Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Oh, this is just tasty. One of my favorite, if not favorite, black ales. Delicious, complex, smooth, superb balance. I'll get this again, and I love the fact that you can get small bottles. Not too hoppy at all, in my opinion. Stone just knows how to make good beers--some more than others. But this is more than some. Excellent.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2013 02:08:01 | More by Beer-A-Lot

JamesStreet

Louisiana

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 650 ml bottle into a nonic pint

A - Dark, almost opaque, black with a nutty-brown 2-finger head. Nice, slow settle with a good retention on the side ofglass.

S - Right off the bat, the citrus-piney hop smell smashes the nose almost blocking the way of some roasted coffee maltiness. This beast must've been dry hopped like a bastard.

T - Taste picks up from the nose but with the malts taking the forefront here. The piney hops have a nice bitterness that lingers to the swallow. Hidden nicely is the fruitiness of some blueberry and grape. After the first couple of sips, this beer seems to balance out almost perfectly.

M - Medium carbonation with a lighter mouthfeel than expected from a black IPA. Had a nice crispness to it. Again, the bitterness from the hops, the cloaked fruitiness and the roasted malts balance out almost perfectly. This is a really good tasting beer that leaves my mouth Happy! Alcohol is really hidden too.

O - Although this isn't one of my usual styles I really enjoyed this beer. Not something I would sit and drink a lot of but on its own is a really nice brew. It should go well with my steak and gravy tonight

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 23:22:09 | More by JamesStreet

crazyfoMostout

Missouri

3.96/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

650 ml bottle poured into a tulip pint glass.
A: has a dark cola appearance when held to direct light. Thin off white head with 2 finger lacing.
S: Smell of roasted coffee and pine dominate strong alcohol burns the nose slightly

T: Again, roasted coffee,dark malts, piney hops, a subtle sweetness, followed by a bitter hop finish.

M: medium carbonation with a smooth slightly creamy finish.

O: IPA's typically don't have much appeal for me. I am a stout lover to the core, but I find this one to have just enough stout characteristics to have some merit. I also had this on tap recently, and found it to be very drinkable. The ABV is very deceptive. Definitely a good gateway beer for those who loves stouts but are having trouble with IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 00:28:18 | More by crazyfoMostout

ThreeKingdoms

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed 6/13/13,

L: Poured from 12oz bottle into snifter; nearly pitch black, with a hint of ruby color when held up to light. around a finger of tan head, with great lacing.
S: I first pick up coffee, and roasted malts dominate.
T: picks up where the nose left off...plenty of roasted maltiness--toffee and biscuit, and some caramel. this taste is promptly followed by the hoppy bitterness. a pleasant lingering bitterness in the aftertaste
F: Moderate carbonation, and nice and thick on the mouthfeel--nice :)
O: a great balance of roasted malts and hops; just what I'm looking for in BIPAs, good stuff! I'll definitely drink this again

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 01:35:08 | More by ThreeKingdoms

AltBock

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz. bomber bottle with a cool silk screened label of the stone gargoyle standing up like he's ready to fight. His wings are wrapped around him and his devil's tail has swung to the front. This gargoyle means business. The back of the bottle has the usual Stone novel on the back. They'll give you the history of the beer, but they won't put a bottled date on the bottle. I'm sure they could slip a vintage year into the novel. How old is it? I don't know.

When poured into a Cigar City pint glass, this west coast black IPA was surprisingly an all black color. The beer coming out of the bottle looked like it was going to pour a dark cola brown. Nope, not this beer. I've had a few Black IPAs and this one is the blackest one I've had so far. It had a decent sized initial head of foam on it. It was about half an inch in height and dirty white in color. This head of foam quickly faded away, but it managed to leave behind a medium sized string of rings and a small number of tiny blots of lace. Damn this beer is black!

If I was given the job to describe the beer in just one word, I would be forced to say "roasted." It wasn't pits of hell roasted. That's too much, but you're not too far off. The aroma was very roasted with roasted malts, a splash of roasted coffee beans, a dab of dark chocolate, some minor non roasted citrus notes, and a hint of roasted piney hops to finish this beer up. Very good and very roasted!

