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Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.8%
Purchased: $11.49 or so per 6-pack at 7-11.
B+ / 3.9
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 4
I'll start by saying when I bought this last summer, it had a far more intense hop nose and flavor. That said, the 3 or 4 times I've had it since, I haven't gotten the same effect, probably an east coast freshness issue. The appearance is one intangible, with a thick, clumpy froth leaving gorgeous lacing down the glass. Brilliant orange.
The nose on this one lacks the intense pine and citrus I remember from before. It is replaced with the biscuit and nuttiness reminiscent of UK base malt, and a fruity though subdued yeast character.
Citrus and pine hops remain in the flavor over the aforementioned malt. Resiny, but the biscuit flavor seems like more of a UK flavor than American.
Nice body keeps it fairly balanced and drinkable, not cloying in any sense.
Showing posts with label India pale ale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India pale ale. Show all posts
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Stone Cali-Belgie IPA
A / 4.45
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | drink: 4
Style: Belgian-style IPA
ABV: 6.90%
Purchased: $8.49 for a 22 ounce bottle at Wine Gourmet in Roanoke, VA
I purchased this bottle skeptical about how well Cali would meld with Belgique, but with a deeply-rooted trust in Stone. The best Belgian ales are powerful and complex yet delicate, a quality American brewers often disregard. Stone, however, can seemingly do it all.
A smell unlike anything I've ever encountered, save a greenhouse, greets me kindheartedly, as if presenting me with a wreath of flowers for my triumph in bringing it home to be released to my senses. It's massively floral, hops blending perfectly with the earthy, fruity, and bubble gum/lemon pound cake sweet yeast aroma. Very suitable for the seasonal warmth and dampness.
The head is modest at first, a finger's worth in a fairly wide snifter. It settles thin and wispy but forms a very fine patch of lacing on the glass. The second (more vigorous) pour produces two fingers, The body is a crystal clear, brilliant golden poppy color, and I was surprised to see it was a filtered beer.
The beer is wet on the palate like morning dew. Earthy, fresh, berry fruit with a touch of lime (think mojitos), blending so well with gentle malt sweetness and again some bubble gum, that it seems the ingredients have aged together for centuries. Alas, being filtered I'm not sure how long you could age it. This is unfortunate as my only real gripe with the flavor is that it's maybe a bit too bitter for that Belgian yeast delicacy. It grows on you though.
Hops and spice coat my mouth, pleasant for me but not for all. Definitely an IPA sharpness to it. Trademark Stone.
Not really a session ale, but not supposed to be. I could see drinking a couple because it's so good, but for most, one will satisfy, if not sit heavy.
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | drink: 4
Style: Belgian-style IPA
ABV: 6.90%
Purchased: $8.49 for a 22 ounce bottle at Wine Gourmet in Roanoke, VA
I purchased this bottle skeptical about how well Cali would meld with Belgique, but with a deeply-rooted trust in Stone. The best Belgian ales are powerful and complex yet delicate, a quality American brewers often disregard. Stone, however, can seemingly do it all.
A smell unlike anything I've ever encountered, save a greenhouse, greets me kindheartedly, as if presenting me with a wreath of flowers for my triumph in bringing it home to be released to my senses. It's massively floral, hops blending perfectly with the earthy, fruity, and bubble gum/lemon pound cake sweet yeast aroma. Very suitable for the seasonal warmth and dampness.
The head is modest at first, a finger's worth in a fairly wide snifter. It settles thin and wispy but forms a very fine patch of lacing on the glass. The second (more vigorous) pour produces two fingers, The body is a crystal clear, brilliant golden poppy color, and I was surprised to see it was a filtered beer.
The beer is wet on the palate like morning dew. Earthy, fresh, berry fruit with a touch of lime (think mojitos), blending so well with gentle malt sweetness and again some bubble gum, that it seems the ingredients have aged together for centuries. Alas, being filtered I'm not sure how long you could age it. This is unfortunate as my only real gripe with the flavor is that it's maybe a bit too bitter for that Belgian yeast delicacy. It grows on you though.
Hops and spice coat my mouth, pleasant for me but not for all. Definitely an IPA sharpness to it. Trademark Stone.
Not really a session ale, but not supposed to be. I could see drinking a couple because it's so good, but for most, one will satisfy, if not sit heavy.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Boulder Mojo IPA
A- / 4.15
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4.5
ABV: 6.8%
Style: American IPA
Purchased: $2.19 at Wine Gourmet in Roanoke
This beer is a very attractive sunflower color with a tight two finger beige head. It's sticky and retains about 1/4" the whole way down, with good lacing.
Aroma is thick and resinous, citrus, grassy hops, maybe Columbus? Nope, the bottle says Amarillo, and I can see it now. Some candy-like malts in there as well.
Flavor is big and hoppy, herbal with citrus notes. Hop-heavy like an IPA should be. The bitterness on the finish is near perfect for the style. The lingering herbal pine taste makes a nice touch.
Sits pretty evenly on the tongue, dry and full-bodied but not syrupy.
This is a very nice offering, true to style and bold as the label claims. My first beer from Boulder, and I'm impressed.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4.5
ABV: 6.8%
Style: American IPA
Purchased: $2.19 at Wine Gourmet in Roanoke
This beer is a very attractive sunflower color with a tight two finger beige head. It's sticky and retains about 1/4" the whole way down, with good lacing.
Aroma is thick and resinous, citrus, grassy hops, maybe Columbus? Nope, the bottle says Amarillo, and I can see it now. Some candy-like malts in there as well.
Flavor is big and hoppy, herbal with citrus notes. Hop-heavy like an IPA should be. The bitterness on the finish is near perfect for the style. The lingering herbal pine taste makes a nice touch.
Sits pretty evenly on the tongue, dry and full-bodied but not syrupy.
This is a very nice offering, true to style and bold as the label claims. My first beer from Boulder, and I'm impressed.
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