Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

emmasdad

Colorado

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

Pours a dark brown/mahogany color, with a good tan head. Nice piney hoppy aromas compete with undertones of roasted malt. On the palate, this one boasts a good malt backbone, with roasted malt, cocoa, dark chocolate easily mingling with some good pine/citrus hop flavors. A very nicely balanced beer, and one that is way to dangerous drinkable for its ABV. Excellent

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2010 00:59:30 | More by emmasdad

Florida9

Illinois

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

On tap in Chicagoland!!!

A: Served in a snifter with a thin layer of light tan head. Good lacing. As far as I can tell, the beer itself is black.

S: Predominantly bitter, piney hops and, to a lesser extent, roasted malts.

T: Starts with the light flavor of roasted malt, finishes with an appreciable hop bitterness. Bitterness is the key "flavor" which overwhelms everything else.

M: Medium in weight with appropriate carbonation. Clean.

D: Very good. I recently had a ST Iniquity, which is considered a DIPA, but, in my opinion, this beer is much more accurate representation of the style than Iniquity. However, this beer decides to be classified, I believe any hophead would find it to be quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2010 02:43:28 | More by Florida9

mynie

Indiana

3.45/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at the Black Sparrow, billed as a Black IPA because, well, Sparrow customers know that some beers is wheat and some is pilsners and others is IPAs.

Pours like a thick, fluffy stout. Big white head. The body looks black until you hold it up to a light and it's like those Crows candies, it's actually a really deep shade of green that looks black. Pretty cool.

Smells agressive. Big, giant west coast hops. Big, bitter, syrupy malt. There's some nice nodes here, but also some stuff that's unpleasantly intense and really the balance is kind of off.

Aaaand it tastes pretty much like it smells: interesting, but hugely offbalanced. There's some herbs thrown in there, along with the big giant alpha of citrusy west coast hops. That's nice. The whole front half is excellent, actually, but then in the back it's a thick, syrupy malt that's just not all that great. Overall there's a lot more good than bad but the bad still spoils much of the good.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2010 20:37:29 | More by mynie

JamesS

Indiana

4.78/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured a fantastic opaque black with some excellent head and nice lacing. Very deep malty scent, huge sweetness with a hint of bitterness in the nose. Great taste, a deep and malty hit, slight roastiness, with an excellent hop hit at the end to balance it all. A wonderfully smooth beer with no alcohol tinge even at over eight percent. An excellent brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2010 02:45:03 | More by JamesS

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Prime 16 into a Weyerbacher tulip (instead of the default 3/4 pint glass - thanks, Caitlin!).

A: Black with red tinges and an inch of creamy light brown head. Solid retention and some good, fine lacing.

S: Pure hops at first, with super-bitter grapefruit pith and a bit of pine. The faintest hint of roasted malt gives a touch of coffee to the tail end. Nice.

T: Big hops right off the bat, with some caramel and roasted malts making themselves known in the middle. Fruity hop finish with great bitterness.

M: Fairly light body with a moderate amount of slightly prickly carbonation.

D: Does pretty well here, considering the strength.

Notes: If this isn't a Black IPA, then I don't know what that is. Awesome beer, with a terrific hop presence that's beautifully balanced with a complex malt backbone. Delicious.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2010 23:49:29 | More by woosterbill

EtOHMD

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

First beer I had at new good beer bar in Cambridge Lord Hobo. Caught my eye as a black IPA - my new favorite style. On tap into 12 oz tulip glass. Pours black with creamy off whie head. Lots of lacing going down. Very nice. Smell is mainly floral to me. Taste is great but I was having a hard time pinning it down. Citrus, coffee, roasted. Recent reviews describing it as ipa up front and stouth at the end are dead on - wish I had come up with that on my own. Thin but not watery feel with nice warming feel from the alcohol. Excellent brew but one is good for me. Already feelin this one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2010 22:14:36 | More by EtOHMD

DNICE555

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the B with Zapps. It's a stone show tonight with this offering, the ipa, and the 09 double bastard. Had the ipa plenty of times and the double bastard once so I went with a sample of the double bastard and a pint of the sublimely slef righteous. I had this pint for free as well as the rest of the meal. Zapps made the mistake of betting me on movie trivia. Yes, Benecio Del Toro was in the Usual Suspects. On to the review.

