Stone 25th Anniversary Triple IPA

Stone 25th Anniversary Triple IPA.

12.5% ABV. 100 IBU. Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA. 

I was a little disappointed when this first came out. For their 25th anniversary, surely Stone should release a 25% ABV IPA, right? I mean, it's appropriate and so easy to do. Can't be hard. So, they half-assed it, and did one at 12.5%...that's okay, ...I guess. 

Let's drink it!

Clear, bold, rich amber hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: bomb-tactic! Creeping in on barley-wine territory with the richness and intensity. This is hop aroma as crack. Candied apricot and orange peels that are actually on fire doused with fusel alcohol, laced with pixie dust and goblin tears...or something like that. This is exactly what anything calling itself "triple IPA" should smell like, nothing less. 

In the mouth: Pow! Next level. Bigness, thickness, richness, all swirling around the nucleus of hoppiness. Citrus and stone fruit flavors ride lupulin highs. While this is definitely outsized and a bit of a challenge, with a bit of an alcohol burn, I find it endlessly delicious. 

It was 25 years ago that we planted our flag in North County San Diego. We showed up to a modest, empty warehouse with some mighty big dreams. We thought people deserved a world with better beer, and were determined to be part of a cultural transformation we believed could happen… even though few others shared our vision. This massive triple IPA is another important milestone on our continuing journey. Speaking of journeys, for reasons you may guess, our 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2021 will be a bit understated for such a monumental anniversary, so we’ve decided to hold our big event in 2022 with the Stone 25+1 Years In The Making Anniversary Celebration. After a quarter of a century and quite a few twists and turns, we’re still here. Here for hops. Here for quality. Here for making great mistakes. Here for more good times. Here for another round. We thank you sincerely for the years of support and pledge that we will, as always, strive to live up to the reasons for your loyalty!