Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Beaver13

Colorado

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

22 oz bottle. Pours a dark brown with a creamy light tan head that recedes to a wispy film that laces the glass some.

The aroma is sweet sugary caramel and resiny piney hops with a touch of bright citrus. As it warms, there's lots of roasted chocolate tinged with caramel piney hops.

The flavor is fleeting sweet malts and chocolate followed by a big roasty hop bitterness that lingers. The alcohol is well hidden and sneaks up on you. The mouthfeel is full with nice carbonation.

Overall, an interesting beer - a dark and roasty IPA. Kind of like a darker and roastier Arrogant Bastard.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2007 05:44:05 | More by Beaver13

ChillMike

Alabama

3.5/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

A: Quite shocking to be honest, Pours a very dark reddish brown color, that doesn't let much light in. A nice dark tan head that stays around for a while and leaves some nice lacing, however it doesn't stick around too much.

S: Very pleasant smelling light pine hoppy scent typical of a nice IPA, also hints of nuts, chocolate, sort of a mix of smells between an IPA and a stout.

T: Very earthy taste, lots of bitter hops. A super bitter aftertaste that sticks around. Honestly I may need another review of this but this is a fairly one dimentional Stone Release. I'm not really seeing where the darkness in color is coming from.It does however hide the almost 9% quite well though. Overall a bit odd.

MF:This is where this beer wins. An excellent feeling beer. Just enough carbonation and thickness. I really like the way this one goes down. Quite pleasant

D: Not too bad, it is a hefty and hearty beer, the flavor is a bit off in my humble opinion, probably a once in a while beer.

Overall probably my least favorite Stone brew yet, that's not to say I didn't enjoy it, it's just that I was expecting better things after last years masterpiece. Oh well.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2007 03:41:49 | More by ChillMike

guinness33

New Jersey

2.83/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Appearance is a nice near black colour with a thick creamy looking tan head that has decent retention time and leaves a good amount of residue on the glass.

The aroma is a great blend of pine and fruit hops, caramel and chocolate malt, with perhaps a touch of coffee as well. It's sweeter than it is rugged, and hoppier than malty. Just really nice overall.

Flavour is a blend of dirty, oily hops, with some pine and fruit coming through again (the latter a bit more so than the former). Definitely some roasted malt in the mix here too. There's a bit of alcohol harshness that mixes with the bitterness from the hops at the finish of each sip as well. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, slick and oily, with a bit of hotness to it.

Aside from a nice look and a very nice aroma, I unfortunately was not a fan of this brew. It's the first Stone beer that I can recall not liking. I just felt the flavours didn't mesh well at all. The numbers will show this one as a positive recommendation, but I can't say that I can recommend this one. It's interesting for sure and has a good amount of flavour, but there's just something about this one that I didn't like. A disappointment for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2007 03:35:39 | More by guinness33

FlyFisher2782

California

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

Topped by a healthy, rich dense foamy dark tan head, somewhat reminiscent of a head you'd see on a porter.

Color is dark black yet not entirely opaque like an RIS.

Aroma is all the way hops, big piney sticky hops, not much in the way of anything else going on in the nose, typical IPA all the way.

A combo type beer for sure and man is it enjoyable. My favorite part is the balance and smoothness of it all, surprisingly enough it is killer smooth. Starts off with a creamy mouthfeel (similar to a dry stout) giving way to big hop finish but not overpowering. Lingering taste is a bit of the roasted malt which still has some presence (albeit a small one) amongst the hoppy finish.

