Stone 10th Anniversary IPA - Stone Brewing Co.

mjd83goblue

Michigan

4.55/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Ashley's (Ann Arbor) at the MI Stone release party. Served in a pint glass. Usually don't review a beer I've only had at the bar, but I think this is the only chance I'll have to try this beer.

A: Amberish brown, served with little head, but I don't know if that was the pour or the beer. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

S: Huge piney hops dominate. In a sinus clearing way. Whoa.

T: Almost a two step process: (1) Slap in the teeth of big bad hops (2) After you recover, you realize that there is quite a bit of balance with some citrusy fruits and malt. The alcohol is present, and it warms your throat while still tasting hops all the way down. "Hop-burn" is the only way I can describe it.

M: Fantastic. Thick and a little oily without being too syrupy. Perfect amount of carbonation for the style. All around great.

D: Obviously a huge beer, but so damn good.

Amazing brew. Definitely glad to finally have Stone in MI. This beer completely destroys your palate though, and I sure can't write a review of the Double Bastard I followed this up with.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2006 21:58:51 | More by mjd83goblue

mcallister

Ohio

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

One of the best looking pours I've witnessed in awhile. Brings a tear to my eye. Clean bright ruby/amber red with an awesome fluffy thick cloud of a head that is an off white/yellow/brown in color. Damn good looker.

One complex nose this beer posseses. Piney sweet hop and malt, hints of toffee, hints of fig, freshly picked flowers, dried golden raisins as well.

For how complex the nose is the taste has it beat. Not just complex but almost perfect balance as well. The toffee thick malt lends itself wonderfully to the layered hop flavors. Starts with a piney resiny hop than hits the middle with a sweet floral accent, and ends on the 50 second finish with a twist of citrusy fruit goodness. And in between is dried fruits and even some nutty characteristics that leave an oily palate enamoring sensation.

Rich, creamy, smooth, medium carbonated mouthfeel all equals a beer I'd be more than happy to drink on all day and night and well into the next day.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2006 18:40:31 | More by mcallister

gotbeer

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've had the chance to sample this one both on tap and from the bottle now. Great both ways.

The appearance is a rich orange copper with an incredible head that laces the glass heavily. Impressive to see.

The smell is brash and hoppy. A hint of alcohol.

The taste is a hop beat down for your mouth. Huge hop flavors- oil like grapefruit, pineapple, and pine flavors are plentiful. There is also a caramel malt backbone that brings a sweet character to the beer. Not quite treading the line to a barleywine, but close. There is a hint of alcohol at the finish. Hops rule this beer.

The drinkability of this beer is incredible. I could drink it as long as I remain standing.

Another great creation from Stone. I can only hope they bring it back again, and not see it retired here.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2006 04:04:55 | More by gotbeer

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled on-tap at the Liars' Club.

This IPA poured a clear, amber color with creamy, white foam that settled and clung to the glass. The smell was hoppy, but not overly so, and malty. The taste was dominated by the hops: bitter and fruity with flavors of orange and grapefruit. There was a good malty backbone to balance the hops. This was not a "hop bomb". The flavor of alcohol became more noticeable as the beer warmed . The mouthfeel was smooth and full bodied with modest carbonation feel. Very warming. The aftertaste was hoppy with some bitterness. This was a good beer, but less hoppy than I expected.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2006 18:36:17 | More by UncleJimbo

stoner420

California

4.38/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Medium dark copper/amber. Aroma is very hoppy, smells of citrus, guava, very tropical, then carmel malt. Aroma seems to change as time goes by. Tastes like a double IPA, but more complex, nice fruit-like flavors, then a little bitter, a little sweet, really good. Overall, a great beer, a little heavy almost on the syrupy side, but enjoyable. Watch out for the relatively high alcohol content, because the flavors hide it really well. This is the first Stone beer I have really really liked.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2006 17:04:10 | More by stoner420