The Alchemist / Ninkasi / Stone – More Brown Than Black IPA

Finally started taking pictures!

Type: Bottle

7.4% ABV

80 IBU

B+

I realize I’m kind of in the minority here.  Most people consider this to be an A.  I just didn’t find it to be nearly as complex as most. It pours dark brown, with a medium head.  The hops definitely have a lot of citrus, and you can taste the stone fruit, but it finishes dry and bitter.  The malt give a solid base, while remaining light and allowing the hops to take control.  However, beyond the citrus, I didn’t really find that much complexity for the variety of hops that went into its creation. For several dollars a bottle and as a special collaboration, I expected more.  This would be a great standard IPA to have in your fridge, if it wasn’t so expensive.  That being said, all the proceeds go to Waterbury Good Neighbor Fund, a non-profit that helps family’s affected by Hurricane Irene (which also destroyed the Alchemist brewery).  For that, the beer gets an A+ for price.  Who can feel bad drinking a beer that genuinely helps people?

In Conclusion:  Not the best IPA in the world, but definitely worth trying for the cause.  Everyone should buy at least one bottle to help Alchemist and the people affected by Hurricane Irene.

Food Pairing:  Pungent and strong cheeses like Cheddar and Gorgonzola, fruit, particularly stone fruit, and sweet breads and meats.

“If the beer finishes a little bit dry, it makes you kind of thirsty.  It makes you want to drink it again.”

-Mitch Steele of Stone Brewing Co.