IPA (India Pale Ale) - Stone Brewing Co.

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from growler into pint glass

Appearance – The brew pours a nice golden color, with a thin white head. The head fades rather fast and gives way to a very light amount of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is a nice mix of caramel, bread and a blend of citrus (mainly grapefruit in nature) and pine hop.

Taste – The taste starts out of sweeter caramel and a nice smooth bread flavor. There is a nice citrus hop present up front, that begins losing ground to some of the sweeter tastes more toward the middle of the tongue. While it temporarily loses ground in the middle, more toward the end it intensifies again and mixes with a pine flavor, which in the end, leaves a slightly sweet hop flavor on the tongue. It is quite pleasing.

Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is above average in creaminess and the carbonation is right about average. The carbonation is good for the exciting hop flavors, but the creaminess is good for the malty and sweet. Together it is a pleasant feel.

Overall – A nice easy drinking IPA. It’s not over the top in hop, or lacking either. It is a good session IPA.

Serving type: growler

05-27-2012 23:22:16 | More by Darkmagus82

socon67

New York

4.05/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours golden with a lively white foam that lasts. Good lacing. Clarity is excellent.

S - The smell is very floral and fresh. Good scent of earthy hops.

T - Nice hoppy flavor that is less caring about blasting your taste buds and more about bringing other flavors to the table. Some notes of spice and a bit of honey-like sweetness.

M - Slick mouthfeel that coates the tongue. But this is a very easy drinking IPA that is impressive in its inherent balance. Nice hoppy flavor that doesn't becoming overbearing.

O - Great staple beer that's easy to get. Great example of the style.

Serving type: growler

05-12-2012 20:21:39 | More by socon67

TechTriumph

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From notes on 02/13/12:
Growler from Whole Foods; Poured in a Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass.

A - One inch of white, fluffy head with excellent retention; The color is a mixture of caramel and straw; Clear appearance; Nice lacing left behind

S - Very light and floral in the smell; Other hints of hops are there too: pine, grapefruit, and later pineapple; Toasted toffee lurks beneath the hops

T - Nice dose of bitterness up front that weakens towards the end of the taste; Lots of hops present as well with floral, pine, pepper, lemon, and pineapple flavors; Toasted caramel and toffee is able to peek through the hops near the end of the taste

M - Just above moderate carbonation; Just under medium bodied; Slightly dry finish

O - This is the first Stone IPA I've had in awhile, and it still doesn't disappoint. There's actually more bitterness in this beer than I remembered from before, but that's certainly not a bad thing for me. The hop flavors are delicious, with a good showing of the floral and pine varieties, which make this a very uplifting and drinkable beer. This brew has always been one of my favorites, and will continue to be one I come back to.

Serving type: growler

02-19-2012 15:40:22 | More by TechTriumph

brian44556

Kentucky

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a growler of this at LB in Springhurst. Poured into a Southern Tier 2xIPA glass.

Pours a honey color with a thick, white head that turns into a great lacing that coats the sides of the glass. Carbonation bubbles race from the bottom of the glass to the top keeping the head afloat. Smells of grass, citrus, and sweet malts. Taste is well balanced between the bitterness from the hops and heavy malt profile. Taste strong bitterness from the hops, sweet malts, and a citrus tropical profile. Easy drinker and crisp finish. This growler will be easy to finish before evening hits (2pm as I review). Great IPA from Stone. Makes it even better this is readily available. This is a staple beer that will always be in the fridge.

Serving type: growler

10-01-2011 17:45:13 | More by brian44556

jnn4v

Virginia

4/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Consumed within 30 minutes of getting the growler filled.

A: Dark yellow / pale orange color. Very slight haze. No sediment. Some off-white / very-light orange colored head.

S: Peach, bready yeasty malt, orange, and grapefruit.

T: Very similar to the scents, but with a slight resiny / piney aftertaste. Very clean and relatively basic textbook IPA flavor. Balanced malt and hops, but in the aftertaste, the hops win out.

M: Medium viscosity. Moderate carbonation with moderately-sized bubbles.

O: Everything is textbook about this beer from the scent to the flavor to the mouthfeel. A good benchmark IPA.

Serving type: growler

08-05-2011 22:04:16 | More by jnn4v

Nugganooch

California

4.03/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Freshy fresh growler fill Friday!!!

A: Pours a clear bright straw pale with some caramel tones and a nice 1 finger frothy white head with clinging lace.

S: Smells of fruity citrus hops and a nice clean yeast profile.

T: Nice hoppy punch of citrus and pine. Well balanced with a decent caramel maltiness that carries a residual sweetness throughout each drink. Dries out the mouth with some pucker and gives off just a tad of heat.

