Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

jpittman80

Florida

4.9/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Basically opaque with ruby red highlights when held up to the light. Huge tan head that lasts to the end with plenty of lacing.

S - Beautiful blend of chocolate, roast malt, earthy and piney hops.

T - Oh. Wow. Chocolate, a nice biscuity flavor, roast malts, huge hop flavor and perfect bitterness to counterbalance the sweetness, which even on its own wouldn't be cloying. Finishes dry and big on hops. Amazing.

M - Silky, creamy, perfectly smooth with very soft carbonation. Perfectly dry finish to compliment the amazing smoothness.

D - With a tiny, tiny bit of alcohol, and the high ABV, a bomber will do. This beer is near perfect, and besides, you don't want to overdo it with this one. Keep it special.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2010 22:00:42 | More by jpittman80

vdread

Texas

4.9/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

this stuff pours black as night. i can't even see sunlight through the glass. the head is great and leaves elaborate lacing.

the smell is heavy with hops. juicy grapefruit comes to mind. there is a hint of rich chocolaty malt. most definitely pungent and strong hop domination here.

oh wow. i have to admit, the alcohol hits me in the mouth first, followed by a sweet, licorice-like malt and aggressive, juicy hops that also have an earthy note. roasted and coffee tastes are strong as well. it's rich, smooth, creamy while at the same time abundantly bitter and resinous with hops.

mouthfeel slightly creamy, perfectly carbonated, and a little dry at the end.

i believe this was a very fresh bottle. i don't have the words to properly describe this beer experience. it's fucking amazing.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2010 22:28:49 | More by vdread

overfiend1976

Vermont

4.9/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Liquid amazement is what I would have to call this. Save for the aroma being a little on the burnt side, this black IPA is incredible. Smooth and thick, this beer brings an awful lot to the table. High on the bitters throughout the mouth-feel, its smoky, mellow aftertaste makes you completely forget that. This is definitely a beer that balances itself well. Out of all the 'newish' style of black IPA that I have had, this one is definitely the crown jewel. Congratulations Stone, for making another beer that I find to be so enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2011 02:32:42 | More by overfiend1976

eclaycamp

Kansas

4.9/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

To say that I’ve been looking forward to this beer is an understatement. One of my buddies happened to pick this up in Denver last year but he of course didn’t share. 22 ounce bomber poured into an oversized wine goblet. Comes out of the bottle dark brown (think cola) with a frothy long lasting tan head. Wish the head was a bit thicker, but the high ABV probably makes that difficult. Aroma comes across as this dank and earthy hop character, with big notes of pine. It’s huge! Roasted grain and chocolate are buried in the nose. You have to work your way past the incredible hop aroma but they’re in there. Then there’s the whole matter of taste. Hops shatter the palate first, with a prolonged bitterness in the finish. The first taste is all hops. As you acclimate you’ll be able to start to pick at the malt profile a bit more, but the first taste is jarring. I like the mouthfeel as well. It’s slick and despite all the hops never gets sticky. This beer finishes very dry (something I’ve noticed with most Stone beers), as the malt character never goes overboard into sweet territory. Instead it opts for roasted and nutty, with a slight bitter coffee note. That’s not the best description. Let me put it this way I’ve toasted pine nuts, getting them to the point where they’re almost too dark, and that’s what this malt flavor reminds me of. It’s not burnt, but is right there on the edge. There’s also some definite alcohol warmth but I’m not picking up any fusels in the nose or taste, very impressive. It’s not often that I find a beer that lives up to my expectations when trying it, but Sublimely Self-Righteous does that and then some. Not sure if it’s possible, but this is a textbook example of an emerging style.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 23:56:24 | More by eclaycamp

MarkBlackout

Indiana

4.9/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is sort of a lesser cousin to the Stone 15th Black Ale. That said, it can't be faulted at all; it offers more drinkability than the 15th, and somewhat less of a medicinal aspect. What can I say, I love both. Stone has defined Black IPA, in all its contradiction as a term, they bring the intense hop and roasted malt together perfectly in both cases. I had the 15th when it was just a week or so old, and I have never experienced such a fresh hop blast. Again, this is similar, but less hi-test and in your face. But not much, at all. I'm glad this is becoming a regular offering. Herbal hops with a touch of a medicinal aspect, which is rare and appreciated. Kick ass brew from a kick ass brewer. Get it if you can handle it.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 17:58:16 | More by MarkBlackout