Alcohol? Its in here? Can't find it. A surprisingly smooth hybrid style. Grab some while you can.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2007 00:55:35 | More by FlyFisher2782

kirok1999

Ohio

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

Wow, this is dark. Pours like a porter with a rising off white head that laces like crazy.
Smell is deep and intense. Bittersweet chocolate, piney hops.
Taste is earthy and deep. Sticky hops dominate yet this is very well balanced. The malts are deep and sweet, a dry bittersweet chocolate note balanced well by the pine and citrus hops. A very roasty and bitter finish. Interesting. Almost like a malted up Arrogant. Mouthfeel is thick and sticky.
This will probably age better than the 10th and is super to drink on a chill late summer night.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2007 00:51:32 | More by kirok1999

jamie2dope

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Grabbed this brew in Porter Square, which to me delight has the familiar gargoyle from Stone's 10th Anniversary ale. I poured this beer in to a sniffer glass without really reading the description on the back...in fact I didn't really know anything about this beer, but with Stone I feel like you can bet safely that you are getting quality product when you take a chance on one of their brews. The pour was charcoal black, with no light getting through and a white head. "Stout? fuck no, this is way too hoppy for that" I thought, then decided to check out the label. A black ipa certainly sounds like something interesting to me. Aroma had piney hops, grapefruit, earth, and some rough spices. Beer is chocked full of hops in the flavor, with a nice malt touch in there as well. I also detect a slight hint of rye bread and garlic. Mouthfeel is bordering between medium and heavy for me, although that could be in part because of the fact that the dark coloration of this one makes you think that it is a heavy brew. Easy on the drinkability as well, although I would definitely say that this is one to sip and savor. Kickass offering from Stone right here. They should make this a year round kind of brew. Cheers

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2007 00:23:46 | More by jamie2dope

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz. bottle

Crystal clear mahogany, with lots of ruby highlights. Large, creamy, light brown colored head. Lacing, not much legs.

Aroma is grapefruit followed by pine. After clearing my sinuses, I picked up some alcohol and toffee/caramel.

The taste was incredibly well balanced, much more so than the aroma. Alcohol was supremely well hidden. Bittering was grassy and herbal in nature, and seemed most dominant in the aftertaste. Malt came through as brown sugar, perhaps a bit carmelized to give it that almost burnt flavor. Some tea like flavors came on as it warmed, as well as a touch of earthiness.

Medium to full bodied. Medium carbonation. Not as dry as I expected, relatively refreshing. ABV warming kicks in well.

Dangerously drinkable. Stone can ride the IPA horse as long and as far as they want to in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2007 20:12:25 | More by

david131

Michigan

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

A- A black as night liquid with a very smooth looking off white head that sits atop. The head settles down to a thin covering and leaves some spectacular lacing.

S- A lot of grapefruit and pine. The color of the beer really messes with your head- you expect a strong roasty aroma, but its just hoppy with a decent malt backing.

T- Very hoppy but not harsh. The grapefruit and pine flavor is excellent. The alcohol is slightly noticeable as well, but it is not harsh, just a little on the warming side. There is a malt backing, but it is not roasty by any means.

M- Very light and creamy. A little on the dry side, but this is not harsh by any means. This has the flavor of and IPA and the mouthfeel of a lighter, creamier stout.

D- A very unique beer and well worth a try. I was not expecting something like this.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2007 01:47:38 | More by david131

domtronzero

California

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

Pours a dark deep brownish black, with a creamy tan-brown head leaving lacing through the finish. Aroma is a strong hoppy presence, with some strong roasted malty deliciousness in the background. Mainly strong piney/citrusy resin hop flavors. Taste is virtual insanity (thanks for that one, Jamiraquoi). I can't describe the complexity in this beer. Strong citrus hops dominate the palate with grapefruit and orange. Earthy bold coffee flavors from the dark roasted malts with a definite alcohol flavor drying out the back of my tongue. Mouthfeel is not-too-thick, but it does have a nice viscocity. Oily and smooth. Very easy drinking for over 8%, but be careful. I have only had 1 of these so far tonight, and it is getting very difficult for me to type this review...

