Tag Archives: Hops

Esa Negra Linda by El Borracho Homebrewing

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

11899992_10102784731642430_2834463630430900406_nRating: 4.75/5

Esa Negra Linda by El Borracho Homebrewing is a 6.7% ABV Black IPA brewed with extra Magnum Cenntenial and Chinook hops.

==Introduction==

Esa Negra Linda or “That Black Beauty” was the name given by my friend Will Carranza to his first ever, Black IPA. This one was made with extra Magnum for bittering and the centennial and Chinook hops were for aroma.. I gladly assisted will on brewing day as brother help each other out when it comes to the home brew stuff like my other brother and homebrewer Richard of Avila Ales. While the original recipe and ideas were all Will’s you can almost say this was a collaboration in terms of me helping him out. So I bring forth, another awesome home brew and possibly the last for summer 2015 (what can we say, it’s too damn hot to make beer on a budget!) Hell, I still gotta review my 2 other homebrews I barely finished before the temperatures skyrocketed and we could no longer brew. Anyways, it is always a pleasure when Will donates to the site his awesome creations and always loving each as it comes by. Cheers!!

Aromas:
Rich citrus, pineapple, lychee, honey dew melon, grapefruit, floral, piney, grassy, herbal and earthy hops, minty notes, anise, coffee hints possibly from the roasted malt, licorice hints, anise and caramel.

Flavors:
Citrus, piney, grassy, herbal, grapefruit, earthy, and floral hops, pine apple hints, honey dew melon, lychee, Caramel, dark chocolate hints, anise, licorice, roasted malts, molasses, dark fruit prune hints, mango hints, brown sugar, clove spice, kumquat hints, coffee notes, lemon and mint.

Aftertaste:
Earthy hop notes, coffee, anise, tropical notes, citrus, dark chocolate hints and lots of nice bitter hops linger for a little bit. No alcohol in the taste, dark as the ether of space full body, smooth, creamy and crisp mouthfeel with an easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
A deliciously good Black IPA. This IPA is on that level where the hops shine through to let you know you really are drinking an IPA, it just a dark IPA at that and the maltiness adds enough character to make it interesting. The balance is decent and for hop heads this means that the best flavors from Black IPA are delivered here. I hope my friend makes this one again or a variant using different hops as it was very delicious and would love to get some more. Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was used in this pairing to represent the name and the feel of the beer. Esa Negra Linda represented by the beautiful Yoruichi who is a ninja fits this beer perfectly. Like the night she strikes without warning. She is the fastest being in the world of Bleach and like this beer, it goes down very smooth and quick. It flows right through like the way a ninja attacks swift and firm for the kill and no ones the wiser. Her strength is in the complex flavors the extra hops provide but combine with the dark beer to make it shine like a light in a dark room. An elegant lady, a beauty, but deadly… If looks could kill well, fortunately, this will be the only time you see her before she strikes!

Sources:
http://static.zerochan.net/Shihouin.Yoruichi.full.1878848.jpg

Cyanide & Hoppiness by Flat Tail brewing

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

11885034_10102776716285270_7261195933923887677_o 11951666_10102776716644550_6130806354670477979_oRating: 5/5

Cyanide & Hoppiness by Flat Tail brewing is a 7.5% ABV American IPA brewed with Apricots.

Label:
*Does Not Include Actual Cyanide
You hold in your hands the perfect fusion between a beer and an internet cartoon. One half hops, barley, and a stainless steel, the other half digital comedy transmitted across the world via electric cables. As you take your first sip, you’ll be transported to a world of offensive stick figures and puns, hop cones, and golden waves of grain. Tasty beer meets tasteless comics, Hops meet Cyanide, Cyanide & Hoppiness.

Get it?

