Stone Brewing Delicious IPA
I personally don’t prescribe to a gluten-free diet, but I’ve still given those beers aimed for that market a try. The problem, however, is that I apparently really, really like gluten as just about every reduced-gluten or gluten-free brew I’ve tried has always fallen flat — they’ve lacked something (gluten, perhaps) and have just never really tasted all that good. Stone Brewing’s Delicious IPA is their attempt at changing that.
While this 7.7% ABV is brewed with barley (which contains gluten), the company has gone out of their way in every attempt to lower the amount of the protein present in this product. At the same time, they’ve packed “…as much unique and, you guessed it, delicious flavor into a glass as humanly possible.” The result is the best brew I’ve had with the least gluten present… if that makes any sense.
Appearance
Delicious IPA pours with a dense, pillowy head of white foam and golden amber in color.
Aroma
Tropical fruits (mango, pineapple) accompany soft pine, lightly toasted bread and herbal, flowery hop notes.
Taste
The tropical fruits dominate right from the start with a blend of grapefruit, mango, pineapple and tangerine. A smooth, lasting pine character fills the mouth quickly after, riding the brews lightly crisp mouthfeel. A soft sweetness comes and goes quickly before the beer finishes lightly drying.
Overall
All in all, Delicious IPA ain’t a bad beer. It’s got plenty of hoppy flavors and a refreshing nature. It’s easily the best example of any style of brew that has focused on reducing the amount of gluten in it’s golden depths. That said, the brewery still makes better beers that I would gladly take over this one any day. Give me my gluten, dammit!
Rating: 3.75/5
