Satisfy Your Hops Cravings in a Variety of Ways With Stone's Mixed 12-Pack

For hop heads, it doesn't get much better than the beers put out by Stone Brewing Co. Since 1996, this San Diego area brewery has been satisfying, challenging, and expanding the palates of beer lovers who crave bitterness, aggressive flavors, and hops in all their glory. Stone's lineup, including their seasonals and special releases, does go beyond just hop-forward beers, but such styles are their bread and butter, and that's how they've built their widely-known name and reputation. For hops lovers who enjoy variety, like myself, Stone offers a mixed 12-pack that features four different bitter, complex and flavorful beers. The current pack includes Stone IPA, Ruination IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA.

Each beer is excellent and offers a different example of the delicious and versatile aspects of American varieties of hops. Ruination is more of an imperial IPA, very high in bitterness along with the usual hops flavors of citrus, tropical fruits and pine. Arrogant Bastard is an iconic craft beer, an American strong ale with intense hop bitterness, but balanced with a hefty grain bill. Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA is perhaps the one that feels most right for the season. In a time of the year when dark beers come to the fore, this one provides the bitter and flavorful hop punch that many long for in a beer, in addition to the roasty presence added by the dark and specialty malts and grains.

Sublimely Self-Righteous is a medium-bodied beer that's very black in appearance, with a thin but lasting head of foam. It has a big aroma of American hops, with elements of grapefruit, pine, and earthiness, along with some roastiness. There are loads of hops flavors on the initial taste, followed by roasty coffee and chocolate flavors. The beer's 90 IBUs ensure a bitter, lingering finish. The balance tilts more toward hops flavors and bitterness, but the complex grain recipe definitely stands out and makes this beer very intriguing. There's a lot to like in this black IPA, which is on the stronger end at 8.7 percent ABV.

The Stone variety pack is a great way to get your fix for American hops and enjoy a great mix of beers from one of the nation's finest craft breweries. It also makes a great buy when hosting or attending a holiday party, or a nice gift for that hop head in your life!