==Introduction==

Originally brewed for the San Diego Comic, this beer was a collaboration with Cyanide and Happiness Comics and Flat Tail Brewing. I was introduced to the comics when I first started my new job about a year ago. My fellow coworkers Anthony and Luna showed me these hilarious stick figure comics that reminded me so much of the Oatmeal. Who knew they would ever come out with an IPA? Which is really awesome because as different genres of entertainment and hobbies start to mix with the craftbeer, we get to see more and more pairings. I for one take stand at introducing the genre of anime and beers with my reviews, pairings and even my home brews. Hopefully one day I can bring about the genre close to those that really love both! Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich stone fruit apricot and peach aromas, pears, mango, pears, kiwi, apples, exotic dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, grapefruit, citrus, tangerine, sweetened condensed milk hints, guava, tropical papaya, pineapple, tres leches/3 milks cream hints, vanilla, coconut hints, strawberry, raspberries, prickly pears, gummy bears, toffee, vanilla, biscuit bread, grassy, herbal, dank, floral and piney hops

Flavors:
Rich citrus, stone fruit peaches, apricots, pears, apple hints, mango, kiwi, guava, tropical papaya, pineapple, exotic dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, grapefruit, citrus, tangerine, sweetened condensed milk hints, vanilla, biscuit bread, grassy, herbal, dank, floral and piney hops, strawberry notes, tres leches/3 milks cream hints, vanilla, coconut hints, raspberries, prickly pears, gummy bears, toffee and wild flowers.

Aftertaste:
Rich apricot, tropical notes, mango, grapefruit, grassy, piney and floral hops, gummy bears and oranges. No alcohol in the taste, hazy tang colored light to medium body, silky, syrupy, crisp and refreshing mouthfeel and a moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Hot Diggity damn, such a damn great IPA! So much of the tropical fruits that I love from an IPA are pushed more forward into the flavors than absolute hop bitterness but actually balances out. For a 7.5% ABV, it is not overpowering in some aspects. I feel even the most novice of craft beer enthusiast will have a special place for this one. You should definitely look for this one if you can find it.

Anime Corner:
Tenshi Hinanawi Touhou project was used in this beer pairing as I wanted to pair with the colors of the label but just the crazy amount of fruit flavors and freshness that are in this one. The summer is almost over but this one has been one of the top for the summer for sure. As a bonus, I wanted to through in a little tribute and do a pairing with Cyanide and Happiness and their anime comic they did. Perfect pairings!

Sources:
http://orig06.deviantart.net/9e25/f/2014/189/4/e/tensi______________by_peonymochi-d7pqrsg.jpg
http://explosm.net/comics/1355/

Victoria by Inland Empire brewing

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

11902529_10102772115016250_8905767293887676579_nRating: 5.35/6

Victoria by Inland Empire brewing is an 11% ABV American Strong Ale brewed with Orange zest and Orange Blossom Honey.

Label:
Named after Victoria Avenue in Riverside where we get oranges to hand zest. The orange zest lends a slight bitterness, which together with the hops, creates a unique citrus flavor and aroma. Orange blossom honey is also added to augment the already apparent malt flavors. Enjoy!

==Introduction==

Inland Empire is making some great brews as I heard but this is actually the first time I get a shot at one of these brews. I got this one at craftshack.com since I have yet to even see one in my side of the neighborhood. At 11% ABV, American Strong this seems like a winner as there aren’t many American Strong beers out there that are purely Strong and do not belong to a specific style but are very rich in flavor. If that is the case, then this one must awesome! Let’s take a look a this one. Cheers!

Aromas:
Great amount of malty deliciousness like caramel, orange honey blossom flowers, honey, maple, Oranges, Blood Oranges, Citrus, Tangerines, Grapefruit hops, caramel, vanilla, rye bread, mango, butterscotch, sourdough bread, flower notes, oak, earthy hop notes, toasted barley, butterscotch, sourdough bread, flower notes, oak, earthy hop notes, toasted barley and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Oranges, Blood Oranges, Citrus, Tangerines, Grapefruit hops, rich honey, rich toffee, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, rye bread, mango hints, butterscotch, sourdough bread, flower notes, oak, earthy hop notes, toasted barley, toasted coconut hints, dark fruit raisins, dates, figs, dark cherries, stone fruit apricots, honey dew melon, dragon fruit hints, passion fruit, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, flan hints, brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk hints.

Aftertaste:
Grapefruit hops, rich honey, toffee, vanilla, stone fruit, dark fruit, earthy hints and toasted coconut hints. No alcohol in the taste, medium to full deep amber and honey body, creamy, syrupy and velvety mouthfeel and way too easy to drink despite the ABV and should be take in carefully.

