IPA (India Pale Ale) - Stone Brewing Co.

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

Fatehunter

Oregon

4.01/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a thin head on a hazy, straw colored body.
The aroma is a wonderful grain and honey with some citrus.
The taste is a solid pine bitterness. Straight up IPA.
The texture is crisp with moderate carbonation.
Well, it's one of the best IPAs out there.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 05:43:04 | More by Fatehunter

Bernardkowalski

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

Absolutely one of my favorite beers!! honestly can go good with anything, but you are better off enjoying this beer by itself. it has so much too offer, such great combination between the yeast and malt's making this an outstanding brew. you can put this on my list of top beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 00:40:19 | More by Bernardkowalski

scot_chale

Minnesota

4.56/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A- beautiful crystal clear orange body, 3 fingers of full white foam that recede slowly, and very faint, if any, carbonation activity.

S- Citrusy, grassy hops and some faint fruity esters. it's medium potency.

T- Wow. Absolutely delicious hop character, but balanced. It doesn't hang out, you don't get "hop bombed", it's just great. This is such a perfect beer to show someone what all the hop character of an IPA is, without scaring them off in the process.

M- It's kinda soft, kinda thin, dry, washes away but hangs in the back of your mouth. Just perfectly palate cleansing.

O- What a beer. I've had my fair share of IPAs, but never one like this. I've never had an IPA that had all the characteristics I look for, yet washes clean and begs for more without sacrificing body. This is a home run. Cheers. I'll buy a 6 pack of this any time i'm going to be with company that will appreciate it, or a 22oz when I'm not.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 06:40:08 | More by scot_chale

Groomsy

Kentucky

4.55/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a nonic. "Enjoy by" date of 03.03.13.

The pour on this yields a thick, fluffy head of bright white foam that clings all over the glass and leaves sheets of lacing. The body itself is a crystal-clear gold/honey color with nice carbonation from the bottom of the glass. A great looking beer.

Make no mistake: This is the definition of a West Coast IPA. Brimming with the smell of candied grapefruit, oranges, lemons, floral hops, and some piney astringency in the back, the hops are front and center on this beer. Even as a hop-forward brew, there is still a lot of sweetness; I'm getting a lot of ripe tropical fruit in the nose. This is all backed by just enough bready/biscuity malt profile to balance the abundant bitterness. Great nose on this one.

The taste profile follows the nose. On the front of the tongue, there's a big burst of citrusy bitterness, followed by some malty sweetness and tropical fruit (see above) on the middle of the tongue. Some floral and piney astringency hangs on the back on the mouth in the finish. Perfectly balanced, but hop-centered. All of the 3 Cs of the hop world are in full force here and are beautifully intertwined with each other.

Stone's IPA feels great on the palate. For a relatively high ABV for its style, the alcohol is well-hidden and stays in check through the flavors. Mildy carbonated and smooth, this is a dry and refreshing beer of which you can easily drink several. Its light body makes it easy to drink as well.

Through and through, this is a great and quintessential American IPA. You owe it to yourself to try this.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 02:16:53 | More by Groomsy

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

4.39/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a new belgium glass, color is gold/copper, translucent but not too dense; head is frothy, thick on the pour then clings and lingers well.

Smell is not all hops, i get some very nice subtle pale and toasted malt notes, grassy and citrus hops come through with an undertone of pine.

Taste is great, wonderful hop forward flavor, big citrus lighter pine and great clean pale malt flavor - never over sweet or way too bitterly hopped.

Mouthfeel is that wonderful mix of bitter forward with some mild malt balance, your tongue is not destroyed by the bitterness and the dryness from the clean fermentation is a great finish.

Overall, great brew, love the hop flavors and the malt balance. Not an over the top IPA, but a great, easy drinking great tasting one.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 23:46:38 | More by mvanaskie13

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.06/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle was poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: This beer poured a one finger head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a pale yellow color with great clarity and bubbles coming up through the glass. Spotty lacing on the glass as the beer was drank.

Smell: Caramel and bready malts, citrus, grapefruit, and tangerine. Smells so citrus sweet and delicious.