BeerGogglesReviews

4.9/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Opened the bottle expecting good things, and it didn't disappoint.
Forget bouquet and think bucket. Black India Pale Ale and the 'pail' is the measure per bottle for the hops. Pine, passion fruit, cocoa, bergamot orange, lychee, fruit cocktail, peach, grape, muscovado, demerara, blackstrap molasses.
In short,
YUM YUM!!!
Need I say more?

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 18:21:20 | More by BeerGogglesReviews

FlemingVSKing

Florida

4.9/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Unless you just don't like dark ales, it's hard to call this one anything much less than perfect.

It has great complexity, ranging from a deep flavorful ale to a bright floral hop. Just simply put it offers a wide range of complementary flavors that really make each sip a different experience. I'm excited by drinking it.

The visual appeal is all there as well. A nice head from an average pour and great retention. The coloring is deep and black with some reddish tints near the edges of the glass.

My first reaction was "wow this is going to make a strong case for being my favorite beer." And that holds true. I had it on tap but can't wait to pick up a case.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2013 05:48:09 | More by FlemingVSKing

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.93/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A – Now this one was truly unique. Poured a jet black as night opaque liquid. You could tell it was not that thick though as there was some light getting through on the sides and bottom. Very unique to say the least. A nice off white head formed on the top, maybe about two inches in height. Sticky and foamy it gradually relented and rested back down to about a half inch layer across the top and this hung around for the rest of the session. Very nice side glass lace presentation on this throughout. Now overall I have to admit the look was very intresting considering this was an IPA. I was really looking forward to having a crack at this one.



S – Aroma was extremely hopped, which is about what one would expect out of it. Lots of very fresh and crisp pine aromas, typical of the Stone hop varieties, but very strong. Almost ripping the nose apart, very good indeed. Now there was some underlying roasted malts in there as well. Some light sweetness, possibly even the slightest touch of a nutty characteristic, but the floral fresh hops tore it to shreds and let you know exactly what this one was and where it came from. I was really getting to like this one already.



T – Now to be honest this was nothing extraordinary, nothing really new, and nothing really absurd if you have had say Ruination before. But there was something very unique about it. It was very fresh, almost sticky with hop resin and very floral. Lots of flavors of orange, and tangerine, grapefruit with pine, just a full on hop assault and no letting up. Somewhat sweet in the finish at first, but that lasts for all of about two seconds before your lips stick to your teeth and the dry bitterness kicked in. No hint what so ever of the ABV, very well hidden here and the overall mix of the hops was actually quite nice as it really wasn’t tearing up your mouth as much as one woudld think. There was definitely a touch of malt in there, especially after it warmed up a bit as a subtle sweetness, and earthy type of flavor started to work its way it. Very nice here indeed, this was something that was really finely tuned before being let go and that was very obvious.



M – Wow, very cool here. Lots of carbonation which always helps in these situations, now the other side to this was that it was jet black. Now this automatically turns your mind and makes you think that this is going to come off thick, maybe even syrup like, however that was not the case, It was very light and indeed quite refreshing in that sort. It never got dull and lifeless, always staying crisp, even up until the very last drop.



D – Perfect as far as I am concerned and I will give this one a five here. It was perfectly balanced, lots of carbonation, not too high in ABV, very crisp, and just a great feel overall. All of these things add up to about perfect for me and it was a no brainer to just keep going on this one.



Overall I was not sure what to expect when going into this one. I knew I would be happy, being an IPA I very seldom am not. I was just pleased that it stayed true to the stone routes and was a nice hugely hopped vehicle. I love that about the stone products and really do appreciate it. I would love to see something like this on tap, or heck dry hopped on tap. This was a really great offering and something that I look forward to having a couple more of. Definitly have to give this one a try if you can.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2007 00:17:17 | More by mikesgroove

fatmcq

California

4.93/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I usually buy these in 22oz bottles, but I filled up the 2-liter growler at the Stone brewery last weekend, and I was not disappointed.

