Tonight’s review comes to us from the outstanding Stone Brewing Company located in Escondido, California.

The beverage of choice is the Stone Ruination IPA.  It’s considered an “American Double IPA”, so look out!!!

On the website, stonebrew.com, I found this enticing description.

So called because of the “ruinous” effect on your palate!  This massive hop monster has a wonderfully delicious and intensely bitter flavor on a refreshing malt base.  One taste and you can easily see why we call this brew “a liquid poem to the glory of the hop!”  Those who seek, crave and rejoice in beers with big, bold, bitter character will find true nirvana in Stone Ruination IPA!

I’m sure this beer will be outstanding, so let’s not waste any time.

This brew stands at a hefty 7.7% ABV and pours from a 12 oz. bottle.

The appearance was a pale amber, burnt orange color that was cloudy through and through.  A glowing white head that was creamy, frothy and accompanied by some excellent retention followed by fabulous lacing.  After letting it sit for a moment, the head settled to a thin white cap that remained with the beer to the very last sip.  It looks really good.

The aroma started with a nice, boisterous grapefruit citrus.  Whoa!!!  Some floral and piny notes broke through to reveal an additional fresh and intense nose.  A touch of orange peel coincides with some bread and biscuit malts.  The smell is phenomenally well balanced and sweet.  Not a single hint of alcohol, which I found intriguing considering the high ABV.

The flavor had, as expected, wonderfully appropriate splashes of bitterness from the grapefruit.  It’s a hop explosion!!!  Like the smell, a very fresh, piny and floral taste juxtaposed by a bold malt undertone that tames the bitterness and helps mellow the mood.  I even found it to be a touch spicy.  Truly well balanced and even.  This thing really tastes nice.

The mouthfeel was a very stern medium.  Super dry and very crisp.  Notably smooth considering how bitter the brew was.  A welcome warmth that was not harsh or hot.  Surprisingly refreshing also despite the alcohol and considerable dryness.  It completely overwhelms the palate with flavor that seems to hang around forever. 

The Stone Brewing Company’s efforts never disappoint.  This is an outstanding beer.  Incredible aromas and flavors.  At 7.7% ABV, one would need to nurse this, but it’s so easily drinkable that it becomes incredibly difficult to hold back the urge to slug this down.  I can just imagine drinking this on a beautiful Spring day watching the afternoon pass by.  This is most considerably worth a try for sure and a beer that I will, no doubt, pick up again and again with extreme pleasure.

Do you like Stone beers?  If so, what’s your favorite?  Please feel free to leave a comment.

As always, thanks for reading and I hope you are enjoying the reviews.

Score:  4.5 out of 5
Grade:  A