Cali-Belgique

• Brewed by: Stone Brewing Company
• Availability: Year-round
• Additional beer information
• Region Available: Nationwide
• Aroma: Hoppy
• Aroma Description: Flowers / Perfume / Herbs / Grass
• Serve at Temperature: Cool
• Container: Chalices
• Website: http://www.stonebrew.com/

• 2 
• 2 
• 4/5 
• 06.90% 
• 1522/3586 

When reading the name "Stone Cali-Belgique IPA", "Cali" hints that it is a California-style IPA, and this brew has an undeniable Belgian influence, indicated by the word "Belgique" (which is how Belgium's French-speaking population says the word "Belgian"; the Dutch-speaking Belgians say "België"). We carefully selected a Belgian yeast strain that illuminates a fascinating new aspect of the beer that is otherwise quite simply Stone IPA. The result is both completely new and different, while still being recognizable as a Stone brew—and Stone IPA in particular. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture. Literally.

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• May 7, 2012
  kaj-ii (702)Rank: Beer ConnoisseurGroup: Brown Ale Lovers
  4
  • Aroma
  • Appearance
  • Flavor
  • Palate
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  • 4/5
  [Best served in a Tulip glass]
  
  The pour was a medium golden orange with a slight reddish hue and an average sized (1-2 finger) white creamy head that reduced to a thin film with a large collar, which offered up some fair spotty lacing.
  
  The aroma was of a grain malt, floral hops and a musty Belgian yeast with notes of caramel, citrus (orange peel) and possessed a mild fruity sweetness.
  
  The taste was a moderately bitter with a mildly malty sweet undertone and had a note of caramel from the beginning, with the finish having a much more pronounced bitterness with a nice strong yeasty flavor and a bitter citrus peel presence at the end. The flavor lingered for an extremely long time proceeding the swallow with a bold bitterness and a mild fruitiness left hanging around.
  
  Mouthfeel was a few shades beyond light in body with a dry and somewhat oily texture and a solid medium carbonation.
  
  Overall an IPA that was extremely hoppy. Although it was somewhat offset by the Belgian yeast, making it a smooth easy drinkable brew...
  
  Serving type: Bomber
  You have rated this review
• Aug 12, 2011
  TheCorkStops (70)Rank: Beer AmateurGroup: Barley Wine
  4
  • Aroma
  • Appearance
  • Flavor
  • Palate
  • No one has rated this reviews helpfulness
  • 4/5
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  • 4/5
  This is a beer that Matt requested, and I knew next-to-nothing about. I presumed from the name, of course, that this might be a beer I would like due to a European twist on the typical Stone brews. The back of the bottle answers all of my questions though...
  
  Apparently the word "Belgique" is how Belgium's French-speaking population refers to 'Belgian', while the Dutch-speaking say "Belgie." This California-style IPA uses a carefully selected Belgian yeast strain, on their otherwise "identical twin to Stone IPA". And there is even a disclaimer on the bottom of the bottle that notes half of the bottles have been labeled "Belgie" and half were labeled as "Belgique" so that no one is offended. That's very California of them...
  
  Anyway, the beer itself: Right off the bat, it doesn't look quite like the typical Stone IPA. The head is much more lively, and full, in a just slightly off-white color. And WOW, does this beer smell great! Immediately I'm getting all kinds of both piney and floral hops. There are some mild hints of spice, but the aromas are largely dominated by big, bright fruit like grapefruit, tangerine, maybe some mild orange.
  
  First sip however, is not so exciting, wtf. It tastes good, like the description would suggest, a Cali-style IPA with just a touch of funk. But, as soon as we swallow, it's like it never happened, there is absolutely zero after-taste. I'm going to let this one sit for a bit and warm up, see if it evolves with a little higher temperature.
  
  *Twenty minutes later* The aromas have subsided a bit; even with a heavy swirling, and great foam and lacing, there is noticeably milder aromas. Once taking a sip though, this beer has come alive! The hops are great, bitter and dry like I'd expect from Stone, but with some fruity/floral notes too. Now that the beer has warmed up, it's much rounder and fuller on the palette. The aromas I was smelling the first go-around seem to have worked their way into the flavor of the beer. Now the tables have turned, and the taste is the impressive part.
  
  This is easily my favorite beer from Stone Brewing! It is still hoppy, but much more drinkable, I think, than the other Stone's I've had. Up until this beer, I thought everything I've ever had from Stone always had that signature flavoring stating "You're drinking a Stone", this is different. It's a great, flavorful, drinkable version of an IPA. Quite frankly, I think Stone nailed it with the Cali-Belgique intention.
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