BrewDey
Well-Known Member
Don't get me wrong-this is a quality beer. But I was honestly expecting much more from these guys-given their (self-bestowed) reputation.
I'll spare you the blow by blow-but overall it seemed a bit imbalanced. It reminded me of a regular gravity pale I brewed where I added several ounces of Cascades very late. The result was a good nose, and some legit hop flavor-but predominantly bitter-without the backing warmness of the alcohol, or sweetness of any residual sugars.
The Stone had a tiny bit of sweetness, but I really had to hunt for it-and it was much more bitter than 'hoppy'. It did have the warmness, but no maltiness to speak of.
I may be a little prejudiced because I'm a bit tired of Cascades, but to me, the beauty of an IPA is the balance of flavors-not just as bitter as possible. It's great to be able to taste the hops as well. Just my $.02, I'm sure I'll 'suffer' :cross: through the rest of the sixer. But as far as IPAs go, I'd have to give the nod to 2 Hearted, Heavy Seas, or Harpoon.
I'll spare you the blow by blow-but overall it seemed a bit imbalanced. It reminded me of a regular gravity pale I brewed where I added several ounces of Cascades very late. The result was a good nose, and some legit hop flavor-but predominantly bitter-without the backing warmness of the alcohol, or sweetness of any residual sugars.
The Stone had a tiny bit of sweetness, but I really had to hunt for it-and it was much more bitter than 'hoppy'. It did have the warmness, but no maltiness to speak of.
I may be a little prejudiced because I'm a bit tired of Cascades, but to me, the beauty of an IPA is the balance of flavors-not just as bitter as possible. It's great to be able to taste the hops as well. Just my $.02, I'm sure I'll 'suffer' :cross: through the rest of the sixer. But as far as IPAs go, I'd have to give the nod to 2 Hearted, Heavy Seas, or Harpoon.