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2007 00:56:58 | More by domtronzero

Stoneman78

California

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

Picked up a case of this "Black IPA" soon after the Festival.
A- Pours a dark brown/black with some dark garnet edges, head is brown/tan with a creamy texture that dissipates very slowly, nice dark lacing throughout
S- Nose is distinctly "Stone IPA" with big bold swaths of pine and citrus hops cutting through the olfactory senses, some sweet malts along for the ride in the background and modest alcohol presence that will not be overlooked (I also caught a bit of smoke, vanilla, and wood as it warmed up)
T- Initial taste hits you with a strong push of grapefruit/pine hops and a bit of vanilla and slowly transitions to some sweet malts, finish is lasting and characterized by dry bitterness and alcohol warming down the throat
M- Medium/full bodied ale with smooth and slick mouthfeel backed by a good amount of carbonation
D- Getting close to 9% abv means you have to watch yourself with this beer, the aroma carries more alcohol presence than the actual flavors, but this specialty release deserves to be enjoyed slowly (not in mass quantities), I am glad I have a case of this gem, if I can be so bold, I am imagining the 11th as a combination of Oaked Arrogant with 10th Anniversary punched up by a heavy dose of dark, sweet malts... Anyone with me on this one?!?!?

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2007 23:58:44 | More by Stoneman78

sfoley333

Brazil

3.88/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured out of 22oz bottle from Holiday wine cellar into a 7th annivesary port english pint glass. Poured nice coffee color with brown hue edges where any light can come through. but with less viscoity than a irs or porter. Head thick and tan that had good retention. Aroma of roasted citrus with a touch of yeast on the backend.Taste of ipa is there with pine and citrus but is backed up with a roasted coffee flavor with hint of moca similar to a porter or dry stout but a little more alcohol heat at the end. Mouth feel sides a litttle more with an ipa style. The combination is quiet amazing but at times confusing on the tongue but like anything new it makes you want to try more.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2007 06:30:21 | More by sfoley333

MiScusi

California

3.75/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured at fridge temp into a Stone IRS glass. I'm going to see how this progresses through cold to warmer. A pretty dark shade of black. You can't see through it- Not at the edges, not held up to light. Light tan head forms atop, slightly creamy but then breaks up and becomes thin. I'd like a little more substance to the head, otherwise it's perfect. The smell initially is a ton of resiny piny hops. As it is very cold the taste comes across as all pine hops and leaves that resiny bitterness, with just a touch of sweetness lingering as well. Either due to a bit of warming or the tongue getting use to the hops, you can start to get a deeper malt presence, with some of the bitterness seeming to come from the roasted malt- though it's very subtle. I still can't get anything past the pine in the aroma, but at least it is a highly FRESH smell.

The mouthfeel is is incredibly smooth. Slick, but not very heavy- in fact, probably about medium. Complimented by the very fine amount of carbonation

Rating this overall is kind of hard. It's my first black double IPA, so I would say they did a pretty good job of hitting the goal they were going for. On the other hand, I just didn't find it to be my cup of tea. The dark malt and what I perceived to be a very one-dimensional hop aspect (all pine) wasn't that exciting. Of course, nowhere near bad, still a very good drink and a pretty good price for this bomber of $4.49.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2007 00:45:03 | More by MiScusi

Overlord

California

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

Finally got a chance to crack open a bottle tonight.

Color is dark, darker than I expected ... frankly. Some nice ruby/amber-hued highlights. The head was slow to build, but perfectly formed at two inches, and thick and tan versus white and foamy.

Smell is pure IPA. Hops, floral notes ... other than the color I'd be expecting just a straight IPA. The taste is mostly ... IPA. Lots of grapefruit hops, maybe a bit more malt sweetness. There is some coffee and bitter chocolate, but you get it mostly as an aftertaste, with just a bit lingering on the tongue.