Appearance: Dark. Very Dark. With a reddish tint. Great lacing and 1 finger of thick head that is almost slimy (in a good way).

Smell: Like Christmas. Douglas fir. Earthy and hoppy, with a sweetness like chocolate.

Taste: BANG! Tastes just like it smells... and more! Earthy, piney, bittersweet, grassy, citrus and toffee. Absolutely amazing.

Mouthfeel: Wow. Thick, without being syurpy. Looks and smells like a heavy beer, but drinks with medium weight. Carbonation is perfect. Even 36 hrs after cracking the growler open, it still felt fresh.

Drinkability: EXCEPTIONAL. Everything about this ale is right. Taste, smell, appearance, and feel are all amazing. This might be the IPA in which I compare all others from now on.

Serving type: growler

12-10-2010 04:28:02 | More by fatmcq

ZAP

Minnesota

4.93/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Outstanding black IPA...awesome aroma..big citrus which reminds of Simcoe and Amarillo....that follows in the taste...really a nice juicy citrus hit....then just enough black malt to make this doubly interesting.

This might rate as one of my favorite Stone beers. An extremely well done Black IPA..wish the price was a little lower because this drinks nicely as a session beer rather than a sipper...

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 00:39:39 | More by ZAP

BigDRS

Ohio

4.93/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Admittedly, this is my first cascadian dark ale/american black ale/black ipa/whatever. Worth the hype.

A - Black. Solid black. Just a bit of light shines through the bottom of my glass, but that's it. I'm surprised at just how opaque this brew is. Head is tan in color and the initial two finger head dies down to a thick film that leaves a good amount of lace on my glass. This beer is awesome already.

S - Smell is intense. Lots of hops, burnt malt, and a bit of caramel. There is just a bit of some fruitness, mostly dark cherry, in the nose as well.

T - Hops dominate all the way through. The roasted malt flavor comes through initially and lets up to a caramel/molasses taste. Aftertaste is at first sweet and a few seconds later turns bitter. This beer is very rich and complex. Maybe Stone just brewed another amazing beer or maybe it's my first crack at the style, but this beer is awesome.

M - Mouthfeel has just the right amount of creamy/syrupy goodness. Carbonation level feels good to me.

O - If this is representative of the style then I'm hooked. The name of this beer says it all. Stone has never let me down and I doubt it ever will. Buy this beer and drink it NOW.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2011 02:03:46 | More by BigDRS

Dank0814

Washington

4.95/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Just to preface, i'm a huge IPA fan, and this does not disappoint.

Color is very dark, almost that of a stout, with a ruby color on the edges.

Smell is very heavy with hops. Not wuite what would be expected from the color, but definitely what i was looking for.

Tastes amazing. Rich hop flavor, with a strong malt finish. Not too heavy, but just enough to have you asking for more.

Mouthfeel is lighter than expected as well. Not heavy at all, but has the same of any other pale ale i've had.

This beer is way too easy to drink. Goes down smooth for how dark and rich it is. I can see myself getting lost in a case for a weekend....

A definite must for any IPA drinker. Recommended by my beertender since he knew how big of a hop head. Busted one out that night and I bought them out. Enjoy!!

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2009 01:55:26 | More by Dank0814

Hershdawg

California

4.95/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle into pint glass

Appearance: dark black, this looks like a stout or porter.

Smell: wonderful floral aromas. The amarillo and simcoe hops come out wonderfully. One of the best smelling beers I've ever had,

Taste: Hoppy. The dark color betrays you. This is more like a dark IPA then a strong ale.

Mouthfeel: Like a standard IPA

Drinakabillity: Lovely hop taste and aroma. Strong proof. Who cares the taste makes you want to have more.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2010 06:32:25 | More by Hershdawg

HiltonHeadMike

South Carolina

4.95/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - beautiful clarity, black, creamy lacing head.

S - piney, hint of smoke, chocolate coffee. no off notes

T - balanced grapefruit, citrus, pine

M - full bodied, great lingering aftertaste

O - outstanding! Can drink this everyday of the week. This is at the top of the black IPAs in my opinion

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 15:16:13 | More by HiltonHeadMike

nortmand

Virginia

4.97/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Ruddy brown pour with a frothy, two fingered head.

