Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

dar482

New York

3.38/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

It starts off in a very dark black color. The aroma isn’t very strong, but with a malty nose.

It tasted more like a strong ale than anything. It was a bit flat, with a bit of creaminess to the body. and then hits with a bit of roasted malty and peppery finish. It even has a slight licorice flavor to it and then hits with an alcohol bite. I’m surprised to not care for it. I didn’t hate it, but I had no reason to come back to it.

In the end, I might have had a late bottle, but it was still a few weeks before the “Enjyo By” date.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 03:40:07 | More by dar482

Oxymoron

Colorado

2.56/5  rDev -39.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.5

Pours a midnight black color with brown hues throughout. A soft brown head with limited retention but some lacing.

Hop forward in the aroma. Some pine and citrus notes. Some herbal and bit of cat pee. Some yeasty notes, esters, rose peddles and tropical fruits and a light fig. Some buytic notes, dirty feet.

The taste follows suit per the aroma. The hops come out at first and leave a balance taste. Mostly a pine earthy almost woody note. But a strong bitterness and astringency mute the finish. Again some off yeasty notes are a bit deterrent. Fruity esters and herbal floral. Some tar like tastes that were off setting and noticeable dirty feet finish. So much so I felt this was a drain poor.

The body was moderately light. Some drying finish and ashy. astringent finishes. Carbonation was light. Overall good hop presence but because of the off yeast notes I couldn't finish it.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 01:10:55 | More by Oxymoron

ajcormier

New Hampshire

3.86/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Serving: Small tulip tasting glasses, 2010 Vintage

A - Dark as ever, good lacing and medium head retention.

S - Still hoppy on the nose with chunks of chocolate and tobacco.

T - Subtle hops, amazed at how much hop flavor there was still even after the 2 1/2 years aging. I was actually pleasantly surprised at the deliciousness. Similar tasting notes to the aroma. Bigger chocolate on the palate and cleanly dry finish

M - As noted, dry finish but good carbonation remained.

O - Still a great beer. When I buy my yearly case I might start aging half of them as they were different yet delicious.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 14:56:00 | More by ajcormier

mdcrouser

Missouri

4.3/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I'ts a good day - EMAW pulled out a co-Big 12 championship in basketball. Sublimely Self-Righteous - this one's for KU.

Even with a slow pour, it brings up a nice tan head, resolving to nearly nothing, sitting upon a deep dark blackness.

Fresh, cool, minty, highly arromatic - oddly, on first impression, it reminds me of really, really great toothpaste. As it warms, I get a lot of big citrus - awesome on the nose.

Ridiculous - gigantic in the mouth, with an insurmountable mound of hops. Greenery, pine, licorice, grapefruit It's a darker, deeper version than traditional IPAs though, but without the malty backbone. I can't compare it to anything I've had before. Strange though, in that I like it, but can't quite put my finger on exactly how much I like it.

Carbonation pops, hitting the tongue like pine needles. Wraps the mouth in the depth of hops. Nice.

Really well done beer - amazingly big in the nose and mouth. Not my favorite version of the style, but still really good.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 03:28:36 | More by mdcrouser

sethmeister

New Hampshire

4.65/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours black with a creamy tan head, Shrinks slowly, leaving panels of lace down the sides of the glass.

Scent is toasty and biscuity with a bright citrus note - grapefruit and orange - and a resiny pine scent. Yum.

Taste is citrus (grapefruit, orange, lemon!), piney, earthy, oniony hops. That's a lot of hops. I forgot spicy hops. A satisfying roasty and toasted chocolate malt note peers out from the pile of oily cones.

Mouth is slick, soapy and on the slender side of medium.

Drinkability is excellent. 8.7% abv hidden well.

Fantastic beer. Hop flavors and scents are complex and intense and the malt presence is the perfect counterpart. This is the best beer I have had in quite some time.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 00:56:47 | More by sethmeister

jimmah120

Minnesota

4.01/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle, no date

Does a great job of combining the skunky dank hoppiness of their IPA with some toasty roasted molassesy goodness (the black). Maybe a touch of alcohol spice but otherwise its very drinkable for ~9%.

