ESCONDIDO, CA — 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!
Quick facts:
- Name: 2014 Stone RuinTen IPA
- URL: www.stonebrewing.com/RuinTen
- Stats: 10.8% ABV, 110 IBUs
- Availability: Limited 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning June 16
- Hop bill: Columbus and Centennial, dry-hopped with Citra and Centennial
- Distribution: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA and Puerto Rico
Tasting notes:
- Appearance: Deep gold with an off-white, fluffy head.
- Aroma: Intense, dank and fruity hop notes. Lemon oil-infused with nectarine, pineapple and tropical fruit, with hints of mint and spice.
- Taste: An abundance of tropical hop flavors up front and carrying throughout the palate. A pleasant maltiness balances the hops mid-palate. Finishes with a long, lingering, clean bitterness.
- Palate: Full-bodied but dry, with an alcohol fullness and sweetness. Very bitter!
- Overall: This was one of the team’s favorite IPAs, so we were thrilled to have the opportunity to brew it again. The combination of Citra and Centennial in the dry hop is magical. Please drink this beer FRESH to get the full impact of the hopping!
Suggested pairings:
- Appetizers: Kimchee, ceviche, bacon-wrapped jalape├▒os (or habaneros), chips and salsa
- Entrees: Salt and pepper shrimp, jambalaya, roasted pork chops with apple sauce, fish tacos, seitan fajitas
- Cheeses: Mimolette, Pecorino Romano, Maytag Blue, Fiscalini Bandage Wrapped Cheddar
- Desserts: Apple pie with caramel sauce, carrot cake, spice cake, blueberry jalape├▒o blue cheese cheesecake
- Cigars: Ashton Classic Majesty, Litto Gomez Diez, Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Invictos Corojo Robusto
About Stone
Known for its bold, flavorful and largely hop-centric beers, Stone Brewing Co. has been brewing in North County San Diego since 1996. Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner, Stone is the 10th largest craft brewer in the United States—a position it achieved without paid advertising, discounting or compromising standards. In addition to brewing, Stone owns two eclectic farm-to-table restaurants—Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens — Escondido and Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens — Liberty Station—and Stone Farms, an organic farm located near the brewery that grows produce for the restaurants. Stone also operates Stone Distributing Co., which distributes more than 30 craft beer brands throughout Southern California. For more information on Stone Brewing Co., please visit stonebrewing.com or the company’s social media sites: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, YouTube and The Stone Blog.