Style: Imperial IPA

ABV: 8.5 IBU: 100.0

95/100

Aroma:	10
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	19
Mouthfeel:	5

Stone Brewing Company Ruination IPA

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What the brewers say

"We essentially began with our already-awesome Stone IPA, threw in an extra-large helping of malt, and added a lot more hops. And then some more. And then even more, resulting in a vibrant blast of citrusy bitterness that hits you on the first sip. Just one taste and you’ll know why we call this indelicate jewel A liquid poem to the glory of the hop!"

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Grapefruit/lemon zest. Interesting floral herbal notes (light vanilla, jasmine, spruce), some slight cheese, earthy. Strong malt sweetness—caramel, toffee.”

Flavor: “Some spice, citrus, tangerine, orange, caramel, bread crust. Bitterness increases as it warms into earthy, spicy, grapefruit. Caramel candy in the flavor—cracker jacks? Low mint in the background with a musty yeasty earth character that gave it some dimension.”

Overall: "Complex hop aroma carry-through. Nice sweetness in body helps to balance the citrus and earthy dank hops. Gains in complexity as it warms. Not cookie cutter—more points for originality with this one."

What our editors thought

Review printed in: The New India Pale Ale (Spring 2014) (View All Issues)

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