Stone 10th Anniversary IPA - Stone Brewing Co.

jgap

California

4.53/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had more than my fair share of this brew. It pours a very nice amber. A wonderful, piney smell with alcohol that is balanced well with the malt. The taste is similar. Reminds me of A lot of good times. Very hoppy, lots of piney chinooks and, pleasently, very few centenials and cascades. Exceptional taste, which is similar to the smell. Doesn't taste like a double but a well balanced, very hearty IPA. If you get the chance to taste this TAKE IT!!!!

Serving type: growler

01-20-2009 04:45:28 | More by jgap

m1ked

California

4.3/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a growler last night. Went for the 06 Double AB, but was pleasantly surprised with this 8 o'clock offering. Plus, I was told this would be the second to last growler release of this. Get it while you can!

A- Poured from the growler into a tulip glass. Dark orange, light copper color with a good one inch foamy head. Not quite opaque, more translucent in clarity. The head slowly recedes to buubly ring around the glass, and retained minimal head in the center.

S- First whiff, surprisingly caramelly sugars. Swirl it around a bit, get my nose deep in there- Is this an IPA??? I get caramelized grapefruit, some guava, watermelon and some sweet alcohol. It smells thick!

T- Definetly sweet malt up front, almost caramelly, and honey-like,transitioning into some slight pine bitterness, and finished with some anise.... like the lingering flavor of black licorice.

M- I never had this fresh, I had a bottle about a year ago...but I am convinced this has condensed or thickened up over time. This is the thickest feeling IPA I have ever had. Coats the tongue heavily. Rubbing my tongue against the roof of my mouth for like a minute and I can still detect its presence.

D- This is hard for me to gauge. A great beer (from what I have heard/read)that has developed into into an amazing, yet different beast. Great to have a glass of, but I am staring at a whole growler of this. I promise I will do my best though!!

Serving type: growler

01-18-2009 19:46:42 | More by m1ked

PeprSprYoFace

California

3.88/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Got a growler of this last night at Stone. Drank a glass today. Poured it into my Old Guardian Barley Wine glass since I heard it was drinking like a BW.

Appearance: poured like a barleywine with little head but some good lacing.

Smell: Smelled of bananas and citrius it smelled awesome

Taste: tastes like a barley wine with a slight thickness and smoothness but intense and sweet at the same time.

Mouthfeel: slightly thick like a barley wine and feels like one as well

Drinkability: could not drink this stuff all night but it was very good but could prob drink no more than two glasses.

Serving type: growler

05-26-2008 02:09:11 | More by PeprSprYoFace

k3n

California

3.35/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

3L Growler stored in my cooler, and opened 5/24/08, aged approx 2 years.

I remember having this fresh, and enjoying it immensely, this being the IIPA that introduced me to just how fruity/citrusy an IIPA could be. Let's see how's it's held up...

A: Mostly clear, dark amber-gold. Not too much head, but I think asking for the growler to hold all the carbonation for 2 years is asking a bit much. Looks inviting nonetheless!

S: The malt has definitely over-taken things here. Plenty of caramelly goodness, but there's a distinct honey tint to the aroma as well. That's interesting. The citrusy hops are still there, but just in the background now.

T: It's pretty much a barleywine now. The maltiness is a really nice, mellow caramel/honey sweetness. This is followed by a bit of citrus rind bitterness/dryness, and a hit of raw alcohol on the finish. The fresh fruitniness I remember from the fresh bottle is gone. Sadness.

M: Mouthfeel is excellent. Even with a lower carbonation, the beer coats the mouth nicely, and provides an excellent fullness.

As an IIPA, I'd say this one is definitely past it's prime, but as an experiment in aging beer, it's pretty damn interesting.

Serving type: growler

05-25-2008 05:43:17 | More by k3n

throwitallaway

Alabama

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured from growler into pint glass. Amber color with a thick white head. Smells incredible with notes of pineapple, mango, pine, caramel, and a touch of alcohol. Taste is similarly complex, starting with a very obvious pineapple taste, that fades into bready malts, caramel, and piny, hop bitterness. Alcohol is well hidden with only some warming in the throat. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and creamy. Very drinkable for such a big beer. This is definitely Stone's best creation, and one my favorites in general.

Serving type: growler

04-28-2008 22:37:27 | More by throwitallaway

rxdrewthejew

California

4.08/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a growler of this at Stone on Saturday.

A: I was worried about cabonation so a fairly aggressive pour which revealed a slightly syrupy but clear deep orange with a tiny bit of red/brown in the middle. Big fluffy white three finger head that slowly dissipated into a thick film.