Not what I expected. A very good beer, but it basically tastes like a real good IPA with some malt backbone, and a shot or two of porter thrown in. Extremely drinkable considering how many flavors they're throwing at you here.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2007 06:19:22 | More by Overlord

neenerzig

Ohio

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

app-4.5 smell-4 taste-4.5 mouthfeel-4.5 drinkability-4

Drank again on 9/7/08, one year after it has been out. Split a bomber with my friend Passow. Poured into my pint glass, this beer is a very dark brown/black color with a tan head about 2/3 inch when poured. Sets to a nice thick ring lining the inside if the glass and a decent surface layer. Good lacing. Aromas of rich, roasted chocolate and malt along with moderate pine hops. Has a rich, roasted malt and chocolate sweetness upfront followed by sort of mild, pine hops. The hops have certainly diminished some in a year's time. Has an almost sort of mint like flavor too. Has a slightly crisp, but mainly smooth and creamy, syrupy mouthfeel with mild to moderate carbonation. Very good. Glad I am still sitting on one more bottle of this. Very easy to drink.

Poured into my pint glass/tumbler. This beer is a dark brown/opaque color with some ruby highlights when held to the light. Tan head is an inch thick when poured. Doesn't last too long though. Settles to a decent surface layer but leaves some very nice lacing indeed. Bold, floral, hoppy aromas are present along with some sweet, roasted maltyness. Good smell overall. The taste of this beer is hoppy yet sweet at the same time. The sweetness certainly becomes more apparent as the beer warms. It also has the coffee hints present in some porters and stouts, not something I am used to experiencing in beers of this style. The taste is rounded out by the distinct taste of alcohol. Very interesting taste. Has a crisp and full bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Overall it is fairly easy to drink, especially as it warms. Another winning beer from Stone!

Eric

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2007 06:11:51 | More by neenerzig

snpub540

California

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

I heard alot of hype around this beer so I had to go and try it myself, not that I wasn't going to anyways. Pour was a very dark brown that was almost black. Thin tan head tops it off, and leaves some nice lacing on the way down.

Aromas are all IPA. Citrus and pine hops, and a hint at roasted malts to go with the very dark color.

The taste was mostly hops. Pretty much the same as the aromas. There was also a coffee after taste that followed. Pretty much a very hoppy porter. Small amount of alcohol is present in the end. Very enjoyable.

I found this to be a very good beer. Another great offering from Stone. Tastes like an IPA and a porter. Alcohol content is not overwhelming and there is a nice smoothness to mix with the bitter hops.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 23:47:13 | More by snpub540

scott

Ohio

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

V.07

I could immediately tell this meant business when I began pouring. A great sticky/fluffy head with excellent staying power floats atop this dark beauty. Ruby highlights accent the most remote areas. I truly enjoy Stone's beer when it comes to aromatics; I can drink it with my nose. Bright, snappy, bold, enveloping. Hugely floral. When I close my eyes, I'm breathing in the 10th.
Dramatic changes occur when it hits the tongue. I like this, but give me a moment to figure this one out. Malt & molasses diligently try to fend off grapefuit rind & bitter hop with billy clubs. It's kind of messy, and maybe not as spot on focused as I would expect, but far from ingenious. I want to say this is a blended offering (10th & ?). This has presence, and it will hold your attention, as most Stone products do. I highly recommend you run out to try one for yourself, because the only way you'll be disappointed with this product is if it never touches your lips.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 23:01:33 | More by scott

ChazMania

California

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

Bomber. I’ve been looking forward to this beer since last years 10th. Stone wins again. This is very similar to what I tasted a while ago at the brewery, they called it Smokin Indian, maybe 80% IPA and 20% Porter. I make that mix often now and it’s great. This 11th is very similar to that. It’s cool because for such a dark beer, it tastes like a clean strong IPA. It’s like a mix of Ruination and Porter. I like it. I bought a case and might go buy another one!

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 21:54:44 | More by ChazMania

OStrungT

California

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

This beer pours a very dark brown color that looks slightly ruby when held up to the light. It boasts a light brown head that looks thick and fluffy. The head fades slowly, leaving a good lacing.