Overall:
Reminding me of Double Bastard but with more citrus and honey flavors, this beer is pretty damn exceptional! For being named after a Mexican Lager, this is not that light lager beer and is a completely different Victoria! The dangerous part about this beer is its drinkability. I almost finished the bottle just by trying to figure out all the goodies this posses. Citrus, Honey, Malty goodness and all around awesome. A definite winner and one I will need to seek again if I can find it. If you can find it, it is a must win win!

Anime Corner:
Reiko Mikami from Ghost Sweeper Mikami was used in this pairing as I wanted to contrast the rich flavors of the beer such as the orange, honey, complex fruits and malts as well as complement the label. Mikami shows her flavors like orange and honey of her hair, green hops in her eyes and her dress of complex dark fruits. She is strong in the show as represented by the ABV and it is her sexiness that makes this beer attractive and smooth.

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/tBvrMzv.jpg

Ruination 2.0 by Stone Brewing

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

11160623_10102559752981470_8915077311550199444_oRating: 5/5

Ruination 2.0 by Stone Brewing is an 8.5% ABV World Class Double India Pale Ale.

Label:
When this double IPA first hit the scene in 2002, the hoppy beer landscape was far different than it is today. Ales offering an onslaught of resinous humulus lupulus were virtually unknown. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Terms such as “lupulin” and “IBU” are well established in the craft beer lexicon. And with the knowledge of all that hops have to offer comes the desire to go beyond bracing bitterness. Fortunately, Stone Ruination IPA has always been crafted to celebrate all facets of the hop—its beauty and poetry, its boldness and might. As craft beer has evolved, so too have techniques for extracting the best and the most out of hops. So we modernized Stone Ruination IPA, coaxing every last drop of piney, citrusy, tropical essence from the Centennial, Citra, Simcoe and Azacca hops that give this beer its incredible character. Join us in cheering this, the second stanza in our “Liquid Poem to the Glory of the Hop.”

==Introduction==

An update to the Golden Standard of IPAs. I haven’t reviewed the original Ruination in years and now they went ahead and upgraded to a more “hop” modern type of double IPA. A more tropical rounded updated based on the Citra and Simcoe used in this beer. Ruination was and most likely still is one of the best Golden Standards, but now that the recipe is different, can it stand up not only to the it’s own standards but the best IPAs in the world of today? Only a few sips and taking notes will tell the truth. Follow me as we investigate. Cheers!

Aromas:
Tropical aromas like mango, citrus, kiwi, papaya, pineapple, guava, strawberry hints, caramel, orange peel, herbal, citrus, grapefruit, Piney, grassy, herbal, oniony, blue basil, garlicky dank and earthy hops, orange zest, lemon drops, lychee, biscuit bread and kumquats.

Flavors:
Herbal, Citrus, grapefruit, Piney, grassy, herbal, oniony, blue basil, garlicky dank and earthy hops, hop oils, passion fruit, tropical fruit like kiwi, mango hint, dragon fruit, papaya, pineapple, guava, strawberry hints, caramel, biscuit bread, vanilla, stone fruit peach, apricot, toffee hints, orange zest, lemon drops, lychee, kumquats and honey dew melon.

Aftertaste:
Citrus, Piney, grassy, herbal, grape fruit, tropical, dank, oniony, garlicky and spicy hops linger along with caramel and vanilla hints finishing with some tropical hop burn vs. herbal of the original.
No alcohol in the taste, clear gold body, crisp, refreshing moderate, easy to drink despite the ABV unless you are not used to palate wrecking IPAs then definitely a sipper for you.

Overall:
Still a perfect beer as before but this time really balancing the tropical elements of the hops which was not previously there in the original. The update version may not please the pure herbal and grassy enthusiast/hope head but instead introduces a side of the ruination hop burn that it could not do before from the original recipe. I am going to miss the older recipe even though I love more tropical IPAs but this is still very well made and still a good representative of the golden standard that West Coast IPAs are known for.