S: Mild tropical malts, somewhat reminiscant of Double Bastard but not nearly as strong, with a mild citrus and pine hop scent. The smell is really not overwhelming, not nearly as strong as some of their other brews.

T: Sweet tropical esters come on strong and linger to the finish. Soon after the sweet malt base comes a mini hop blast. Mostly pine and not the typical Stone citrus.

MF: Carbonation is not really a problem, although it's very mild for an IPA. I do wonder if this was more carbonated a year ago, or even right off the tap. Syrupy and thick with a strong alcohol flavor.

D: This is quite good, but not nearly as strong as I had expected. At this point, it's quite similar to Double Bastard, although the flavor is toned down quite a bit. Really a pretty mellow beer flavor wise. I guess I would call it a malty IIPA, reminds me a bit of the summer Yulesmith. The drinkability is a bit deceptive because of the flavor, and I think it would be easy to put away a few pints of this before realizing that you were pretty messed up. Glad I got to try this, but the 11th was better, IMO.

Serving type: growler

01-30-2008 03:50:17 | More by rxdrewthejew

zuggy9

California

5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I received a 3L growler of this treasure and what a gift it was! It pours a deep rich coppery amber. Nice head retention thinning to a nice crown. The aromas that are clear are citrus and good hops. The taste is fantastic, very hoppy but not too bitter. The mouthfeel is perfection and it drinks well, and isn't hard, even with the high ABV

Serving type: growler

01-16-2007 18:57:56 | More by zuggy9

sublimesipping

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

So, after an extended absence, this reviewer is back with another sublime beer to report on. Much anticipated release from the folks in San diego does not fail to dissappoint. An amazing beer with much to write home about.
Poured from the bottle into an oversized wine glass; the color of the beer is one of the more beautiful that I have seen in a long time, deep royal ruby red amber, nice silky glass lacing and head retention indicates freshness. Smells of herbs and hops a sophisitcated sweet smell that promises much and delivers. I would say that this is a like a beautiful belgian with a distinct character and bitterness of an IPA. The 10% alchohol makes its presence felt but it is not overpowering. the beer is super silky smooth and was a joy to drink on the back deck with an old friend(who drank Rolling rock- one of the last latrobe brewed bottles), OK. I love tis beer! It is SOPHISTICATED! with a capitol "S"! The profile of the beer changed as the bomber was killed over the afternoon, but unlike other reviewers the alcholol did not become edgey in my palate's estimation. Drinkability is slow relfective as it should for this sublime experience. A special occassion beer- say for an anniversary? I can't wait to age some of the case that I've luckily been able to get my hands on. Look for updates to this review in 2011 and 2016. Happy 10th Stone for a job continuously and righteously, need I say outrageously welldone! cheers! Thanks for the beer memories...

3 bottles into the case and my review hits 5s across the board. As my palate gets more finicky but also demands to have its a-- kicked this beer does it for me in spades. SIMPLY AMAZING!
Update 12-31/12:
Drank one of my last two bottles for the 10th new years married and now 10th new years in my house anticipation mounts as I wait to see how this aged. The verdict-
DELICiOUS! Now drinks like a barley wine amazing flavors of almond brandies Cherry and of course oak caramel and even peat wonderful way to ring in 2013 wonder what the abc now is...

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 23:51:23 | More by sublimesipping

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This brew was served from the tap at Rattle N’ Hum in New York, NY. The brew arrived in a stemless chalice, glowing a golden red/brown. It held a one finger bubbly tan head of tight, tiny bubbles. This showed great retention, leaving thick sheets of lacing around the glass. Carbonation appeared lighter, and while there was a thick haze, no sediment was noted. The nose was sickly sweet with sugary hops. There was nectary syrup of peach and grapefruit flesh, sweet honey mustard, pale sweeter malts, and a musky, woody aged cheddar cheese with warmth. Our first impression was that this is just sensational. As we sipped, juicy, sweet grapefruit hops crash in, making the mouth water more with each sip. The malts were chalky, pale, drying, and puckering. The middle was sweet to the peak, with huge sweet grapefruit and floral hops. The malts deepened, became more caramel, and sweeter. The finish was of tart, candy sweetness, full nuttiness of cashews, and more of those rapturous hops. The aftertaste breathed of plastic phenols, hollow booze, of soft bittering aromatic hops, spicy hops, black pepper, and a final yeasty twang. The body was full, and the carbonation was soft. Each sip was silky smooth, with beautiful slurp, cream, and froth. The mouth was coated with that same velvety froth which eventually dried the palate a bit. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank fantastically.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the incredibly smooth flavoring. Our mouths were watering with luscious, juicy hops. The aromatics played into this, completing the package. Additionally, the feel was soft and coating, yet assertive and powerful. With too much warmth the booziness that is otherwise well hidden comes out in numbers, and can overwhelm the palate. Just keep it at that right temperature, just slightly below cellar temperature, and you’re in for the ride of your life.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2012 12:52:20 | More by TheBrewo

