Style: IPA (American)

ABV: 6.8 IBU: 50.0

87/100

Aroma:	11
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	16
Mouthfeel:	5

Wild West Stone Forest IPA

What the brewers say

Modern West Coast IPA, Gold Medal Winner at 2023 Asia Beer Championship Big Hop intensity courtesy of Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe and Strata (we use various formats of each hop type). Big aroma and big complex flavors with a bitterness that does not overwhelm.

What our panel thought

"Oxidized diesel-forward hop aromatics, with background tropical fruit character. Interesting juicy fruit gum, that doesn't fade after chewing it for 5 seconds, the oxidation is hard to work through, however (understandable given the journey this beer took). You really have to dig in to find the subtle hop aromatics, but when you do, you discover notes of peach, lemon, earthy pine, and a hint of diesel. If this beer was fresh on tap, its radness would be evident. A nice tea-like bitterness punctuates the flavor profile with notes of stone fruit initially that slowly fade into a more resinous bitterness that lingers into the dry, mouth-coating bitter finish. Maintains a dry character without sacrificing body. Hop bitterness is present but modern, and not overwhelming."

What our editors thought

"Chunky, slightly sweaty hop nose with some pointed and dank American hops (late pick?). Interesting sweet and spicy flavor with a medium herbal bitterness, almost tea-like."

Print Shelf Talker

How We Review

REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Moonraker Brewing Co. Straight Up Nelson

“Very soft citrus aromas with touches of herbal, melon. Flavor has a lightly sweet malt base, with bright citrus hop flavors layered above. Hop bitterness lingers pleasingly into the somewhat sweet finish.”

The Big Friendly Lazy Lightning

Pale yellow pour with a tight white head. Earthy, musty, diesel aroma initially, then some fresh tropical and citrus fruit aroma on second pass. Sweaty tropical notes fall out of the glass filling your nose with pineapple and mango. Soft pillow like structure with bright pineapple and citrus flavors sitting atop but falling through. Nice cereal and bread malt flavors, but the hops are flat and lifeless. New England meets West Coast. Seems to be lacking carbonation.Astringency noted in finish, suggests the beer is old or oxidized. Flavors don't pop.

Station 26 Brewing Company Single Hop Citra IPA

**Aroma:** “: Juicy, dank, resiny hops aroma with a hint of spice and citrus. Light malt sweetness. Very aromatic with peach jelly, black currant, and grapefruit leading the charge. A touch of herbal, minty notes adds complexity without detracting. Clean yeast and malt character.” **Flavor:** “Bright, juicy, dank hops dominate with hints of grapefruit and a subtle mango/pineapple note, but not as much bitterness as I was expecting from the aroma. Light, clean malt sweetness. Nice dry finish with a pleasant bitterness that doesn't seem to linger. A very full chewy IPA, with a wheat-like turbidity. Alcohol presence lends a warming finish. Bitter enough to pull it all together, without overpowering.” **Overall:** “Very different aroma and flavor profiles, but nice complexity with fruit, pine, and resin. Very contemporary example of the style, focusing more on the dank, resiny, tropical fruit hops than on straight citrus and pine. Huge hops complexity with the malt and yeast only supporting, not competing. Great body and finish that makes it smooth drinking and pleasant.”

FRESH BEERS >

The best new craft beers available in a beer store near you. Sponsored content.

New Belgium Dominga Grapefruit

New Belgium wood cellar blender Lauren Limbach was gifted a new foeder that she aptly named Dominga—a play on the Spanish word for Sunday. She first created a mimosa-inspired golden sour called “Dominga: Goddess of Brunch.” Now we are excited to introduce the cocktail-inspired version, Dominga Grapefruit Paloma. Inspired by the classic cocktail of Mexico, Dominga packs a refreshing combo of bright grapefruit and lime flavors, along with agave and a pinch of salt.

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest

Oaktoberfest is our oak-inspired homage to the great German tradition of Oktoberfest. We go the extra mile of maturing this beer in French oak barrels to create an amazingly smooth mouthfeel. The result is a classic German festbier with a hint of West Coast hoppiness. Grab your stein, don your lederhosen, and enjoy!

Firestone Walker Parabola ’24

Parabola is always a beast of a beer, with intense flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, and roast coffee—yet each annual release also bears its own subtle imprint. For this latest edition, we aged the beer for a year in 12-year Elijah Craig barrels. These coveted bourbon barrels imparted signature notes of charred oak, caramel, and cinnamon, taking the Parabola experience to new heights. Pour some out in your favorite snifter; behold the impossibly opaque color as you allow it to warm up a bit; and then let the dark magic of Parabola stun your palate with its unrivaled flavor and complexity.

Sierra Nevada Cosmic Little Thing Hazy Double IPA

For the latest in the Hazy IPA series, ride Sierra Nevada’s interstellar wave of tropical flavor in this Cosmic Little Thing, a hazy nebula glowing with Comet, Strata, and Helios hops for notes of citrus, berries, and lychee. Head into orbit with this 8 percent ABV hazy double IPA before the next Hazy IPA rotator hits. Look for Cosmic Little Thing in six-packs and 19.2 oz singles.

Firestone Walker Cosmic Crusher Juicy Imperial IPA

Out-of-this-world flavor that packs a punch—take a journey with Cosmic Crusher. “Cosmic Crusher is our crazy adventure into the realm of imperial juicy IPAs,” says brewmaster Matt Brynildson. Cosmic Crusher is built around two ultra-tropical hops—Galaxy and Strata. The result is a level of flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel that can only materialize at high strength, crossing the line into a whole new cosmos of punchy mango and pineapple character. SKUs available: 12 oz six-pack cans, 19.2 oz single serve, and Mind Haze Variety Pack.

Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion

Luponic Distortion is the Firestone Walker trailblazer that continues to break the rules, back for the first time since 2021. The classic Luponic Distortion base recipe returns with an all-new hop blend to deliver a fresh blast from the past. Brewed with a secret blend of new-age hops, the 2024 edition of Luponic Distortion turns up the volume with mind-bending flavors of lychee, peach, nectarine, and strawberry. Available exclusively in the Beer Before Glory IPA Mixed Pack.