Taste: Everything is blended well together, but the flavors are a bit lighter than what I smelled. Some lingering bitterness in the end too.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium bodied, low to medium carbonation, and some tingly bitterness in the back of the mouth.

Overall: Pretty solid IPA that I have enjoyed through the years. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 06:16:00 | More by Flounder57

AshleyKing

3.89/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

OK, where are the hops? I get the bitters. What about the amomas?

OK, it is a well made IPA from the demi-gods of San Diego. But it is dry and I am not getting the hop hits when I buy this, pretty frequently above 60 degrees north latitude. I don't blame them because I have never had a fresh keg glass of this golden brew.

Mitch Steele, I love you guys. Great book on IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 03:15:08 | More by AshleyKing

hoppytobehere

Colorado

4.46/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottled on 1/28/13, very fresh (which is usually hard to find). $30/case, a great deal.

A: Golden body with a little haze to it. Very nice retention and lacing.

S: Big notes of citrus: grapefruit, lemon and orange.

T: More bitter than most IPAs under 7%. Sour lemon and grapefruit. Malt shows up late to the party and gets thrown out by hops. Not a bad thing though, the hop flavors are great in this.

M: Not too sticky, a little creamy, good carbonation.

O: One of my favorites. Lately, I've been drinking this beer more than any other. Classic west coast style IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 04:30:03 | More by hoppytobehere

Jellopants356

Montana

4.76/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This is the IPA that got me into hoppier beers to begin with. When i was younger, i had Ranger IPA and thought very little of IPAs till my uncle (from California) got me a Stone sampler which included this flagship IPA. I will TRY to rate this IPA as objectively as possible... It pours a nice honey with very little bubbles. About a 2 finger creamy-white head with medium lacing. Tastes start with a strong hop presence (duh) then onto slight fruit notes, maybe a faint bit of apricot. The mouthfeel is whole and pleasant. Overall a very good IPA. Anyone who is thinking of trying an IPA, I recommend this one. Honestly, one of the best IPAs out there and one of my personal favorites, when i can get it.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 05:39:45 | More by Jellopants356

Chaney

District of Columbia

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

Ticking through the "Beers of Fame."

Served in a Stone shaker pint.

A: Poured a clear, 3-4 shades darker than straw color, with a nice, fluffy, solid white head that sat like whipped cream on top.

S: Lots of pine surfaced as some as I popped the cap. Floral bouquet of hops with no malt to be found. Love it!

T: From the get-go, the bitterness stained my teeth and gums, with a nice hop backbone to back that up, followed by a piney, unmaltified finish. Catch my drift?

M: Nice prickly carbonation, nothing syrupy or sugary about this one, and lots of lacing left on the glass.

O: Always a pleasure.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 20:59:02 | More by Chaney

mevett89

Colorado

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

Appearance: clear golden body with a nice-sized fluffy white head. The head has nice retention and decent lacing.

Smell: crisp; of bitter hops but with some sweetness in there too.

Taste: quite bitter, with a bit of a metallic taste to it. Citrus, but more pine profile. The crackery malt is almost an afterthought, but manages to balance out the hops well.

Mouth Feel: crisp and refreshing, with lower carbonation. Sticks to your tongue.

Overall: No doubt about it, this is a well-made IPA. It is on the bitter side of the style, and is a tasty and refreshing beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 23:37:28 | More by mevett89

smiga

New Jersey

4.61/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a .5 L cylinder.

Beautiful heavy glass bottle silkscreened with alternating caps. These guys care.

Appearance: Golden, thick retentive head with lacing all around. Thick. Low carbonation.

Smell: Aromatic, BIg, Hop dominant, Fruit, Dry, Earthy. Say you were being revived, you'd like to breathe this.

