This is another relatively new beer for Stone, first being released in 2015. There is a whole ‘Delicious’ series, and the interesting thing here is that all of the beers are gluten-reduced. They use an enzyme known as Clarex to separate and eliminate gluten protein chains.
In the US, much like in Australia, if the malt originally contains gluten then these beers can’t be called ‘Gluten Free’, but rather Gluten-reduced of ‘Gluten Removed’ to use a US term. So great news for gluten intolerant people, with no downside to everyone else.
Our beer pours an attractive deep golden colour, with lots of citrus notes jumping out of the glass. This is a typical Stone West Coast IPA in which they use Columbus, Calypso, Lemondrop & El Dorado hops. They combine for a delicious (get it!) lemon citrus flavour with an herbal spicy kick.
There is a lovely balance to the beer, so you don’t really notice the big ABV. The malt body carries the strong hop bitterness right through the beer. I think it is the US brewers’ ability to give their IPA’s such a solid malt backbone that sets their IPA’s apart from most others.
I reckon this is my favourite of the Stone hoppy beers that we recently shipped in.
