American craft brewing is largely defined by a spirit of unbridled creativity. The Brewers Association recognizes a whopping 84 beer styles, and the nuanced variations between beers in these categories is nearly endless. Some countries, on the other hand, embrace traditions which limit brewers to the use of four ingredients -- water, hops, barley, and yeast (Googling "German Purity Law" is far more benign than you'd think). While these core ingredients represent a wide palette, using other items to augment or alter the flavor profile of a brew can be a rewarding endeavor. Are the malts in your Belgian dubbel not providing as much fig and date flavor as you'd like? Well, then throw some figs and dates in there.
Stone's 16th Anniversary IPA takes the American approach. The brew, really a double IPA based on the 10% ABV, gleans tropical fruit aromas from amarillo hops, and a slightly earthy blueberry element from Calypso hops. From there, the brewers used rye for a spicy undertone, and finished off the beer with lemon verbena and lemon oil. The result is an intense, bitter beer with a bright, bursting citrus element and noticeable herbal quality. The notes of citrus pith and rind combine with the resinous pine of the hops to evoke a stroll through a lemon orchard (side note: when tasting a beer, consider the appearance, aroma, flavor, and imaginary landscapes).
As for pairings, we'd suggest enjoying this brew with sharp cheddar, ceviche, or blueberry pancakes topped with lemon curd. Expect this beer to trickle into virtually all stores where better beer is sold within the next week or so.