Anime Corner:
Zabel/Lord Raptor from Darkstalkers/Vampire Saviour was used in this pairing since I used her in the original Ruination. Back then, Ruination not only stood for the palate wrecking machine but also ruining the someones character with different aspects, such as smoking or any other inhibitor that may be deemed a ruin in societies eyes. Not to say beer in general is the ruination but the way society sees the ruination of some people with substance abuse is the ruination that your palate sees. Unless you have a tolerant palate like mine, then let people do what they want and screw societies idea of what is normal. Whether it be their idea of how people should be or what people should drink (craft vs. macro). Live your life as you please!

Sources:
http://sbff08.deviantart.com/art/zabel-blissed-again-209579896

Rosabi by Dogfish Head brewing

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1620651_10102245349308950_3380873172692238478_nRating: 4.5/5

Rosabi by Dogfish Head brewing is an 8% ABV Imperial American Pale Ale brewed with Wasabi.

Label:
The vivid rose hue of this imperial Pale Ale comes from a combination of Munich and Caramel malts and a touch of red rice from Louisiana, birthplace of musician and collaborator Julianna Barwick. Citrusy Simcoe and Centennial feed Julianna’s love of hops, and the star of the show is her go-to ingredient: wasabi. What’s hoppy? … Wasabi. The Japanese root adds bittering and herbal notes similar to hops, with its subtle heat creeping in after the kick of carbonation. It’s expansive from start to finish. So go ahead, take a sip, toss your head back, and howl at the red Rosabi moon.

==Introduction==

Now this is a Dogfish Head beer that really intrigued me. After seeing this one at Luekensliquor.com, and the fact that I am a Sushi and Wasabi fanatic, It didn’t take me long to just go on ahead and get this beer. The only unfortunate part is, they only allow you to purchase 1 bottle from the site. This was devastating since I know some good friends who would probably enjoy this beer. I really hope they release this one to all states that sell Dogfish Head. Not sure if this is a gimmick or not but I have never tried a Wasabi beer and this is definitely a great way to explore the vast world of the Lost treasure of beer experience. Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich caramel malt forward, wasabi notes, citrus and grapefruit hops, mango, grapes, hazelnut, rye bread, butterscotch, toffee, dragon fruit, brown sugar, cherries, chocolate hints, coriander spice, toffee, peanut brittle, hibiscus flowers, pineapple and rice cakes.

Flavors:
Subtle but not burning green Wasabi, citrus and grapefruit hops, caramel, grapes, hazelnut, rye bread, peanut brittle, toffee, oranges, mango, peaches, pineapple, chocolate notes, dragon fruit, coriander spice, mild wasabi spice as the beer warms up, apples, brown sugar, rice, cherries, hibiscus flowers, biscuit bread, toasted coconut and vanilla.

Aftertaste:
Lots of Caramel, citrus and grapefruit hops, wasabi notes in the backbone, sweet toffee rye, peanut brittle, hazelnut and mainly malty finish. No alcohol in the taste, crimson ruby rose medium body, moderate drinkability with a silky mouthfeel.

Overall:
Drinking more like an Amber Ale, this beer is really very good. There is no heat but if you know the subtle taste of wasabi, it is there but mild enough to be very enjoyable. It starts with the Wasabi flavor and then moves into a world of sweetness and hoppy goodness. There seems to be more sweetness than hoppy though which could be attributed to the malty sweetness cutting the Wasabi extreme heat. I can only hope that this beer and Sushi would be the ultimate combination which makes me want to have another bottle. I can only recommend this one if you would like a more maltier Pale Ale. There isn’t nothing wrong with that and I generally enjoy sweeter beers more, but I love me some super bitter hops too. So there you have it, Wasabi with some hop bitterness and drinks more like an Amber. Maybe not quite what you’d expect but still a very good beer.

Anime Corner:
Flandre Scarlet from Touhou Project was used in this pairing since I wanted to pair the label of the ruby red moon as well as the green colors of wasabi which you can see by the diamonds. Since this beer is more on the sweeter side than what I had expected, the apple Scarlet is chewing on represent this as well as the fact that this beer is more of an Amber ale than a Pale Ale. However, despite the fact that Wasabi is extreme, maybe how it worked with this beer, it cut all the other bitter hops and cancelled its own spiciness to get to this. This is why Scarlet looks innocent but her burning eyes state another story.