Taste: Intense hops, both flavour and bitterness. A really wonderful flavor arc. starting sweet & fruity and clean bitter finish. This see-saw, and the tingle you feel with IPA is the big draw and Stone does it big without being heavy handed. (a good kisser)

Notes: For IPA freaks like me this beer is nirvana and has to be one of the best American IPAs. 6.9% abv.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 01:09:53 | More by smiga

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.21/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy light golden color with a decent sized white ehad that slowly dissipates to a cap on top. Aroma's of grapefruit pith, lemon zest, pine and resin with a faint bready caramel to provide a hint of balance. The flavor is sweet with light bread and caramel with a pleasant hop flavor and bite. Citrus and pine mingle in a crescendo of flavor. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet resinous mouthfeel. I've had this many times before and I can't believe I hadn't reviewed it yet. Great beer, and I'd drink it all the time if Stone could get it to my store before its close to or expired.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 23:31:06 | More by johnnnniee

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, bottle says to enjoy by 11/27/2012, so I'm a little late on this one, but that worries me not. Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Cloudy murky orange color with about a finger of doughy fluffy white head. Some bubbles rushing up to the top. Very nice looking lacing.

S - Smells of a very fruity and floral hop scent. Smells slightly sweet. Very nice.

T - Delicious fruity hop bitterness, very well balanced with the malts. Some slight green apple sugars lingering in the finish.

M - Very dry, sticky, resinous feel going on. Almost too dry in the finish, but we can look past that.

A very tasty IPA, the kind that begs for another sip after you've finished. Highly drinkable, one of my favorite beers I've had by Stone so far, and a very nice 6.9% abv makes this one an IPA to try if you are a fan of the style.

Stone IPA ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 04:08:36 | More by mfnmbvp

TheNerd

California

4.61/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Okay first review...

From a 12 oz bottle into a wine glass (improvizing)

A - like honey but thinner. Not all syrupy. Prior pours ended up with a very thin head so i poured very bold and had about 1.5to 2 fingers worth of head. Disipates after about a minute.

Smell - citrus, a little bit of pine, nice malt to level things out.

Taste - citrus quality hit very strong (in a great way) . Fresh clean. Nice bitternees with the hop but the malt has enough presence to keep it grounded. Like a jumping off point to really enjoy the hop quality w/o dominating your palate too intensely.

M - malt gives you a little something to sink your teeth into. A bit chewy (if i can borrow the term). Crisp and smooth with a little depth to hold on to

O - this after having some New Belgium Snow Day. I like to 'taste' after having something with a big contrast since i puts a focal point on those differences kn my palate. The citrus was very bright in the transition and the Bitter wasnt overwhelming. Great crisp full beer. Still learning to appreciate IPA's buti love this

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 04:05:17 | More by TheNerd

JPlo

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Golden color. Clarity is in between clear and hazy. Head is long lasting with very good lacing.

Smell: Very aromatic. Smells like hop heap heaven. Herbal and floral.

Taste: Great hop spiciness, very herbal with hints of lemon. Some biscuity malt to bring a little balance. very fresh and crisp taste.

Feel: medium bodied, smooth with light carbination and a pleasently long finish.

Overall: Excellent IPA

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 16:24:37 | More by JPlo

JMScowcroft

Vermont

4.43/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Stone IPA - 12fl oz bottle

Look - Pours a golden with a slight copper tint. Small, foamy head. Minimal carbonation.

Smell - Smooth, hoppy aroma with hints of barley and malt.

Taste - Flavor-filled hoppy punch but not just hops, well rounded. More bitter than smooth.

Mouthfeel - Hinted hop reminder. Hop settles down but rests on the sides of the tongue.

Overall - No mistaking alcohol content in this one, definitely packs a punch!

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 12:51:37 | More by JMScowcroft

nUgZ

North Carolina

4.8/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

12 ounce bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a one finger head and excellent lacing.

S: Tons of citrus and floral hops dominate the aroma. Superb!!

T: Piney hops with some grassy flavors rounding it out. There are some sweet bready malts in there as well. Nice and bitter.

M: Medium bodied with good carbonation. Very smooth.

O: Well done Stone!! Another winner from an amazing brewery.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 00:16:42 | More by nUgZ

danfisher1

Pennsylvania

3.74/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

22oz poured into a DFH tulip.

