Nooooooo not like that! But this week I will be reviewing a beer by the Stone Brewery from Escondido CA. They have been assaulting peoples taste buds since 1996 with their ?Ruination
IPA? leading the charge. As I have mentioned before, I try to get as much information off a
bottle as possible before opening and tasting it. The lads at Stone were kind enough to not only explain where the name came from but also include a description of the beer so I don’t need to interpret anything! They must have known I would have got it wrong.
Ruination: The act of ruining or the condition of being ruined;a severe state of damage; destruction archived by wrecking (as described on the bottle). Naming a beer after this noun could be taken a few different ways ? it is a 7.7% ABV beer, so it will get you wrecked, but in this context they don?t mean to ruin your palate!  I?ll spare you the rest of the novel on the bottle, if you want to read it come buy one.   Now its time to drink this guy.
The first thing you?ll notice before you take your first sip is that your hand looks pretty small holding this bottle. Of course you?ll realize that?s due to the fact it?s a 22 ounce bottle. Ruination pours beautifully and has a rich golden color and think head. Even before you bring the glass close to take a sip you will be able to smell the hops. Now prepare yourself, and take a swig. I wish I could be there when everyone of you tries this beer for the first time ? if your anything like me you?ll put down the glass, unpucker your lips and say ?wow? as you pick up the bottle and re-read the definition of ruination, and realize they nailed it.
This is definitly the hops lovers dream beer, so if thats you or someone you know come get one!

-Joe Woelfle
www.blatzcave.com