Juicy hop aromas fill the room upon pouring. Grapefruit, passion fruit, sweet orange flower honey, everything an american hop has ever been or wanted to be. Some caramelized sugars and coffee aromas as well.

Flowery sweet grapefruit up front, roast and hop juice midtongue. Leaves a balanced hop bitterness and chocolate.

Fantastically designed beer. Very, very nice. I'll miss this when it is gone.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2007 01:47:31 | More by nortmand

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.97/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The 11th pours near black with amber highlights on the sides of the glass. The creamy tan head leaves an expansive network of lace trails and patches of foam. The head has excellent retention. The nose is full of pithy, citrusy, piney hops, with a subtle roasted malt feel in the back. As the beer warms milk chocolate is noticeable as well.

The taste is an expanse of hops, all the grapefruit and pine you expect from PacNW hops (the best hops in the world IMO). A pungent bitter is evident from the start. Roasty malt and anise flavors keep reminding me that this isnt simply an IPA. Some meringue like malt lies is the background. The finish is lightly roasty and very bitter, coating my mouth for many minutes. The mouthfeel is medium full and subtly carbonated - almost like its bottle conditioned. Alcohol is impeccably well hidden.

Id say this beer leans more towards 'black IPA' than 'very hoppy stout'. The IPA characteristics take the front seat here. Mmmmm hops.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2007 04:47:41 | More by CAMRAhardliner

WBCFM

New Jersey

4.97/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Currently, this is my favorite beer of all time. I first tried it when I visted San Diego and went to the Stone Brewery in Escondido. WoW!

At first, the smell of hops takes you over like a drunk girl takes over a conversation at a party.

But your first sip is something enitrely different. Its malt, and citrus and almost stout -like.

Yet the finish brings you back to that hops taste that you were expecting at first sniff. This is listed as an American Strong Ale, which I guess is fine, but lately a few breweries have been releasing what they call "black double IPAs", and I would put this up against any of them any time.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2010 01:20:38 | More by WBCFM

gauchebag

New York

4.97/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I haven't felt like reviewing a beer in a long time but this is a pretty special brew.

22 oz. bottle

When held up to light you can see a little redness/brownness shine through but to the naked eye without the help it looks pretty damn black, like a stout.

Honestly, maybe one of the best smelling beers I've ever encountered. The smell is totally IPA but it's not as over-the-top as some tend to be. You can smell the hops without it being too citrusy or piney. The smell is mellow without being mellow if you get what I mean.

It tastes like it smells, but nothing like what it looks. It pretty much has it all, hoppy goodness a bit of malty sweetness, caramel, pine, grapefruit. I feel like almost every sip is different in a small way.

Incredibily drinkable, the abv is hardly noticeable. I can see why another reviewer put back 3 pints so easily. I'm going to be wishing there was more when these 22 ounces are gone.

Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2010 21:39:26 | More by gauchebag

drinkiusmaximus

New York

4.97/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer is one of my top 2 and I am not going to say which is first,I guess it all depends on which one i am drinking at the moment ;)
A-poured from a bomber into a stone pint glass,black as night no light shines through with a nice fingers width creamy tan head.
S-smells of hops and slight malts with a pininess a bit floral as well.
T-OMG I just had a black IPA explosion in my mouth hoppy up front nice bitterness mellowed by some toasty malts finished with a nice roasted coffee aftertaste this beer is exquisite.
M-medium to heavy but that being said the lingering taste is phenomenal..
D-I could drink this beer forever and not be disappointed!!!

Prost!

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2010 05:44:11 | More by drinkiusmaximus

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

4.97/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Tightly bubbled tan head lingers mightily on top jet black black ale that is completely opaque. One of my very favorite beers in the nose: roast and bready malt base that supports a clean and crisp hop spice. The nose continues into the taste and matches exactly. No surprises, but maybe that's what disappoints some, but I like the roast and spice in perfect balance. Bit more roast in the taste than the nose. My wife is not a hop head at all, but likes this beer because the hops blends and compliments so well into the sweet malt roast. Incredible beer that is one of Stone's best.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 00:54:58 | More by FightingEntropy

Phenom

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Wow do I love this beer, I consider it my favorite beer and nearly perfect. I have had several before, but am just getting around to reviewing it. Too bad I only have 4 left after this one, it would be a real shame if Stone never brewed it again.

