Kyle Hollingsworth/Keri Kelli/Stone Collective Distortion IPA

From Stone Brewing Co. – We all enjoy turning things up, and that is represented in this collaborative offering, an imperial India pale ale ably backed by Nugget, Comet and Calypso hops, and amplified care of a healthy dry-hopping with Vic’s Secret, a new Australian hop, adding citrus and tropical fruit oomph. To give this modern masterpiece some soulful, classic character, we traced the roots of brewing to the days when Old World herbs were used to spice beers, adding in coriander and, a first for us, elderberries. To stand up to that sumptuous spice and blaring bitterness, we added golden naked oats, which are lightly roasted and add body and enhanced mouthfeel to the brew like a steady, unbreakable backbeat to an incendiary jam solo.

Stone Brewing Co. – Kyle Hollingsworth/Keri Kelli/Stone Collective Distortion IPA – 22 oz. bottle poured into a goblet. 

Appearance: Pours a vibrant clear orange amber with a thin cap of beige foam.

Aroma: Distinctive Stone IPA aroma of resinous hops. Stone fruit and berries which give off a sweet smell.

Taste:  Very sharp bitterness to begin. After a few more sips, the elderberry comes through, which is nice. Not finding the coriander in all of this. Chinook like bitterness pummels my tongue well past the sip. Toasty pale malt. Finishes very dry.

Mouthfeel:  Hot, a little astringent, moderate carbonation.

Overall:  I appreciate how dry and bitter this beer is, but I don’t enjoy it nearly as much as Enjoy By IPA. I got more berry than others, after reading other’s tasting notes, but thought the elderberries were a nice addition.