NxS IPA
Stone Brewing

NxS IPANxS IPA
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
ABV:
8.2%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.09 | pDev: 7.82%
Reviews:
127
Ratings:
564
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 30, 2020
Added:
Nov 02, 2015
Wants:
  42
Gots:
  182
Collaboration with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

A California collaboration blend of dry-hopped IPA and barrel-aged IPA
FIRST RELEASE: December 7, 2015
For many, California is considered an epicenter for brewing innovation, particularly where hoppy IPAs are concerned. We teamed up with longtime craft compatriots and mutual hop admirers Sierra Nevada to create a truly one-of-a-kind IPA. This special-edition beer conveys the true character of collaboration with touches of inventiveness and creativity. Two batches of an IPA were brewed and expertly blended to craft this multilayered beer. The first batch was split down the middle, with 50% being aged in gin-infused bourbon barrels and the remaining half aged in rye whiskey barrels. These beers were blended with the fresh second batch of IPA, which was generously dry-hopped to impart rich aromas to accompany the citrusy, piney, woody, herbaceous flavors achieved from this truly one-of-a-kind collaboration.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Phigg1102:
Photo of Phigg1102
Rated by Phigg1102 from New York

4.27/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Jan 30, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of GarrettB
Reviewed by GarrettB from Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
December 11th, 2015 - A collaboration between Stone and Sierra Nevada sounds like a California hop head's dream. Bright and floral, this beer has that cool amber color of Sierra Nevada's classic pale ale, but with a spicier nose featuring some red and green peppercorns, and a slightly herbal touch with sniffs of mint and evergreen. There might even be a sprig of fennel thrown into the batch, delicate and unobtrusive. Bright hop flood the flavor on a soft foam mouthfeel, and with a slightly stronger emphasis on the wintergreen notes, capping with a minty finish that is still drinkable.
Jan 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.17 by Dillinger from Mississippi

Aug 10, 2019
 
Rated: 4.46 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Feb 25, 2019
 
Rated: 4.08 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Dec 03, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by cmbeddoe7997 from Texas

Mar 29, 2018
 
Rated: 4.24 by Georgiabeer from Georgia

Mar 04, 2017
 
Rated: 4.5 by MacStinson from Michigan

Jan 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.25 by batt6343 from Texas

Nov 16, 2016
 
Rated: 4.39 by Briken from Washington

Nov 13, 2016
 
Rated: 4.02 by Bammer21 from Illinois

Aug 27, 2016
Photo of Jadjunk
Reviewed by Jadjunk from Georgia

3.77/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
"For man, California is the epicenter of brewing innovation, particularly where hoppy beers are concerned. While we appreciatively accept the credit we've earned in helping build such a reputation, we proudly point to our friends at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for initiating interest in hop-forward beers long before us. We are both breweries that started off with hoppy pale ales and grew to become bicoastal while sharing an obsession with hops and a devotion to going our own way, vocally advocating for craft beer and it's enthusiasts. We are colleagues, craft compatriots and longtime mutual admirers. All of that is represented by this special-edition beer, wich conveys the ultimate essence of collavoration with unique touches of inventiveness and creativity. Two batches of an IPA were brewed and bittered with Magnum hops before providing the backdrop for a three-way hop bursting involving Amarillo, Chinook and Cascade. The first batch, created months earlier, was split down the middle, with 50% being aged in gin-infused bourbon barrels and the remaining half finding its way into rye whiskey barrels. the aged beers were then blended with a new, fresh batch of IPA which was generously dry-hopped to impart rich hop aromas to accompany the citrusy, piney, woody, hervacsous flavors of this multilayered and truly one-of-a-kind collaboration between two truly one-of-a-kind brewing companies." Brewed in the style of a blended American IPA, available in 22oz. bottles and on limited draft.

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a tulip glass.

(Appearance) Pours a crisp foamy head of a pastel white shade over a moderately hazy amber body with ample carbonation. Retention is good and lacing is light and spotty. 4

(Smell) A decent balance of malt, barrel and hop characteristics. Hop profile generates notes of citrus pith, piney resins, lemon and herbal tones, met with a mildly mannered caramel malt body with a touch of graininess, accented with the subtly infused rye whiskey bite and gin alcohol. Quite interesting. Potency is moderate. 3.75

(Taste) Citrusy, herbal and piney hop resins forward with a moderate hop bitterness up front is blended throughout with a grain malt body, complete with subtle barrel tannins and smoothness. Notably more hop bitterness than perceived, the drinking experience is consistent from start to finish for a roundly flavorful beer with no surprises to the flavor otherwise. 3.75

(Mouthfeel) Texture is slick, lightly oily, smooth, lightly chewy, mildly dry. Carbonation is moderate, generating a medium frothiness and a moderately crisp finish. Body is shy of medium for the style, medium+ overall. Balance is slightly hoppy bitter over sweet, barrel tannins and graininess. Alcohol presence is modest, and there are no off characters. 3.75

(Overall) No doubt a massive and arguably expensive undertaking went into crafting, blending and dry-hopping this beer, and while the results are expected to be pleasing, I wasn't overwhelmed, especially with the barrel aging, which didn't contribute much distinguished flavor to the overall ale. Ultimately the hop flavor (and especially bitterness) prevails in this beer, which would have fared just as well without the added barrel-aging and blending techniques, but I respect the procedure and do not discount the effort that went into this one. Enjoyable, but nonetheless not memorable to me. 3.75

Stone Brewing's
NxS IPA (With Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.)
/5.00
Aug 21, 2016
 
Rated: 4.6 by Studfarm69 from California

Jul 08, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by FrankK from Alabama

Jun 29, 2016
Photo of BigGold
Reviewed by BigGold from Mississippi

4.09/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
First had poured from 22-oz. bomber into tulip. I was late to the NXS party, but this is a complicated and sophisticated beer, which reflects characteristics of both breweries.
Jun 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4.06 by facefox from California

Jun 16, 2016
 
Rated: 3.7 by Johnct from New York

Jun 12, 2016
 
Rated: 3.98 by teraflx from Arizona

Jun 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.21 by Sparty55 from Michigan

Jun 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.88 by nwhittin from Indiana

Jun 10, 2016
NxS IPA from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 564 ratings