Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

wyattshotmaker

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a snifter, deep black with a slightly tan head. nice lacing.

nose is piney, citrus peel, faint roastiness, touch of caramelized sugar.

taste has a faint roasty note, piney hop flavor, touch of brown sugar, slight bitter grapefruit peel in the finish. finishes very dry.

fairly light bodied for a beer this big, overally fairly drinkable. definitely a good representation of this style.

Serving type: growler

12-14-2010 00:10:45 | More by wyattshotmaker

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

Duttonic

Texas

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

From notes 11/11/10, growler fill from Dancing Bear pub 11/09, served in a pint glass.

A- Jet black and shiny/oily. One finger tan head, ample lacing, and slow bubbles.

S- Alcohol, chocolate/coco nibs, crisp smell of hops, roasted malt, floral, and faint citrus.

T/M- Light/medium body, bitter and slight alcoholic finish. Extremely smooth texture, similar to chocolate milk, but tastes better.

D- This wasn't the first time I've had SSSRA, but it was the first time I've had it from a growler, let alone it was the first thing I put in my new Stone growler. This is one of my go to beers when I'm in the mood for a change up from the usual IPA. The richness of a complex porter or stout with the great flavor of a solid IPA combined seamlessly. Highly recommend.

Serving type: growler

11-17-2010 19:49:40 | More by Duttonic

lovindahops

New York

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

A- a total opaque with a mocha head of foam. Head does recide pretty quick

S- another impressive black ipa. Massive floral and citrus hops. Almost instantly, it combines with a toasty malt and caramel as well.

T- bitterness assaults the mouth with the prickliest of pine. Then rhe most smokey malt just takes over. There is some lasting brown sugar at the end

M- creamy and full bodied

D- stone makes a pretty good brew. The smoked malt is a little overwhelming for me, but its still a good brew

Serving type: growler

10-31-2010 01:15:41 | More by lovindahops

timonan

California

4.05/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Brought home a growler from Stone Brewery. Opened a week after it was bottled.

A - Very dark brown. small brown head that dissipates quickly, leaving a few scattered bubbles. almost no lace.

S - Earthy, coffee, a bit grassy, characteristic stone hop smell.

T - A lot of different flavors at once. The sweetness and floralness of the hops is wonderfully balanced by a dark, malty flavor. Kind of a "sugar with your coffee" flavor.Toasty aftertaste with some lingering hop bitterness.

M - Almost no carbonation - not sure if this is typical. Maybe a bad seal on the growler? The flavor is very present because of the low carbonation.

D - Very smooth. Almost slides down the throat, but I have to let it linger in the mouth each sip to savor the flavor.

We had this last year at Stone, and it seemed more vibrant then. Still, a great beer with a very interesting mix of flavors.

Serving type: growler

07-11-2010 21:27:28 | More by timonan

bs870621345

New Jersey

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

Got this in a growler, cracked 2 hours later. Poured into a pint glass and a snifter. Pretty good beer.

Pours with a nice 2 finger head that leaves a nice lacing down the glass. Pretty dark brown color.

Smells hoppy (pine) mostly, light sweet background. Licorice, alcohol and raisins.

Taste is hoppy (pine) with a brown sugar background. Alcohol is there, but nothing overbearing. Hints of licorice

Mouthfeel is sort of oily and moderately thick. Carbonation is nice, nothing too crazy, but definitely carbonated.

Drinkability is good, I can't wait to finish this.

Serving type: growler

07-02-2010 19:06:31 | More by bs870621345

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a growler into a pint glass.

A- jet black with a 2 finger slightly offwhite head. So yeah, this looks awesome. Not at all what I was expecting...but it looks great.

S- holy fragrance! It smells like the best IPA in the world...I get pounded with hops...grapefruit and orange mostly predominant. Not at all what I'd expect from something that poured like this.

T- this is amazing...I'm getting a ton of hops like it smells, and theres also a smokiness that is representative of the color. The bitterness from the hops mixes so well with that subtle smokiness...its amazing

M- feels great. Carbonated goodness without having a texture that makes it overwhelming...this is perfect.

D- unbelievably drinkable. I want more now. It drinks like an IPA but looks like a stout...I love this so much

Serving type: growler

05-29-2010 17:30:57 | More by bigfnjoe

akorsak

Pennsylvania

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

A 1 L swingtop growler filled at Al's of Hampden this afternoon. A shout-out to ARH.