If more black IPAs were like this, they wouldn't beso much like the red-headed stepchild of beer styles

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 22:51:15 | More by jimmah120

TheCondor

Missouri

4.19/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Went over to my brother in laws house to drink beer while the women folk conversed about whatever. Talked about football, I bought two craft beers, he bought two, we drank all of it. Awesome. This was one of those beers. Side poured with standard vigor into a pint glass.

Appearance - Of course Stone has cool packaging on their beers. That is a given. Pours a jet black color with a small half finger head that recedes quickly but leaves nice lacing throughout the drink. Not sure if it is a stout, a black ale, or what. I didn't read the package, I just bought it.

Smell - Hops hops and hops. Piney, earthy, really potent. Just what you would expect from a Stone beer. You gotta give them credit, they do what they want to do, and it is always unique. A little smoked malts or barley in there as well. Now I am holding a black beer with strong pine hops notes emanating from it, I'm all confused. A black IPA?

Taste - Just what I thought, the hops were the big dogs on this porch. Bitter, piney hops sweep the palate upon the drink, delicious. The malts make a cameo appearance as well, more so as the brew warms, but there is certainly a powerful hops presence.

Mouthfeel - Bitter finish, just a hint of alcohol, warm going down. Medium bodied and carbonated.

Overall - Once again, an excellent offering from Stone. Just like the last beer I reviewed, I was not sure what to classify it as until I got home and reviewed it. I see here BA has it as an American Black, which is fine. These hybrid beers are wicked good! Hats off to the brewers. Try this beer out ASAP, Condor recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 02:35:08 | More by TheCondor

Belgianbeerbunny

Illinois

3.69/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

It's difficult to review a style that I don't enjoy. I tend to like Belgian anything (except Lambics and Geuzes), porters and stouts. Although this bottle didn't say "IPA", I suspected that anything coming out of Stone would be very hoppy.

A - It looks like something I'd want to drink - black as night with a 1/2 inch head leaving nice lacing.

T - Then I get a whiff of the hops and pine. It smells like I'm about to drink a Daisy Cutter. (Not that I mind a Daisy Cutter every once in a while, especially is I'm up at Half-Acre.) I don't taste the malt or yeast at the end. Just pine and hops.

M - Medium body. Someone else said "oily" and I'm going to go with that. Is it the pine oil?

O - If I was entertaining an IPA-lover, I would get them this. Usually I do buy Daisy Cutter or Dog Fish Head 90 Minute IPA, but this would be good in the IPA rotation.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 23:13:49 | More by Belgianbeerbunny

Bosoxfan20

Missouri

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

A- Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Spiegelau IPA glass. Pours pitch black with a big, 2 finger tan head. Pretty thick. Head lingers for a few minutes. Beautiful lacing that slowly trickles down the glass

S- Hops hit you strong at first, followed by some roasted barley notes. Strong pine and hop resin with some sweet, earthy aroma.

T- Another hop forward brew as usual from Stone. The hop level really took me by surprise at first since the bottle gave no indication that this was an IPA. But make no mistake...it most certainly is. A little citrus and a boatload of pine really popped me in the mouth. Resinous. Then the roasted flavor came through. A very solid malt base of roasted barley and a touch of chocolate at the end. Very good balance with some complexity. A touch of alcohol at the end that isn't overpowering, but does a nice job of warming you up.

M- mid body. Feels a little thin and oily, but very smooth and drinkable given the ABV. Mid carbonation with a dry finish.

O- Simply delicious. If it isn't a black IPA, it sure fooled me. Since the aroma wasn't powerful like i have come to expect from great IPAs, I couldn't tell until I tasted it that this was an IPA. To steal a quote from another beer advocate, "It's as if you were to cross an Old Rasputin with a Palate Wrecker". A strong dark beer with an intense hop level to go with a robust roasted, malty base. Black IPAs are one of my favorite style of beer, and this one is maybe the best i have ever had (also love El Cucuy by Marshall Brewing). My palate continues to be enchanted by the Stone brews.

