45 – Stone Brewing Cali-Belgique IPA
As you can see from the picture above I had some fun with this week’s selection. I’m always up for cooking with beer and since this past Sunday was Mother’s Day I figured it was my best chance to show mom the versatility of beer. Thanks to Tim at The Size of Life for sending me this bottle. It’s not available in PA so I let out an extra “squeeee”. Yes, you read that correctly.
The photo gallery of Mother’s Day Dinner I made with Stone can be found here.
Stone Brewing Cali-Belgique IPA
brewery: Stone Brewing - stonebrew.com
beer webpage: http://www.stonebrew.com/cali/index.php
style: Belgian IPA
abv: 6.9%
serving size: 22oz
glass used: snifter
price: n/a
Overview
When reading the name “Stone Cali-Belgique IPA”, “Cali” hints that it is a California style IPA, and this brew has an undeniable Belgian influence, indicated by the word “Belgique” (which is how Belgium’s French-speaking population says the word “Belgian”; the Dutch speaking Belgians say “Belgie”). We carefully selected a Belgian yeast strain that illuminates a fascinating new aspect of the beer that is otherwise quite simply Stone IPA.
The result is both completely new and different, while still being recognizable as a Stone Brew – and Stone IPA in particular. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture. Literally.
What I think
Based on looks alone this poured like a typical Belgian instead of an IPA. The hue was hazy yellow but a creamy beaut of a head. The aroma was strong with hops, floral and spices. At this point IPA wasn’t even on the radar for me which was starting to be a concern knowing Stone’s history for brewing a muscular IPA. The taste caught me off guard. Piny, fruity, sweet then hoppy and finished not as bitter as I was anticipating. To say it was complex is putting it lightly and why I stress that you can’t appreciate a beer in a 6oz sample.
Spoon’s rating: B
Phil Said,
May 13, 2009 @ 11:31 am
This beer went from hard-to-find even in Southern California (unless you bought it directly at the brewery) to nationwide in less than a year. Glad to see it making the rounds.
I love this beer. I like it so much that whenever I’m at the brewery, I have my Stone growler filled with it instead of Stone IPA, which has always been my favorite.
I agree with what you said, that you would expect an IPA from Stone to taste a lot hoppier than this. However, it’s a lot hoppier than a traditional Belgian IPA, which was their point. If you’ve ever had one from Belgium (McChouffe being the most common), you literally would think you were drinking a Golden Ale. Hops do not play a major role in those beers. But by giving this beer a fresh explosion of hops, Stone hits just the right balance of West Coast IPA and a Golden.
spoon Said,
May 13, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
Since you’re west coast, what else do you get to feast on from Stone that we don’t get out East?
Matt at Stone Said,
May 14, 2009 @ 11:49 am
Spoon,
Nice write-up. Your description of the initial fruity sweetness and eventual dry, bitter, hoppy finish is pretty dead on. This beer is by far the most requested at the bar I frequent by my house, and it’s a definite favorite among fans that visit the brewery. Glad you got a chance to try it way over there in PA. Cheers!
-Matt at Stone
spoon Said,
May 15, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
Thanks for stoppin by Matt! I wish we could get more Stone in PA but I am thankful for what we do have. Now I need to get another bottle so I can sit back and enjoy it by myself
cheers!