A: The strong ale is dark, a veritable stout or porter. I'd say it's darker than a porter, offering up no colors or hues other than blackness. An off-white, slightly tanned, head, 2.5 fingers on pour, laces lightly.

S: The nose defies all logic (I remember being floored when I first got hold of 11th Anniversary). Dark roasted malts and ample citrus hops shsre the stage. Malts are first, bready and rich, but quickly yield to the resiny citrus hops. Pow!

T: Dark roasted malts, rye bread and chocolate showcase the malt side. They are immediately followed by hops, lots and lots of oily hops. Those hops are citrusy and strong. A touch of pine adds to the thicker hop presence. The floral finish is lively, several mouthfuls of citrus pulp. My first Black IPA (as Stone 11), and you never forget your first.

M: Roasted malts. Lotsa hops. Any questions? The fullness of the malts and their ability to influence the ale is impressive. Looking at the ale, you'd expect it to be much chewier but it isn't.

D: I'll finish off the growler but I'm starting to feel it after too glasses.

Serving type: growler

04-11-2010 19:32:56 | More by akorsak

deruiz10

California

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

A - Two-finger head is tan and very creamy, retains throughout the drink and leaves a great webwork of lacing.

S - Toasty malts, slight brown sugar sweetness, and a whopping helping of hops. Anyone who's had some of the other strong Stone brews knows the distinctive, juniper berry-esque hop smell that characterizes these beers. There is remarkably little alcohol to be detected.

T - Toasted earthy malts, some dark chocolate bitterness, molasses. Also a big hop presence which is citrusy and crisp, though less bitter than other Stone brews. These hops are more subdued and serve to mask the alcohol, though it's still there if you look for it. Finish has a mild hop bitterness, with a slightly sweet and sour undertone as the body fades away.

M - Creamy yet relatively high in carbonation, keeps it from feeling too weighty.

D - A great sipper for the strong beer drinker who's not afraid of some hops, this is a great addition on the mellower side of the Stone lineup. It's pretty well-balanced and not overbearingly heavy, but you'd be wise to take her slow.

Serving type: growler

12-21-2009 00:09:51 | More by deruiz10

Dijeriduster

California

4.25/5  rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Caught this on tap at Stone in a growler - quite diff from the bottle I tasted a month back...

A - Very dark black ale, but kinda full like a stout or porter. Good creamy head more typical of a pale ale.

S - Amazing hop profile - this is one of Stone's hoppiest. Malt character is sheltered by the bittery hop tones but its still there. Just a hint of roasted grains here - typical for a black ale.

T - Very hoppy beer. Like VERRRRY hoppy. You don't see it coming even after the strong hop smell. I found this to be almost overwhelming vs. the bottle where the hops are a little more subdued. Malt character comes in the middle - with hops dominating the start and finish.

M - Fabulous. Good carbonation supports the grain profile well, until the hops come crashing in.

D - Pretty high for a beer with this much hops. If this were a IIPA and not a black ale I'd say it would be hard to drink. But with the masterful grain profile it really becomes a fabulous drink. I can serve this to folks with an aversion to high alcohol, high hop IPAs and have them smiling...and asking about other hoppy non-IPAs

Serving type: growler

12-02-2009 21:54:15 | More by Dijeriduster

GRG1313

California

4.6/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Growler from Stone after tasting it on tap. Wonderful beer; Black with a dan head; an assertive super fresh and bright fresh pine hop nose with undertones of dark unsugared coffee nose.

Big coffee flavor with underlying very bright and citric, grapefruit bitter hops and a back palate of unsweetened licorice and more dark bitter chocolate and coffee. Full body that is very well balanced and with a nice light/medium creamy mouth feel.

A strong long lasting hop and bitter coffee finish. All around very bright hops, full bright flavored and wonderfully drinkable.

Serving type: growler

08-08-2009 01:02:17 | More by GRG1313

Swimsum

California

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

Consumed on 6/28 from a growler into a pint glass.
A: Pours out black and fairly thick looking. Good size head emerges from initial pour. Head texture is creamy and ivory brown in color. Head is pretty sticky but not much lacing is left on the glass as the brew is consumed. The head stays around for awhile and finally settles to a thin layer.

S: Mostly pine but some floral/grassy notes are there as well. Roasty notes very very faint (maybe be my mind playing a trick). Orange zest is also present in the smell.

T: Pretty much the same as the smell. Big pine taste upfront followed by a slight bitter finish. Grassy notes linger in the aftertaste. Alcohol isn't present when brew is cooler but as it warms up alcohol is more present.

