Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

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

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

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

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