Cali-Belgique IPA

Beer: Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Brewery:Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA
ABV: 6.9%
Style: Belgian IPA?
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 22 oz

Impression: While I understand that this creation basically evolved from Stone’s IPA brewed with a Belgian yeast strain, beyond the name this beer has very little in common with IPA and everything to do with Belgian inspired ale. And, before getting too much further it is worth noting that I am not extremely fond of Belgian beers and if I had my druthers I would consume a hoppy opus. So yes, I am admittedly biased. Keeping that in mind, I am not wild about this beer. For me there are really only two major components I take away from this experience. First, the prominent flavors associated with the Belgian yeast assert themselves. Second, an unfortunately unbalanced and awkward finish follows. It more or less reminds me of overripe grapefruit, bitter and unfriendly. While I typically support adventurous brewing, this combination of styles Stone attempted didn’t quite pan out in my book. If you are interested in an adventurous or unique IPA style seek elsewhere. In fact I would probably just seek elsewhere. If you want to stick with Stone, Ruination will provide you a much better IPA choice and New Belgium’s Trippel offers a tastier Belgian style. At the end of the day I think the only people really boasting the merits of this ale are jaded Stone fan boys. Don’t believe the hype. If you want an adventurous craft ale try again...like maybe Dogfish Head.

Hop Stoopid Ale

Beer: Hop Stoopid Ale
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, California
ABV: 7.7%
Style: Imperial IPA
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 22 oz

Impression: Lagunitas has produced what I am going to describe as a playful hoppy beer. In stating this I don’t mean that Hop Stoopid should be waved of as superficial because it certainly has bold hopping, and at 7.7% ABV has the minerals to back it up. I do mean that Lagunitas probably had some fun in creating this brew, as evident by their exploration of alternative ingredients, and it has a really light mouth feel that makes it easy to suck down. I think this brew derives this deceivingly light mouth feel from the use of hop extracts instead of actual whole leaf hops during the brewing process. Somehow Hop Stoopid feels cleaner or smoother than the typical liquid hop symphony. Conversely when considering this from an overall perspective the beer does lose some dimension of hop punch or richness that sets it back a bit from something like Ruination. In summation at roughly half the price of comparable 22 oz beers Hop Stoopid is a contender that packs plenty of hoppy goodness. There is a good chance you will see me in the beer isle putting some in my basket again soon.

Ruination IPA

Beer:Stone Ruination IPA
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA
ABV: 7.7%
Style: Imperial IPA
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 22 oz

Impression: This beer is a good time if you are a hop head. Rookies do yourself a favor and pass on this one or you run the risk of breaking your tongue. That's not to say that I buy into all the hoopla on the back of the bottle about ruination, but this beer is way to complex for a inexperienced palate. Rookies looking to enter into the hop world should start with something more approachable like Cascade or Mirror Pond. Essentially this is a hop giant that has been well paired with a malty counterpart to produce an intriguing and enjoyable beverage. Two things I really like: 1) the aroma is a wonderful blend of hop and malt that truly entices 2) The hop bitterness persists with a resounding stamina. Just when the aftertaste has almost hung around too long it is time for another enjoyable swig and your mouth feels happy. The only downside is that after you finish this celebration of hops you want another beer. In closing I enjoy the 7.7% ABV. It snuck up on me a bit and made me delightfully giddy. While Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA still holds the title of my favorite IPA this drink is above average...that is of course if you like your hops served up unremorsefully bold.

White Hawk Original IPA

Beer: White Hawk Original IPA
Brewery:Mendocino Brewing Company, Ukiah, California
ABV: 7%
Style: American IPA
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 0z

Impression:I didn’t know what I expected from a beer with a white hawk on the label. I mean honestly, what does that personify? What emotions did Mendocino Brewing Company intend to conjure with this snowy fowl? From a marketing perspective I guess it worked as I did purchase the beer. And yes, just to prevent any unnecessary comments or emails, I am fully aware that Mendocino has chosen a bird theme for their brewery and adorn all their libations with winged creatures. It just doesn’t seem like beer to me. In my book bird ≠ beer. Labels aside, I put this IPA in the realm of just OK. It does have a unique aroma with intriguing hop accents and the mouth feel is nice. This does not compensate for the finish which brings on an unbalanced bitterness that twinges the tongue. Maybe that overstates the bitterness a bit, but either way this IPA just doesn’t shape up in my book. It is OK, but with so many IPAs to choose from why settle?

Samuel Smith's India Ale

Beer: Samuel Smith's India Ale

Brewery: Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster), Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England

ABV: 5%
Style:IPA
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 18.7 oz


Impression: Right out of the gate I observed two things about this brew. First the beautiful golden honey color with just the slightest red hue that really made me want to dive right in. Second the billowy white head sitting proudly on top of that inviting golden body. And ok I said two, but the third thing was a gentle sweetness on the first few sips. Of particular interest is a notable lack of hop forward aroma or flavor. This is probably because I have been drinking American IPAs as of late which have exploded with massive citrusy aromas. It is actually refreshing (no pun intended) to experience this more sedate version. Really this reminds me more of a pale ale than what I consider an IPA and at only 5% alcohol I feel pretty confident in that claim. That isn’t to say that this ale lacks malt though. On the finish I really enjoy the present yet subtle maltiness that eases into what can only be described as the beckon for another sip. This beer is crazy drinkable and if you are not a real beer guy, but you want to gain some respect points from your buddies, I recommend going to the next poker night with this. In summation this beer is easy like Sunday morning, and if you don’t go to church on Sunday morning you may even consider cracking one.

The Devastator

Beer: The Devastator
Brewery: Wasatch Beers, Park City, Utah
ABV: 8.0%
Style: Double Bock
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression: Wasatch offers a high alcohol content beer offset by a nicely balanced flavor profile in The Devastator, an easy drinking German-style lager. This double bock boasts tons of malty flavors and almost bready aromas that eventually give way to an elegant resin like mouth coating. This coating acts as a pleasant continuation of the flavors dancing on your taste buds after the wash of suds has receded down your gullet. I also detect light roasted notes accompanied by mild caramel flavors and a general sweetness, but the sweetness is not overbearing. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this beer is the color. It has a deceivingly light brown hue that masks the sheer thrust of this 8% monster. The provocative imagery on the label aside, this is a serious beer that Wasatch can certainly take pride in. If you enjoy strong drink that goes down with ease than I strongly recommend The Devastator.