Sources:
http://anime-pictures.net/pictures/get_image/361397-2560×1440-touhou-flandre+scarlet-ankh+%28ankh+05%29-single-short+hair-wide+image.jpg

Endeavour IPA² (a.k.a Divine Reserve #11) by Saint Arnold Brewing of Texas

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1922200_10101694364686550_1172912935_nRating: 5/5

Endeavour IPA² (a.k.a Divine Reserve #11) by Saint Arnold Brewing of Texas is a 8.9% ABV Double/Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with Simcoe, Centennial & Columbus hops.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION (Ratebeer.com)
The color is deep amber with a light, creamy head. The nose starts off with a touch of citrus but then turns decidedly into peaches. The taste starts off with creamy malt resulting from the pale 2 row and caramel malts and Saint Arnold yeast. The hop bitter starts low then builds to a crescendo, but always maintains a balance even in its big finish. The hop flavor continues to be peaches, an interesting manifestation of the Columbus, Simcoe and Centennial hops. This is the first Divine Reserve that we have filtered. This decision was made to make the hop flavors brighter, plus it would have been a bottling nightmare with all the hop bits in it. This beer is best enjoyed at 45° or even a little warmer. Though the recipe and style indicate this beer to be enjoyed fresh, we expect this beer to develop interestingly over the years.
___

Special thanks to my good friend Aaron of http://www.beermetaldude.com for proving me my second ever, Saint Arnold beer. This is truly a treat once again as this one is another fine example of a great brewery which we don’t get their beer here in California. The beer I had before from them was very awesome. So to that, I say cheers, thank you SA for making this and thank you Aaron for hooking up a brother Cheers!!

Aromas:
Caramel, toffee, mango, dragon fruit, candied oranges, lemon, citrus, honey, Grapefruit, piney and grassy hops, tangerine, melon, orange preserves and rye.

Flavors:
Grapefruit preserves, piney and grassy hops, tangerine, mango, lemon, orange peel, rye bread, biscuit bread, melon, honey, dragon fruit, caramel, pepper spice, toffee, pineapple, cherry, hop oils, gummy bears and orange marmalade on a toast.

Aftertaste:
Caramel, toffee, grapefruit preserves, tangerines and piney hops. No alcohol in the taste. Medium body and moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Aside from the Tropical end of IPAs, my second love is the malty IPAs. This beer is great and it is a great example of the malty IPA variety. As a reserve series, this is something I would expect, higher ABV and more sweet delicious hop oils. Reminds me of 90 minute IPA almost. Very delicious IPA and definitely worth picking up, if you live in Texas that is. Hope maybe us Socal peeps will get it one day.

Anime Corner:
Original artwork by fangxian cuoluan is used in this pairing to represent the earth in the label of the beer. As the beer floats in space with its delicious flavors, it gazes at out existence to show the height of what delicious IPAs will go through. This beer reaches the height of IPA caramel and the rising sun so forth brings it delicious citrus and complexity. They say you can’t hear anything in space, but you can definitely taste it!!

Why Can’t IBU? by Stillwater Artisanal

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1380783_10101428760858750_1213259403_nRating: 4.45/5

Why Can’t IBU? by Stillwater Artisanal is a 5.7% Hop Accentuated Belgian India Pale Ale

The awesome Stillwater Artisanal has released another awesome beer. This time with a fancy label. 3D at that. This beer goes into the more hoppy direction starting at it’s base, a farmhouse ale to then become a very hoppy Belgian IPA. However, the hops are supposed to be stronger, hence the pun in the name.

Aromas are of grassy, piney, floral and herbal hops, peppercorns, flowers, hibiscus, biscuit bread, clove spice, farmhouse hay, orange juice, citrus, black pepper, spices, apples, apricots and peach.

The flavors are way more hoppy than your typical saison but not super bitter aggresiveness. Flavors include grassy, piney, floral and herbal hops, biscuit bread, spices, flowers, peppercorns, black pepper, hibiscus, cloves, lemon, honey, hints of tropical fruits, mango, apricots, peach, grapefruit and oranges

The aftertaste is dry buts a nice floral and grassy hop finish. It is a easy to drink, crisp and refreshing. 