This beer has a nice piney hop aroma. I smell some citrus notes as well. It has a slight malty aroma mixing in, but mostly I smell pine.

This beer tastes much like it smells. The piney flavors might be just a bit much, with the malt not quite balancing it out. It has a citrusy flavor of grapefruit as well.

This beer is full bodied and aggressive. It leaves a piney aftertaste. It is carbonated just right.

I think this beer would make a poor session beer. The alcohol is a little high, and it is aggressive and slightly off balanced.

Overall: Even though it is a little off balanced, I like this beer. I see myself drinking many pints.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 21:50:21 | More by OStrungT

Kendo

New York

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured from the bomber into a Duvel tulip. At first glance I think "the description on the bottle is correct - it's black. Pitch black." But then I see some crimson hues at the rounded edges of the glass. A 2-finger tan head slowly settles to a film on top and leaves plenty of splotchy lacing behind.

S: Immediate impression is "wet hops" - of the citrus and tropical fruit varieties (i.e., grapefruit and pineapple). It reminds me of the Tenth Anniversary's nose, though there's a definite mental disconnect going on in my brain, as the color doesn't seem to go with the scent at all.

T: First impression is of roasted malt underneath, with just a hint of chocolate, and then a dry, roasted coffee-like finish, followed by alcohol heat at the end and down the gulley. Surprisingly, in those first few sips it doesn't seem to be as hoppy as the nose would suggest; it tastes more like it looks rather than how it smells. However, after a few sips the hops take hold of the taste buds and won't let go - juicy, grapefruity and citrusy hops that leave a touch of grass or pine lingering well into the aftertaste, creating a bit of a tongue-curling bitterness. As it warms, however, a bit of that roasted malt flavor comes back, as does the alcohol heat in the finish. But ultimately it is the hops that are victorious.

M: Medium bodied and pretty well-carbonated. Not particularly smooth or creamy given the carbonation.

D: Good, but not great. It took me over an hour to finish this bomber. It wasn't a chore at all, but really tasty and smooth bombers (and/or lighter beer) tend to go down a lot faster.

Notes: There really was a mental exercise going on here, as the appearance and the nose were sending different signals to my brain -- the color cried out "malts!" while the nose cried out "hops!" My taste buds, being the final arbiter, seemed to be confused, as I really got a different impression at different times. I'm looking forward to the next bottle to see if I can get a decisive answer or a consensus of some sort, but for now it seems like the hops were the clear victors. . . .

Edit, 6-8-10: having recently had the Sublimely Self Righteous Ale, I'm bumping up the taste and mouthfeel to 4.5. This is a damn good beer, and a friend tells me that aged 11th Anniversary ends up stout-like and very good.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 19:30:45 | More by Kendo

Mebuzzard

Colorado

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

Ok, pours a black liquid, a bit thick looking with a chocolate shake-foam type head. Huge head. About 3 1/2 fingers. Not quite as thick looking as a stout.
Hops dominate the aroma. A bit surprising given the look of it. A sharp citrus smell, some anise and prune. Some resin as well.
Taste is like an IPA, but not as strong, yet stronger than a PA. The hops, again, dominate.The sharp citrus is more subtle, dry. A hint of molasses with some dark fruit. Not sweet at all, though. Alcohol is noticeable. Some of the anise comes through in the taste, not a fan of that.
A slick feel to it. Feels like a watered down stout, which I'm not sure is good or bad.
I like it, though. 22oz bomber didn't stand a chance.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 19:09:10 | More by Mebuzzard

Billolick

New York

4.35/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

"A new creation from Stone", happy happy...this one goes into a short wine glass, and pours near black, or at least very dark, under a long lasting dark tan head, tiny bubbles and creamy, each sips reveals gobs of sheeting and then rings of striated lacing, nice looking stuff. Distinctive, herbal, citric hoppy nose, yum. Fresh and pungent brew, plenty o'hoppy goodness, crunching along up front. Full bodied and full mouthfeel, hops continue to carry the weight. Also Some dark maltyness picked up, cafe au lait and mild chocolate, meandering around in the background. Complex, tasty and full throttle, yet more fine brew from the folks at Stone. Washed down a slice of olive bread in fine fashion...go get some and consume.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 16:36:21 | More by Billolick

SacoDeToro

California

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beeotch.