A - Dark brown with a reddish tint.

S - Hops, roasted malts, and a hint of chocolate.

T - Complex, hoppy, roasted malts, dark fruit, a malty sweetness, nutty.

M - Tight, well balanced, smooth, nice carbonation.

D - This one holds up well. Ive had it in a bomber. I'd have to say it's even better on tap with a bit of age on it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2010 02:34:22 | More by DNICE555

jameswaldo

New York

4.6/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Wife and I had pints of this poured patiently at Ithaca Coffee Co's Tavern on the Green in Gateway Commons yesterday afternoon when I decided we needed extra fuel to get our tandem bike up steep State St Martin Luther King Jr hill. The head on this sublime beverage is so fierce, it took much gentle pouring and slopping to get the pints just perfectly right. Head is severely persistent, nearly gelatinous, leaving serious permanent lace. "Black IPA" is how Tavern chalkboard promoted this brew, and for sure it's an opaque dark, not letting even direct sunshine from Tavern's south windows peek through its delish murk.
Smell combines all sorts of complex hops and dark malt bitter-sweet odors with high-octane ethanol. Only the yeast hides from strenuous sniffing. Taste is just totally perfect. We hardly want to swallow, the mouth-feel is so smoothly satin-lined comfy cozy unctuous. We had to get a bag of gourmet pretzels to eat with this drink it was so powerfully persistent in its sweet malty bitter aftertaste the palate begs mercy. At $7 per pint, the price (and yes, I've read the blogs where rich dudes claim you shouldn't ever consider expense in "drinkable" considerations) is too steep for us to want more than one pint per day; but the brew itself is so extremely intense, we wouldn't want to indulge in more than a single pint even if we didn't both have to get back on our tandem bike and pedal 3 miles steep uphill to get home with it glowing darkly like a black hole star in our contented bellies. Generally I disapprove of sending beer long-distance (sorry! mental problems with diesel transport interfere with my palate), but thanks, Stone, for the audacity of shipping that truly sublime ale all the way from San Diego to Ithaca!

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2010 12:47:06 | More by jameswaldo

cnally

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This I had on tap at Scotty's in downtown Indianapolis.

The appearance is a wicked black, barely transparent around the edges. Slight off white head drifts to a lacing.

Aroma is insanely hoppy and very floral.

Flavor is all hops, a sick amount and very prevelant. A little sweet, which is balanced by the intense bitterness in the finish.

Feel is crisp. But pretty highly carbonated.

I enjoy it. Highly drinkable and really for the hops lover.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2010 01:19:02 | More by cnally

WickedSluggy

Texas

4.85/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have had an hour pass since I imbibed so my recollection is fresh yet I have no notes, just great memories

A - Lovely - very dark in a snifter with ruby highlights in the corners. The foam is light brown. The first glass out of the tap held no head after a minute or two - the second glass maintained for twenty minutes, frilling nice lacey remnants.

S - Stone has had some great winners lately - the 13th Anniversary Ale and this years DB, both winners in the aroma (and flavour). Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale too, is a scent to behold. Piney. Fruity. Resinous (very resinous)! Malty aroma is all pleasant and sweet.

T - I can't say anything negative about this beer's flavor either. It is indeed sublime - sweet and malty - bitter and perfectly balanced. The use of Chinook hops for bettering is bold. Simcoe utilization is fruity not at all soapy. The hops profile is well executed, interesting and appropriate. The beer is very hoppy but not boring. It is not typical. It is huge but appropriate.

M - The beer is rich as a barleywine. Mouthfeel is quite pleasing, but I wonder about this class of strong ale. It is indeed"strong" ale but it's very much in Stone's old ale class.