Overall, I think is a very good beer. It reminds me why I love Belgian IPAs and BPAs in the first place. The beer is pretty hop forward but still able to carry the nice saison and Belgian IPA flavors. If you like Belgian beers and Hoppy IPAs, this would be an interesting one to enjoy.

Fresh Squeezed IPA by Deschutes Brewery

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

945978_10101346419112270_122286693_nRating: 5/5

Fresh Squeezed IPA by Deschutes Brewery is a 6% ABV World Class India Pale Ale

Label: 
This mouthwateringly delicious IPA gets its flavor from a heavy helping of Citra and Mosaic hops. Don’t worry, no fruit was harmed in the making of this beer. 
___

Picked this up recently at the local Bev-Mo near work. Heard that there was a lot of talk about this beer. Normally for me, I try to look at different IPAs and see what are the most tropical, the most hoppy, the most herbal or even the most orange juice and caramel I can find. Every single IPA or DIPA brings something to the table. As best as I can, I will try to analyze this one. Hell even, the label makes it look like its gonna be a tropical thunder. 

The smell is like grapefruit juice or Squirt Grapefruit soda. This is quite different already as I never seen a more grapefruit forward IPA. There are also aromas of biscuit, caramel, lemon candy, orange jolly rancher, pineapple, orange, subtle piney and grassy hops, kiwi almost like a strawberry or a berry note and mango.

Flavors are quite different but awesome. Lots of pineapple and grapefruit juice, oranges, caramel, piney and grassy hop notes, mango, kiwi, strawberry notes, dragon fruit, orange jolly rancher notes, pecan notes, buttery biscuit, tangerine marmalade, peaches and cream, orange cream popsicle, grapes, raisins, blueberries and papaya.

The aftertaste is awesome. A well balanced bitterness of the piney hops with nice grapefruit and pineapple tropics. I think what really makes this beer great is the balance and drinkability. Very awesome for sure.

The talk wasn’t just that, all talk. This beer is an awesome IPA. I love sweetness of beers and hoppy as well. This one brings both together is such an awesome way that literally works extremely well. This is something I wish I could drink for breakfast everyday. Right next to the Heady Topper, almost, except this is the sweet pink grapefruit where as heady is the orange juice of IPAs.

The art work is sort of like a surprise. Matching the label as best I could, think of it as Master Chief (Green for hops) unveiling the secret sweetness inside :3

HopWorks IPA by Hopworks Urban Brewery

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1075634_10101284553296860_17952362_nRating: 4.95/5

HopWorks IPA by Hopworks Urban Brewery is a 6.6% ABV Organic India Pale Ale

Label: 
Ride your Bike!
Our namesake IPA is a Northwest classic. Generous additions of organic Ahtanum, Centennial, Palisade and Cascade hops find their way into the kettle, hop-back and dry-hop. This judicious use of the “brewer’s spice” creates rich and resinous flavors of citrus fruit and pine. The finest organic 2 row, Munich and Caramel malts then bring balance to your new favorite beer.
___

Wow, aromas are incredible. Lots of grapefruit, caramel, piney, herbal and grassy hops along with orange, toffee, biscuit bread, honey and some tangerines.

The flavors are awesome, lots of grapefruit, piney, herbal and grassy hops along with biscuit, honey, dulce de leche caramel notes? (It somehow seems to workout, go figure), tangerines kiwi and passion fruit.

The aftertaste is kinda bittersweet. It is balanced through and through. It is incredible easy to drink as well and refreshing.

It is an interesting IPA. I have had many IPAs in the past some ranging from more hoppy bitter, to tropical and herbal, but this one is adds a kick by adding the organic munich malts. It gives it a nice caramel sweetness that works well with the IPA hop goodness. I would like to think amber but no, this is not an amber. There is more hops here. Besides, I really think that people that do not necessarily like IPAs should give this a go. There is enough IPA bitterness to keep it going but the sweetness makes it interesting. My favorite IPAs are usually the more tropical ones, but this seems to work so very well! I could find myself drinking a lot, just as good as some of the best I have reviewed here 

RuinTen a.k.a Ruination Tenth Anniversary (re-release) by Stone Brewing

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

954807_10101234318358080_479498419_n 1010280_10101234320199390_590801359_nRating: 5.25/5 *A triumphant fresh return to the golden standard.

