Rating: 5.2/5

Enjoy by 12.05.14 by Stone brewing is a 9.4% ABV World Class Imperial India Pale Ale.

Label:
Devastatingly fresh
You have in your hands a devastatingly fresh double IPA. Freshness is a key component of many beers- especially big, hoppy IPAs – but we’ve taken it further, a lot further, within this one. We brewed this IPA specifically NOT to last. We’ve not only gone to extensive lengths to ensure that you get your hands on this beer within an extraordinarily short window, and we’ve sent a very clear message in the name of the beer itself that there is no better time than right NOW to enjoy this IPA!
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Haven’t tried this beer in ages. Mainly since it was coming out so frequently I always tried to pass it up for other beers. I guess I decided screw it, I am doing another review of this one. Each release is the same I would think but the idea is to drink this one as fresh as possible without sacrificing the hop head theology of as fresh as possible. While me personally, I could care less about what hop heads think of freshness, but even a moderately fresh one, I will give it a round to see what flavors I can get from this. I think even at 9.4% ABV, freshness would get thrown out the window, but that is none of my business. Now let’s drink some of this tea. Cheers!

Aromas:
Citrus, grapefruit, floral, herbal, piney and grassy hops, Rich tropical fruits like mango, dragon fruit, papaya, guava, passion fruit, lychee, honey dew melon,blue basil, oregano, lemon peel, garlicky, oniony, dankness, stone fruit peaches, apricots, plums, honey dew melon, tangerines, oranges, hints of sweetened condensed milk and milk coconut.

Flavors:
Rich hop flavors or citrus, grapefruit, floral, herbal, piney and grassy hops, biscuit bread, lemon peel, tangerine, oranges, caramel hints, super dank oniony and garlicky notes, oregano, basil, Italian herbs, Rich tropical fruits like papaya, mango, honey dew melon, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee, coconut hints, stone fruit apricots, peaches, plums, sweetened condensed milk and honey.

Aftertaste:
Sweet tropical notes, honey, herbs, citrus and grapefruit hops, dank oniony and garlic notes linger
No alcohol in the taste, easy to drink despite the ABV, clear body, silky mouthfeel, crisp and refreshing.

Overall:
In comparison to when I had this over 2 years ago, they really perfected the freshness in this beer. This is super well balanced giving those tropical fruits I really love along with the hoppy, herbal and dank notes. So as to coming close to what I would think would be some of the best IPAs in the world like Pliny the Elder, Heady Topper and the new Power Plant, I would like to say, YES!! Ofcourse it is a player in the best IPAs. It is closer to Pliny in the herbal hoppy department but since it is balanced with tropical notes, It comes close to Power Plant too. Either way, maybe there is a reason they tell you to drink it fresh. Either way, great beer and a must have. Don’t worry, if you miss this one, they release it almost year round.

Anime Corner:
Morrigan Aensland from Dark Stalkers was used in this pairing long ago since she stands atop a stone gargoyle representing the Stone brewery. Her hair colors pair well with the label and those melons, I mean…. umm colors of the artwork represent the herbal and tropical complexities of of the beer flavors. Yes this beer is damn sexy and taste great!

Sources:
http://img1.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spire4/1f1100e5ab84c8a3e2e8d7acb1bba84a1396195257_full.jpg
https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/4bc03-jmorriganaensland.jpg