M: Overall a light medium body that has some residual stickiness on the tongue. Dries up on the finish.

D: An excellent bold IPA that is incredibly smooth and quite sessionable.

Probably a standard in the American IPA category. A showcase of a very well balanced brew. Hoppy but not offensive to the palate in any way with a solid malt base to balance it out.

Serving type: growler

05-20-2011 19:33:39 | More by Nugganooch

OlieIPA

California

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

Picked up at Stone Brewing the other night and shared with fellow beer lovers.

A: One of the most impressive looking heads I've ever seen from a beer...WOW! This white butter-cream colored head, which had a soapy/rice cracker quality to it, helped enclose a golden malt body. Oh yeah...the lacing was minimal.

S: A lot of fatty/diacetyl and musky organic honey aroma. It really didn't smell like an IPA at all, due to the fact I unable to detect any strong or robust hop smells from it. It reminded of a pale ale more than anything...and an above average aroma at best.

T: Mild hop bitterness with sweet and wheat like malts to back it up; nothing to complex...but nice given that fact.

M: Nothing too much to complain about here...good carbonation and body seemed to fit the style.

D: Even though this didn't remind me of a west coast IPA, there was still a quality that was "nice" and easy to drink about this particular IPA.

Overall: Stone's IPA was one of those beers that got me into craft beer. Now, after a year or two into the beer scene...I still find myself enjoying this beer...just not as much I used too. A try it beer. Cheers!

Serving type: growler

08-31-2009 00:13:02 | More by OlieIPA

arizcards

Arizona

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

Picked up a growler Thursday at the brewery for $8.

Beer poured a light orange with a nice white head. Nose is huge with floral northwest hops. Taste is grapefruit hops, pine, and a hint of mango and bread in the background. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, smooth, and is leaving a resiny layer on my palate. Drinkability is quite good, this is still one of my favorite IPA's!

Serving type: growler

05-31-2009 21:32:09 | More by arizcards

DrunkenMaster

California

3.4/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Growler from Consumer Beverages. Bright orange color with a nice head. I like the color of this. Aroma is fruity and floral with some sweet malts. Starts out with lots of malt sweetness but gets more bitter and dry towards the finish. Not bad, but a pretty average IPA.

Serving type: growler

07-20-2008 15:34:39 | More by DrunkenMaster

m1ked

California

4.08/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was supposed to be a smokey indian growler.... come to find out it is just indian, no smokey. I guess I will have to suffer. Happy 4th.

A- Pours a clear, bright golden orange. Sizeable white head that turns into clingy, sticky lacing.

S- No surprise here strong aroma of 85 percent piney resin 15 percent citrus. Some hidden sweetness, like caramel.

T- The signature Stone in your face over the top hops is clearly here. The bitterness is once again mostly piney. Hard to pick up the balance of malts.

M- This is a strong component of this beer. Firm body with great carbonation. Very refreshing.

D- I don't consider IPA'S to be my session beer, but this one is very good.

Serving type: growler

07-04-2008 20:25:37 | More by m1ked

rowew

Colorado

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

Growler filled at the brewery. Despite a day in the growler it still poured with a great head, and nice retention. Left a nice lace down the glass. Aroma and taste are predominately hops, but there is enough malt to make this a nicely balanced beer. Amazingly smooth for a 6.9 % ABV beer. If you are a hop-head, this should be a staple .. otherwise avoid it.

Serving type: growler

02-28-2005 00:06:11 | More by rowew

cozmohollis

Delaware

4.78/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

A: Orange in color with a white head a really good lace.

S: Citrus scent.

T: Orange and other citrus flavors with a good amount of hops from beginning to end. Really clean and smooth.

MF: Medium light body with medium carbonation. Crisp, refreshing, smooth and clean with a hoppy feel the whole time. Drinkable with a light and dry finish.

O: One of my favorite IPAs. I love how there are hops all throughout this beer but it doesn't over power it. A good IPA for any time, even summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 05:52:04 | More by cozmohollis

FairyFunBoy

California

4.38/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- Straw color with a red hue. White 3 finger head.
S- Burst of pine and sap with a great citrus undertone.
T- Orange, pine, biscuit malt. Overwhelms the palate in the best way possible.
M- for such a great beer the mouthfeel was a little light. Not too much malty velvet like I would prefer. Carbonation wasn't sufficient half way through the pint.

O- this is one of my go to beers. Stone is dependable, their IPA is a great addition to their suburb collection.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 01:57:56 | More by FairyFunBoy

Cobrito

Georgia

4.79/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Not sure there's much point in rating a beer that already has more than 5,000 reviews, but here goes for my faithful reader(s).

