Stoneface Brewing DIPA Release

Like what I had from this brewer, but Heady Topper IS $3.50 for 16 oz.

 

Ashamed to admit that I’d never even heard of Stoneface until yesterday. Was standing in line at the Sapping Mammoth release, and guys next to me were talking about the Hopulization release…Anyway, got my case of SM and then headed to Stoneface on my way home…was like 2pm. Great vibe, super nice guys, lots of people hanging around sampling and buying and chilling. Tasted the IPA and Hopulization. Grabbed a mixed case and hit the road. Last night sat down for one of each beer with my wife; Sapping Mammoth first, then the Stoneface IPA, then Hopulization…we were in complete agreement that the SM was decent but not memorable at all, the IPA was very good and easy drinking, but a bit too light and one dimensional, and the Hopulization was AWESOME. Not quite on par with the heavyweights, but a damn excellent beer. Glad to have found Stoneface. Wish them much success…and stoked that they’re like 40 mins from our house.

 

So I'm curious to hear from other hopheads how they think this ranks on the New England spectrum. If Dinner is the stellar upgrade of Lunch. Is this the stellar upgrade of Stoneface IPA? Is this on par with Dinner? I really like Hopulization, but it's been a while since I've had Dinner, Sip of Sunshine, etc., so it's hard for me to compare.

 

My theory is that for Hopulization I know they tested about 8-9 hop varieties for the dry-hop, and it was their first time brewing it, so in theory time and planning went into developing the beer for the first time.

If they decided to brew this beer year-round, in theory they could source the ingredients in large quantities and get better prices, won't have to use time (which equals money) doing anymore "test batches" and can develop efficiencies in their process. I'm not saying they would definitely low the price, thats their decision. But I feel like the idea with any product is that the cost of developing it is most expensive the first time, and then as you develop economies of scale and expertise in producing that product, you can do it more efficiently. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experience_curve_effects

 

Taste is obviously super subjective, but in my opinion, yes, Hopulization is to the IPA as Dinner is to Lunch, but on a different scale. The Stoneface beers are very good, and as already mentioned, I think better than Sapping Mammoth, but Lunch is better than the IPA and Dinner is a lot better than Hopulization...which brings me to the next point; We have some of the best hoppy beers in the whole world here in New England...It's not fair to compare a brand new brewery's first DIPA release to Alchemist or Lawson's or Hill or even Trillium or Tree House. They're on a different level, but that's not to say we shouldn't also consider ourselves lucky to have Stoneface in the neighborhood. It ain't world class (yet), but it's very good.

 

I really enjoyed hopulization, drank a bottle last night. I rated it just slightly under their IPA because I just prefer their IPA. Maybe it's just me, but for me, it's absolutely world class. It's so incredibly drinkable with a ton of flavor. I will say, got one on a warmish shelf the other week, and it had fallen off. To anyone who has had it recently after they've distroed it, and didn't think it was anything special, try a bottle cold from the brewery, or even a fresh growler. It drives me crazy to see this sitting on shelves and not cold in a fridge. I know some people say it doesn't make a difference, but this is a good example. I made my buddy at the Epsom Traffic Circle store throw them in the fridge. Hopulization has a HUGE hop bite, tropical, bitter, great flavors, and it's a little hot but very drinkable. It's a great beer to drink after work at 2 in the morning (Like I did) and just enjoy every last sip of it. But that IPA, i want to drink it for several hours in a row.

 

I'm also in the minority on this one too. I tried my sample in line at 1:30 yesterday. Planned to buy a full case but after the sample got 5 of them instead. Definitely a quality DIPA but I prefer their IPA. I ended up walking out of there with 2 growlers of that too. I've been pushing their IPA on friends for months. I prefer the crushable easy drinking tropical notes of their IPA. I put in on par with the last 2 Morph batches from Night Shift. A lot of great options out there and it seems like none of the New England brewers want to be outdone with their IPA's. Everyone is realizing they have to step up their game to get our patronage and I would say for certain they have. You keep making it, we'll keep drinking it.

 

Can the regular IPA be found in stores? NH only? Or can it be found in southern ME?

 

I need to revist the IPA tonight to see which I prefer, but I really liked the DIPA. Love galaxy and calypso and I thought the double-dry hop impressively covered up the 8.9%. Found it dangerously drinkable, not malty or boozy.

 

I agree that it certainly isn't malty or boozy for a DIPA, but it also doesn't have the pop that Dinner or some of the other top doubles do. A good beer but at the price point I am not likely to buy more.

 

It's just in NH at this point, and the brewery is about 5 mins from the Maine border. From Portland, Newington is maybe 1:15 and from Wells it's about 30 mins. I'd highly recommend a drive down on a Saturday, and you could do Stoneface, Throwback, Earth Eagle, Blue Lobster and Smuttynose all within a short drive of each other.

 

It's excellent. It's really balanced from being just a citrus bomb. Great job

 

I was just about to be that guy. I agree completely! Drank one side by side with a Heady Friday evening and the difference was negligible. So stoked for these guys!

 

I won't beat you up! I don't agree but glad as hell that you guys are enjoying it.

 

On par with both. These guys are on point.

 

So begins the hype train. Not that I disagree, either. I'm happy to have a great IPA brewer in town

 

Who: You and Stoneface and your friends, and maybe some family (?)
What: Stoneface RIS, a Russian Imperial Stout that clocks in at 9.5% ABV. This beer was aged on Tahitian Vanilla and coffee that we cold-brewed in-house using French roasted Indian Monsoon Malabar coffee from Port City Coffee Roasters.
Where: At the brewery. 436 Shattuck Way, Newington, NH. Parking and entrance are at the back of the building.
Why: IPA = Good. Double IPA = More good. RIS <> IPA [still good!]
When: Friday, November 21, 2014, starting at 1PM. If it's getting late and people are waiting, no sweat, we'll stay open; if not, we'll close at 7PM as usual.
How [much]: $9 per bottle / $100 per case.
1 case limit per person (case = twelve 500 ml. bottles).
Individual bottles will also be available. Growlers will not be available during the bottle release but we will serve limited complimentary samples.

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WINTER HOURS - Effective November 2014
Mon, Tue, Wed: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thurs, Fri: 1:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Sat: Noon - 4:00 PM


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thread de-rail.................

anyone know what hops are in the APA it's like nothing I've had almost like a fruit punch hard candy loving the offerings but I'm gonna be broke 6bux for a 16.9er adds up quick