Stone IPA Variety 12Pk Cans

Stone IPA Variety 12Pk Cans is a 12-pack sampler featuring four distinct IPAs from Stone Brewing, with ABVs ranging from 4.5% to 8.5%. Stone Brewing has been named "All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth" by BeerAdvocate magazine twice, and this variety pack showcases the breadth of their hop-forward lineup in a single purchase.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%–8.5% (varies by style)  |  Origin: Escondido, California  |  Style: IPA Variety Pack  |  Brewery: Stone Brewing (est. 1996)

Production & Heritage

Stone Brewing was founded in 1996 in San Marcos, California, and has grown into the largest brewery in Southern California, now headquartered in Escondido. Their IPAs are defined by an intensive dry-hopping process: hops are added post-fermentation and circulated through the beer three times over a 24-hour period, after which the tank is chilled to 63°F and cold-conditioned for five days. This meticulous extraction technique pulls maximum aroma and flavor from the hops, distinguishing Stone's beers from breweries that use more conventional dry-hopping methods.

The variety pack includes four expressions: Stone IPA (6.9% ABV), the flagship West Coast–style IPA; Stone Hazy IPA (6.7% ABV), a juicier New England–inspired take; Stone Dayfest IPA (4.5% ABV), a sessionable option built for extended drinking; and Stone ///Fear.Movie.Lions Hazy Double IPA (8.5% ABV), a bold, higher-gravity hazy that anchors the heavier end of the lineup.

Tasting Notes

Stone IPA (6.9%): Pine resin and grapefruit pith dominate the nose, with lemon peel and earthy undertones underneath. High bitterness leads the palate, followed by tropical mango and pineapple mid-sip, finishing with peppery spice and lingering citrus.

Stone Hazy IPA (6.7%): Softer and juicier than the flagship, with tropical fruit and stone fruit aromas. The mouthfeel is fuller with restrained bitterness, letting hop flavor take center stage over hop bite.

Stone Dayfest IPA (4.5%): Vibrant orange, passionfruit, and mango on the nose with hints of bubblegum. A pale straw pour with a subtle malt backbone keeps things light and drinkable despite the aromatic intensity.

Stone ///Fear.Movie.Lions Hazy Double IPA (8.5%): The biggest beer in the pack delivers dense tropical fruit character with amplified hop saturation. A creamy, full body carries the elevated alcohol without harshness.

How to Drink the Stone IPA Variety Pack

Each beer in the pack benefits from being served cold, ideally between 40°F and 50°F. The flagship Stone IPA and Dayfest are versatile enough for straight-from-the-can drinking, while the Hazy IPA and Fear.Movie.Lions reward pouring into a tulip glass to release their aromatic complexity. For cocktail-curious drinkers: Stone IPA works in a Hop Shandy blended with fresh lemonade for a bitter-tart hybrid; Dayfest pairs well in a Michelada where its lower ABV keeps the drink sessionable; and Fear.Movie.Lions stands up in a Beer Float with vanilla ice cream, its tropical haze playing off the dairy richness.

Best For

• Introducing a craft-curious friend to the full range of IPA styles
• Stocking a cooler for a backyard barbecue or tailgate
• Hosting a side-by-side tasting of West Coast vs. hazy IPA styles
• Keeping a rotating selection on hand without committing to a single six-pack

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Stone IPA Variety Pack taste like? The pack spans a wide flavor arc, from the piney, aggressively bitter West Coast character of Stone IPA to the soft, tropical juice-forward profile of the hazy offerings, with a light session beer rounding things out at 4.5% ABV.

How does Stone IPA compare to Sierra Nevada Torpedo? Both are nationally distributed West Coast IPAs with prominent hop bitterness, but Stone IPA leans harder into pine and peppery spice, while Torpedo emphasizes a slightly more balanced malt-to-hop ratio with pronounced citrus and resinous character. Stone's three-circulation dry-hopping process also creates a more aggressive aromatic punch compared to Torpedo's torpedo-hopped approach.

Is the Stone IPA Variety Pack good for beginners? The inclusion of Stone Dayfest at 4.5% ABV gives newcomers a gentle entry point, though the Fear.Movie.Lions Double IPA at 8.5% ABV is better suited for experienced IPA drinkers comfortable with higher bitterness and alcohol.

Where is Stone IPA made? Stone Brewing is headquartered in Escondido, California, in northern San Diego County, where it operates as the largest brewery in Southern California.

What foods pair well with the Stone IPA Variety Pack? Stone IPA cuts through the richness of a smoked brisket or sharp cheddar. Dayfest pairs naturally with fish tacos and citrus slaw. The Hazy IPA complements Thai green curry, where its tropical notes echo the dish's aromatics. Fear.Movie.Lions stands up to a blue cheese burger, its hop intensity matching the bold cheese.

What sizes does the Stone IPA Variety Pack come in? The standard format is a 12-pack of 12 oz cans, with three cans of each of the four IPA styles.

Is the Stone IPA Variety Pack worth the price? The pack positions in the mid-range tier for craft beer variety packs, and the inclusion of a double IPA — typically sold at a premium as a standalone — adds meaningful value compared to buying individual six-packs of each style.

Why Stone IPA Variety Pack?

Stone Brewing's twice-honored status as BeerAdvocate's "All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth" was not built on one beer — it was built on range, and this 12-pack demonstrates exactly that. The intensive three-circulation dry-hopping and five-day cold conditioning process that defines Stone's hop character is present across all four beers, creating a consistent quality thread despite the stylistic variety. Spanning from a 4.5% session IPA to an 8.5% hazy double, the pack covers more ground than most variety packs attempt. For anyone who wants to understand what Stone does and why it matters in American craft brewing, this is the most efficient way to get there.