D - This beer is a wonderful sipping beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2010 23:15:05 | More by WickedSluggy

thain709

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - I was surprised when this beer came to me...a deep, brown body that was borderline black...some highlighting around the edges...a creamy, light brown head sat on top and never really dissipated...nice lacing

S - Oh yea...this is your typical Stone nose with some twists...a great big hop profile full of sweet citrus...a subtle roastiness sneaks in and the malts shine through

T - The flavors play well with one another on the palate...the malts actually hit you first...they have a nice roasted presence ad they show off caramel and a little chocolate flavoring...the caramel adds a nice sweetness...the hops take over full force after the sweet malts subside...full blown citrus (grapefruit and lemon)...sweet and not too bitter

M - Medium bodied...pretty soft and creamy with that lingering citrus hop flavor

D - This was very interesting...I wouldn't even know how to classify this one but it was great...bold malt flavors pairing nicely with bright citrus hop flavors...another well done brew by Stone

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2010 13:59:23 | More by thain709

hophead247

California

4.8/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It pours a clear, dark brown body with a dense beige head on top. It has a nice aroma with chocolate, coffee, sweetness and dried fruits, as well as a lovely hop profile with pine, resin and citrus, mostly orange. Chocolate and coffee flavor, rather burnt, with fruity hop flavors, citrus notes, pine and resin. Full, rather dry mouthfeel, and a long, piney and resiny finish with citrus. This is one of those lovely beers with layers and layers of aroma and flavor. The aroma being the best of those though. I'm happy they modeled this beer after the 11th Anniversary ale...It was my favorite Stone beer to date.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2010 05:52:36 | More by hophead247

cooncat

Ohio

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

Had this on tap at Ballantine in Willoughby, OH. during their IPAloosa fest (Feb. 2010).

Delivered to my table in a 'shaker pint' (which isn't really a pint, if you didn't know that).

Beautiful full, almost opaque, dark brown color, with a nice finger width of creamy, eggshell colored head. Relatively good head retention for a beer of this size, and some good lacing developes after each sip.

The nose is West Coast hops, which is expected, and a light malty sweetness just in an undertone underneath that hop aroma. The aroma isn't huge, but it is very pleasant to this hop-head.

Taste is similar to the nose, but more balanced. I was more impressed that this wasn't a "in your face" hop bomb, but rather a more balanced hop forward ale, with good malty character behind all those hops. Dark bread and fruit flavors dominate the maltiness. Mouthfeel is medium full, and very nice to swirl around in the mouth to pick up subtle flavors; creamy and not astringent. The carbonation level is just right for this style. I could find very little wrong with this brew, and it was my favorite IPA of the night (had 4 IPAs). Stone definitely knows how to do IPAs ... on that most craft brew aficianados will agree. I could only go to 4 on drinkability, simply because this isn't a session brew. I think you could have 2 or 3 of these no problem, but beyond that, you are headed for the 'Twilight Zone'.

I will not hesitate to recommend this brew to any craft beer lovers. Since its *nothing* like a Ruination, even non-hopheads will appreciate it. Seek it out, and if you can find it on tap, its even better (imho).

Na Zdravje!

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2010 12:29:19 | More by cooncat

jbertsch

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Wow. This one doesn't taste how it looks and doesn't look how it tastes.

I had this on tap first at Deep Ellum in Boston, then bought a bottle from Whole Foods.

This is a black IPA that's literally black. It sports a great 2-finger head that looks like a milky mocha drink. The lacing that soon develops is gorgeous.

The aroma is crazy. It's the first sense that throws you off because the brew looks like it's infused with coffee and chocolate. But it smells the exact opposite; it smells like freshly mowed summer lawn and grapefruit. Ultimately, it smells very citrusy, with the aroma being part grapefruit, star fruit, grape, and orange without being any of those alone....but I feel it leans more towards a bitter grapefruit than anything else.

The taste embodies the bright, sunny aromas of this dark brew but with the addition of bitter hops. The citrus blast hits first, followed by bitter hops that sit on the palate and fade very slowly. Boozy grapefruit rears its head faintly again at the end before the taste finishes. Underneath all this, there's a sense of earthy, bitter coffee grinds.