$10.99 for 4 pk

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 23:16:00 | More by Bosoxfan20

Pinknuggets

Vermont

4.19/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle to rock art pint glass

A: Dark as night could qualify for a decent stout though not totally opaque it has a dark vanilla head with a thick lacing .

S: lots of fresh hops upfront especially for a black IPA there is also plenty of roasted malt to balance out the smell though there is a little bit of alcohol

T: follows the nose with lots of hops up from but again is balanced out by the malt though the roasted flavor is overpowered by the hop bitterness in the finish which is huge for a black ipa but does calm down and the malt starts to come out more as the beer warms up. All that being said the alcohol is no where to be found.

M: Somewhat thin but very oily and surprisingly resinous especially for a black ipa there is quite the sticky bite. It does go down really easily considering the abv which is impressive drinkable as can be.

O: Pretty good black ipa a bit too hoppy for a black ipa I like hops so it wasn't bad just not to style in my opinion. It also does not have that great of a scent but this is a real solid beer and I would highly recommend it very drinkable for the abv and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 00:52:34 | More by Pinknuggets

Yokoono76

Colorado

1.61/5  rDev -62.1%
look: 4 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

A: beautiful rich dark brown in color. Nice head, 2-3 fingers worth.

S: hoppy, piney-tar

T: wow,it's really hoppy! Did not expect it to be so bitter. Notes of pine, tiny little aftertaste of chocolate, but overhwlemed by the bitter metallic flavor. So bitter and metallic. It doesn't mellow either. Yikes!

M: good carbonation, nice thickness

O: I was so excited when I first poured it, rich head, great color... I got excited. Then, I smelled it, hoppy, pine, tar. The taste was so bitter, it has some depth which might become more noticeable if it weren't so bitter. Overall, I am underwhelmed. Perhaps if you like bitter, hoppy, metallic beers you might like it. I am not impressed.

Note: I would be willing to try it at a warmer temp., perhaps it might mellow out or add some depth. I just don't get the bitter beer movement.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 01:34:19 | More by Yokoono76

Deigea

California

4.1/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into Stone Russian Imperial Stout snifter. Beer was allowed to warm for 30 minutes after pulling out of fridge.

Appearance: Brown on top to deep black. Flashlight cannot be seen through thicker parts of glass. Head is light brown, and medium, although fades pretty quickly. Remnants of head left after fading.

Aroma: Very hoppy with mostly pine or resin. There are hints of citrus after. Overall taste doesn't linger for long, and very pleasant. Deep and malty, not crisp like a normal IPA.

Taste: A strong beginning that quickly mutes compared to most Stone beers. The initial taste of pine and hops die off quick but leave a bit of bitter in the back of the throat. While hops are prevalent at first, malt shows up quickly after and fades leaving only a slight aftertaste. The pine is probably the strongest flavor, showing up just before the hops leave and staying with the malt and lingering after.

Mouth-feel: Obviously has the thickness of a dark IPA. Not nearly a porter or stout, but more obvious than others. Decent carbonation levels which are obvious with each sip, but not overwhelming by any means. Very pleasant beginning taste.

Overall Impression: A very pleasant dark IPA. I can't say I'd enjoy more than one bomber in a night due to it's complexity, but the taste is overall impressive. Definitely worth a try if you're looking for a dark IPA. I can see why this beer was brought back after being the Stone 11th Anniversary.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 05:46:15 | More by Deigea

pcguitarwzrd

Florida

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

A: Dark like a stout or porter, with a foamy khaki head.

S: Sweet, malty, hoppy, complex. Can detect semi-sweet chocolate notes and some hops.

T: Dark malt, espresso, baking chocolate, raisins, citrusy hops--it's like a chocolate covered fruit basket. There's a good amount of malt sweetness, and just enough hop and black malt bitterness to balance it out.

M: Creamy, medium-heavy, like a good porter, but with a lot of hops and alcohol drying it out at the end.

