IPA (India Pale Ale) - Stone Brewing Co.

oberon

North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a really nice peach color with small but rocky head that stuck to the glass,wow the smell,first whiff is freshly mowed grass it hits ur nasal passages like a freight train.Very citruisy taste hits u first but the maltiness in the background really balances this out nicely.Iam sometimes leery about getting west coast IPA's but this one is nicely balanced.Stone has to be a world renown brewery by now their beers are just so world class.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2003 11:42:04 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The body is a hazy deep peach in color, topped by a frothy white head that holds well and leaves some excellent "sticky" lace. The aroma is of a fruity, sweet (almost sugary) malt, and bold floral & citrus hops (that combine with the sweetness to offer alot of pineapple - but also some lemon). The body is medium/full with a very fine, moderate carbonation that gives a light zest on the tongue and then becomes quite creamy in the mouth. The flavor offers a blend of rich, sweet, fruity, and lightly caramel & bready malt, and loads of citrusy, floral, piney & grassy hops backed by a solid bitterness. It finishes with a lingering combination of sweet floral malt flavor and dry bitterness. Although the bitterness is hefty, it's not overwhelming, and the sweet malt remains evident throughout the glass. The alcohol is beautifully cloaked, revealing only a light touch of "spiciness" in the flavor. This is a really unique and exceptional beer that's well worth seeking out. Well brewed. Outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2002 19:22:15 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a Devil's Backbone willibecher.

We'll see how long it takes me to die during the Leaving Falls Church uber-bender. My guess is not much longer. This co-defendant pours a clear golden straw topped by a finger of white foam, complete with a decent amount of etch-style lacing. The nose comprises plenty o' pine, grapefruit, honeydew, and rich toffee. The taste dilutes the pine up front in a wash of grapefruit, followed by a nice smattering of toffee, but then, in the finish, the pine returns for some always-enjoyed vengeance. The body is fairly light, with a moderate carbonation and a pretty dry and crisp finish. Overall, a very nice, easy-drinkin' IPA. Get some!

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2010 22:57:46 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The grim, growling gargoyle glares at you from the label, both offering protection from all things bland and dire, and also daring those not ready to indulge in a torrent of flavor to begone, and be untroubled by these blissful beers.
Appearance: a perfect, peachy hue, and a good, frothy white head.
Nose: somethin' else! A panoply of fruit, a citric cornucopia! Peaches and apricot, grapefruit, pineapple, melon, berries, and more, all in one little aroma!
Alert and lively, zesty, generous, and gorgeous!
Taste: superb! Fantastic flavor, yet none too bitter. A huge blast of hops jumps on the tongue, but not so severely. A firm body, also, excellent balance and malt backbone.
More of a piney feel comes through as we drink, but it's a minor note among so many others. Finish is medium, but tasty and satisfactory.
This is an IPA the way they are supposed to be!
If these excellent ales were available in my area, you can be sure that my fridge would be stocked well with these! Tasty, and drinkable, and rewarding!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2003 20:16:29 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.2/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a nice golden color with a thick frothy white head that fades to lacing. The aroma is exceptional! It has a beautiful array of floral hops which penetrate along with a solid malt scent. The taste is good. It has an intense hop flavor overpowering it's malt core. It goes down smooth and finishes quite bitter. The mouthfeel is good. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a great IPA. The aroma is awesome along with a really good hop and malt flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2004 02:24:00 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.6/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Stone IPA is one of, well, it is my favorite beer. I can drink a Stone IPA and completely change my mood. Stone is probably the best example of an American IPA available. I've made IPAs a focus of my beer drinking and sampling and I can say without hyperbole, this is a great beer. Of course it is better on draught than in the bottle, but I had a 12 oz bottle of it served in my Stone IPA glass. Medium head, strong aroma of cascade hops, dark yellow, clear (although sometimes the bottles are cloudy). Excellent mouthfeel, a great amount of hops but the bitterness is not overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2009 16:42:18 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a hazy light amber color with a white head. The aroma is a mix of various hops, but is a little bit faint. I get some orange citrus, pine and flowery notes. The flavor is more assertive, with notes of pithy oranges and some caramel malt. The bitterness is about medium and just about right for a regular American IPA. Medium carbonation and medium mouthfeel. A very good IPA.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2010 22:22:02 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.55/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out a cloudy, burnt orange hue with a foamy, bubbly, white, two finger head. It left sticky patches of lace on my New Belgium goblet.

S - Aroma was fantastic! It was an assault on your senses of citrus and floral notes. There was an underlying roasted malt nose, too.

T - It tasted of citrusy hops that provided a mild bitterness. The roasted malt brought a caramel sweetness to balance out the hops.

M - It was crisp and sharp. A medium-bodied beer.

