savored and enjoyed slowly.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 22:37:52 | More by jmutoml757

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.81/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Re-review ^_^ 12 oz bottle poured into a regular glass.

A: Pours a faintly hazy golden amber color. The head is a two finger offwhite shade that retains itself nicely.

S: Not really my bag here. It's mostly some earthy dankness, pine cone, mild grapefruit, with a bit of augmenting caramel malt. I prefer big tropical fruit bomb aromas, so it's not the fault of the brew itself.

T: Better than I remembered. The initial flavor is pleasant grapefruit, before giving way to a bitter, dry piny finish. Malts are only vaguely evident throughout. Quite good, even great.

M: Dry and astringent - bitter, too. There's nothing balanced or delicate about the mouthfeel, but it gives the beer impressive drinkability in conjunction with the lighter texture and moderate carbonation. Still, it would be even better if the bitter dryness didn't fatigue the palate so badly.

O: I keep writing off Stone, and there are many occasions when I'm right in doing so. This one, though, I'm thankful I revisited. I wouldn't quite make it a go-to - there's far too big of a risk of getting a stale bottle here on the right coast - but I would revisit this on tap, easily. A good "palate wrecker" IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 00:29:16 | More by ThisWangsChung

flydudehsv

California

4.58/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours hazy amber with average, creamy white head; decent retention and spare lacing. Aroma is citrus ans floral hops, orange peel, bread and cookie malt, light dank, and light pine. Flavor is fresh pine, citrus and grassy hops forward (medium bitterness) with good supporting bready malts and light citrus esters; dry finish with some lingering bitterness. Medium body and low carbonation. Good beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 07:05:16 | More by flydudehsv

Hopinista

Nevada

3.6/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Deep orange with really active carbonation. Mine had 1/4 inch of head which dissipated immediately. Really?

S: I was really excited by the smell, really hoppy and piney. Some slight citrus aromas.

T: This is where I was really let down, and really, what else is more important? The smell of strong hops was not matched by the taste. The initial taste is moderate hops, very resiny, then a strong finish of bready malts.

M: Very light on the palate. Very crisp and carbonated.

O: I have to admit, I've been drinking Arrogant Bastard for years, I just finally got around to trying the standard IPA. I feel like this is a big letdown, whereas Arrogant Bastard sets the bar high (for me, I understand the IPA came before arrogant bastard, I had arrogant bastard first, so for me the IPA is the new one) The standard IPA falls a little short of the mark.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 08:10:31 | More by Hopinista

JG-90

New Jersey

3.69/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Bottle into glass

A - Clear golden/amber color, pours a medium-large fluffy head with nice retention, very impressive and thick lacing

S - Hops with grapefruit and lemon, pine, bready malt

T - prickly hops, citrus, then malt. Finsishes with a bit of a sticky hops/cracker flavor

M - Medium body, medium/high carbonation. Pretty crisp finish

O - I liked this beer, it is not one of my favorite IPA's, but very enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 21:25:47 | More by JG-90

TheCondor

Missouri

4.36/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I wanted to snare this one up for obvious reasons. Stone is an excellent brewery, I have heard so much about this IPA, it is a Beer of Fame, etc. Side poured from the 22oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance - A large, fluffy white head sits magnificently on top of a golden orange beer that is wicked in its presentation. A little carbonation can be seen in the glass, decent retention with excellent lacing. Of course, as with all Stone products, the packaging is excellent.

Smell - Definetely a fruity hop cascade zips the olfactory glands in a big way. Grapefruit, citrus, and lemons are big time in the nose. Big pines are also present. What you would expect out of a West Coast IPA.

Taste - Follows the nose closely, but has a malty backbone and is very well-balanced. THe malts are continually present on the palate, although the fruity hops are always the big movers.

Mouthfeel - A nice level of hop bitterness and fruity flavors. Very well done all in all, finishes clean and smooth. Medium carbonation and bodied.

Overall - An excellentbeer. All of BA knows this, I know this, you know this. If you haven't had this beer, go get it. Pretty simple.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 01:34:50 | More by TheCondor

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.98/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Presentation on this IPA is extraordinary as a bright white fluffy cloud sits atop a hazy golden/orange body.

The scent is of mostly citrus hops with underpinnings of grapefruit, lemon, brewed tea and even some orange. Nicely presented in aroma this is the high point.

The taste is mostly piney hops with subtle sweet resins and more floral touches. Very metallic in the finish, some of the tea taste comes out near the end, but that tinny taste lasts for some time.

Very crisp and refreshing this IPA has some highs and some lows to make it an interesting ride.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 21:52:14 | More by KYGunner

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.86/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Stone pint.

A- pours a translucent pilsner color with a 2" white head. Some blotches and trails remain on the glass.

S- caramel, lemon and orange, and pine.

T- caramel malts, lemon and some citrus, with lemon peel and bitter pine.

M- medium body and carbonation. Some syrup feel with effervescent finish.

O- good ipa, well balanced with light caramel and pine.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 02:43:57 | More by kawilliams81

Omnium

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle > Pint Glass
A - Pours a great golden color, single finger head, retains very nice, lacing clings very well. Looks like a fantastic beer, especially an IPA should look.
S - A barrage of pine and floral hops, bread malt, with some citrus flavors amongst the pine .
T - A tad try, and resinous flavor from the hops, definitely get the bread malt style flavor, but its not overly sweet. Pine flavor is big time here.
M - Good feeling IPA that leaves your palate with the bitterness for a while.
O - This is just a great, solid IPA that's available year round. Stone is a go-to when it comes to reliable beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 02:56:53 | More by Omnium

vicg12

New York

4.38/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Smells like a home brew. Tastes great, lots of hops, mmm. A little less brightness than a usual American IPA, but that does not in anyway mean it's short on flavor, quite the contrary; just different selection in hops. Stone is a great brewer, keep it up. Only real complaint is that it was not very well carbonated, very small head.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 01:00:28 | More by vicg12

barczar

Kentucky

4.01/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear copper penny color with a foamy half inch cream head that dissipates at a moderately quick pace, leaving sheets of lacing.

Aroma erupts as soon as the bottle is opened, with huge notes of pine, resin, and fresh cut grass dominating. Dank cannabis, citrus fruit, and caramel malt add complexity.

Caramel malt forms the backbone and is far more prevalent than anticipated from the aroma. Flavor is sweeter than expected, throughout. The finish is pretty bitter and herbal tea-like and resiny, with pine in the aftertaste. Dank cannabis and fresh cut grass hit mid palate and hold on for the duration. There's an initial citrus character, showcasing muted grapefruit and lemon. More complex tropical fruits emerge as it warms.

Body is moderate, with a corresponding amount of carbonation, and slight alcohol warmth.

Much more floral and grassy hop character in the flavor than I recall. Citrus is fairly subdued, but bitterness is not. Not an offensive bitterness, but too much for my liking. Good malt presence, though perhaps a little overboard.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 04:07:41 | More by barczar