Appearance: pours a light hay-amberish color. There is a 3-4 finger head after a vigorous pour. Lacing is extensive and dissipates slowly. Beautiful lacing left behind. Head is made up of micro bubbles but is billowing on top like sea foam. Beer is clear with a small amount of bubbles emerging from the bottom.

Smell: a sign isn't hop presence from the moment the cap Is popped. With a few swirls of the glass different characteristics begin to emerge. On the inhale vibrant tropical notes dominate along with the classic west coast hop varietal essences. It's gets interesting on the exhale green apple peels with a tropical twist. Hop forward but not over powering with a slight hint of the 2-row graininess is back there somewhere.

Taste: heavy hop bitterness upfront, dry with a malty a hint of alcohol warming. Aftertaste is long and astringent almost like bile. Orange rind definitely not a palette cleanser.

Mouthfeel: silky and surprisingly juicy since the finish is so dry. The aftertaste is overwhelming.

Overall: stone is a west coast and craft classic. I feel as though the main purpose of these early ipas was to simply use the grain bill as a medium for the hops. I think if stone revisited this they would seek a certain type of balance. It's just that the battering hops dominate more than anything else. Still a good beer but not compared to others west or east coast.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 01:38:40 | More by danfisher1

KFBR392

Illinois

4.54/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: A clean golden glow lights up this beer. About a finger worth of head throughout drinking. A tantalizing thick layer of lacing stuck to the glass. Carbonation played happily.

Smell: A perfect citrus aroma. Sweetness in the undertones of caramel, dark fruits, and molasses. Oh yeah, and the hops. Really knocks you on your butt, in the best way possible.

Taste: The hop bitterness bites on the front of this beer. The body is a magical combination of exotic fruits, caramel, molasses, pine, and a sweeter hop presence. The strong hops show up again in the end of this beer and make you appreciate what this beer brings.

Mouthfeel: Very dry, the hop presence in this beer really cleans off that palette. The sweetness in this beer finds its way into the mouthfeel.

Overall: This beer is everything that an IPA should be. Such a deep complex taste, simply wonderful. This beer was the first craft beer that really opened my eyes to truly great beer. I feel like Stone can almost get taken for granted being so widely available but they really bring it with all their brews, especially the IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 07:18:32 | More by KFBR392

MattOC

Massachusetts

4.49/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bottle into a Nightshift Brewing tulip.

A: Copper in color. Minimal head. Dissipates quickly. Excellent lacing.

S: Heaping nose of pine.

T: Awesome IPA bitterness, but balanced.

M: Crisp, refreshing carbonation. Dry finish.

O: Excellent, easy drinking IPA. I loved Stone Enjoy By 12.21.12 and this is right there except for the freshness turnaround.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 02:58:06 | More by MattOC

C3likesbeer

California

4.55/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 22 oz bottle

Appearance: Golden and substantial looking

Smell: HOPS … in caps

Taste: I think they put some hops in here. Bitter but not too bitter. Nice edge, makes me remember why I like beer.

Overall: Nice worthwhile buy. Good to share with a buddy and talk beer. As much as I try to find other alternatives other than Stone, I always come back home.

Good stuff!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 02:44:05 | More by C3likesbeer

Chadhowie

California

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

This is a top tier IPA along with 90 minute and Racer 5 to name a couple. A perfectly crafted IPA that doesn't try too hard nor does it cut corners. What I love about this IPA is that it is incredibly accessible and relatively well priced, all things considering. In any case, worth every penny.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 22:47:47 | More by Chadhowie

djjacobsen

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

I love Stone brewing, don't get me wrong but they could have done much better with this one. It lacks on almost all fronts. Stone is known for being cutting-edge and over the top. This one is a safe bet. It's not a bad beer, but it just lacks that Stone-esque edge that we know and love. The taste is good, not great. Bitterness is there, nothing else really. Nose is decent, earthy, piney and floral with mild citrus. I wish they would have tried harder with their year-round IPA. Middle of the road, at best.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 22:46:25 | More by djjacobsen