Stone Delicious IPA 6Pk is a gluten-reduced West Coast IPA from Stone Brewing, packaged as a 6-pack of 12 oz cans at 7.7% ABV. Earning a 93/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing magazine, this citrus-driven IPA stands out for its exclusive use of Lemondrop and El Dorado hops in the dry-hop stage, delivering intense lemon and tropical character rarely found in a beer that also qualifies as gluten-reduced.Quick Facts: ABV: 7.7% | Origin: Escondido, California, USA | Style: West Coast IPA (Gluten-Reduced) | Brewery: Stone BrewingProduction & HeritageStone Brewing, founded in 1996 in San Marcos, California (now headquartered in Escondido), helped define the American craft beer movement with its aggressive, hop-forward approach. Delicious IPA uses a hop bill of Columbus, Calypso, Lemondrop, and El Dorado varieties, with the dry hop composed exclusively of lemony El Dorado hops sourced from Washington State. What truly distinguishes this beer is its fermentation process, which breaks down and removes gluten from the barley-based brew, bringing it below 20 parts per million — meeting the FDA threshold but labeled "gluten-reduced" rather than "gluten-free" because barley remains an original ingredient.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with intense sweet citrus — fermented mango, papaya, and lime zest — layered over resinous fir and pine. A boozy tropical fruitiness sits underneath, giving the aroma real depth and complexity for the style.Taste: The palate entry is bright with lemon candy sweetness and juicy orange-pineapple fruit, quickly moving into resinous hop character with grassy, minty undertones. Mid-palate, a light nutty malt backbone provides just enough structure before a full, puckering bitterness takes hold. The hop spice and citrus intensity build steadily without becoming harsh.Finish: Moderately bitter and lingering, with herbal and citrus hop flavors that persist well beyond the swallow. A dry, spicy lemongrass quality rounds out the close, keeping the beer refreshing despite its 7.7% ABV weight.How to Drink Stone Delicious IPAPour into a tulip glass or standard pint at around 45–50°F to let the aromatic hop oils fully express themselves; drinking straight from the can mutes the complex nose. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try a Hop Shandy by mixing with fresh lemonade, which amplifies the Lemondrop hop character; a Michelada where the citrus hops complement lime, hot sauce, and Clamato; or a Beer-garita (IPA floated over a frozen margarita), where the resinous bitterness cuts through the sweetness.Best For Sharing at a summer cookout or tailgate with hop-loving friends Introducing a gluten-sensitive beer drinker to a full-flavored West Coast IPA Pairing with bold, spicy foods that can stand up to assertive bitterness Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who values both flavor and ingredient transparency Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Stone Delicious IPA taste like? It leads with bright lemon candy and tropical fruit — orange, pineapple, mango — followed by resinous pine hops and a firm, lingering bitterness. A light malt sweetness balances the aggressive hop profile without dulling it.How does Stone Delicious IPA compare to Lagunitas IPA? Both are California-brewed West Coast IPAs with prominent hop bitterness, but Stone Delicious IPA leans more heavily into citrus and tropical fruit from its Lemondrop and El Dorado hops, whereas Lagunitas IPA trends more toward classic piney, floral character. Stone Delicious also carries the gluten-reduced distinction, which Lagunitas IPA does not.Is Stone Delicious IPA good for people avoiding gluten? Stone Delicious IPA is fermented to break down gluten below the FDA's 20 parts-per-million threshold, making it "gluten-reduced." However, because it is brewed with barley, it is not certified gluten-free and may not be suitable for those with celiac disease — consult a physician if you have concerns.Where is Stone Delicious IPA made? Stone Delicious IPA is brewed by Stone Brewing at their facility in Escondido, California, located in northern San Diego County. Stone Brewing was founded in 1996 and is one of the largest independent craft breweries in the United States.What foods pair well with Stone Delicious IPA? Spicy Thai green curry, where the citrus hops mirror the lemongrass in the dish; grilled carne asada tacos with lime, which complement the beer's tropical brightness; sharp cheddar cheese, whose richness is cut by the firm bitterness; fish tacos with mango salsa for a tropical echo; and pepperoni pizza, where the hop resin cleanses the palate of fatty, salty toppings.What sizes does Stone Delicious IPA come in? Stone Delicious IPA is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, as well as single 19.2 oz stovepipe cans and draft.Is Stone Delicious IPA worth the price? Stone Delicious IPA positions as a mid-range craft IPA — competitively priced against comparable West Coast IPAs while offering the added distinction of gluten-reduced brewing. With scores of 93 from both Ratebeer and Craft Beer & Brewing, it delivers well above its price tier in terms of complexity and critical recognition.Why Stone Delicious IPA?The combination of a serious West Coast hop profile and a gluten-reduced process is genuinely uncommon — most gluten-reduced beers sacrifice flavor intensity, and most bold IPAs ignore the gluten-sensitive market entirely. Stone Delicious IPA bridges that gap without compromise, earning a 93/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and strong marks across major rating platforms. The exclusive El Dorado dry hop creates a lemon-tropical signature that reads as distinctive rather than generic within a crowded IPA landscape. For drinkers who want aggressive, flavorful hops and reduced gluten content in the same glass, few alternatives deliver at this level.