azdback

Arizona

4.6/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a Stone Imperial glass. Dark copper color, very clear in appearance. Quite a lot of tiny carbonation bubbles lead to a small one finger head that is just a tad bit darker than sea foam in color and creamy in appearance. The six years this has sat in the bottle has done nothing to the appearance. Very nice.

Smell is ultra sweet. Much like a Barleywine, caramelized sugar, light molasses or kayro syrup, some vanilla and lots of booze.

Taste is just fantastic. Creamy sweet caramel syrup vanilla notes, some bitterness and a bit of alcohol burn. I think the bitterness I am detecting could be some oxidation but I'm not refined in tasting this old of a beer.

Mouth is just fantastic. Smooth and creamy, carbonation is right on. The finish is very long and wet but not super mouth coating witch is nice.

Overall I must first thank t0rin0 for this bottle. He answered an ISO and wanted nothing in return. I did, of course, send him a box but he wanted nothing. To the beer... For this being as old as it is it drank fantastic!! Much more like a Barleywine than a DIPA but that is to be expected. I am glad I chose to celebrate IPA day 2012 with this!! Grab one if you can.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 05:08:01 | More by azdback

xmorgan

California

5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thank you stone for being the pallet assassin!

I love big bold beers, unless I want to get something done.

A.: clouding copper

S: big fruity hints and grapefruit.

T: MMM Hops alcohol and butterscotch.

F: good annihilate all other flavors in your mouth feeling. Like you could chew raw garlic and teach a virgin how to kiss after drinking this. The Stone experience is what other tastes can we knock out of your fead.

Yes, Love it, by it and be at home, with not were to go and hit this beer. It is so aggressive, You must take a preemptive strikeQ@

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 11:24:51 | More by xmorgan

drabmuh

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a Stone shaker pint glass.

Beer is hazy, big white head, almost grapefruit in color, low retention, some lacing, nice looking.

Aroma is very hoppy, pine and citrus with a strong malt sweet backbone.

This is about as heavy as an IPA can get. The palate is like chewing on hop pellets soaked in malt syrup. Strong, a little dry on the finish, maxes out on the IBUs, very strong beer overall. I'd have it again but it is a sipper, couldn't go through much of this in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2011 16:51:00 | More by drabmuh

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.23/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber poured into a Duvel tulip.

Pours a hazy murky brown with a very small light brown head, no lacing but. Not flat. Nose is oxidized, boozy, almost like bourbon but there's none, odd...

Taste is still quite bitter, earthy and chewy, booze is still strong given the age. Mouthfeel is crisp and quite sweet. Overall pretty acceptable.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 23:03:18 | More by kingcrowing

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a tulip.

Pours a nice copper color with a small white head that diminishes pretty quickly. A bit murky. Average lacing. The nose brings forward a pretty heavy amount of bread, brown sugar, and caramel. A bit nutty as well. A bit doughy. The flavor continues on this path with a really nice amount of brown-sugar sweetness as well as light dark fruits and a bit of sherry character, likely from oxidation. Flavor is fairly lasting and the moderate sweetness carries things through nicely. Bitterness is light at this point, though still there. Medium body. This has really moved toward an english barleywine and it was quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 12:00:08 | More by Thorpe429

Bmoyer0301

Pennsylvania

2.55/5  rDev -40.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Appearance:

Another great extra from my buddy Greg, although I'm afraid this might be way past its prime. I popped the cap and was not surprised to only hear a slight hiss. I poured into my DFH snifter straight on and was left with a very thin and spotty tan colored head. When I hold it up to the light it appears muddy and murky like old pond water. Deep copper brown with some yeast chunks lingering around, with no light passing through. Viscosity is fairly thick for its age.

Smell:

Right off the start loads of caramel, brown sugar, some wet cardboard, papery aroma. Faded muted hops, earthy undertones with some slight garlic and onion notes.