Bottle with enjoy by date of July 17, 2013.

I find that Stone IPA's excellence sneaks up on you. The appearance and head are fine but nothing dramatic in terms of size or museum-quality lacing or anything. The aroma is somewhat tightly wound, at least coming from the bottle, and it is subtle though nicely complex--dank hops with with a surprising, orangey-grapefruit fruitiness that tells me this beer was made by people who have a sense of composition and desire to combine flavors in an at least somewhat out of the box way. So then I drink. And drink. And it goes down so incredibly easily, but the complexity of the nose is still there in the palate, and the finish on the back of the tongue, while somewhat short, has a pleasant bite, and it is so tantalizing. Can I do that again? And again? In part because of the company's over the top ad copy, there is this sense that Stone is bad ass, but this standard IPA seduces slowly but completely. The Billie Holiday of IPAs?

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 22:46:34 | More by Cobrito

Kuaff

Alaska

4.41/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Served from a bottle into a tulip glass around cellar temperature.

Stone's IPA has a nice two fingers of a white, frothy head, and the beer itself is a remarkably clear, golden amber color. Such pure clarity... very beautiful.

The smell has strong pine, some citrus, and a little bit of candy-like honey sweetness. This is exactly how I like an IPA to smell.

It tastes much like it smells... great! I get all the classic IPA flavors in abundance. Like the bottle says, it's brewed with simply "barley, hops, water, and yeast." It's amazing how such simple ingredients can be melded together so perfectly. The bitterness is impressive. If you can stand to wait a few minutes before the next sip (challenging as it is), you'll still be able to taste the bitter hoppy goodness long afterwards.

The carbonation is right where I want it, just like everything else with this beer.

Bottom line: this is an outstanding IPA that delivers a plentifully flavorful punch that puts some lesser DOUBLE IPAs to shame. Stone rules.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 09:07:30 | More by Kuaff

RyanTeeter

New York

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a: This IPA is gorgeous! A straw color that is dense with flavor so although it is clear it does appear hazy. It carries a great, wonderfully dense head. The head just sits atop the beer, like a billowy comforter on a bed.

s: The smell is the classic citrusy hops common to the American Hops style.

t: The taste is spot on to an American IPA. Nice citrus hops characteristics leave a lingering grapefruit acidity on the back of the tongue. You do get a wince of the alcohol within the flavors however the balance with the grapefruit is perfect.

m: Very smooth....'gives you chills' smooth. Low carbonation allows for this to simply rush down the throat, demanding more.

o: This is the quintessential IPA. This was a pleasure to drink and I would be blessed if there was more in my fridge (there is not). As I am reviewing this beer I am taking sips between every two or three words - I cannot keep it out of my hands. Very positive experience!

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 02:01:42 | More by RyanTeeter

brodericksloth

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Excellent nose ..very citrusy and clean. malts integrated but not pushy. overall hop dominated. very nice summer beer, it cools you off. lingering chewy pine aftertaste but not palate wrecking easy to drink. high acidity from hops. alcohol well hidden at 6.9% abv. nice head until the end. good pub or outdoor beer; only improves as it heats up.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 21:15:58 | More by brodericksloth

VoodooBear

Puerto Rico

4.81/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Presentation: 22 oz. brown bottle with an "enjoy by" date printed on the neck. Served in a Samuel Adams pint glass.

Appearance: One finger head goes down eventually and stays there until the end. It has a clear, bright gold color, and leaves some very nice lacing.

Smell: The smell is fantastic, with a dominating herbal hop scent and some pine, fruit and spice notes present too.

Taste: This beer has a big hop character, overwhelmingly so. It's very herbal, spicy and bitter. You've gotta love hops to really appreciate the details and character in this. If you don't it'll be just another (albeit good) strong, bitter brew.

Moutfeel: It feels creamy, full bodied and smooth. It leaves a tingling sensation on the palate that's quite curious.

Overall: An amazing brew in every single aspect. If you love hops, IPA's or just something crisp, bitter and challenging, you'll love this beer. If you don't, you'll probably be put off by the intensity of it all.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 21:10:18 | More by VoodooBear

Arithmeticus

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured chilled in standard ale glass

A: dark orange; very little head; carb is good, but the bubbles are inert; little lacing
S: very hoppy, lively; aroma lasts quite a while; promises much in the way of hops
T: sweet, intense IPA; quite lively; strong in the finishing hops
M: viscous, thick mouthfeel

This is an amazing IPA, but to be had only on occasion, because of the intensity

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 02:32:05 | More by Arithmeticus

Roguer

Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A - Pours a surprisingly dark orange-copper color. Very small cream head. Nice amount of carbonation. Thick but translucent. Leaves nice lacing on the glass.

