Stone IPA v1.1

Centennial is my favorite hop...


I'll keep an open mind, but when he said what he said it broke my heart.

 

I recently had a Stone IPA that I thought was more flavorful and complex than I remembered it being.

 

Good comparison. I'm very much a fan of both as well, even though they are much different. To me it's like this (when speaking of a "too much" variation within same range). Sometimes you want a Whopper, sometimes you want a Big Mac. Two wildly different tastes within the same genre that serve basically the same purpose but neither could EVER replace a steak (or DIPA for this exercise...)

 

Although I kind of miss the original IPA. Maybe it's the sentimental value for me.

Years ago, I was going through a rough patch and some friends invited me out to some high end sushi joint. They had Stone IPA on draft, and you got your own 32oz pitcher!

Needless to say, that night bore my love for the simplistic, piney, and forward IPA the original was. Maybe it was the good laughs and the atmosphere, but the smell and taste are still vivid.

The v1.1 is still absolutely brilliant, don't get me wrong, but the more citrus-forward dry hop had me confused at first (since I was unaware of a recipe change), rather than the super floral and piney one I had come to love.

All things change, and impermanence is the beauty of the universe. Stone still never lets us down, and all things beautiful must continue to evolve and grow. Just as our minds, souls, and palates always seek something new, great artists excel and innovate to feed us what we all desire.

 

Thanks. That actually really means a lot. Very kind. Cheers, -Greg.

 

I tried the original IPA. I'm not saying it was bad.. it just wasn't to my liking (as with most IPA's).

I'll still buy the v1.1, just to see how it tastes. Otherwise, I'd never know if I'll like it or not.

 

Didn't think Stone would touch this one. Glad to hear though, Ruination 2.0 was a huge improvement. Still sad to see Sublimely Self-Righteous go. Didn't get the chance to pick up the Black Enjoy By. Man do I miss the Black IPA trend

 

Pick up the current variety 12 pack, it has the new formula of Stone IPA, Ruination 2.0. Citrusy Wit, and Sublimely Self-Righteous. I'm about to pop my first SSR in a year or so, pretty stoked.

 

Not a huge Stone fan here. Though Stone IPA was probably my favorite in their lineup. But what really intrigues me here is the marketing.

Stone has had beers like Stone Pale Ale and Stone IPA while adding version 2.whatever (and discontinuing the original) and not causing much ruckus.

But what if Bells substantially overhauled Two Hearted? Or Anchor Liberty Ale? We would be in a tizzy if they changed the recipe but kept the same name or called it "Two Hearted 2.0". The expectation is that a new beer deserves a new name.

 

1.1 is an improvement in my opinion.

 

Think of it as being like a computer program, 1,1 is a minor fix and 2.0 is a substantial revision. But in both cases, despite internal changes it's still the same program and you don't lose loyal customers who think it's a totally new program when it's just an improved version of one they already know and use regularly.

 

The change is pretty minor, there is a little different citrus in the aroma, but its very minor. I think azacca is the only hop I could call out as noticing. Was a delicious beer, still a delicious beer and if they never said anything, I probably wouldn't have noticed.

 

But just how often is it a true improvement, and how many times is it just a change for the sake of it.

 

Well most of the software developers (many) and brewers (a few) I've met are so busy trying get a product to market or get rid of the bugs, glitches and/or infelicities in existing products that they don't have the time or resources to change just for sake of change.

But, hey, you gotta trust someone sometimes, right? (Trust, but verify of course because sometimes what they think of as an improvement isn't. )

 

So funny that I came here to start a Stone IPA appreciation thread and saw this one. About 3 months ago(right about the time of the change, but I would say before it), I grabbed a 12pk of Stone IPA for my wife and I. We enjoyed them actually rather quickly over about 4 days, each time with dinner/after kids went to bed. Last night, we went out for dinner at local spot. Remembering our recent experience with Stone IPA fondly, I decided to grab a bottle and was blown away. 1.1 is an improvement for sure and extremely enjoyable(and fantastic with some BBQ).

 

So I just bought a single that was bottled in June and best by date of 9/24/16. So maybe my taste buds are off, but this tastes nearly exactly like previous Stone IPAs Ive recalled having several times before. Granted is a classic well crafted WC IPA but still has the piney hops and bitter finish. Not picking up any additional juicy/sweet hops here. Is this really a different formulation? I seriously can't tell at all.

I'll probably just stick with the Pale/Ruination 2.0 when I need my Stone hoppy ale fix until an IPA 2.0 is created with more drastic adjustments. Everyone gets to enjoy different styles as they prefer from Stone, so that is great thing.

 

I had a Stone IPA at a restaurant on Long Island, bottled on date was nowhere to be found. Really surprising for a brewery focused on fresh beerThis coming frome someone who is big fan of Stone.

 

Well, I picked up a sixer of this today bottled on July 17...freshest I've ever seen it... About to open one shortly...will report back....I love the beer but haven't been able to find it for months until today...

 

Definitely more citrus here... It is incredibly fresh so that could play a part but I'm enjoying it quite a bit...

 

Had a six pack of stone IPA, tasted great.. Yes little different then before, but over all great beer!! Also had ruination triple IPA... Awesome. Keep up the good work Stone!!!