I couldn't describe the taste of this beer in one word. It would be too hard. I need any extra word. I'm going to use the words "well balanced." It was roasted, but yet hoppy at the same time. Kicking off the taste of this Black IPA was the roasted malt. You knew this taste was going to show up first. Following the malt was some minor roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes. Once the taste got these elements out of the way, in comes the roasted yet bitter piney hops. I detected a few citrus notes in this part of the taste, but they were very subtle. The taste was roasted and bitter at the same. That why I was forced to use the words "well balanced." Like the aroma, it was very good, very roasted, and slightly bitter.

This was a medium bodied Black IPA with good carbonation, and an aftertaste that was more roasted then bitter. The bitterness was getting to the level of the roasted level, but it was cut short. It was still very good. The aftertaste contained more roasted malt, roasted coffee beans, and piney hops. The beer's roasted dryness is the only thing that will stick around.

To be honest, I didn't know what to expect from this beer. Since its from Stone Brewing, I knew it wasn't going to bad. I didn't think it was going to be this good. In the end, this beer was very roasted and very well balanced. Would I drink it again? Yeah, I would.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 00:44:24 | More by AltBock

SanDNigel

California

4.44/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler into stubby tulip
A- Dark brown to almost black with a nice tan tight head
S- All I can think to start off is sweet grape juice, then after the head disappears it turns to sweet hops (I guess Chinook mostly) with a solid dark roasted malt backside. So uniquely sweet and hoppy.
T- The way the hops play off the darkness is fruity in nature. The alcohol is hidden deep inside this flavor forest. Blueberry, concord grape juice, with a sprinkle of citrusy-pine and chocolatey-coffee. Nothing I've had that really truly compares.
M- Heavy bubble in the 1-10, 10 as the largest bubble, 3 range. Not quite teeny tiny, but small and tight. Surprisingly refreshing.
This is a really good beer. Not one I would like to drink every day, but sparingly it stands out as a true champion of beers; all beers. It's not quite inside any true style (I don't think), it kinda stands on it's own on many levels. If you haven't tried it, you most definitely should. But don't be afraid to leave this one for later in the night. It will not be pushed around by others.

Serving type: growler

06-12-2013 06:23:04 | More by SanDNigel

Chris_Mac

New Hampshire

3.56/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Darker than I was expecting, almost a black copper. Malts dominate the smell, big taste of caramel malts, dry hop bitterness, and alcohol. The head diminishes quickly, but leaves thick swaths of lacing on the way down. Hint of thick, syrupy mouthfeel, but vey pleasant. A strong filling ale, with lots of character. Definitely not an everyday ale, but makes a good impression when the occasion occurs.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 23:13:33 | More by Chris_Mac

stella77artois

New York

4.31/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bottle, poured into pilsener glass.

A - Black. Dark stuff. A very dark brown at the bottom of the glass, only "non-blackness". Showed a very dark red-brown when held to light. A very thick, creamy, light brown head formed, shapshifted a lot, and stuck around. Fair amount of residuals.

S - Not a ton going on. Malt, hops, toffee/caramel and a similar aroma you gather from a red ale.

T - Yum! Up front there's an almost even mix of malt and hops. Some reviews mention a lot of hoppiness, I didn't notice a ton. Was a very good balance. A mild, pleasant sweetness w/ hints of caramel and spice. Lot's going on in the aftertase, too. In addition to above, could also detect a wheat-ish flavor. A very mild coffee tastes could be noticed, too. Alcohol noticed when warmed a tad. Caramel also more detectable when warmed. Did taste better cold (not ice cold, of course) I think. More of the up front flavors.

F - Typical for a strong ale. A decent thickness without a ton of carbonation feel. Felt a tad dry when warmed.