D - This is an outstanding IPA. It really is masterfully balanced for a great taste.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2008 12:53:16 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is yellowish amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high dense off white head that quickly died down but consistently left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of floral and grapefruit hops in the nose.
T: Like the smell, grapefruit flavors from the hops stand out in the taste, but these are very well balanced by the underlying malts, which have some notes of caramel. There is a moderate amount of bitterness.
M: It feels a tad below medium-bodied on the palate and is smooth with a moderate amount of carbonation. The finish has a little bit of dryness.
O: The beer is extremely drinkable because the alcohol is well hidden from the taste and the hops do not overpower your palate. I could easily drink a few of these in one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 00:50:07 | More by metter98

MasterSki

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewing an all-time great here. I'm admittedly biased, as the first time I had this was on my honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas. Picked up a single at Discount Liquor on a recent trip and poured into Stein.

A - Pours liquid gold. One finger of creamy head that dissipates quickly to a complex lace. I was hoping for a little more head, but perhaps the bottle was old.

S - A delicious combination of hops, grapefruit, mandarin orange, pine, and the tiniest bit of malt. My only knock is that it may be a bit pedantic when compared to all the other IPAs created since.

T - Sweeter than it smells - starts off like tangerine citrus candy, then fades into a slightly bitter hop aftertaste. There's also some floral notes in there a well.

M - Just thin enough to be eminently refreshing, just creamy enough to match the depth of flavor. A bit of carbonation to tickle the mouth.

D - Highly sessionable, even at 6.9%. I wish this could be my staple beer like it is in so many other parts of the country. Whither art though, Stone?

Awesome, cheap, and available (outside Illinois) - what more do you want from a brew?

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2008 23:10:35 | More by MasterSki

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear copper color and is topped by a off white head. An immediate big hop aroma jumps from my glass and overpowers any malt presence that this beer might have. The aroma is grassy, herbal, citrusy, & it has a sweet hop nectar character. Quite simply, as I take my first sip, I know this is a hoppy bitter brew. The hops explode on your tongue. There is a balancing malt sweetness here that is required to carry this hop bomb. The hop character has strong notes of bergemot as well as some resiny overtones; this is just pure hop nectar. A very fruity beer, made more so by the citrusy hop character. Quite over the top in it's hoppiness. This beer is just damn good & I am so happy to get this on tap on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2004 06:31:57 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.58/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 22oz. bottle into a pint glass.

A: The beer is a light and mildly hazy amber color with a thick white head, which doesn’t fade too quickly and a thick lace.

S: Nice hops smell, but not too strong, with a little bit of citrus.

T: Good hops bite to start out, then gives way to an orange/grapefruit sweetness. Then the hops come back to stay in the after-taste with a slight hint of the alcohol. Although the flavors are distinct, no single one overpowers you. An excellently balanced taste.

M: Very crisp and very smooth (Stone Brewing Co. tends to put both of those qualities into their beer very well.) with a medium body and light carbonation.

D: This beer has all of the qualities that it needs to make it drinkable. It’s very tasty, smooth, not-filling, well-balanced and goes down VERY easy.

This is the 4th beer that I’ve had from Stone Brewing Co. and each beer that I try expands the respect that I have for them. This beer is an excellent representation of the style and while maintaining the Stone signature.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2006 02:54:33 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good brew here, this poured out as a nice looking copper color with a white thick head on top. The smell of this brew gives off a good blend of malts and hops, the hops are strong on the nose like they should be. The taste is really nice here, just a really drinkable IPA. The mouthfeel was medium bodied and has a good carbonation to it. Overall, it's a beer that you can have multiple of in a sitting if you want too.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 04:23:07 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

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

Had this on tap at Mt. Dragon in snowmass, co last weekend. Very nice

Poured amber to bronze in color with a tight/white 1 finger deep head that stuck around most of the pint, bubbles cling to the side of the glass and dance of the head with every pour. Good lacing

Smell: Fruitiness/biscuitty smells and piney hop odors

Taste: Fruitinesss and citrus and pine hops war for your attention, but in dignified manner. Not as in you face as most stone ales I've had & I appreciated the subtle yet powerful tastes showcased. Dry sweet/piney finish with hints of alcohol as it warms

MF: Extemely well balanced with good carbonation. Smooth and moreish

Extremely quaffable, drinks about 2abv lower than listed. Will get some bottles soon to compare, don't remember it being as tasty. I usually like draft better most of the time

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2006 03:48:16 | More by russpowell

Halcyondays

California

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle, poured into a tumbler,

A: Orange-yellow, with a white head and rings of lace around the glass as the beer is consumed.

S: Hops upfront, with some malt bringing up the rear.

T: Piney hops form the first attack, with grapefruit and citrus coming second, malts taste of freshly baked bread. Slightly sweet in the end, with some ethanol character.

M: Creamy, full-bodied, resiny, very enjoyable.

D: Very good for an IPA, and easily available at almost every corner liquor store in Huntington.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2007 06:00:30 | More by Halcyondays

emerge077

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A classic west coast IPA. Golden orange body, with a thin cap of creamy foam that retains itself and laces well.

Light citrus in the aroma, fresh with a touch of green hops. It's not as pungent as I expected, but it's certainly pleasant. Pale malt and vegetal notes come out later as it warms up.

Bitterness is not to an extreme level, but it's up there. Not mild by any means, the bitter hop notes come out more in the aftertaste. There's some grapefruit/citrus rind, balanced by a tasty light maltiness. Very quenching and easy to drink, i've gone through two bombers this week, and Ruination is on deck after this one...