M: Great mouthfeel, creamy but not thick. Good amount of carbonation but it doesn't take away from anything. No harsh alcohol taste when cold but as it warms, slight alcohol taste can be detected but by no means is it harsh.

D: This is a damn drinkable beer. The growler was gone all too quick, glad they bottle this. I really enjoy this beer, goes down smooth and overall just an amazing beer. If you loved the Stone XI fresh, you'll love this beer.

Serving type: growler

07-08-2009 21:16:48 | More by Swimsum

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

Brewsmith

California

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

From a 1L growler fill at the brewery. It's interesting how this beer has changed over time. Just in the last 6 months a ton of the hop character has started to fade since the last time I tasted this beer. It's closer to a strong brown ale now than it's former dark IPA self. It still has a good strong hop profile, but it is mellow and round with the malt. Don't expect this beer to slam you over the head with hops, but expect a big malty beer that is still fairly bitter.

Serving type: growler

01-11-2009 01:21:10 | More by Brewsmith

advm1

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

I first want to start off by saying that this is one of my favorite beers right now. So my review is going to be pretty biased :)

It poured out like black coffee into my snifter with a one finger tan head. There were thick tan rings left after each sip and they didn't go away. Smells of hops and more hops, malts and minimal citrus fruits. Tastes exactly how it smells and leaves you with a hoppy aftertaste. Let it warm a little and you'll really taste the malt!! Mouthfeel is wet and refreshing, I actually wanted to gargle with this beer. Carbonation is a little on the heavy side making it a bit difficult to drink glass after glass.

Serving type: growler

12-27-2008 22:18:33 | More by advm1

m1ked

California

3.95/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- poured into a pint from the growler. Modest tan head that quickly retreats to the edges of the glass forming a tan circle. Pours blackness, but when held up to the light the edges are a dark brown/ coca-cola color.

S- Sweet maltiness, with a touch a candy black licorice. Some very light smokiness and brown sugar. If I search for it I can appreciate some bitter hops lost in the mix. If I was blind smelling this I could easily mistake it for a b-wine.

T- How the licorice is really noticeable to me. Not in an overpowering way though. Not as sweet or smoky as the nose presented. More piney hops than the nose gave, but definitely muted compared to when I first had this guy.

M- This may be a consequence of the day old growler, but the feel is thin, but thicker than I recall with the release. Carbonation seems low.

D- This is not a sessionable beer for me, but a really unique, and excellent brew. I can't wait to try the 12th Anni. I also need to go by my spot and see if I can pick up some more of these.

Serving type: growler

07-11-2008 01:56:48 | More by m1ked

Phatz

Pennsylvania

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

A black colored beer with pin grapefruit and resinous hops flowing through the nose and mouth like a DIPA. Who would thunk? Apparently Stone. The Traditional IPAs get a bit dull after a while. A bit repetitious. This is an interesting way to mix it up.

I have now had several pints of this beer. First on-tap at Capones Restaurant in Norristown, a taste out of a bottle and now I have an entire growler all to my self. (long story was supposed to be shared... oh well... more for me =).

At first I thought they were going for hoppy porter with this beer. Hoppy porters seem to be all around me about now. My notes from the first tasting at the bar were rather undecided. My second tasting of it was a bit more convincing. Now that I realize I am on my second snifter of this growler, I am very pleased with the beer.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown almost black color with a beautiful brown head and moderate lacing.

Smell: What is going on here? WOW. I get a big pine, citrus rind resinous hop bitterness, pineapple floral notes and also a black malt, toasted caramel malty element as well.

Taste: Like the nose, it is a muddle of DIPA flavors primarily but with a roasted Swartzbeir underneath all those fresh hops. It starts boldly hoppy. Grapefruit and pine. The flavor turns roasted espresso dark chocolate bitter through the mid to late end of the palate and then the finish and aftertaste is all about the hops once again. The aftertaste cling indefinitely to the taste buds with both coffee bitterness and pin resin bitterness, though all the burps are of the green variety. =)

Mouthfeel: With all the molasses and dark chocolate flavors even a touch of pumpernickel bread, I hoped for a slightly heartier body. This is an easy drinking beer but I don't think it will age well.

Drinkability: Damn, what can I say when I am singlehandedly polishing off a growler. Pretty drinkable beer. With out question. And certainly unique; which I always respect.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: growler

10-16-2007 05:29:34 | More by Phatz

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

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