O - First time trying this beer and will certainly buy again. Love the look of this beer and obviously more importantly, the taste. A lot going on, yet nothing is out of place. Have yet to have a bad beer by Stone Brewing, and they're probably my favorite brewery. Highly recommend this brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 12:40:57 | More by stella77artois

Cubieblu

Illinois

3.86/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

Served chilled in a Stella Artois Chalice, allowed to warm before drinking

A – Dark black with slight reddish around edge of glass if held up to light. 1 ½ fingers of light mocha colored head. Lots of alcohol lacing along the glass.

S – Big up front citrus and floral hops. When cold the roasted qualities didn’t really come out, but as it warmed up the roasted characters started coming out. Would have enjoyed a bit more roasted notes in the smell. Get a nice pleasant smell of the malts in the background.

T- Big hop forward beer. Lots of citrus, mostly of grapefruit. As it rolls over your tongue the roasted characteristics from coffee and bitter chocolate are slightly present. Then a nice bitterness of grapefruit gets you on the backend. Some alcohol is noticeable but just enough to let you know this is an imperal.

MF – Medium body with good amount of carbonation.

D – Very drinkable – goes down easily, maybe too easy.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2013 02:14:56 | More by Cubieblu

MisSigsFan

California

4.44/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Such an interesting beer. It has the hop profile of an IPA, but the malt profile of a porter or stout. Pine resin taste from the hops and a roasted taste from the malt. Also, a hint of chocolate or espresso as well. I would definitely have this beer again. Another great from Stone,

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 03:39:24 | More by MisSigsFan

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Dark black with red hues and two-finger, tan, creamy head that lasted forever. Fantastic lacing.

S: Resin hops. Chocolate. Very nice, but somewhat mild.

T: Moderate sweetness and moderate bitterness. Burnt notes, chocolate, coffee, hops. Very nice.

M: Medium bodied with soft carbonation. Somewhat thin.

O: This is a really interesting beer. Tastes like an IPA/stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 02:00:54 | More by SolipsismalCat

pkalix

California

4/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

looks like a porter on the foam and on the sides when you tilt the glass. not as thick-looking as a porter or stout but very dark and chocolate-y.
smells a bit hoppy, but not overwhelmingly so.
tastes a bit hoppy, but there actually tastes like some chocolate, and espresso....
overall, okay... after an underberg it tasted a lot better. straight 4's . . . . .

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 23:52:24 | More by pkalix

DeanMoriarty

California

4.78/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a litre growler of this the other night from the new Stone Brewing World bistro and Gardens - Liberty Station in Point Loma and poured it into a Bitburger branded stemmed pilsner glass.

Pours like iced espresso coffee with auburn highlights when held up to the light, massive tan head that mushroomed over the edge of my glass with ridiculous amounts of lacing from the first sip to the last. Smell is like a West Coast IPA - extremely hop forward right off the bat - chlorophyllic and resinous, as it warms aromas of carmel and roasted malts emerge, balancing the aggressive hoppiness perfectly - hints of dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans as well. Flavor is amazing and on point with what the nose suggests - hops abound with earthy goodness that coats the palate, sweet toffee and carmel, fresh milled grains, espresso and cocoa nibs round the flavor profile perfectly - insanely tasty and so well balanced! Mouthfeel is on the lighter end of medium bodied which is just insane for a beer clocking in at nearly 9% ABV - chewy but finishes clean and dry, carbonation is perfect for the style with a lingering bitterness from the 90 IBU's. Where is the alcohol - barely detectable - a bit of warmth with all those hop oils but other than that, you'd never know what this one clocks in at.

More please!

Serving type: growler

05-25-2013 02:17:38 | More by DeanMoriarty

Segelstrom

Pennsylvania

3.89/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - poured to a frozen tumbler- large head that I had to wait on to get the entire glass poured. Dark chocolate color w/ decent clarity

S - light hoppy aroma

T - a decent beer but not one of Stone's best efforts. Seemed like a cross between a golden ale and a poorly made stout

M - good carbonation

O - worth the try but not going to fit on my list of regulars

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 23:39:51 | More by Segelstrom

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

P- Wegmans

A- coffee black with a nice 2 finger tan foamy head. Gorgeous lacing and head sticks around.