Mouthfeel is velvet-like.

Drinkability can go either way here. This is masterfully created so of course I want to drink it. So in that sense, drinkability is high. But, its 8%abv feels more like 10%abv - I think because of the strong hop element - so because of that I don't want more than one or two of these in one sitting. A session beer it is not.

IPAs aren't my favorite style. Yes, I do enjoy a good one (such as Dogfish), but I'm no hop head...I prefer malts. Given that, this IPA-styled brew still amazed me. It's a bit like Picasso - it doesn't end up being what it seems. It surprises you on two levels. The appearance and taste are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Then on top of that, both elements are fantastic in their own right. It looks like a glorious after-dinner stout, but tastes like a top-notch, flavorful and summery IPA. Definitely one of the coolest beers out there. I may not end up buying it much, because it's a bit intense, but it sure impressed me a ton.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2010 03:20:49 | More by jbertsch

SDHoffers

California

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is another one of those unique brews that satisfies completely. Super sweet to the nose and then a bitter smack in the face. Rich caramel head and smooth finish. I really dug the uniqueness of this beer. When poured, the the jet black visual instantly makes you think you are about to drink a porter. I couldn't believe the difference between the smell and taste. I just found out that Stone will be brewing this beer year round so I'll definitely have it on tap all the time.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2010 15:48:58 | More by SDHoffers

hrking

Indiana

3.7/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

had this on tap at The legendary Herot in downtown Muncie. Nice beer from Stone that delivers your typical Stone hops but this one is not too in your face like many of their beers are. Maybe they have learned to tone down the hops just a little to k=make their beers more drinkable. Nice hop aroma with citrus hop flavors that lead you into a well balanced IPA. Nice product from these IPA masters..recommend

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2010 19:34:16 | More by hrking

tonymoore

Pennsylvania

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

I had this on tap the first time I had it, and I thought that if God drinks beer this is probably the beer he drinks. Satan, too, if he has any taste (and I'll bet he does). It's black like Satan's soul, and the taste is unexpected because of it: It looks like a stout, but it's a huge hop wash across your tongue.

The head is like froth on a milkshake, and it's exceptionally white, especially in contrast to the beer itself.

I thought that the color was just a gimmick, but then I realized that what it adds is a psychological aspect that no other beer has (yet): It's like buying a black car. It's not any faster than a white car, but it feels like it might be, and it's a hell of a lot cooler; you just tend to enjoy it more. The color of this one adds some kind of layer that you only discern on a subconscious level.

I bought two cases and enjoy every bottle as much as the previous. if you can find it, it's worth the price.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2010 19:05:47 | More by tonymoore

beer2day

North Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours very dark brown with a complex, thick, cream-colored head. Only faint retention but very nice lacing dripping down the sides.

Big roast aroma with a sweet milk flavor. Very nice.

Hits with a lot of hop power. Roast malt comes into play mid quaff. The beer grows bitter with chocolate biscuits in the finish. Excellent.

Perfect body to balance the strong flavors.

Great drinker. Hides the alcohol very well for a strong ale. Tastes as much like a milk stout as anything else.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2009 20:46:12 | More by beer2day

shivtim

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had On-tap at the BStore. Served in a pint glass.
Looks like cola with a sticky mocha head. Dark but slightly translucent. Very deeply colored considering its a strong ale... looks closer to a porter.

Nose is smoky pine, juniper branches, and earthy funky hops. Interesting and delicious.

Nice solid taste of stark hop juice. Slight green/raw coffee flavor. Like a strong IPA.

Foamy mouth feel. Good drinkability. Overall unique and good.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2009 22:13:12 | More by shivtim

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

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

Goblet on tap at Cole's in Buffalo, arrives an almost black color with a finger of eggshell head that leaves some light lacing down the glass.

Nose is aggressive, loads of biting pine resin and hints of citrus, a faint roast note and some booze.