RuinTen a.k.a Ruination Tenth Anniversary (re-release) by Stone Brewing is 10.8% ABV 110 IBU World Class Double India Pale Ale

Label: 
Back in 2002, we first released out notoriously mega-hopped Double IPA, Stone Ruination PA, and in 2012 we celebrated its 10th anniversary with the release of a very special version that was even bigger and incredibly, even hoppier than the original. If Stone Ruination IPA is “A Liquid Poem to the Glory of the Hop,” then Stone Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA was a “Stage dive into a mosh pit of hops.” Luckily for us, our fans love loud and aggressive brews, specifically when copious amounts of humulus lupulus are involved. The original release of this beer was so instantly beloved by those who dared try it [particularly us] that there was no way we could relegate in one-hit-wonder status. You are holding in your hands a veritable hop monster. We dropped the word “Tenth” but the decidedly indelicate recipe is the same as the one first unleashed in 2012. This belligerently delicious ale has the substantial malt backbone needed to stand up to the whopping five pounds of hops packed into each barrel. If all the hyperbole hasn’t frightened you away by now, we know you’ll love this audacious gem of hoppy splendor just as much as we do. Crank it up!
___

The IPA Gold standard is back with a vengeance. One release was not awesome enough. The second is enough to cause havoc with irreparable damage to the palette and I am sure you will love it. AS I remember correctly from last years beer, this not only was so bitter that it lingered, it actually started burning. Maybe not like a chile heat, but like a real hop plant bitter trip to Hell.

Aromas are just like I remember, a lot of hoppy aromas ranging from grassy, pine needles, grapefruit, herbal, dank, hop oil, tropics to the brim like mango, pineapple, papaya, passion fruit, dragon fruit, citrus, lemon peel, oranges, tangerines and peaches. The flavor are in your face bitter with straight burning hop character, pine needles, dank hop oils, grapefruit, lemon grass, herbs and slight floral notes, some nice biscuit and caramel along with the in between tropics of the citrus, tangerine, peach, mango, pineapple, passion fruit, dragon fruit, kiwis, papaya, lychees and some nice peppery notes. The After taste just lingers in Hopmaterasu ([Unquenshable Black Flames]Naruto reference) burning to the untrained palette. However, if you are willing to continue drinking, on top of those green hellish flames will lie some nice tropical residue to keep you from fading into the oblivion (Leave that part to the alcohol  ). Very nice thing those hops do , ain’t that sweet of them. This beer is awesome. It is so awesome that I think it makes it the prime reason why they may only be able to release it one more time. Maybe even release it every year if not. I think that if they were to release it as a yearly, it may or may not detract from the original Ruination. However, it if they did do that, it would be nice to have a variety or Ruination to choose from. You know, Hard mode versus Expert mode sort of thing. Get this beer while you still can. Stop Reading this and go buy this beer before it is gone. As for the Brewery–exclusive-Camp-out-all-night-Black-Friday-style-for-only-enjoy-3-pints-Pliny-the-Younger…. eat it!!!!!!

Still need more convincing about the greatness of this beer? Read my past review 

2012 Original Review:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/stone-ruination-tenth-anniversary-ipa/

Ranger IPA by New Belgium

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

268023_10100964262157870_1834729844_nRating: 3.6/5

Ranger by New Belgium is a 6.5%ABV India Pale Ale

Label:
Are you a hopinista? Thank our Beer Rangers for inspiring (and begging for) this well-balanced Simcoe, Cascade and Chinook hopped IPA. 70 IBUs
___

New Belgium makes some nice beers like their Fat Tire Ale. This is their IPA. I have tried many IPAs so I will try to find what is good about this one. The aromas of the Ranger IPA start off with alittle bit of citrus, grassy pine, grapefruit and minor honey biscuit.The flavors are as many IPAs go. Grassy, Pine, Grapefruit, citrus, subtle caramel, biscuit, some herbs and spices, minor notes of peach or a mango but not too fruity. It has a nice hoppy, grassy and bitter aftertaste. While it is quite balanced with flavors, it has nothing new that blows me away. Yet, this is still a good IPA to have. I have tried other bad ones, but this one won’t let you down. Especially if your into IPAs for the hops mainly.