O: A very interesting beer, like a super-hoppy porter or a full-bodied black IPA. Stone's beers frequently defy categorization, but in this case that's a good thing. This one gets straight 4's from me because I was impressed (albeit not floored) in every field. Would certainly buy again.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 21:37:07 | More by pcguitarwzrd

raynmoon

California

4/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Looks very dark brown with a creamy "mocha" head that sticks around. When heald to the light, a really nice ruby red can be seen.

Smells great. Not very potent though. I had to keep going in to try to pick out what I smell. I get a nice citrusy, tangerine smell. Smells like Stone.

It has a huge roasty, bitter presence with a bite of alcohol and goes down smooth. It is a bit harsh, but it is also very nice. No hop presence really in the taste, which is a little disappointing.

Overall, it drinks very solid. There is no offensive flavors to be found and is very expertly made. I just don't enjoy the taste enough to finish a 22 oz bottle. Definitely presents itself as a strong, alcohol forward beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 07:09:18 | More by raynmoon

Fatehunter

Oregon

4/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ohh, poured two fingers of tan head on a dark brown colored body.
The aroma is nice with a bold pine backed up by some lemon.
The taste is all bitterness in different shapes: lemon, pine and grapefruit.
The texture is crisp with moderate carbonation and medium body.
A great drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 03:57:08 | More by Fatehunter

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.26/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

ENJOY BY 04.19.13

A: Very dark but a deep ruby red when held up to light. Tall, frothy, fluffy, light brown head.

S: Plenty of roasted malt, some coffee, tons of fresh, piney, woody hops.

T: Huge roasted malt in the front and then a pleasant hop bitterness and fruitiness in the finish. A couple layers to the malt character. A bit sweet and sugary. Also a tad cloying.

M: Smooth, roasty, sweet, chocolaty, hoppy, properly carbonated, good body. It's all there.

O: As expected, a top notch, well-crafted Black IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 06:00:42 | More by Gatch

Mantooth

North Carolina

4.36/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Samichlaus snifter.

Pours almost jet black, holding a flashlight to the back of the glass reveals a lovely amber color. There's not much head to speak of but the lacing is thick and sticky

The nose has a slight background of malt and some burnt caramel, the hops are kicking up a real fuss.

Taste follows the nose but is better balanced, huge hops but the malt is very much present.

Mouthfeel is viscous, oily, soapy and finishes dry.

This is a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 17:40:55 | More by Mantooth

bcsbeer

Florida

4.76/5  rDev +12%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Bomber poured in to a tulip glass. Enjoy by date of 1/2/2013

A: Black but not completely opaque. A deep ruby glow got through when held up to the light. Poured with a huge khaki head. I had to interrupt the pour to keep it from over flowing its boundaries. Incredible lacing. I haven't seen anything like it. As the beer went down the foam crystallized on the walls of the glass, leaving the impression that it was permanently etched in.
S: Coffee beans , figs, root beer, bread, molasses, green pine cones.
T: Initially presents the roasty goodness of the malts, coffee, raisin ,caramel and brown sugar but at 90 IBUs the hop bitterness takes over like a bully in third grade. Dominating the playground. Mostly pine. After the swallow the bitterness sticks to the tongue like sap. The alcohol is undetectable.
M: Slightly dry and bitter, very sticky, perfect carbonation.
O: If you can't make up you mind between a Russian Imperial Stout and a Imperial IPA, this is the beer for you. It's like mixing Old Rasputin with Palate Wrecker. A Masterpiece by STONE.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 05:50:27 | More by bcsbeer

Mojo

Alabama

4.66/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

12 ounce bottle -> World Market Tulip glass

This is almost just exactly perfect. It pours up a deep ebony black with a generous foamy tan head, good retention, and lacing just about unlike any ever seen before for this style. The smell is a powerful and satisfying dark chocolate, caramel, and coffee. Taste is an initial malty sweetnesss giving way to a big coffee taste of a finish, well balanced. Mouthfeel is very thick and lucious. Almost just exactly perfect.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 04:18:05 | More by Mojo

BrownNut

Florida

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

Bottle to tulip, served cool. No date.

