Stone Cali-Belgique IPA (Cali-België)

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Escondido, California USA

This stuff was not good. Very medicinal, almost bandaidy and phenolic. Very dry with a bit of spicy belgian yeast character. Nice try, but you missed on this one.

Well, this looks identical to Stone IPA. Light orange, almost yellow with a white head. The smell is immediately different, still very hoppy, bubblegum, and belgian yeast, spicy. The taste is bitter hops and not much else.The belgian influence is very subdued. This was interesting and I’ll always give a new Stone beer a fair shake but I won’t be returning to this. I could see if using Belgian yeast with the Stone IPA recipe made for a good beer but this just feels like a cheap gimmick. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 01-10-2009 23:37:04

Clear amber with a two finger cream color head. Still a small layer of head at the half way point and very nice fine lacings. Aroma is mostly ripe pear with a hint of citrus. Taste is bitter citrus hops with a rich malt backing. Carbonation is just right and the finish is bitter and dry with a bit of fruitiness in the background. Drinkability is limited only by price and the 6.9% abv. The Belgian yeast gives it a bit of a tang that makes this IPA more interesting than most.

bomber served in a tulip glass. pours a deep yellow with a half inch white head... nice Stone hop filled aroma with a nice blend of Belgian yeast and a bit of funk. very full body with quite a punch of bitterness up front. citrus hops and some light fruits. nice hoppy finish that is very well balanced with some Belgian spice. a very nice beer from Stone... they took their regular IPA (which is fantastic) and tweaked it with Belgian yeast - outstanding combo and a pleasure to drink.

Appearance: Pours a light orange-hued body with a large, frothy, white head. Splotchy, sporadic lacing on the way down. Smell: Delightfully aromatic nose smelling sweetly of bright, fresh tropical fruits and citrus oils with a minor backing of lightly bready malts and spice. Taste: Sweet, lightly bready maltiness gently yields to a tropical mixture of juicy oranges and grapefruit with a late addition of pine. As the punchy bitterness dies down tastes of artificially-sweetened chewing gum and faint, peppery spice begin to appear. Finishes expectantly dry with lingering aftertastes of bitter, pithy citrus fruit peels. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Lightly oily mouthfeel. Drinkability: As tasty and supremely drinkable as the original, though I dare say it’s just a skosh bit better than the standard Stone IPA.

22 ounce bottle in pint glass. Hazy golden with lasting white head and lace. Fresh hoppy floral and citrus aroma with hint of sugar and yeast. Mildly fruity sweet melon with flowery hoppy spice and medium lingering bitter finish. Medium body and carbo. Nice and delicious but more like and American IPA than a Chouffe Houblon or Hopsinjoor, which are two of my new faves in this synthesized style. Still, very enjoyable. Excellent.

22 oz bomber courtesy of bvc. Pour is slightly hazed straw golden with a three inch thick and lasting, slightly off white head. Settles slowly with thick lacing. Pretty in the glass. Aroma of grassy Belgian yeastiness and fresh resin pine citrus hops. Fresh and clean nose. Taste is the nose, plus some nice floral sweetness along with the grassy perfume yeast notes. The hops lend a nice soft bitterness to the mid palate and finish. The palate is thin medium, flavors layered nicely. Drinkable, really a fun beer. Thanks Brandon.

copper pour clarity. Thin white head. Lacing. Fresh hops, apricot, liquorice, light spice aroma. Light and a bit thin. Easy drinking and nice flavors that follow aroma. There is an earthiness that lasts through finish