Cali-Belgique IPA
Stone Brewing

Cali-Belgique IPACali-Belgique IPA
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian IPA
ABV:
6.9%
Score:
89
Avg:
3.96 | pDev: 11.36%
Reviews:
1,118
Ratings:
3,475
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 01, 2020
Added:
Jul 23, 2008
Wants:
  129
Gots:
  702
A California-style IPA with a Belgian twist
AKA Stone Cali-België IPA
First Release:
September 2008

Stone Cali-Belgique IPA features a complex and surprising combination of flavors, but behind the fancy title is the simply delicious Stone IPA. The addition of a carefully selected strain of Belgian yeast adds banana and spice notes to the hoppy brightness of our flagship IPA. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture. Literally.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by prototypic:
Photo of prototypic
Reviewed by prototypic from Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: It's very clear and light golden in color. There's a slight bronze tint to it. It's a very attractive color, though it is a tad disappointing. I was hoping for a hazy look with particles of yeast swimming about. That seems standard in other Belgian IPAs I've tried. At any rate, it's capped off with a foamy white head that's about a finger and a half deep. Retention was pretty good.

Smell: The nose is impressive. There's a very strong Belgian yeast smell that kicks it off and really predominates throughout. It's delicious smelling. I love Belgian yeast. It's not often that an American brewer can pull this off, but Stone did a nice job here. Hops are easily detectable, but take a slight backseat to the yeast. Hops seem mostly citric and feature nice grapefruit and pineapple aromas. Smells like a little sweet malt is there, but it's faint. I like that. It remains yeasty throughout and smells somewhat biscuit-like on the tail. There's a very light whiff of alcohol in there, but it's not much.

Taste: There's some win in here. This is a really nice tasting beer. Belgian yeast is very prevalent (and tasty I might add). It's got a nice authentic Belgian flavor. Hops follow up the initial yeast taste very quickly. They piney, citric, and very west coast. The hop bitterness feels like its undercut a little by the strong yeast presence. But, it really doesn't have a substantial negative effect. The bitter flavor is just not quite as pronounced as in the typical Stone IPA. There is some pale malt that's sweet and was added in just the right amount. Very restrained. It remains yeasty throughout indeed. It is slightly biscuity. Finishes sweet and slightly bitter.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: It's medium bodied and has a nice, smooth feel. Carbonation is active, but doesn't negate its smoothness to any material degree. Drinkability is extremely high. I find this to be a very satisfying beer that I could drink quite a bit of. At 6.9%, abv isn't too high to be intimidating.

Stone's got a winner here. I don't like it quite as much as their IPA, but this is well done. Given, I believe the look here could be improved a little. Perhaps by not looking so...filtered. A tad more hop bitterness might improve the flavor, as well. Otherwise, this is extremely impressive and Stone's IPA recipe works very well with Belgian yeast. Highly recommended if you have the opportunity.
Dec 15, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by Urk1127 from New Jersey

Dec 01, 2020
 
Rated: 3.5 by TallGuyCM from California

Jun 16, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by ryanf2192 from District of Columbia

Jun 09, 2020
Photo of Barley_Bill
Rated by Barley_Bill from Texas

4.36/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Ever considered brewing a Double variety of this beer?
Apr 13, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

Apr 06, 2020
 
Rated: 3.99 by imnodoctorbut from Texas

Feb 25, 2020
Photo of fedt
Reviewed by fedt from Arizona

3.84/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA, 6.9%, poured from a bomber into glass
March 2015

L: Golden yellow, thick head, lots of lacing, few bubbles arising
S: Smells Belgian of course, loads of funky spices, strong yeast smell, sweet grapefruit.
T: Grapefruit foremost, citrus rind, and the yeast that was on the load. Bitterness and yeast then leads to sweet malty body and bread. Finishes with that citrus and yeast, with a little lingering banana.
F: Fresh, medium bodied, plenty of carbonation.
O: I liked this. An interesting Stone ale with Belgian yeast making a unique hybrid of sorts.
Jan 05, 2020
 
Rated: 3.75 by MJSFS from Florida

Dec 07, 2019
 
Rated: 4.12 by Wrigfen from South Carolina

Jul 03, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by ian_graf from Minnesota

Jun 09, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by Kolb from Montana

Apr 25, 2019
 
Rated: 2.95 by AllOfTheCats from Wisconsin

Oct 24, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by JohnDon from Texas

Oct 09, 2018
 
Rated: 3.98 by soundaurora from Pennsylvania

Sep 25, 2018
 
Rated: 3 by TeeCee from Texas

Sep 10, 2018
 
Rated: 4.13 by AleManDan from California

Jun 19, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by R_Kole from Canada (AB)

Jun 10, 2018
 
Rated: 3.91 by Giangio from Italy

Apr 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4.75 by Truthdealer2121 from California

Mar 28, 2018
Cali-Belgique IPA from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 3475 ratings