S- resin hops with a burnt malt presence on the back end. Very nicely done Stone!

F- nice hop presence that tastes like pine resin and burnt malt. Very tasty.

M- chewy and creamy. goes down with ease.

O- great beer from stone. All i can say.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 22:49:38 | More by Dodo2step

Bauzen

New York

4.24/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Black body, tan head. Rings of foam get left along the glass every time you take a sip.

You wouldn't expect a beer that pours black as night to smell as hoppy as it does. Notes of coffee, chocolate, slight citrus, hops and malt. There's a lot going on.

Flavor is odd, it has the bitterness of an IPA, but shares its body with the flavor profile of a stout. Bitter finish, slightly spicy at times. Stone has an interesting way of attacking your palate with overwhelming flavors... This beer is really no different.

Can't quite understand it, but it's certainly different, and that makes it worth trying,

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 01:36:17 | More by Bauzen

CASK1

Florida

4.64/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured to a Sam Adams "perfect pint" glass.

A - nearly opaque black with a hint of ruby highlight if held up to the sunlight. Tan head with decent staying power.

S - Hops dominate with a complex blend of citrus, pine, and herbal/woody aromas. Low roast malt in the background with hints of coffee and bitter chocolate. I also get some licorice. Very inviting.

T - Hop forward, but nicely balanced. Lots of piney, woody hops that linger all the way through the finish. Bitterness comes up fast and lingers into a long finish. Roast malt supports the hops, but stays in the background. Hints of coffee and burnt toast.

M - Medium-light body and medium high carbonation combine for a highly drinkable beer. Dry finish with some dark malt astringency. Very low alcohol warmth - very well hidden.

O - I seem to have a love-hate relationship with this style, and this one is definitely on the "love" side. I love the complex, dominant hop profile, but the roast malt supports the hops just right for the style. This beer reinforces Stone as a go-to brewery for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:44:18 | More by CASK1

jdhowe

California

4.48/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

22oz bottle, Enjoy by 08/08/13 (not clearly printed, so it's possible this isn't the date).

A: Pours a deep brown (very minimal light passes through the edges, revealing a deep brown color, but otherwise it's black) with 1 1/2 fingers of foamy mocha head. Plentiful lacing down the glass.

S: All hops. Piney, earthy hop aromas predominate, followed by light alcohol.

T: Strong hop bitterness, a sweet malty backbone filling out the flavor profile, with coffee and roast flavors on the finish. The coffee was undetectable on the nose for me, and is a truly pleasant surprise.

M: thick, oily, and moderate carbonation. This coats the mouth and stays long after the sip.

O: I am very impressed by this beer. While I am far from a huge fan of Stone, this is definitely one of the best beers I've had by them, right up with Espresso IRS and Enjoy By. I would not hesitate to have this beer again, and I will probably purchase it again if I am in the mood for a black IPA-type beer, which is really what this reminds me of. If Hop in the Dark were available year-round, this would have a bit more contest, but as it is, this may become the go-to for me in its style.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 06:43:03 | More by jdhowe

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.45/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours completely black with one and a half finger of light khaki colored head. The foam takes quite a bit to fade, and a nice rocky layer of small and large bubbles lines the top of the beer and the glass. Great lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is big citrus and floral hops mixed with a solid helping of roasted malt. It actually smells quite good for a Black IPA.

T: It starts out with a mix of sweet and bitter right away. I get vanilla, toasted bread, citrus, and licorice. It a mix of all sorts of flavors. It's hoppy and bitter, sweet and malt, roasty bitter, and just all over the place.

M: Medium bodied beer. It coats the palate from the first sip with a smoothness and that lasts all thew way through the finish. It dries up a little bit in the finish, but not much.

