Stone 16th Anniversary IPA

Stone 16th Anniversary IPA, 10% Alc./Vol. Brewed and bottled by Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, San Diego County, CA.
Ale brewed with lemon verbena and lemon oil. A lot of words on the back. I'll try to read them…team effort…double IPA…new direction…too small amount of rye to call it a RYE-PA…tropical fruit flavors, Amarillo and Calypso…European specialty malts…spicy rye and subtle lemon…etcetera…

Let's crack it open, and drink it down.

Clear, pale crimson appearance, large, flowering head, looking good.

Aroma: bright, vibrant hops, with lemon character largest and in chargest. Tropical fruit lurks below.

Taste: bracing bitterness spanks the palate, dunks it, slaps it, pins it to the ground. Grabs the tongue and takes it to town. Then it gets fine and mellow, sweetness ensues, and it gets utterly groovy.

I didn't pay too close attention, but heard that people are calling this a bottle of "lemon Pledge." Yes, you can taste the lemon, but that's not all involved. Tasty malt, a little sweet, a little spice, with plenty of fruit. Alcohol is rather shy in this one. Wait…there it is.

I'm liking this. Unique. Interesting take. Really, how many more ways are there to do a double IPA without going weird?