Stone: Ruination IPA

The Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, CA

ABV: 7.7% (Alcohol By Volume)
IBU: 100+ (International Bitterness Unit)

"A liquid poem to the glory of the hop!" At this point in my life I am willing to consider this the end-all and be-all of India Pale Ales!
I was at Central Market in Dallas, TX when I was looking for a good IPA for a friend (Texas Terry). As soon as I uttered the letters, I, P, and A., the clerk-ess stocking the fridge turned and said, "Have you tried the Ruination, it is new in, and it is GOOD!" this glorious woman simply stated with a wide eyed, the lights are on, stare. "SOLD!" I exclaimed and picked up a six-pack. I'm a sucker when it comes to woman and beer. It wasn't until the next day did I crack the top on this hoppy bastard.
My nose sucks. All I smell is cascade hops and gun solvent (yeah I had it all over my hands because just prior to this journal entry I cleaned my Sig P229 after a morning at the range. WHAT? I'm in Texas!). Honestly, this ale has a wonderfully hoppy aroma that just make me shudder almost as much as the taste.
The color is a beautiful cloudy gold. It is picturesque in a frosty pint glass. "A beer you can see through is just water." is a phrase that comes to mind.
The Ruination India Pale Ale is a thing of wonder. The mouth full is tingly and the effervescence is very nice. Before swallowing you can feel the bitter hop quivering your taste buds. I find this premature taste to be very unusual when drinking IPA's, I like it a lot. As the beer leaves the mouth there is a fast and overwhelming rush of bitter hop flavor that is ever-so desired. It is magnificently hoppy! The great thing about this IPA is that you get a slam bang of a flavor and then it seems as though your pallet is refreshed and ready for more. The wonderful flavor does not linger too long and spoil whatever happens to enter your pie hole next, even the next sip of Ruination. I find this exciting about this beer because you almost get to experience the first sip with every sip!
This beer is called "Ruination" because it is self proclaimed to spoil your hop-headedness for any other IPA. For now I would say that The Stone Brewing Company has succeeded. As of October 2008 this is, for me, the best of the best when it comes to the IPA!

DRU: 95/100 (Dan's Rating Unit)