As big as this beer is, it all comes together and pleases the palate. Loads of hops come mostly in pine and citrus waves, a touch of roast, a faint sweetness detected, perhaps even a touch of floral hopping, not as much booze as initially expected but a bit there in the finish. This is a hop delight but with enough malt to seem slightly balanced. Nice carbonation helps pull it all together. Enjoyed this one! Very well done, though the ABV keeps me from going back too many times!

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2009 15:52:39 | More by ritzkiss

Drew966

Florida

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

Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale was served to me in a pint glass, the beer was a dark brown or possibly even black color with a tan head. This beer smells and tastes like cat piss, and I mean that in the best possible hop loving kind of way. To be a touch more serious, hops dominate the aroma and the flavor with strong grapefruit notes. A very good beer, recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2009 22:34:06 | More by Drew966

Yesac

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

on tap at The Brick Store Pub

a- dark ruby color. tan head that fades to a thin layer. sloppy lacing on the glass.

S- fresh piney hops and booze.

T- this reminds me of a arrogant bastard ale but with more hops. Along with the smell.. delicious wet piney hops up front that create a bitter middle with a boozy finish. not the most complex brew but a nice nice mix of strong hops and booze.

M/D- thick bodied, slighty sticky on the back of the palate. Booze is present with bite but isnt totally overbearing. medium carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2009 19:21:41 | More by Yesac

Lunch

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at Frisco Grille in Columbia, Maryland (12/10/09) into a goblet at the appropriate temperature.

A: Pours a very dark brown to almost black with a slight ruby hue when held up to the light. Capped with a one finger head which dissipate slowly leaving excellent lacing on the inside of the glass.

S: At first whiff this reminds me of a Black IPA since grapefruit and other citrus flavors come to the surface first followed by at hint of roasted malt (coffee, perhaps) and smoke.

T: The Black IPA theme continues onto the palate in the form of a citrusy hop that is primarily made up of grapefruit and orange. This is followed by coffee and an underlying roasted malt with some smokiness. The finish is quite bitter leaving a grassy flavor coating the palate.

M: Medium-bodied with a slick feel, but at times it seemed a little thin with a slight separation in the flavor profile.

D: Excellent drinkability as this beer has some interesting flavors that work quite well together and the alcohol is completely masked. This beer has quite a bitter finish that may not appeal to some, but i loved it.

Overall I find this beer to be a very well-crafted ale from Stone and one that certainly needs to be tried before it is all gone. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2009 14:46:53 | More by Lunch

biophiliadude

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tap to pint.

A: Jet black, brown at the bottom. 1/2 inch head.

S: Hops, coffee, grass.

T: Malts, cake, coffee.

M: Bitter end, smooth start. Classic "better have another drink to get these bitters off my tongue" beer!

D: High. I could do these multiple times and finish off with a smoother RIS. A hoppy, dark beer. The taste truly is "sublime". Score another one for Stone!

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2009 21:57:48 | More by biophiliadude

BrewitYerself

Florida

4.22/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very dark brown, dense 1 finger light tan head. Lacing about 1/2 way.

Some hops and dark fruit on the nose. Pine and licorice. As it warms, I'm picking up some fusels, moderate esters, maybe some sulfur (although maybe that's the smelly drunks sitting next to me).

Citrus, pine, and herbal notes upfront. Biting bitterness, fades sharply to dark fruit, orange and grapefruit, coffee and espresso. Lots of herbal-piney hops mid-palate, with a bready, toasty, pithy, grapefruit, herbal finish. There is a lot going on here. The progression is truly amazing, every moment is better than the last. Nice balance of sweet and bitter. Nice dark malt and ester profile. Finishes fruity, bittersweet, and pithy.

Good mouthfeel, too much carb, but moderate chewiness, excellent progression.

Very good overall, finishes a little too sweet. I want another one, but the selection is too good. Hop aroma and flavor are very fresh, a little skunky, in a good way (some of you will know what I mean).

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2009 21:25:12 | More by BrewitYerself