Stone Brewing launched Delicious IPA in January 2015 as a bold, citrusy, hop-driven IPA that also happens to be brewed using an enzyme process (Clarity-Ferm) that breaks down gluten proteins, qualifying it as gluten-reduced under FDA guidelines. It was one of the first widely distributed craft IPAs to make that claim without sacrificing hop character.
At a Glance
| Style | Gluten-Reduced American IPA |
| ABV | 7.7% |
| IBU | 75 |
| Hops | Calypso, El Dorado, Lemondrop, Nugget |
| Origin | Stone Brewing, Escondido, California (launched 2015) |
| Typical price | Around $10 to $14 for a six-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Delicious IPA pours a hazy gold with a lasting white head. Lemondrop and El Dorado hops combine to bring a magnificent lemon-candy flavor, with Calypso and Nugget adding a spicier, more resinous hop backbone underneath.
The full review
On the palate, the beer delivers exactly what the hop bill promises: bright lemon-candy sweetness up front, balanced by real bitterness (75 IBU) and a resinous, spicy finish. Stone built this with an “aggressive, no-holds-barred approach”, and it drinks like a beer meant to compete directly with the brewery’s other hop-forward flagships rather than play it safe. If citrus-forward IPAs are your thing, our best IPAs guide has more in that lane.
The gluten-reduction process (Clarity-Ferm enzyme treatment) breaks down gluten protein chains during fermentation, bringing gluten levels under 20 parts per million, the FDA threshold for a “gluten-reduced” claim. It is still brewed from barley, so it is not gluten-free, but it is a meaningful option for gluten-sensitive drinkers who still want a real IPA rather than a gluten-free alternative grain beer.
At 7.7% ABV it sits solidly in classic West Coast IPA territory, strong enough to notice, but the hop intensity keeps the alcohol from standing out on its own.
“A deliciously citrusy, hop-driven IPA with a lemon candy-like flavor, built with an aggressive, no-holds-barred approach.”, Stone Brewing
- Genuinely bold citrus-forward hop character
- Gluten-reduced without sacrificing flavor
- Well-balanced bitterness for the style
- Widely distributed, easy to find
- 7.7% ABV is on the stronger side for an IPA
- Still contains barley, not gluten-free
- Lemon-candy sweetness may be too sharp for some drinkers
Who it is for
IPA fans who want a bold, citrus-driven beer, and gluten-sensitive drinkers who still want a real craft IPA rather than a gluten-free alternative. If you want something even more aggressive, browse our best beers coverage for other high-IBU picks.
How to serve Stone Delicious IPA
Serve cold in a tulip or IPA glass to concentrate the citrus aroma. It pairs well with spicy or citrus-forward food given its own bright, punchy hop profile.
FAQs
Is Stone Delicious IPA gluten-free?
No. It is brewed from barley but treated with an enzyme process that reduces gluten to under 20 parts per million, qualifying it as gluten-reduced, not gluten-free.
How strong is Stone Delicious IPA?
It is 7.7% ABV with 75 IBU, a fairly strong and bitter IPA.
What hops are in Stone Delicious IPA?
Calypso, El Dorado, Lemondrop and Nugget hops give it its citrus, lemon-candy and spicy hop character.
