Mocha IPA

Mocha IPA by Stone Brewing is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (Category 21B) from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.

Mocha and IPA in the same sentence? Although one would think there has been a crossed circuit in styles, the ingredients play extremely well together in this specialty Double IPA. One look at the light amber color would certainly make one question the mocha aspect of this beer, but as soon as you take your first sniff you will understand. The drinker is greeted with light roast coffee and chocolate in the aroma, followed by an uppercut of fresh grapefruit citrus hop aroma that leaves no doubt that IPA is the proper category for this beer. Rounding out the aroma is a light floral alcohol character. The hops take center stage in the flavor with mixed tropical fruit and grapefruit rind, with support from the roast coffee and chocolate that rise and fall in the flavor like a sine wave. The medium-high hop bitterness provides additional support and lingers into the dry finish that is typical of an IPA. This beer is an excellent example of how we sometimes need to look beyond the conventional expectations of a beer style and appreciate experimentation.