S - Has the fresh citrus, grapefruit scent I would expect. Not overpowering.

T - Hop-forward, with a surprisingly strong element of malts. Grapefruit peel on the backend. The malts give it a caramel feel, while the citrus is definitely not as pronounced as I would have expected. There's a little bit of citrus sweetness, separate from the notable maltiness.

M - Very nice, mouthy and thick, but drinkable. I don't see this as an all-day drink. The alcohol is very well-hid (granted, it's only 6.9% ABV), the flavors are well-blended, and the carbonation doesn't bother the tongue or palate at all.

O - This is very good, very drinkable, a good example of an IPA. It's neither as thick nor flavorful as a DIPA, but there's certainly no lack of hops, and it provides surprising balance and complexity. For my personal tastes, I'm not big into the malty flavor, which is accentuated as the beer warms up. I don't think it makes it a bad beer; I think it's quite intentional, and well-crafted.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 20:01:47 | More by Roguer

Connormick

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 2 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The IPA from Stone Brewing Co. was poured from the bottle into a clean pint glass. It had a smaller head (1-1.5 inches) but it was nicely shaped.

The part of this IPA that bothered me the most was the appearance. It seems like a plain looking IPA, kind of a copper colored cloudy color. But it looked like there were solid particles hanging around. It may not be a big deal, but it bothered me just a bit.

The smell was my favorite part of the beer. It was incredible, an intensely strong hops smell, it practically cleared my sinuses.

The taste was a lot like the smell. A strong hoppy taste but refined with a citrus and pine-like backround. I am not really a fan of IPAs but I feel that for what this drink does, it does really really well.

Mouthfeel was fine. I could feel the carbonation but it wasn't crazy.

Overall, I'm not really a fan of IPAs. But this IPA makes such a strong identity for itself that I have to like it even if I wouldn't drink it regularly. If you REALLY like hops, it will make you happy.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:25:59 | More by Connormick

Bosoxfan20

Missouri

4.4/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured from 12oz bottle into a Speigelau IPA glass. Pours a copper color with a nice 1-1.5 finger white head. Average retention with sticky lacing. Nothing special, just looks like an IPA

S- Citrus with some floral, pine and grassy hops. Orange and grapefruit rind lead the charge to the charge to the olfactory sensors. Sweet base on the back end

T- Dynamite. Hop forward with the citrus the nose caught from the 3 Cs of hops. Maybe even a little more intense than the nose led me to believe. Just a touch of bready malts to keep the hop profile honest. It's not super balanced...and it's not trying to be. Delightfully bitter finish with a slight hint of acidity.

M- Mid body with nice carbonation. A lil slick with an oh so dry finish. Crisp, drinkable and refreshing.

O- The way an IPA should be. If I had to drink 1 IPA for the rest of my life, I certainly wouldn't be upset if this were the one. An overlooked classic here. Can't believe it took me this long to try it.

No bottled on date even though i know Stone is relentless with their dating.
Relatively inexpensive. Dont' remember what i paid for the 12oz, but i remember the bombers were only $3.99.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 21:40:10 | More by Bosoxfan20

pkalix

California

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

hazy gold with some head on top.
nice hop aroma, interesting nose impression.
lemon-y, slightly pine-y hop dominant taste. the lemon is something different than what i am accustomed to.
overall, this is a great hppy kind of brew. i get the malt that's in it, i like the abv volume, and i can do the hop flavor. the grassy kind of lemon-y is refreshing and perfect in its own right. a little bit of scotch this evening kind of pronounces the flavors a bit more, too . . . . . .

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 04:35:49 | More by pkalix

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.41/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Very solid Cali IPA. This one makes me want to run out and get a Ruination; not sure what I'm waiting for. Stone has been consistently good for me and this IPA stamps high quality! For the price, drink this one on the beach or on the slopes, really can't go wrong!

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 22:01:06 | More by DenverHopHead

SanDNigel

California

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

What a great beer.
A- Fresh/clean looking SanDiegoIPA. Creamy off white head/bright golden body
S-Everything you want from the 3 C's absolutely mouthwatering straightforward piney/citrusy with just the right alcohol punch
T- Great. Perfect beer to drink any time/day/week/month/year in sunny San Diego. Crisp/clean/refreshing (yeah it's someone else's motto, but it is much more true of this selection)
Perfect bitter/sweet
M- Its good. Goes down easy. Pretty bubbly
This is such an undeniably good beer. Bottom line

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 01:02:04 | More by SanDNigel