Very dark, nearly black with a nice tan head that dissipates fairly quickly to a thin film that leaves some lacing.

The aroma is of piney hops, melon or tropical fruits, raisins, molasses, an almost woody or oak-like smell which is interesting since this beer is not oak aged.

The flavor is really complex, with too many flavors for me to separate, and simply delicious. There is a big hit of hop bitterness, yet the beer is very syrupy and coats the palate well. The alcohol meshes well with the other flavors and is well-hidden.

Honestly I remember the beer being hoppier the first time I tasted it, and I liked it a bit better then. There is still plenty of hop bitterness, but this beer has some age on it now and the hop aroma and flavor has started to mellow and fade a little. My score reflects to some extent my memory of the fresh beer. Still excellent now, but not quite as exceptional as it was. Who knows what it will become with even more age?

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2008 01:05:04 | More by Phenom

MCfunkyJ

California

5/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours: black/brown with a thick tan head

Aroma: pine, coffee

Taste: very strong and a small bit of bitterness

Mouthfeel: full-bodied, strong and a tad bit bitter but still smooth

Drinkability: this a super dark IPA and in a way reminds me of the Old Gaurdian but not such a strong Alcohol taste as the OG.
Going back to buy the store out.

Serving type: 22oz bottle

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2009 07:48:39 | More by MCfunkyJ

Dmann

California

5/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A truly awesome beer, the growler lasted but 2 hours before it was emptied! This is basically a re release of the 11th anniversary ale under a different name, and I'm glad they did this because the 11th was one of my favs and it is great to have it back!

The beer poured a very dark brown color with a great off white head and nice lace on the glass. My nose was quickly drawn to the scents of pine and pineapple and I could not wait to taste it. The flavor was event better than the smell with a bit of dark malt sweetness to start out with, followed by a very fresh, lightly piney and cirtusy hop blast, and rounded out by a touch of alchohol in the end. The perfect carbonation and smoothe, not too thick mouthfeel added greatly to my enjoyment of the beer. No, I do not think any improvements could be made on this one, but get it now while it's fresh! You will not be dissapointed!

Serving type: growler

01-23-2009 00:35:54 | More by Dmann

brewman6

Florida

5/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bought 22oz bomber at the local beer store

poured into a large glass

beautiful head that lasted for the entire beer

Aroma coffe pine and roasted malts

flavor spectacular tremendous bitterness balanced perfectly with the roasted malts hints of citrus, chocalate and coffee

mouth feel very light flavor stays with you for a long time

goes down easy

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2009 20:33:44 | More by brewman6

velosuds

Oregon

5/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Updated 2/10/12: bought a bomber today with enjoy by 3/29/2012. This may be the freshest SSSRA I have ever had, and this is a favorite style of mine. This was just amazing tonight, even perfect. I can't comprehend a more complete interpretation of this style, so this is my benchmark. Well done Stone, very well done.

From a 22 oz. bomber into a clear pint glass. Enjoy by 12 18 09. Purchased from specialty beer store for $6.29. Wish I had bought more.

A-pours a beautiful dark brown, nearly black hue with a two finger light brown head with strong retention. Lacing is even all the way down the glass.

S-Aroma is wonderful. Piney and citric hops and dark fruits and sugars, like figs and molasses.

T-Sublime. Righteous, too. Self, or otherwise. This is unlike anything else I have ever had. Evidently, this was considered a black IPA when released as Stone's 11th Anniversary Ale. Works for me. This was very hoppy, but not overpowering since it was balanced by deep, rich malt flavors reminiscent of dark chocolate and brown sugar.

M-Substantial yet smooth, even delicate. A definite sipping beer because you don't want to rush past any of its nuances. I love this beer.

D-This is very drinkable. It must be, since I want more and don't have any. At 8.7% ABV the alcohol is not noticeable in the taste, but it definitely contributes to the overall character of this great beer. Well done, Stone.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2009 05:54:14 | More by velosuds