Taste:

Pretty thin, muddy, onions, brown sugar, some raisins with no real hop presence. Like a weak poorly made barleywine. Honey, slightly sugary quickly tangy finish. As I predicted was past its time but still fun to try and see the aging on this.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 17:31:48 | More by Bmoyer0301

RichScherle

Florida

4.9/5  rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Exceptional on all fronts.

Appearance - Beautiful gold/pale with lots of floaties. Wonderful dense and frothy head.

Nose - deliciously hoppy nose! As soon as i popped the cap you could smell the citrusy hops. Mind blowingly intense nose.

Taste - Fascinating! Very bright and fresh malty notes combine with an aggressive tropical hop profile. Some tropical fruit notes - possibly pineapple with some passion fruit? The brightness of this beer is wonderful. Really glides across the palette and sparks the wonder factor hugely. Malty notes are sparkly and refreshing with a bitter finish that is very refined and appreciated.

mouthfeel - exceptional. perfect mouthfeel - bright and hoppy with a fullbodied but not cloying in any way.

drinkability - excellent. potent brew though.

conclusion: one of the most exceptional IPAs i've had the pleasure of drinking. Absolutely spot on for the style and my favorite of all the stone brews. Three thumbs up!

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 21:38:24 | More by RichScherle

wchesak

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured into allagash chalice

Beer pours a ruby copper color with an off white/buttermilk colored head, about a fingers worth. About halfway through the head is gone, almost looks like i have poured some bourbon in my chalice.
The hops have definitely lasted much longer than expected, however they are not taking a leading role like they would have earlier in the life of this beer. It is more sweet, resiny like a chocolate covered hop or chocolate covered pineapple upside down cake.
The hop in the taste comes through differently, more medicinal and piney. The malt is a bakers/bittersweet chocolate that is rather intense. The last half of the glass is full of settled dregs. The consistency of a watery chocolate milk.
Overall glad to get a hold of a bottle even if its almost 4 years old. Paired it with homemade tandoori chicken, basmati rice, and naan. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 00:09:29 | More by wchesak

atigerlife

Hawaii

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy amber with small light brown head that dissipates rather quickly.

Aroma is sweet, honey, apricots. Very pungeant.

Taste is sweet, piney hops, medicinal, light malts and citrus.

Mouthfeel is medium+, lightly cleansing. Smooth.

Overall, good brew. Drinkable. Nice complexity. Definitely not a typical IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2010 03:39:15 | More by atigerlife

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Got this from an internet ordering website just for the heck of it. It has been aged for a while so it will have lost most of what makes it good (probably) but what the hell.

A-the color is a deep redish copper color, extremely hazy, with a thick two full fingers of an off white head that lingers for about a minute and leaves huge lacing on the glass. i couldn't ask for any more.

S-as expected, not much hops. huge notes of sweet malts with caramel and lots of caramilzed brown sugar. there is some resinous taste to this with hint of citrus hops at the very end but they are faint

T-again, the hops have faded, bit sweet malts, this is more like an american barley wine and i think i'll rate accordingly (as it is an aged high abv beer). the sweet malts are the same, lots of brown sugar, some sweet caramel, and hints of citrus towards the finish. there is also some notes of oxidation at the back

M-almost a full body, extremely syrupy, still lots of carbonation but very smooth.

D-its still pretty solid even after all this time. just no hop presense and i'm going to look at past reviews, but i'm assuming (being a stone imperial ipa) that it was a hop bomb!) cheers and this was fun!

S-

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2010 00:21:47 | More by cpetrone84

hrking

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

From the 3 of the anniversary brews i've tried 8,9,10,this is the best one.Had this one in a bomber at the Peach.This is the most drinkable of the 3.All the Stone stuff smashes ur face but this one is a treat has a citrus bite to it first off but easy on the finish,malts present,great carbination, not enough to kill the fish just right..Two thumbs up..Beckons from the glass a golden amber with a foamy, bready off white head. The aroma is very hoppy, bready, and some floral notes. From the first sip I knew for sure buying a swing top 3L 3 years late was not a bad call by any means. Tons of hops still punch through this baby, lots of floral and citrus accompanied by a distinct biscuit/bready flavor that produces a hint of staleness but not enough to negate the hop deliciousness. A very sweet taste overall, maybe some honey. .

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2009 03:14:59 | More by hrking

racer2k

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured 22oz bomber into a 22oz beer glass. Beer has been aged in the fridge for the past 3 years.

