Stone says: "You have in your hands a devastatingly fresh double IPA. While freshness
is a key component of many beers - especially big, citrusy, floral IPAs
- we've taken it further, a lot further, in this IPA. You see, we
specifically brewed it NOT to last. We've not only gone to extensive
lengths to ensure that you're getting this beer in your hands within an
extraordinarily short window, we made sure that the Enjoy By date isn't
randomly etched in tiny text somewhere on the label, to be overlooked by
all but the most attentive of retailers and consumers. Instead, we've
sent a clear message with the name of the beer itself that there is no
better time than right now to enjoy this IPA."
Like Stone said, this is a 9.4% DIPA, bottled 8/17/12, that absolutely must be had fresh. My understanding is that after 9/21/12, they're supposed to force all retailers to pull this from the market. The Stone blog says that initially, this batch will hit the Southern CA, New Jersey, and Chicago markets, but that they will continue to brew batches with the same 35 day freshness window and eventually get those out to cover more of their usual markets. Good stuff!
Appearance: Completely clear golden wheat colored, with a modest head and minimal lacing on the sides of the glass. Carbonation is visible and appears sparse.
Smell: Huge. Dank hoppiness, pine and tropical mango, lemon zest, and a touch of sweetness.
Taste: More great tropical fruit flavor, with citrus coming in as well to join the trifecta of wonderful hop flavor (resin, tropical fruit, citrus fruit.) It's definitely bitter, and a little peppery as well, with the tiniest hint of biscuit that remains on the tongue after swallowing.
Mouthfeel: Wow -- this is smooth, medium-bodied, and it finishes bone dry. Incredible. There is no heat from the alcohol, which is quite a feat, and despite a bit of initial oiliness the beer finishes perfectly clean. Very nice.
Overall: I'm really impressed with this. Between Enjoy By and Ruination 10, Stone has knocked it out of the park lately. Any hophead would love this. Critically, since I feel I should at least try, I do think that in their effort to give this a short shelf-life, they compromised a bit on the balance with the malt bill. As the beer warms, it loses some potency and the taste becomes thinner, as the hop aromatics become less obvious and there doesn't seem to be much of a foundation in malt to bolster it. That's a nitpick though, because it's still tasty, and the "problem" is easily avoided -- don't let the beer get warm. Anyway, if this reached your market, definitely grab a bottle, but don't wait to drink it!
4.5/5
Like Stone said, this is a 9.4% DIPA, bottled 8/17/12, that absolutely must be had fresh. My understanding is that after 9/21/12, they're supposed to force all retailers to pull this from the market. The Stone blog says that initially, this batch will hit the Southern CA, New Jersey, and Chicago markets, but that they will continue to brew batches with the same 35 day freshness window and eventually get those out to cover more of their usual markets. Good stuff!
Appearance: Completely clear golden wheat colored, with a modest head and minimal lacing on the sides of the glass. Carbonation is visible and appears sparse.
Smell: Huge. Dank hoppiness, pine and tropical mango, lemon zest, and a touch of sweetness.
Taste: More great tropical fruit flavor, with citrus coming in as well to join the trifecta of wonderful hop flavor (resin, tropical fruit, citrus fruit.) It's definitely bitter, and a little peppery as well, with the tiniest hint of biscuit that remains on the tongue after swallowing.
Mouthfeel: Wow -- this is smooth, medium-bodied, and it finishes bone dry. Incredible. There is no heat from the alcohol, which is quite a feat, and despite a bit of initial oiliness the beer finishes perfectly clean. Very nice.
Overall: I'm really impressed with this. Between Enjoy By and Ruination 10, Stone has knocked it out of the park lately. Any hophead would love this. Critically, since I feel I should at least try, I do think that in their effort to give this a short shelf-life, they compromised a bit on the balance with the malt bill. As the beer warms, it loses some potency and the taste becomes thinner, as the hop aromatics become less obvious and there doesn't seem to be much of a foundation in malt to bolster it. That's a nitpick though, because it's still tasty, and the "problem" is easily avoided -- don't let the beer get warm. Anyway, if this reached your market, definitely grab a bottle, but don't wait to drink it!
4.5/5
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