San Diego IPA. We all know what that is, right? It’s now more commonly referred to as West Coast IPA, although we already had a West Coast IPA that’s now sometimes called East Coast IPA but might be better called American IPA. I know it gets confusing, but the real “San Diego IPA” comes from San Diego, beers like Green Flash West Coast IPA or Stone IPA.

But wait. What about a San Diego Pale Ale? Enter Stone Ripper San Diego Pale Ale. This little gen is on the same idea as today’s West Coast IPA, with juicier hops and a lower malt profile. The latter allows the hops to come through more fully, and although the dearth of malt in today’s IPAs troubles me, it isa bit more acceptable in a pale ale. If only a bit.

From the can label:

When it came to creating Ripper, we drew inspiration from the coastal surf cultures of SoCal and Oz. Sourcing classic Cascade from the Pacific Northwest and Australian Galaxy hops from…yes…Australia, we made a beer both lovers of frothy peaks and hoppy green buds will be stoked about. At the same time, we stayed true to our San Diego roots by pushing the hop boundaries of this style. While some might think it lingers on an edge far closer to an IPA, with all the dry-hop flavor and aroma, it’s actually right in line with the current-day interpretation of a West Coast pale. Ours just so happens to have an Aussie accent that’s cascading with a juicy amount of grapefruit and passion fruit hoppiness. So veg out or venture out. Either way, rip one open and taste this awesome golden nectar!

Well, Stone, I found Ripper San Diego Pale Ale to be tasty and hoppy ondeed, but not all that IPA like. But that’s OK. We like pale ales after all.

Stone Ripper San Diego Pale Ale has an alcohol content of 5.7% by volume with 40 IBUs. It will run you about $9.99 a six-pack of cans in these parts. My can is stamped as canned on 12/27/2016 with an enjoy by date of 3/27/17, or about a 3-month shelf life. I drank it on February 20^th, a Monday. This is a good beer to brighten up a Monday, I think.

Stone Ripper San Diego Pale Ale pours to a bright orange color with a thick rocky head of foam and a ripe papaya and passion fruit nose. Taking a sip, I found the beer thin malty, with lots of tropical passion fruity notes, some citrusy grapefruit and a sharp bitter finish. Tasty and I like it Stone, though with some more malt I’d like it even more.

I would buy it again, folks.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.



Home