Stone Brewing Co. is unleashing the belligerently delicious hop monster known as Stone RuinTen IPA. Today, the massively hopped beer is making its way to retailers, restaurants and bars nationwide in 22-ounce bottles and on draft. You’re welcome.
Stone first released this decidedly indelicate beer in 2012, as Stone Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the beloved year-round release Stone Ruination IPA. Now, it's no secret that Stone is lupulin obsessed.
That beer, which was renamed to Stone RuinTen IPA, quenched the bitter thirst that runs rampant among members of Team Stone (and many of our fans). So, it should be no surprise that the beer became an instant cult classic, securing its place as one of the brewing company's annual special release beers.
While "triple IPA" is not a sanctioned term by the Beer Judge Certification Program, the title refers to IPAs with high alcohol-by-volume (ABV) and an over-the-top hop profile. Coming from a brewery that is known for brewing bold, aggressive, hop-forward beers, Stone RuinTen IPA delivers on the description of a triple IPA. Clocking in at 10.8 percent ABV and 110 International Bittering Units (IBUs), the beer is unabashedly bitter-in a good way.
"Since the initial release in 2012, we couldn't resist re-brewing the recipe and embracing the catchy nickname it had developed around the brewery-'Ruin Ten,'" explained Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele. "Compared to our year-round release, Stone Ruination IPA, we use double the amount of Centennial and Citra hops during the dry-hopping process. And, by using five pounds of hops per barrel brewed, the result is an irresistible mix of fruity and floral notes."
Since Stone Ruination IPA is known as "A liquid poem to the glory of the hop!," Stone CEO and Co-founder Greg Koch coined a new epithet for Stone RuinTen IPA, calling it "A stage dive into a mosh pit of hops."
Craft beer drinkers brave enough to plunge headfirst into this glorious mosh pit will revel in a blend of abundant lemon, nectarine and pineapple notes found in the aroma. Long-lasting fruity, tropical and citrus flavors may be savored while a lingering, clean bitterness remains on the palate.
The elevated malt presence provides the beer with its strong, full-bodied mouthfeel, which balances the intense hop bitterness.
Stone suggests enjoying the beer as soon as possible to fully experience all the pungent hop flavors and aromas, or at least by the "enjoy by" date noted on the bottle. Don't wait: Jump into that mosh pit and embrace the pungent glory of the hop!