Pours a deep dark brown with a slight transparency in the light. Small off-white head.

The aroma is bursting with fresh citrusy and resity hops. Some slight alcohol and faint malt is in the nose.

The flavor of the beer is a burst of fresh citrusy and resiny hops with a great malt profile to boot. The malt profile is slightly caramelly, but I don't really detect any dark roasted malts. Perhaps they used some Sinamar for color? Despite the dark color of the beer it's not too heavy on the caramel. It finishes much lighter than it looks.

The mouthfeel is medium yet crisp. The carbonation was spot on.

This is one of the best beers I've tasted from Stone and certainly my favorite anniversary ale since 8th. This beer is bright and should be consumed fresh. Drink it now and savor the memories.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2007 16:11:00 | More by SacoDeToro

Padron4KM

Arizona

3.7/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bomber.

Dark brown with ruby highlights and a thin tan head.

Aroma is piney, roasty and a slight whiff of alcohol.

Flavor is piney up-front, with some citrus, chocolate and dark fruits lurking around.

Finish is long and piney, but there is enough malt balance to keep it from drying out.

This should age well.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 05:51:15 | More by Padron4KM

biking4beer

Colorado

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

Poured into my Yeti goblet.

Pours a deep, deep brown to black with some ruby hues when held to light. Easy pour produces a big two finger light brown head. A little lacing

All kinds of "conflicting" aromas. Of course, the hops come out and punch you in the face. Citrus of orange and grapefruit. Some floral. Pine. Pineapple. Once the hops numb your nose, you start to detect the roasted qualities of this brew. Caramel, toffee, and slight chocolate.

Taste is really conflicting too. Again the hops come to the forefront. This is no doubt a solid and big IPA. Mostly citrusy hops. Big grapefruit. The underlying roasted malts are nice subtle addition. Caramel, molasses, and chocolate.

Of course with big hops and roasted malts, you are going to get a nice creamy mouthfeel. A touch oily and moderately high carbonation.

Drinkabilit is pretty good. I could definitely polish off a bomber, but that is about it. I don't want to go hoard this one up like I did the 10, but it is a tasty brew. Conflict is good!

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 04:15:02 | More by biking4beer

gmcfarre

Colorado

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

22 oz bomber poured into New Belgium chalice
Decanted at approx. 46 degrees F

A - Pours an opaque dark chocolate color with a good 1/2 inch tan head than fades to a thin layer. Lacing is good. -

S - Piney and oily hops with a nice brown sugar malt backing. Dark fruits and a touch of chestnut perhaps. Hops seem to be the star, but its a complex brew.

T - Starts with a brown sugary and plummy sweetness that edges slowly towards a piney and oily hoppiness. Finish is bitter without being over the top. Complex in its combination of sweet malt and bitter hops, but they marry well. A touch of rye breaded dryness seems to be present in the malt.

M - Medium to heavy body with a slightly viscous mouthfeel and a good drying, bitter aftertaste.

D - Fairly high alcohol doesn't show in the taste, but certainly does after downing an entire bomber. A heavy beer that is a better sipper than quaffer. It is fairly drinkable sip after sip though, as its very complex and tasty.

Another interesting and complex winner from Stone. The back of the bottle hints that this is an IPA, but filing it under that category would greatly diminish its complexity. This one should age nicely, so it will be interesting to revisit in a year or two.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 04:06:16 | More by gmcfarre