Stone Cali-Belgique IPA (Cali-België)

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

Pours a nice cloudy dark yellow orange with a nice finger’s worth of white head. Aroma is big citrus hops, lots of grapefruit and lemon peal. Underneath those hop notes are some really nice subtle yet apparent spicy Belgian yeast aromas. First frew sips are nice biting tasty juicy bitter hops explosions but as your palate gets accustomed the Belgian notes creep in as well offering this beer many different layers and flavor profiles. Very nice.

Just when you think they can’t come up with anything new and different, a new style shows up that defys catagorization. The aroma was an utter surprise, all that tropical fruit,banana aspect of a good Belgian yeast,hits you, there is some of the hop,but the Belgain part is such a surprise, you really don’t notice the hopping too much. Flavor is another surprise,given the aroma, you are now hit with an IPA dominated taste,piney hops, the Belgian esters are subdued in taste,a little fruity sweetness,but a definite bitter finish. How fascinating it was to try this, a real conversation brew.

Bomber. Starts out very alive with a big frothy white head, hazy mysterious orange color. Aroma is predominantly big floral hop with almost equal (slightly less prevalent) notes of citrus (specifically orange and grapefruit). Aroma continues with big yeast giving the aroma overall a much sweeter nose. Because of yeast, flavor is lightly sweeter highlighting more of the citrus fruit and even more of the drier back half of this beer that compliments the sweet beginning. The hops totally take over. OH YEAH

A bomber bought from Utobeer. Poured into ESB glass for breathing reasons. The initial aroma is of intense grapefruit; citrus hops and vanilla. This beer really does melt in your mouth. I can depict citrus; vanilla, creamy white Swiss chocolate and butterscotch. A lovely balanced IPA although hoppy and full bodied. A long lasting refreshing IPA even though not as clean and simple as Goose Island. An interesting effort. I am not sure of what hops they used but the taste is more interesting than most IPAs. I find the abv accurate although and feel more alchohol here than I anticipated. There is a lovely warmth to this IPA which is commendable. I also think this as with other Stone beers are not affected by the travelling which is commendable. A top notch IPA. Well done Stone.

Pours a deep golden color with a generous white head that leaves a sticky lacing. Aroma is of citrus - orange and strawberries, with pine notes and a hint of vanilla. Taste is marvelously balanced, with the citrus and vanilla qualities muting the hops at first, but finishing bitter after all. Extremely complex beer!

This is ok, there are good flavor notes here but the beer is slightly unbalanced: not enough bite to it and a little too sweet.

Clear amber colour tall head. Strong hoppy aroma. Lots of Sinmcoe dominates the palate. Very rich and creamy. Great IPA

22 oz bomber, enjoyed with MLR. Wow what an interesting beer, but that is what I’ve come to expect from Stone. Aroma is of earthy citrus hops with a hint of dry spice. Flavor is similar but with added complexity of the hidden malts, hot alcohol, and the not-so-Belgian yeast. I’ve had Belgian IPAs before, and this isn’t one of them. Overall, a very intriguing brew.