IPA (India Pale Ale) - Stone Brewing Co.

Badger72

Louisiana

4.91/5  rDev +15%
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

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

After the Stone Ruination I thought things could not get any better. How Wrong could I be? the Stone IPA is even better than the Ruination!. The trademark 22 fl.oz bottle contains yet another masterful brew, with more charisma than the Annual convention of Conceited Egocentrics.
It poured with a reasonable head, which quickly rescinded to a modest ¼” covering. Little carbonation once things calmed down, with the head later breaking up to reveal just a “halo-head” clinging to the edges.
A Golden Amber Color that had a feint orangey glow at times. The aroma is totally inescapable unless you have no nose, or burnt out your septum doing Coke. According to the “blurb” on the bottle, this is because of 2 weeks of dry-hopping. It works and gives a very pungent fresh hop nose, extremely floral in character, just like walking through a Kent Hop field after it has rained (yes I have done this!). The hops continue into the taste. A stunning hoppy, citric bitterness introduces the beer. This is SO fresh, I expected to find hop cones inside the bottle. There is malt hidden in the background that defers to the higher authority of the hops, and a very mild sweetness does help to balance the beer at the end. You would not believe this beer is 6.9% ABV, there is little or no alcohol character to this beer at all – it is all about Hops. Just as it should be. The “normal” Stone IPA, as I now see I incorrectly referred to it before I tried it tonight, has a much better overall balance than the Ruination.
It’s Drinkability? Well, it is simply only limited by that of your own Capacity!!. This is THE sign of a truly Great Beer in my very humble opinion, and one which I rarely encounter. Simply an Exceptional IPA, which has the ‘edge’ on its more famous stablemate Ruination I think.
I am beginning to have the utmost respect & highest regard for Stone. I have limited experience of US Brewers, but if there are better ones out there– I can’t wait to try them!

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2002 20:24:19 | More by TheLongBeachBum

Mitchster

Michigan

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Clear, light caramel, forming a rocky, pancake-bubbled white head with very good retention and lacing. The aroma is just wonderful with the most intense pine resin odor I've ever smelled in a beer...just wonderfully aromatic and full of sweetly fragrant, floral qualities. Pungent and skunky like marijuana. Carbonation is moderate. The mouthfeel is wet, smooth and spicy with a medium body, leaving the teeth sticky with hop astringency in the finish. I like what it's doing to my mouth with the hop astringency. The taste begins with intense pine resin bite with a nice astringency and pungency, followed by a moderate pine resin bitterness lightly offset by malts kinda hanging out in the background. The finish is all about freshly crushed pine needles with a faint suggestion of thyme or sage. No off-flavors, imperceptable alcohol.

The definitive version of a West-Coast IPA...this is an awesomely pungent beast, yet balanced by beautiful malts, and is supremely tasty. It took me a while to get used to Stone stuff, but this is just one hell of a beer, and one of the top 5 IPA's I've ever had.Stupendous!

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2004 23:57:43 | More by Mitchster

palma

New York

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is by far the best IPA I've ever had. Completely amazing. Read on to experience my experience... However, I highly recommend you get your own bottle so that you can appreciate one of the best beers in the world for yourself.

Light orange amber body with a thick and rich creamy looking head. Nose is all hops and very enticing along with a sweet citrus aroma. Taste complements the nose perfectly. The hop flavor is the best I ever tasted. Big piney oily hop taste along with a sweet grapefruit flavor. Very light malt taste hiding in the background. Ends with a smooth bitterness and a very subtle bready/biscuit aftertaste that makes you really want another sip. This beer is not harsh at all. Just easy drinking all the way. Oh this baby is good! I can drink these all night long. If you're not a big IPA fan I would give this beer a try. It might very well convert you.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2004 23:42:50 | More by palma

