Stone Cali-Belgie IPA

Stone Brewing Company
Escondido (San Diego County), CA

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Pretty gold, crystal clear. White, rocky head that laces the glass.

AROMA: 3.75/4
Sour aroma. White pepper, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, pineapple, watermelon. Like a spicy fruit salad.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Sour, earthy. Grapefruity hop flavor. Lemon notes, peppery, cinnamon-spice.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Residual spiciness, hop bitterness at the end.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Lasting bitterness, but subtle. Effervescent. Taste buds are firing!

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Definitely a Belgian yeast, with all the good things that come with it. Nice and hoppy, but spicy, too. An interesting take on an IPA—the best of both worlds.

TOTAL: 17.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: This is what a Belgian IPA should be—complex, spicy, well-proportioned. Once again, a great Stone offering.
Ben: Belgian yeast is there in the earthy-spicy feel; good hop flavors and bitterness make it an IPA. A really good beer!