Ruination Double IPA 2.0 - American Oak
Stone Brewing

RB transfer

 

 

 

 

When the forward thinking hop dominance that's alive in west coast IPA piles on a generous pine resin bite, the introduction of oak aging is a natural next step. But as oak tends to round off the rough edges of hops, will the honorable Ruination suffer from subtlety?

Pale gold and firmly hazy, the frothy ale unleashes a host of hop perfumes. Grapefruit, orange, lemon and melon has a herbal and grassy scent, that of a newly mowed lawn. Short on sweetness, the faint glimpse of honey and caramel carry a hint of simple syrups which lifts quickly heading into middle palate.

As the ale quickly shakes off any malt distraction, its radiant hop favors are like a bitter and herbal creamsicle. White grapefruit, the tang of a slightly under-ripened orange, apricot, mango and pineapple, a hint of lemon with herbal grassiness of tea all align on the palate with a dry succulence that's undeniable. With the piquant pine cone character trending sappy, sharp and bitter, so does the soft oak for a hint of powdery sawdust in finish.

Medium-bodied, this has always been Ruination's saving grace- remaining dry, drinkable and highly thirst quenching while retaining its imperial status. Bracingly bitter, the oak softens the blow of the hops, preventing them from unnecessary hop-derived astringency while lending a fresh oaken nuttiness to the pine. This is a fantastic variation on the classic Stone imperial IPA without detracting from its hoppy soul one bit.

Poured on tap in a snifter, the beer is a hazy, straw gold coloring, with a thin, filmy, clingy, white head. Aromas of bright citrus notes, heavy on grapefruit and lemon, with a solid woody overtone that mellows the citrus and the resinous hops notes nicely. Flavors are bitter and resinous forward, heavy on pine, pepper spice, and wet grass, with a quick follow of tart grapefruit and acidic lemon, all balanced with the smooth woody and earthy highlights. Bold, slick bodied, with a grassy and sticky pine aftertaste. Slick, smooth finish, with a solid woody and resinous linger. Good variant.

 

 

 

 

 

Appearance: Poured from draft a semi-cloudy amber, with a nice off-white head and little lace on my pint glass.

Aroma: Huge tropical hops, with notes of floral and citrus. Niiiiice!!

Taste: Crisp and hoppy with plenty of citrus and pine notes. Finish brings it up with a touch of the oak and a kiss of bitterness. Really a delicious and subtle ale, with immense flavor and a deep and unusual flavor on the palate with the oaked variation. Loved it.