BeerFink

Ohio

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Decanting this bomber reveals a pale golden colored brew with a thriving frothy white head. Some patchy lacing is left as this ale is greedily consumed. Aroma is nice and strong. Probably the best nose to any IPA I've ever experienced. The prerequisite hops are present to a large degree - citrous and pine notes are tantalizing, dancing with an herbal quality. What sets this aroma apart is a sweet, estery, floral aroma - quite wonderful really. There is also some caramel and pale malt smell present. Do they sell air fresheners like this?? The taste does not disappoint that which the smell put forth. The lovely product of dry hopping is immediately evident. Lots of clean citrous, grapefruit, and some pine nip at the tongue. Assertive hops? Yes sir. However there is a wonderful balance by smooth malt and sweet caramel. True to the IPA style, the malt holds back and allows the beautiful hop character to shine. A little spice and herbal notes dance around as well. Although the malts take the back seat, they never leave entirely. The flavor is exceptional in the fact that it is all about the overall flavor - not just a kick-in-the-nuts blast of hops. The hops are diverse, and the malt character is expertly contrived. Finish is a great blend of dryly bitter hop oils and the faintest of sweet malt. A little alcohol warmth in the finish drives this brew home. Mouthfeel is smooth, but a little thin. Overall, this IPA is so good, its probably sinful. Who cares - not me. I'll have another (and another).

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2005 01:29:45 | More by BeerFink

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Medium to light gold color for an IPA, nice fluffy head slow fading with good lacing.

Smell: Sweet floral hops, careml, piney, citrusy, everything you'd want from an IPA, very good.

Taste: Excellent, lots of bitter citrus, like grapefruit, some carmel sweetness. Finishes a little minty, with lots of lingering bitterness. Very good.

Mouthfeel: Carbonated enhances the bitterness, leaves a sticky mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Wonderful brew, a world calss IPA, one of the best I have had in a while. Thanks to OldFrothingSlosh for the bottle, par of BIF 24.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2005 21:52:40 | More by TastyTaste

GregBrewski

Michigan

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served in a wiezen glass, quite a sight...plenty of bubbles rushing to the top, nice clear golden color, with a head that maintains its retention through out its brief life in my glass, nice white, fluffy head, that left layers of lacing from the very top to the bottom of the glass. The aroma changes with temperature of the brew, starts very floral and just hints of spice and citrus, as it warms up and gains more character it looses its floral tones and becomes a complex mixture of citrus, malts, and chocolates or caramels. The taste is tantalizing, I keep searching for more. Its a well balanced mixture of smooth malts in the front to the lovely flavors of the hops in the finish. Perfect in carbonation, a good body, and well concealed alcohol.
This is an IPA that defines the style in my view, very well rounded, very hop-y, very tasty! Its not only a great session beer, but a beer that can be enjoyed at any time and moment (at least for us hop heads out there).
Now, the challenge lays, were can I find more, good thing they come in bombers.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2006 00:36:28 | More by GregBrewski

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Holy Hoppiness, Batman...
This is one Hoppy Beer!

I gave this a bunch of 5's because I think Stone has nailed it.

It pours a brassy/amber color with a thick rich white head that left a sheet of lacing.

It smells like delicious citrusy hops!

Upfront taste is strong citrus hops with a hint of malt to balance it out smoothly.

Medium bodied beer with a smooth mouthfeel.

I love drinking this beer, exeptional drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2007 23:18:32 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

eandolina

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The Stone IPA is simply an excellent embodiment of this beer style. The IPA is my favorite style and Stone perfectly nails it. You usually need to go to a brewpub to get an IPA of this quality. It has all the elements essential to an IPA.
A good beer is much like a good woman; simple, clean, hard-working, and affordable--that is the Stone IPA.

Simply sublime!!!

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2008 01:07:10 | More by eandolina

greenjeff4141

Florida

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a nice rich gold with not much head but good lacing. The smell is like being in a field of hops.

I took my first sip-- smooth as silk. Giant hop flavor, very mellow, and great balance. Not too bitter but tons of hops. Unnaturally easy to drink. Hands down my favorite IPA to date. If you don't like hops try a different brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2009 01:25:45 | More by greenjeff4141

quinlin

California

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Pours a fresh golden color, with a lacy head and nice retention on the glass.

S - Smells of citrus and pine.

T - floral sweetness that gets outshined by bold and delicious hop bitter.

M - Crisp, light/med body, clean, good amount of carbonation.

D - An allround great IPA, ill definitely have another.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2009 20:21:03 | More by quinlin

greengorilla

Ohio

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I poured this from a 12 ounce bottle into a pint glass. It is a light golden color with a one finger thick white head with excellent lacing to the end of the glass.

