Stone Pale Ale

**fastricky** · 05-03-2009, 01:30 AM

Had never tried it before an our supermarket had it (!) so how could I resist??

Man, this is just the most perfect session beer I've ever had - just perfect.

I understand this is served at Padre games?!?!?! You folks in SD have it made!!

**Yooper** · 05-03-2009, 01:35 AM

It's a good one, all right! Wait until you try Stone Ruination, though. It's the the creme de la creme of great beers. If you like hops, that is.

Stone has to be one of the best all-around breweries there is. They make great beers, all styles that I've tried. Another brewery that only makes great beers is Bell's. You can pick up a Stone beer, and it'll be great. The same is true of Bell's, too.

I had Stone Pale Ale and Arrogant Bastard on tap only once. But I remember loving it!

**fastricky** · 05-03-2009, 01:44 AM

Did have that one Yooper and it is outstanding. I know Stone for their sorta big beers (all great) so when I came across something like the PA that's more 'pedestrian' I was surprised. But then again not, when trying it.

Now I'm curious to know how the Levitation compares to the PA...?

Edited to get the spelling right! Oh, Bell's 2-Hearted: excellent. Impossible to find in NYC tho'... :-(

**AZ_IPA** · 05-03-2009, 01:50 AM

I love Stone IPA, but I just can't pay $9.99 for a session beer (the Pale Ale). I actually haven't tried it yet - maybe I should.

carnevoodoo · 05-03-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YooperBrew

It's a good one, all right! Wait until you try Stone Ruination, though. It's the the creme de la creme of great beers. If you like hops, that is.

There are soooo many better IPAs and even DIPAs out there. Ruination is great for what it is, but you need a good stockpile of the others out here.

**fastricky** · 05-03-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnevoodoo

There are soooo many better IPAs and even DIPAs out there. Ruination is great for what it is, but you need a good stockpile of the others out here.

Give us some ideas...!

carnevoodoo · 05-03-2009, 03:46 PM

IPAs:
Alesmith IPA
Ballast Point Sculpin
Green Flash West Coast
Russian River IPA (only on tap, I think)
Duet and Nelson IPAs from Alpine Brewing
Bear Republic Racer 5
Things like Marin White Knuckle, Ballast Point Big Eye, Port Wipe Out all compare.

Double IPAs:
Pliny the Elder (probably the most obvious)
Ballast Point Dorado
Green Flash IIPA
Alpine Pure Hoppiness and Exponential Hoppiness
RR Blind Pig
Port Hop 15

The fact is that Stone is great. They've pioneered the IPA scene out here (well, really Russian River has, but with Stone being so massive, they've really done nothing but help) and they deserve a lot of credit for making great beer. But there's a lot out there that can stand up to it, no problem.

**fastricky** · 05-03-2009, 05:19 PM

Great list, RR is outstanding stuff, and I wasn't aware it was also in SD. Impressive...

If you know of a local shop that'll ship please let me (us) know!

**fastricky** · 05-03-2009, 10:25 PM

OK, I'm having another one right now... what can you possibly fault about this beer? So great on a hop/malt level... it has it all.

carnevoodoo · 05-03-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastricky

OK, I'm having another one right now... what can you possibly fault about this beer? So great on a hop/malt level... it has it all.

I didn't say it had faults. I personally like my IPAs a little on the dry side, and I also dont like that much straight bitterness. I guess I like different hops profiles more.