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This weekend was highlighted by an epic adventure in IPA greatness. There’s no question the IPA has quickly vaulted to my favorite type of beer and these are two heavy weight giants in the craft IPA landscape. The Menu: Stone Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA & Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA (aged 1 year).

We led off with Stone bc we know first hand of the 120’s palate obliterating affects. Even though the Ruination is so named for its own taste bud killing features, it cannot stand up to the behemoth ~18%abv from 120. This tenth anniversary bottle did not disappoint. It was bold, dark and had that distinct Stone/Ruination flavor. I was surprised at the lack of bitterness we found in this one when comparing to a tradition Ruination.

So for the 120 min we set up a little vertical tasting with the 120 aged 1 year compared to a fresh, 2012 bottle. Holy shit, the 1 yr was phenomenal! Most of the liquor/alcohol taste had matured away and we were left with a smooth malty, caramel taste. That classic 60/90 taste was there but much richer; very complex. The biggest surprise was how much darker the aged beer was compared to the fresh bottle. It was almost an opaque amber. I highly recommend aging 120 min at least 5 months before cracking one open. 

The end result was pure drunkenness. No other beer came close to these two for the entire weekend. Next year we’re set up for a 3 year vertical tasting (2 year, 1 year, fresh). Can’t wait. Craft on.

Steamed I missed this one, but sounds like a great time boys!