The smell just knocked me out. It just makes my mouth water. The floral hops smell was incredible.

The taste followed the smell. It was hops from start to finish with a hint of pine in there somewhere.

The mouthfeel was very good too. This beer is incredibly drinkable period, but insane for a 6.9% abv. I was only planning on having one, but couldn't stop.

This is a great beer. I think it is the best IPA that I have had.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2009 14:07:51 | More by greengorilla

rwrk42

New Jersey

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Golden color that has a nice froth and lace

Smell: HOPS, HOPS and more Hops. Very nice smell of hops with a slight fruity undertone.

Taste: A great amount of hops at first taste. Incredible character of hops but very smooth at the same time. A bit of a bitter finish from all the hops but it is just perfect.

One of the best IPAs you can buy. Highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2010 05:21:20 | More by rwrk42

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from brown 12oz bottle to pint glass. No dates.

A - The beer pours a nice amber color. Perfectly clear. A nice fluffy 2.5 finger white head with very good retention and lacing.

S - A great blend of pungent, spicy, herbal, fruity hops immediately on the pour! Very aromatic. Behind the hops is a hint of alcohol and toasted malt. Very good.

T - Very similar to the nose with a rush of hop presence on the palate. Piney, earthy, herbal tones immediately before expanding to a medium bitterness with herbal and fruity character. Very hop forward but a nice base toasted grain foundation.

M - Very smooth. Medium bodied and carbonated. Creamy almost.

O - Easily one of the best AIPA's out there. Great great beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 18:11:16 | More by hopfacebrew

nate714

California

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

served in a 22oz bottle.
A: a nice copper color. a finger and a half of white foam top. very nice.
S: hops and more hops! a hint of grapefruit is present. what all ipa's should smell like.
T: bitter and a lil fruity. more on the bitter side,but, very smooth.
M: very smooth and a great non lasting taste for an ipa.
O: not many ipa's can top this one. if im in the store and i want to have a good night, this is my go to beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 04:31:10 | More by nate714

C20Percent

Virginia

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

*Review taken from notes*

A: A hazy golden color with nice head retention.

S: I'm getting a hoppy pine aroma with a hint of sweetness.

T: Delicious hoppy flavor with a great finish.

M: Medium body. Gentle.

O: This is the IPA that set the standard for me. This is the beer that all other IPAs are compared to. A terrific smooth tasting IPA. So much flavor here. An A+ beer; one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 19:40:36 | More by C20Percent

capnamerica

Arkansas

4.93/5  rDev +15.5%
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

Wildman

Ohio

4.95/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer poured out a nice copperish gold color and formed a nice fairly white head, that when subsiding, left some nice lace. Aroma had elements of hops and some citrus. The taste had a substantial amount of hops and slightly bitter aspect to it, which is good in an IPA. Good beer

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2002 16:12:14 | More by Wildman

hyuga

North Carolina

4.95/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a big, impressive froth that almost refuses to settle (which, of course, is a good thing). Leaves nearly enough lace to make it look like it didn't even settle! Copper to orange color. Absolutely beautiful hoppy aroma. Tons of floral and citrus character. In fact, it jumps out at you before you even finish opening the bottle. More citrus-like hop bitterness in the flavor, with some hints of spiciness and great malty undertones. Hops make it very smooth and crisp, and the bread-like maltiness underneath rounds it out quite well. Great balance of bitterness and sweetness as well. Dangerously drinkable! This is one wonderful brew. I'm loving every Stone brew I try with a passion! If you're just starting to love hops, this is a great step up from their pale ale if you're not quite ready for "ruination". And for the seasoned hophead, this is a wonderful treat and an exceptional brew all around! No matter who you are, try this! It will not fail to impress.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2002 00:56:42 | More by hyuga

aaronh

Pennsylvania

4.95/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a hazy orange-amber with an off white head. Good head retention for an IPA. The head fades to a thin film of foam on the surface of the beer. This is usually a good indicator of a malty beer. The aroma may be the sweetest floral smells I've ever experienced in a beer. I have a fragrant rose in my garden called "Seattle Scentsation". It may be the best rose aroma I've ever experienced. This beer reminds me of that scent. Wow!