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2008 01:26:42 | More by emerge077

Gavage

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Finally got my hands on two bottles, and my expectations were high. It poured a nice golden orange color with a 1/2" head. The head slowly disappeared to thin trails on top of the beer. The aroma was phenominal - strong floral with a sweetness that left me inhaling a few times before the first taste. The taste brought immediate bitterness that mellowed to a slightly bitter and sweet malt on the tongue. This lasted for a good minute or so. The hop and malt balance is perfect, even though both are bold. Being a regular Hop Devil drinker, this IPA is in an elite league.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2003 19:36:46 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured orangish/copper with a thin, but well-retained white head.
The smell was of citrusy hops. Very clean and inviting.
The taste was of crisp, citrusy hops on a background of creamy malt. It was medium to thick bodied. Although hoppy, it was very well-balanced for the style. The hops were smooth and tasty.
(Were it not for a touch too much salt, it would be perfect tasting.)
The feel was a bitter sharpness balanced by a creaminess that left a refreshingly bitter feel.
The alcohol is very well-hidden. Overall, it is a smooth, hoppy - but, not ridiculously so - so the balance is wonderful - A great brew and a near-perfect example of the style. Very enjoyable!

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2006 18:46:44 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.65/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This appeared a lot lighter in the glass then I had expected, but was still a nice pale gold colour. The head was a healthy 3 fingers of cloud-like creamy texture. The lacing coated the glass, to where it was opaque - cool. Smell, oh, the smell. Grapefruit citrus, and pine hops, all in attendance, right where they should be, which follow through to shine in the taste. Firm body, nice balance, sufficient carbonation, dry - can a big IPA like this be called silky smooth? Wow. Very few similar offerings to compare this to in my neck of the woods. Bought at a Yoke's in Kennewick, Washington, during a recent wine country tour. They sell this stuff in gas stations south of the 49th, I can't believe it. Lucky Yanks.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2007 21:59:55 | More by biboergosum

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at the Brewhouse Grille in Camp Hill, PA.

A: The ale is an amber color, almost a pale orange, with a small ring of head (1/2 finger) that does not retain for long.

S: The aroma is a grapefruity hop and grainy malt combination.

T: My initial review of Stone IPA slammed it (relative to Arrogant Bastard and Ruination). In hindsight, it comes across as Stone's easiest beer to drink. The hops are citrusy and strong, but not too strong. They allow the a biscuity malt body to shine through (one of the rare times that I've encountered the malts in a Stone ale).

M: The ale is well-balanced, allowing both the hops and the malts to have their time on the sun.

D: Stone's most drinkable ale, this one does not overwhelm the tastebuds or wear you out with an intense abv.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2006 19:58:18 | More by akorsak

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On-tap at Kelly Cole's in Syracuse.

A different sort of IPA, which is very welcome. I didnt get any distinct malt profile of this one, but the citrus hops were an interesting mix of smooth flavor and powerful bitterness. This, with the lack of malt flavor, make the mouthfeel seem a little empty while making it more drinkable at the same time. Huh. Try it anyways.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2007 02:41:04 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.78/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Magnifcant, how do they do it? Stone just knows how to make amazing beers that's all they make. I have never tasted one of their brews that I wasn't satisfied with. Pours a lucious copper tone with a screen of haze over it. My two finger head on the is a great complement of white clouds, and the retention is good here with lace already lining my glass I am ready to hop in. The hops are diffusing through the air coming for me like a trained asassin. Huge hop aroma with earthy tones I love it, some citrus and floral scents also intrigue my senses. First sip I love it, I am going to say right now this is my favorite all around IPA!!!! Yes, it's that good with the hops consuming most of my palate, the malt sweetness comes to save me from making a bitter beer face instantly forming a smile on my face. The hop resins make the mouthfeel a bit oily, but in a good way lubricating my palate to partake in one hell of a beer. Medium to light rediculously drinkable in every way imaginable. No off flavors only a hop head's dream beer is sitting in my pint glass right now.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2003 11:28:14 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bomber

Pours a cloudy gold with a one finger head. Smell is highly sweet with a touch of lemon. Flavor seems somewhat light but thick with personality at the same time. Starts off slightly in citrus and delivers a high level of bitter into your mouth. Gets smoother as time goes on. Smooth, but a bit strong on the mouthfeel. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 05:39:24 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A bombardment of hops, sweetness and malt. What a beer!! The best IPA I have ever had and I have had over 100 easily.The only thing that touches this is Harmon IPA Tacoma. It literally was the best of the best. Poured golden, yellow a thin head, excellent stuff!!!I had this bottle and I can only imagine how it tasted on tap.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2007 02:22:27 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Golden in color, slightly cloudy in clarity, this brew lent itself to an awesome two-finger, cream colored head. The aroma is excellently balanced between the flowery (not bitter) hop and the coy, slightly sweet malt. Interestingly, this beer tasted opposite of most--the hop was up front followed by malt. The beer was balanced throughout the tasting.

This is a full body ale with wonderful carbonation. This may be the best IPA I've ever enjoyed. I am drawn to getting another even though I prefer variety.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2004 03:37:30 | More by smcolw