Mean Manalishi by Hoppin' Frog Brewery

Yes I had to share :(

Mean Manalishi by Hoppin' Frog is a Double IPA weighing in at an "alleged" whopping 168 IBUs.  I say "alleged" only because a number of people argue that the International Bitterness Unit Scale can not realistically exceed 100 units.  However, IBUs shall be discussed another time.

Tasting Notes:
Poured slightly orange with a one finger head.  The nose had a sweet smell with a slight hint of pine and citrus.  An  earthy and grassy taste up front and back with a very strong hop presence.  The initial taste makes you think you grabbed a barleywine by mistake.  Medium bodied and moderately carbonated a beer that goes down, but not one you can drink over and over.  Beers like Mean Manalishi and Ruination IPA have such high IBUs that your palate can only sustain one beer in an evening.  I am not saying this is a bad beer, in fact I think it is excellent, just not as a session beer.

#6 of 1001 Stone's Ruination IPA

Another in the Series based off of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die (1001 (Universe))

Stone Brewing sets itself apart from other breweries by refusing to use Cascade hops.  Now, let me tell you, Cascade is my favorite hop.  I love its aromas and flavors.  However, at the same time I have not met a Stone beer I did not like.  Stone recently came to Chicago, but before that I would often have a pint or two when travelling.

The label on this beer claims the name "Ruination" derives from this beers ability to instantly make anything else taste horribly bland..  Also an assertion that this beer is 100+ IBUs (Bitterness).  Now is not the time or place to discuss the theory that beer can not be above 100 IBUs.

Tasting Notes:
Split this 22 oz. bottle with Bro into my newly acquired Stone pints.  Even-though the hops are up there, a balance with the malt existed.  A definite bitter aftertaste.  Notes of citrus and pine were also present and the beer left a light lacing on the bottle.