The hop florals carry over into the taste as well. Very bitter, very good. And there is a substantial malt base to support all the hops. A hint of sweetness slides in the finsh, possibly caramel notes. Also a bit of ale "fruitiness", which I only noticed later in the glass. But the hops just blow me away. I'll revisit this beer at a later date when I'm slightly less in awe.

The mouthfeel is also very full for an IPA. The beer seems to expand to fill your mouth, and gets silkier the longer it's on your tongue. Mmmmmm, goooood. It finishes rather cleanly, with a good hop kick to cleanse the palate.

6.9% ABV? You have got to be kidding me! I could tatste no alcohol notes, and could drink this beer for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and supper and still want a few that evening.

I can't believe I waited a couple of weeks to try this beer after I bought it. I'm buying more on my next beer run. This beer could temper my desire to try new beers somewhat. It is one of the best I've ever experienced flavor-wise, and is very drinkable. Not just a hop-head's IPA. It's a beer lover's IPA. Dare I say it's my new IPA? It will be when I can get it.

** 7-8-03** This beer is still awe inspiring. One of my favorties. Greg is a Beer God**

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2003 21:30:58 | More by aaronh

rugger

Arkansas

4.95/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I love IPA's and especailly big ones, however I know this one isn't a big one, but it comes across as a great one. There is nothing that I can find wrong with this beer. I tried to find something that I didn't like, but I couldn't find it.
Pours a beauty of a light copper color with a nice head and some nice lacing. The smell is of a nice hoppy citrus that when you smell you can't help but to say AAAHHH. The taste is smooth and hoppy which is what you want however here we have a nice balance and before you know it you are looking for another one. I only scored this one higher than the arrogance because it is a little lower than alcohol and I could probably drink several more of these before I started forgetting things. Stone Brewery I love you. Please come to Arkansas soon.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2004 18:14:13 | More by rugger

nickg902

Pennsylvania

4.95/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bought a case awhile ago and I finally have gotten around to reviewing it. I have drank at least one of these each day since I bought the case and I have to say that they all have bottled pretty well. The beer pours a rich amber color with a small head. Aroma is hoppy and quite citrusy. The taste begins with citrus fruits, with orange peel and grapefruit being the most prevalent. The aftertaste is clean with a nice hop bitterness, but not too bitter to be a bother. The mouthfeel is smooth with med carbonation. The drinkabiliy is high, I have had two or three at a time without losing the subtleness or balance of the beer. Perhaps the best offering from Stone to date. I would recommend this to anyone.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2006 02:17:08 | More by nickg902

sessycuban

California

4.95/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Another Stone favorite that I've never bothered to review until now. 12oz bottle poured into my Stone IPA glass.

A - The beer pours a medium golden color. It is a little bit above standard for an IPA, with fluffy head and great lacing.

S - I'm getting pine, citrus, grapefruit especially, floral hops, and even caramel. This pretty much has everything one would want in an American IPA.

T - Wonderful! Hops, hops, hops. Lots of citrus with some carmel sweetness. The beer finishes slightly minty, with plenty of lingering bitterness. Very good.

M - The beer is medium bodied. You can either make this one a sipper or a swiller; it is very versatile.

D - This beer is incredibly drinkable. I, for one, am very happy that Stone decided to sell these in sixers. One of Stone's finest brews.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2007 17:42:49 | More by sessycuban

secondtooth

Indiana

4.95/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a cloudy gold, with a large head of foam.

Nose is big and floral, with an unmistakable grapefruit/citrus hops character.

Taste is clean and bitter, punchy and explosive on the palate. A little sweet malt to balance.

The relatively high ABV (6.9%) is hidden well.

Packed with big flavor and freshness, this is a top-tier brew with character and guts.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 20:50:41 | More by secondtooth

devinoconnor

New Jersey

4.95/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Stone is always a pretty safe bet, so I was extremely excited to try their classic India Pale Ale.

Pours a golden citrus color. Smells of hop and bitters, a little citrus in there as well.

Taste is a wonderfully balanced pairing of hops and bitters. Although Stone claims its filled with hops, I didn't find it to be overly hoppy like so many other IPA attempts.

Goes down very smooth and it's a very easy drinking beer as far as IPA's go. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2011 21:59:22 | More by devinoconnor