A - 4.5 - Pours root beer brown, is black in the glass. Very pretty cream colored head - thick, creamy, textured, and enduring.

S - 4.0 - Smells really nice. Aside from a general hoppy note there's a sweet note that is almost the sweet of cotton candy, but leans a bit caramel. Maybe some orange.

T - 4.0 - I'm getting something part way between a nice caramel and a stiffer black malt. There's a bitterness that is both hop and grapefruit. The sweetness is pleasant and the bitterness stiffens it up nicely. The afertaste is where the bitterness really comes in fully and sticks around, more of a hoppy bitterness at that point rather than grapefruity or black malty, but there's some grapefruit flesh on the exhale. I'm not tasting hop ghost here, but I'm pretty sure I'm sensing a depression where there used to be something more. Despite that it still has good character.

M - 4.0 - Medium bodied and smooth. Feels nice.

O - 4.0 - I think I've only had one other black ale but I'm liking the style. I forgot about this in the back of my fridge for I'm thinking more than three months, and my store is notorious for old shelf stock. So I don't know how old this is but it could be substantial. Don't see a date. But knowing Stone I imagine it would have been a good bit hoppier when fresh, and that may explain the depression, which I won't quite call a hole.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 02:19:37 | More by BrownNut

HiltonHeadMike

South Carolina

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

A - beautiful clarity, black, creamy lacing head.

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

T - balanced grapefruit, citrus, pine

M - full bodied, great lingering aftertaste

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

Serving type: bottle

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

Steamer

Missouri

4.63/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very appealing root beer appearance with coppery edges. A large, frothy head that leaves a thin layer of foam and sparse lacing as it recedes. The aroma is a blend of citrus and sharp hops, a bit metallic; reminds me of the smell of a jar full of old pennies just opened. I loved that smell as a kid. Strong hops bitterness hits up front, citrus again with a little hint of alcohol followed by some mild maltiness. Just the right level of carbonation, the hops drys the mouth and leaves touch of bitterness in the back of the tongue. A delicious, unique and satisfying ale all around.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 01:44:42 | More by Steamer

Joshpu

California

4.79/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a bottle into a duvel glass.

A: Poured a very dark brown reddish color, can slightly see light through it. Had about a finger of light tan head.

S: Very piney hop forward smelling. Citrus smells as well. Slight malt and coffee/chocolate notes at the end.

T: Very piney hop forward taste, just like the smell. Getting the citrus tasting fruits. Just a slight malt or chocolate/coffee backbone on the taste. It's actually got a little spicy aftertaste.

M: Medium bodied. Very smooth, easy to drink. The hops linger for a while.

Overall this is a great beer for me. I love the hop forward presence. It basically tastes like an IPA, just with the stout or porter look. I really like this beer, definitely more of a hop head beer. I also don't taste the alcohol at all.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 07:06:21 | More by Joshpu

Hawksfan79

Washington

2.7/5  rDev -36.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Glass: Oversized wine glass.

Appearance: Motor oil black, thick frothy mocha colored head and a really nice lacing down the side of the glass.

Aroma: Hoppy with a slight molasses, I was also getting a sweet bready aroma.

Taste: Strong hop flavor at first, a slight hay flavor was detected in quite a few sips and a bitter finish. It didn't seem to have much more than hops going for it.

Mouthfeel: Light body, thin texture with a bitter finish.

This was pretty disappointing. I'm a huge fan of Stone but this ale really didn't do anything for me. However while the taste left a lot to be desired the aroma was phenomenal.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 00:30:23 | More by Hawksfan79

Chadhowie

California

4.54/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

This beer is exceptional and can be drank in nearly every setting. Much like all of Stone's brews, Sublimely Self-Righteous is a true beer, that does not make you cringe or question, but instead it delivers 2 notches above what you were hoping for. I love this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2013 23:24:01 | More by Chadhowie