O: I hate this beer. I'm not a fan of Black IPAs to begin with, and this beer is exactly why I don't like them. The flavors don't mingle well together. It's too bitter (but not in super hopped up way). I just don't get this style. I may never buy another Black IPA ever again. Serious.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 18:30:37 | More by trxxpaxxs

Siriusfisherman

Montana

4.64/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

L: Black with some red/brown glints on the sides of the glass, big pillowy, rocky, off-white head. Superb lacing.

A: Resinous pine, sweet citrus, toasty/roasty malt, touch of caramel sweetness, and some fruity esters.

T/M: Smooth bitterness up front, followed by big resiny pine and fruity citrus notes. The malt joins the hop assault in the middle, bringing very light porter-like characteristics of roast caramel. Drying finish and a very slick mouthfeel. Perfect Carbonation.

Overall, an awesome Cascadian Dark Ale. Very strong at 8.7% abv, but very drinkable and full of huge flavors. Perhaps my favorite year-round offering from Stone.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 23:42:18 | More by Siriusfisherman

beyah

Maine

4.83/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Picture Arrogant Bastard, with a bit roasted barley, and a tad more alcohol. Hops are a bit less forward in this beer. You now have Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale. Tan head Black as night, great lacing, mouth feel just right, delicious. Definitely buy this one next time I see it.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 23:12:59 | More by beyah

rlee1390

Indiana

4.3/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A-Black in the glass, two finger off white head with some lacing.

S-Good deal of roasted malt, some pine and a nice hop presence.

T-Nice balance of roasted malt and hops. Nice bitterness some pine and citrus with a tad bit of coffee.

M-Medium bodied, nicely carbonated and creamy.

O-One of the best Black IPAs I've tasted, can't believe it took me so long to try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 01:51:01 | More by rlee1390

Mittsies

California

4.56/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a typical beer glass.
Opinion slightly biased due to tasting several Double IPAs prior.

Minimal head, lacing was decent. Black as motor oil with a light head.

Aroma was very hop-forward, very citrus, somewhat pine, hints of roasted coffee.
Very musky, skunky, dank, pungent smell overall.

Taste was incredibly bitter, very hoppy at first and then lots of coffeebean and dark chocolate.
After slowly enjoying the beverage I found more flavors coming through; strong tea and pine flavors, a wonderland of hoppy bitterness.
Very impressed with the flavor.

Heavy, creamy mouthfeel, but not as thick as you'd expect such a dark beer to be.
Very viscous, found myself drinking it very slowly even after thoroughly tasting it.

Overall this has become one of my favorite beers with just one tasting session. I've bought another bottle and will enjoy it again soon. I highly recommend trying a piece of dark chocolate (>85%) with the drink after thoroughly tasting it.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 10:37:35 | More by Mittsies

hopsputin

California

4.51/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

out of the bottle, into a tulip

a: pitch black 2/2.5 finger off white head - this looks real nice in the glass. almost like motor oil

s: mmm roasted malts fused with a sweet citrus bitter smell. some vanilla, pine, milk chocolate, orange, something cream..almost like lactose. something almost grassy. smells real nice

t: such a nice mix of milk chocolate and mild citrus bitterness, then fades out to a roasted malt/coffee bean/bittersweet chocolate on the back end. the more you sip, the more the hop bitterness starts to come out to play - piney syrup, tea leaf. the back end is is about the roasted malts and cocoa/bittersweet chocolate. maybe a hint of alcohol

m: medium, pushing to full

o: I know some people are on the fence about black ales - i love them. this is really good, and the flavors harmonize well. not as good as the espresso sublimely self-righteous or hop in the dark, but a close third. plus its year round - that a plus

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 04:32:22 | More by hopsputin

BaronVonBeauregard

Georgia

4.63/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

The color is a very dark with a large, thick head, and the aroma is hoppy with citrus and resin notes showing out the loudest. The taste is bitter, slightly sweet, and reminds me of some imperial stouts out there; the aftertaste combines a long bitter finish, soft carbonation, medium body, and a slightly sticky texture.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 01:22:47 | More by BaronVonBeauregard