Buy Stone Ruination IPA - Stone Imperial Russian Stout - Stone 20th Anniversary Encore Series: 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale

Ruination IPA

Double IPA

Throughout our history, we’ve built a (fairly deserved) reputation for being obsessed with massively hoppy IPAs. And this groundbreaking creation you see before you is largely responsible for that legacy. Did you know that Stone Ruination IPA was the first year-round, brewed-and- bottled West Coast Double IPA on the planet? True story. As the technology and techniques for maximizing hoppy goodness evolved over the years, so too did this beer. Yet we still look back fondly on the impression it left on the palates of many. As a tribute to its roots, we’re bringing it back for a limited time in its original old school form– the quintessential representation of a West Coast Double IPA.

Stone 20th Anniversary Encore Series: 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale

In 2008, Stone Brewmasters Steve Wagner and Mitch Steele traveled to Belgium, where they enjoyed a number of hop-forward Belgian tripels, pale ales and IPAs—beers that had taken a cue from the U.S. craft brewing movement and inspired us in return. It’s a big reason 2008’s summer season came to be known at Stone as our “Summer of the Triple.” Upon their return, they crafted Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale, the seventh beer in the 11-beer Stone Vertical Epic Ale series. Packed with floral, spicy essence from Belgian yeast plus plenty of hoppy New World character, it’s our West Coast take on hop-driven Belgian beers.

Appearance: Golden with a cream-colored head.

Aroma: Clove, banana, very fruity, some tropical fruit and a hint of pine.

Taste: Banana, citrusy hop flavors, floral and a touch of alcohol heat.

Palate: Medium light body, crisp and refreshing. Very bitter finish.

The Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale is a strong Belgian-style IPA highly hopped with American hops (Ahtanum, Amarillo and Simcoe). The beer pours pale golden with a thick and creamy white head of foam. The aroma is full of depth: nuances of pepper, clove, and banana from the Belgian yeast strain, and the resiny citrus notes from the American hops blend together nicely to provide a complex aromatic character. The taste is spicy, hoppy and fruity, with a very dry and a pleasant bitter end. The bitterness lingers nicely and provides a refreshing finish!