"I can't think of any downsides to this beer."
So says Stone's co-founder and brewmaster Steve. Stone IPA is made with three types of hops, with a generous amount of hops.
At first, people shied away from it because it was too bitter, but the bitterness gradually became addictive, and many became addicted . Now, it is a popular staple IPA that is always kept in the fridge of San Diego residents.
Selected as one of Nikkei Shimbun's "Top 10 Craft Beer IPAs." Winner of the Gold Award in the West Coast IPA category at the US Open Beer Championship 2021. Let's start by examining Stone's capabilities with this IPA.
Tasting notes:
White head and beautiful golden color.
Distinct aromas of lemon zest, fruity cereal, citrus and pine-like hops.
A light malt body with powerful citrus flavors.
A beautiful balance of hop bitterness and malt flavor.
A clean bitterness lingers on the tongue.
It's also one of the Stone team's favorites.
A classic West Coast style IPA that lets you fully enjoy the aroma and flavor of hops.
ABV: 6.9%
IBU: 71
Alcoholic beverage: Beer Ingredients: Malt, hops Hops: Magnum, Chinook, Centennial, Azacca, Calypso, Motueka, Ella & Vic Secret
Brewery: Stone
Style: India Pale Ale
Capacity: 355ml
Container: CAN
Originally brewed to celebrate our first anniversary in 1997, Stone IPA was an immediate hit and soon became the flagship beer of our young brewery. One of the most well-respected and best-selling IPAs in the country, this golden beauty explodes with tropical, citrusy, piney hop flavors and aromas, all perfectly balanced by a subtle malt character. Over time, we stepped up the dry-hopping process to extract every bit of magic out of the amazing hops we use. This beer is as bold, fresh and flavorful today as it was back in '97.
THE ICONIC WEST COAST-STYLE IPA
When Stone IPA hit the scene in 1997 as our first anniversary beer, IPAs were strictly in the realm of the extreme beer enthusiast. Our original brewmaster Steve Wagner amplified a British classic by infusing it with extra flavor and character, care of heavy doses of Centennial , Chinook and Columbus hops.
What was first foreign and a bit abrasive to most imbibers' palates has gone on to become a go-to and refrigerator staple for craft beer drinkers across the nation for the past 15 years. Without Stone IPA, there may never have been a Stone Ruination IPA (or Stone Tenth Anniversary Ruination IPA for that matter), the ahead-of-its-time black IPA Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, Stone Cali-Belgique IPA or the timely mascot for the drink “fresh beer now” movement, Stone Enjoy By IPA! It's the hoppy beer that launched a hundred more hoppy and hoppier beers.