Review: Stone Delicious Hazy IPA and Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA

New brews from our buddies at Stone Brewing, both in the IPAverse…

Stone Delicious Hazy IPA – The newest addition to the Stone Delicious family is this spot-on hazy, a creamy and fruit-filled expression of tangerines, mangos, apricots, and lemon — all bright as could be but set against a backdrop of creamy, vanilla-scented malt. Increasingly and incredibly tropical as it builds on the tongue, the beer finishes up with alternating notes of jasmine tea and coconut meat. Hard not to love it, but I understand if it’s too much for some. 7.8% abv. A-

Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA – Looks like a porter. Tastes (sort of) like a hazy. This curveball to the brain was part of Stone’s permanent lineup until 2015, when it was retired. Now it’s back with its original recipe (Chinook, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops). While there’s plenty of juicy fruit in the mix, the chocolaty malts here take the beer in a new direction and to a new dimension, counterbalancing the citrus fruit with an earthy, richer character. The combination is incredibly compelling: part coffee, cocoa, and licorice, part orange and grapefruit peel. Cohesive and fulfilling on the finish. Hard to put down but, at nearly 9% abv, one knows one should. Stone discontinuing this was surely a mistake. Smart move to bring it back. Don’t shame. 8.7% abv. A

each $12 per six-pack / stonebrewing.com

The post Review: Stone Delicious Hazy IPA and Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.