Stone - IPA

Tonight I'm drinking some hop flowers... err, I mean Stone IPA.  I hadn't even started typing this out prior to opening the bottle.  When I cracked open the cap, a pungent wave of juicy hops permeated the air.  I'm liking this IPA already!

Some of our more observant readers will notice that Duns reviewed this IPA back in April.  Generally, when we overlap reviews, it's because my short-term memory has all but disappeared and I forgot that Duns reviewed the beer already.  However, tonight it's on purpose.  Last week I posted to our Facebook page asking people to tell me what they were drinking that evening.  If they did, I'd review the brew.  Almost immediately, one of our readers from Iowa replied.  He was enjoying a tasty bottle of Stone IPA.  Cheers Dave! Tonights review is for you.  Let us know what you thought of Stone's IPA below.

This green gargoyle-laden bomber is packed full of tasty hop morsels.  I can already tell from the aroma.  The brew is a hazy golden orange.  Clearly unfiltered, or is that haze from the dry hopping?  Either way, I want to stick my face in it.  The most noticeable flavor here is a spicy, juicy hop.  A full body supports this heavy load of hops with some bready malt flavors present to give this brew some balance.  No alcohol, mild carbonation and a hop bite come together to form a deceptively smooth and refreshing finish.

Overall - I sure am happy you were drinking this last Tuesday Dave.  Otherwise I wouldn't have picked up this bottle.  This is a great IPA, and certainly one of the better ones on the market these days.  The aromas are floral and juicy, flavors are big and full and the finish is as smooth as silk.  If you haven't had Stone's IPA before, I'd highly suggest you go find yourself a bottle.