This article is based on an experience from September 2022 and was updated in June 2025 using the 5-prompt cycle system.
🍺 Stone Brewing / 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA Tasting Review
We review the Imperial IPA (West Coast IPA, ABV 9.8%) brewed to commemorate Stone Brewing’s 26th anniversary. This commemorative bottle from the venerable California brewery features a powerful flavor that modernly updates the classic West Coast IPA style.
What You’ll Learn in This Article
- Detailed flavor review of Stone Brewing 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA
- Features and appeal of the West Coast IPA style
- Stone Brewing’s history and brewing philosophy

I’ve heard of Stone Brewing, woof! Is it a famous brewery?

It’s a venerable California brewery founded in 1996, a representative of West Coast IPA hop! They became famous with “Arrogant Bastard Ale” hop!

This 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA is a limited brew commemorating their 26th founding anniversary. It’s a powerful one with 9.8% alcohol content.
🏠 Stone Brewing Basic Information
Item | Details |
---|---|
Brewery Name | Stone Brewing |
Location | Escondido, California |
Founded | 1996 |
Founders | Greg Koch & Steve Wagner |
Annual Production | Approximately 200,000 barrels |
Features | Pioneer of West Coast IPA |
🍺 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA Basic Data
Item | Details |
---|---|
Beer Name | 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA |
Beer Style | Imperial IPA (West Coast IPA) |
Alcohol Content | 9.8% |
IBU | 85 |
SRM | 8 (Deep golden) |
Brew Year | 2022 (Limited edition) |

The high bitterness value of IBU 85 is characteristic hop! You can expect the clean and sharp bitterness typical of West Coast IPA hop!
👃 Aroma Profile
The aroma that rises from the moment it’s poured into the glass is truly the essence of West Coast IPA. The bright citrus notes of grapefruit and orange peel dominate the first impression, followed by resinous aromas reminiscent of pine and cypress.
👃 Aroma Profile
🎨 Appearance
Beautiful color ranging from deep amber to light copper, with high clarity and clarity. When poured into a glass, white fine bubbles form a thick layer of 2-3cm at the top of the glass, lasting for about 3-4 minutes. It has a heavy appearance typical of Imperial IPA.

Beautiful amber color like expensive whiskey, woof! The foam is also firm, woof!
👅 Flavor (Subjective Evaluation)
⚠️ Important Notice
The following taste evaluation is a personal impression. Beer taste varies from person to person.
The first sip reveals powerful hop bitterness and rich malt sweetness. The intense bitterness, like biting into grapefruit peel, covers the entire tongue, followed by deep sweetness from caramel malt. The alcohol content of 9.8% has a smoothness that doesn’t make you feel its height, with a warm aftertaste that lasts long.
Flavor Profile

This intense bitterness is the true flavor of West Coast IPA. But the malt sweetness is nicely balanced.
🏆 Overall Rating
🏆 Overall Rating
Stone Brewing 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA is a wonderful bottle that fully showcases the charm of the West Coast IPA style. The intense bitterness and rich malt sweetness are perfectly balanced, with a smooth finish that doesn’t make you feel the high alcohol content of 9.8%. As a culmination of Stone Brewing’s 26 years of brewing technology, it’s a must-drink for IPA lovers.

A bottle packed with Stone Brewing’s IPA-making philosophy “Go Ahead, We Dare You” hop! The challenging bitterness is irresistible hop!
If you liked this article, please press the “Next Pint!” button!
Meaning “I’ve decided on this for my next drink!”, it will be recorded as your next beer to try.
American Craft Beer Exploration
The author, currently residing in Seattle, publishes records of travels exploring the craft beer scene in the United States and Canada. From popular breweries in Los Angeles to hidden gems in Portland, and unique tap rooms in Vancouver, we deliver brewery visit reports from across North America. Content that delves deep into North American beer culture, including limited beers only available locally and conversations with brewers, can be viewed from this category page.
https://rihobeer.com/category/beer/brewpub/usa
📚 References
Trusted information sources used to verify facts in this article:
- Stone Brewing Official Site – https://www.stonebrewing.com (Verified: June 12, 2025)
- Stone Brewing Beer Information – 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA Product Information (Verified: June 12, 2025)
- BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines – Imperial IPA Style Definition (Verified: June 12, 2025)
※Information is subject to change without notice. Please check official sites for the latest information.
🛒 Stone Brewing Beer Purchase Guide

Can Stone Brewing beer be bought in Japan too, woof? Where can I get it?

Stone Brewing’s IPA can be purchased on Rakuten and Amazon hop! Especially Arrogant Bastard Ale and IPA-related products are well-stocked hop!

I’ve prepared purchase links with price comparisons. I recommend starting with Stone Brewing’s representative IPA.
🔗 Stone Brewing IPA Purchase Links

Stone IPA (Representative of West Coast IPA)
Stone Brewing’s signature product. Features intense bitterness and hop aroma
⭐ Recommended Related Products

IPA Specialty Glass
Specially designed glass to maximize IPA aromas
¥2,500~
Professional-grade glass developed to fully enjoy the complex aromas of Stone IPA
🌐 多言語版 / Multilingual Versions
This article is also available in the following languages:
🇪🇸 Versión en Español
Reseña de Cerveza Artesanal: Stone Brewing 26th Anniversary Imperial IPA (West Coast IPA 9.8%)
Leer en EspañolPolylang Multilingual Management: This content is managed multilingually with WordPress’s Polylang plugin, and each language version is automatically cross-linked.
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