Here we are on review #12 in the IPA series. This review is another “head to head” review between two beers from Stone Brewing Company, The Stone IPA and the Stone Ruination. Stone is known for making quality beers that have a lot of hops in them. Here is the review:
Stone IPA- 6.9% ABV, 77 IBU’s
Stone Ruination- 7.7% ABV, 100+ IBU’s
Both of these beers are very good, although they get there in two different ways. When I review beers I try to be as objective as possible, knowing that ultimately liking/disliking a beer is still pretty subjective. My method involves evaluating different components of each beer and getting a total score from the individual components. Hopefully this system will help you get a sense for the beers and if you will like them or not based on your tastes. These two beers do a great job of showing how the system works.
Appearance-Stone IPA pours a little hazy with a thinnish head while Ruination is clear and bright with a better head and lacing. This gives the Ruination a bit higher score.
Smell-The IPA has a more fruit oriented smell with a nice hop balance, while the Ruination had a more “piney” smell with a little less fruit. The IPA did a bit better in this respect.
Taste-Both beers tasted great, but in different ways. They were both well balanced and had great flavors without anything that was off. It was pretty much a tie in this area.
Drinkability-The IPA was a very drinkable beer due to the fruit and malt component and a hop bite that wasn’t overpowering. The Ruination was less drinkable due mainly to the very strong hop bite, which I like, but I think might limit your ability to drink it a bit. The IPA gets a higher score in this area.
Take a look at the scores below to see how each of those differences are reflected. Taken as a whole both beers are very good, and also very close in the total score. They are very deserving of your hard earned $$’s. Try them if you can and see if you agree with my evaluation.
Stone IPA
- Appearance- 6 points (out of 10)
- Smell- 8 points (out of 10)
- Taste- 16 points (out of 20)
- Drinkability- 8 points (out of 10)
Total 38 (out of 50) Points- 4 Mugs
Stone Ruination
- Appearance- 8 points (out of 10)
- Smell- 7 points (out of 10)
- Taste- 16 points (out of 20)
- Drinkability- 6 points (out of 10)
Total 37 (out of 50) Points- 4 Mugs
The Secret Word is: Ingredient
I love both of these beers. I had a Ruination at the weekend and while it wasn’t as fresh as it could be it was still amazing. The IPA is just brilliant too. I’d love to try a side by side comparison to see the differences for myself – great idea.
Back in the old days, when the cinema was known as the pictures, they used to show two films in a programme, the main feature and the B movie. ,
Ganry44,
I’m old enough to remember the “double feature” at the movies. In the case of these two beers they are both worthy of the main feature. Thanks for reading!
Sorry for reading these posts in reverse order, but I’m commenting on this one right after commenting on #13, Dogfish Head 60/90 Minute IPAs.
Again with this pairing, I felt like the Ruination IPA was good and the standard IPA was lacking in hops. I also didn’t care too much for the particular choice of hops in the regular IPA. I have no idea what the actual hops used are, but I’ve heard Magnum and Centennial. In any case, the flavor isn’t tuned for my tongue, which can’t get enough of Simcoe and Cascade!
Also, while I really enjoyed the Ruination IPA, I was hoping for more of a drinkability challenge. Call me crazy, but when a beer promises to ruin your taste buds, I want a beer that I can’t chug. While I didn’t (it’s too expensive to drink quickly!), I didn’t feel like this beer was big enough with ABV and IBU to MAKE me drink it slowly. This beer is (in my humble opinion) intended to be an extreme beer that very few people will care to drink. If it were cheaper, it would be my everyday (or twice a day) IPA. Anyway, I was really hoping for something more “in your face.” I feel like the Dogfish Head 90 Minute is “bigger” than the Stone Ruination.
Just my 2 cents.
Thanks!
Both the IPA and the Ruination are great beers although there is a big difference between the two. I think if I was absolutely forced, I would drink the IPA over the Ruination. The side by side comparisons are fun to do. I find it a real challenge to compare one right after the other. I have to really concentrate on what I’m doing. My guess is it makes me a better taster in the end. Either way, I’m enjoying these reviews. I won’t stop doing them anytime soon!