A - A clean pour into my glass with a good finger of tan head that dissipates in the glass leaving a nice cover of lacing. There is a lot of carbonation and foam for a 3+ year old beer. The color of the beer is dark copper and the beer is exceptionally clear for an aged DIPA.

S - The smell is spicy with a strong malt presence. There is a strong toasted malt, caramel and burnt sugar flavor of this beer. As for a high powered hop presence it is not there. There is a hint of pine and citrusy hops but the malt is the clear winner here.

T - Strong hop presence and bitterness on the front end which segues quite nicely into a spicy caramel malt flavor that finishes with a fruity kick to it. The alcohol is well hidden in this beer. The beer tends to grab more flavor as it warms up a bit.

M - This is a medium bodied beer that has moderate carbonation on board. The beer starts with a bite but finishes very smooth and somewhat dry. Slight feel of warming alcohol on the back end but not overwhelming.

D - Very drinkable and well aged after 3+ years. The alcohol is extremely well hidden but does catch up to you after you finish the entire 22oz. This is a nice beer that seems to be off the beaten path compared to your traditional DIPA offerings. I would definitely drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2009 17:14:16 | More by racer2k

womencantsail

California

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to t0rin0 for providing me with a bottle of this. I hadn't tried it before, and this has basically become a pretty decent barlewyine, from all accounts.

A: The pour is a dark amber color with an off-white head that leaves some great lacing.

S: The smell is pretty much your typical barleywine: toffee, brown sugar, caramel. While the hops that were certainly the focal point of this beer at one time have long since faded, there is still a very nice citrus aroma.

T: The flavors follow the nose fairly closely, however they are a bit muted. The caramel, toffee, and sugar are certainly there, along with a noticeable about of alcohol. Any hop flavors that are left are mostly covered up by the sweetness, except for a mild bitterness on the finish.

M: The body is full and the carbonation is actually surprisingly lively, even if it is a bit on the light side.

D: Like any sweet, 10% ABV beer, there's only so much "drinkability" to it. I am actually somewhat of a fan of this beer in its current state, however I can only imagine how delicious it would have been fresh.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2009 04:22:28 | More by womencantsail

slaintemhor

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A bomber that I got to sample last spring. The colour was a cloudy-amber. The aroma was teeming with hops and caramel but there was an interesting musty quality, as well. On the palate, there was a sweet maltiness, as well as caramel, toffee and creme brulee. Interestingly, there was not much hop character on the palate. Still, a nice glass!

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2009 04:30:57 | More by slaintemhor

HopHead84

California

3.6/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Mike and Mike for cracking the 3L. Poured into a snifter. Appears transparent dark orange with a fantastic frothy, creamy, sea foam head. Excellent retention and nice lacing is left behind.

The nose is citrus hops with a slightly sweet caramel malt presence. There's s decent amount of oxidation that can really only be described as stale cardboard. This bears similarities to a barleywine, but the oxidation isn't at all complimentary.

The flavor still has a moderate grapefruit and pine bitterness. The malt is slightly sugary and that cardboard oxidation is again evident. Booze is strong. Bitterness, cardboard, and booze linger in the finish. This beer has seen better days.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2009 08:13:24 | More by HopHead84

Arbitrator

California

2.9/5  rDev -32.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to t0rin0 for an interesting extra. I didn't think I'd have a chance to try this, past its prime or not.

Technically it's a no-no to review a beer that is known to be bad, and a (to say it politely) "well-aged" DIPA is almost certainly that. But on the off chance that people use these reviews to track how a bottle is doing NOW, might as well submit a current status.

A: Pours a murky, dark amber body with a half-finger of cream-colored head in my Chimay glass. The bubbles retain decently, receding in clumps and forming a pangaea of foam that is circled by a thin donut around the edge and a few register marks during the first sips.

S: Caramel, toffee, burnt sugar, rum, and a small presence of spicy pine hops. Interesting. I can tell this isn't going to be an amazing barleywine, but it's not entirely lacking in presence.

T: Still surprisingly bitter! Mostly in the aftertaste, which has a residual pine flavor, but there is an undercurrent of it through the main taste that prevents the otherwise malty profile from going nuts. The malt elements picked up in the smell are quite strong, along with green apple that I didn't pick up in the smell. But they're also lessened by a spicy cinnamon-like flavor that provides quite nice balance.

M: Medium-thick body, mild carbonation: overall smooth sensation. Slight dryness in the finish. Lingering pine bitterness, but nothing too strong.

D: Wow, for a 3-year-old DIPA this is outstanding. I can only imagine how good it was fresh.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2009 01:01:41 | More by Arbitrator