Stone Ruination New Vs. Old

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by M_C_Hampton, Jun 14, 2015.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. M_C_Hampton

    M_C_Hampton Initiate (0) Oct 9, 2012 Georgia

    So I just did a side by side double blind tasting of old Stone Ruination vs Ruination v2.0. I can honestly say that I like the old version better than the new. I'm having that feeling I did back in the '80s when New Coke came out. Is anyone else experiencing this phenomenon?
     
  2. gshak

    gshak Savant (1,220) Feb 20, 2011 Texas

    I'm going the opposite way on this. New Ruination >>> Old Ruination.
    I just couldn't care much for the old Ruination - fresh or not, it was just a bitter, pine bomb and no more. The new one on the other hand fires on all cylinders - tropical, juicy, resiny, piney, and all things that make a great IPA. I actually prefer this to every other IPA that Stone has put out there, including Enjoy By (Oh, the blasphemy of saying it out loud :grimacing:)
     
  3. SonictheBeerhog

    SonictheBeerhog Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 New York

    I like the new version out of a tap. It's a great fun beer with plenty going on in the hop department. However... if I am drinking it from a bottle I like the first Ruination better.
     
  4. TheBeerdedCharmer

    TheBeerdedCharmer Pooh-Bah (1,652) Oct 24, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I enjoy both of them but I would need to try both of the side by side to decide which is better.
     
    hopnado likes this.
  5. superspak

    superspak Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,927) May 5, 2010 North Carolina
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Not me. The new version has much of the same reminiscence of the old one in hop flavors with added tropical complexity with the new hop additions; AND it is also a lot smoother and less brutally astringent on bitterness while still remaining really crisp and smooth. I prefer the new one, but still loved the old one as well.
     
  6. rab53

    rab53 Initiate (0) May 1, 2005 Washington
    Trader

    I enjoy v2.0 much more that the original. In its day it was somewhat cutting edge for being such a bitter beast, but the DIPA landscape has evolved.
     
  7. DrStiffington

    DrStiffington Grand Pooh-Bah (3,740) Oct 27, 2010 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I thought the original version stood out more taste-wise. The new version tastes fine, but I don't find it very "ruinous" to the palate.
     
    WoostaBia, rphx88 and chrismattlin like this.
  8. ColdOneKev

    ColdOneKev Maven (1,347) Feb 18, 2012 North Carolina

    Love the old and love the new. I gave an ever-so-slight edge to the new because of the more varied hop profile. However pine resin is one of my favorite hop flavors and I will miss the old.
     
  9. Greywulfken

    Greywulfken Grand Pooh-Bah (5,815) Aug 25, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Do they still make Ruination or did you drink an old bottle?
    Put me down for 2.0 - I recall enjoying the original, but I loved the 2.0.
     
    jcos, cherche and StoneBrewing like this.
  10. Rlhinson2104

    Rlhinson2104 Initiate (0) Apr 28, 2014 Florida

    I find the 2.0 to have be more crisp and dry on my palate. I love the flavor, but I think I prefer the more sticky, lingering mouthfeel of the original.
     
  11. 31Sam13

    31Sam13 Initiate (0) Sep 29, 2014 New Hampshire

    I drank them side by side when they first came out, and I found that the new one is more complex, citrusy, more generally fruity with hints of a multitude of fruits, less piney (but still a strong presence) and it is not quite as bitter. As many have said, the first go-round was a pine bomb. This 2.0 is more refined and complex, owing to the hops...neither one is my favorite. They are both great in their own way and for the sake of choosing one, I have to go with the 2.0...just one man's opinion...I could see why it could be mostly a toss-up, depending on personal preference...though it seems many like 2.0 better...
     
    RockAZ, drtth and StoneBrewing like this.
  12. GuitarIPA

    GuitarIPA Savant (1,229) Mar 24, 2013 Connecticut

    I like them both. It's interesting that Stone, having so many beers on the market, didn't have room for both.
     
  13. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    Original Ruination please.
     
  14. pagriley

    pagriley Pooh-Bah (2,382) Oct 27, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Original was much better for me. I really don't like the dank trend, and to me, Ruination 2.0 tastes like it is chasing that particular trend
     
  15. 31Sam13

    31Sam13 Initiate (0) Sep 29, 2014 New Hampshire

    Yes...this is one thing I was remiss in mentioning. The syrupy mouthfeel of the original was wonderful and had me shaking my head the first sip of 2.0 I took, as it is not as good as the original in this regard...
     
  16. wordemupg

    wordemupg Grand Pooh-Bah (3,187) Feb 11, 2009 Canada (AB)
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    2.0 just got released in Alberta so I'll know in the near future:wink:
     
  17. deanzaZZR

    deanzaZZR Maven (1,347) Jan 8, 2015 California

    I prefer 2.0 as well with the brighter citrusy tones. I do not like the 2.0 price of $13.99/6 however.
     
  18. ESeab

    ESeab Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2013 New Jersey

    Agree, I think OG is better. I feel like 2.0 isn't as smooth going down
     
    neenerzig likes this.
  19. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I liked the old one for what it did, but I really like this one, probably more. It's still very aggressive and bitter, so it's not really losing out on what the original brought to the table, but at the same time it incorporates newer, fruitier hop profiles to give it more flavor overall.
     
    RBassSFHOPit2ME likes this.
  20. RBassSFHOPit2ME

    RBassSFHOPit2ME Initiate (0) Mar 1, 2009 California

    I'll say it again. It's the same beer. Just a wee bit cleaner and a wee bit brighter... For the better IMHO. But in all honesty, it's not all that much different. Marketing / re-branding ploy by Stone in the midst of a new and younger exploding market. Smart.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.