Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

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

arfenhouse

California

3.83/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

A: Very dark, close to black, with some ruby red shining through. Nice big light brown head with good lacing. Silkscreen and flavor text is a very nice addition.

S: A sweet malt profile which is followed by a slightly-bigger hop profile. Brown sugar, caramel, with some toast. Resiny hops and orange peel. A very faint chocolate

T : First comes very quick, bitter roasted grain. Getting a nice dose of grapefruit/ orange citrus which transitions into a slightly sweet brown sugar. Roasted malt and a bit of chocolate in the aftertaste. Overall taste is dominated by hops. The individual aspects of malt and hops are good but do not seem to combine and transition well. Seems a bit mismatched and confused.

M: Medium-heavy bodied with medium carbonation. Finishes wet.

O: Overall tasty, but the individual flavors don't seem to match well for me. Probably won't try this one again. Also a bit pricey compared to Stone's other offerings.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 09:01:08 | More by arfenhouse

ckk527

South Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22-oz bomber into pint glass.

A: Dark brown to black, with a glimmer of mahogany where the light hits (at bottom of piny glass when help up to light source). Thick and inviting light tan head, 2-fingers deep with a mildly aggressive pour. Substantial lacing remains near the lip of the pint glass and is streaky below that.

S: Aroma of pine, some roast, but I'm also picking up a slight musty-resiny aroma. Truly a hop-lover's dream. Not mine, but for the style, spot-on.

Taste: Hops up front, with a slight malt note next, followed immediately by a mix of cocoa and bitter citrus (grapefruit, maybe?). Something just short of burnt. There is a LOT going on here, and it all works quite nicely.

Mouthfeel: Dry and tart but smooths out to provide a light-medium feel.

O: Full disclosure: I am not a fan of IPAs in any form, but since this one was from Stone, I felt it warranted a try. A remarkable representation of the style, and priced reasonably (which is not always the case when looking to buy a brew from Stone). I will finish my bomber and enjoy the experience of tasting a truly remarkable American black ale. However, I probably will not purchase again - simply out of personal preference.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 21:45:42 | More by ckk527

Zach136

Georgia

4.16/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle poured into New Belgium globe glass.

A - Pours pitch black with a one finger light tan head. Great lacing.

S - Aroma smells strangely familiar to Fruit Loops cereal to me. Tropical hops with a touch of malt.

T - Mostly pine flavored hops, a touch of grapefruit bitterness and a very coffee like finish.

M - Crisp and dry at first but leaves a sticky, resinous quality.

O - My favorite Black Ale so far. I'm still not particularly sold on the style, but this example is pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 00:20:42 | More by Zach136

JCaweinstein

Ohio

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

Black in color with some dark brown highlights around the edges of my Sam Adams Perfect Pint. This beer has a light tan two finger head that sticks around untill the beer is empty. There is a lot of carbonation and there is a wonderful lacing left down the sides of my glass. This is a very nice looking ale.
I am picking up a variety of aromas from this ale but I really have to agitate it for them to show. The aromas that I'm getting are mostly malt based with some yeasty notes coming out as well. I'm picking up caramel, roast, and raisins.
The flavor of this beer is a little more complex than the aromas where I'm getting both malt and hop flavors. First I get the roasted malt and caramel flavor which is followed by a light citrus hop flavor. The finish is one that really reminds me of my morning coffee.
Sublimely Self-righteous is a medium bodied beer. It's mouth coatingly smooth up front. It's intensity picks up midway and on the finish where I get roastiness, citrus, and coffee. It leaves a significant aftertaste as well.
This is a quality ale. The great thing is that it's now being sold in 4 packs as opposed to the 22oz format. I'm a fan of Stone and will continue to support them by purchasing more Sublimely.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 20:38:40 | More by JCaweinstein

rangerred

Tennessee

3.83/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass out of a 22oz bomber.

Pours a nearly opaque dark reddish-brown with a one finger tan head. Despite the smallish head there is outstanding head retention and nearly a solid wall of lace all the way around.

Aroma punches hard with pine resin and some tree bark. There is also a slight influence from tropical fruit but it is far behind the pine. There is a pleasant malt base with dark caramel, toast, and just a slight hint of coffee.

Tons of hops upon tasting. Pine mixed with a little bit of orange and lemon really dominates hardly letting any malt flavor through at all. Some sweet caramel along with dark toast and a faint hint of cocoa. Not nearly as much roast as I would expect given the dark color. The dark malt really shows more in the sweeter, heavier mouthfeel than in roastyness. Very bitter along with a full, somewhat sticky mouthfeel.

Overall, a really good Black IPA but I want more roast. There is not enough here to firmly set this apart from a normal IPA. That complaint aside, an excellent beer all around.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 01:30:44 | More by rangerred

Tomhet

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Stone's 11th anniversary ale that was so good they kept it in constant rotation as one of their most easily obtainable beers. Thank God for that.

Appearance is nearly pitch black with a faint trace of ruby surrounding the body when held up to light. A mildly aggressive pour yields a one-finger mocha/copper head and lacing that sticks around for a bit (strangely enough, the last few times I've had this, I've gotten a much bigger head despite the same general pouring strength; whatever). Aroma is one of very aggressive pine hops with a quite robust earthy tinge. It logically follows that there's some lemon peel and other quite acidic citrus notes just waiting to be found.

When it comes to taste, this is the real deal. The front is dominated by the aforementioned pine hops that bite the tip of the tongue, but the middle of the sip reveals a very creamy, slightly waxy mouthfeel that brings out a really balanced malt profile which eventually coalesces back with the hop profile near the end until a wonderful finish of dark chocolate gets the last word. Medium carbonation provides a nice bite and meshes perfectly with the slightly roasted, chocolatey finish. An absolutely stellar example of balance and linear taste progression from these arrogant bastards.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 06:17:39 | More by Tomhet

mdwalsh

Iowa

3.23/5  rDev -24%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Large head of tan on a black body. Maybe the head is a little too big? But it does have retention!

Aroma is great, a nice balanced hoppyness

Taste, not so much. There's an astringentness and background chemical blech kind of taste. The hop malt balance here is just terrible in my opinion.

The mouthfeel is fine. This beer is in what always think of as a kind of awkward alcohol range. Not low enough to be a quaffable, session beer with bright carbonation, not high enough to be a real thinker with a mild, low carbonation. But I think this sits in a pretty good balance.

However, I just can't get over that taste. Probably my biggest disappointment from Stone ever.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 16:33:53 | More by mdwalsh

bnes09

Illinois

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

Beautiful dark color with ruby hues when held to light. Mostly opaque. Two fingers egg-shell white head with excellent retention and mountains of lacing with each sip.

Aggressive aroma of piney hops and rye.

Pungent hop flavor of herbs, pine and spices dominate the palate and compliment the rye bread malt character. Although weak, the roasted malt still provides a satisfying character hinting at wheat toast. Drying finish with lingering hop bitterness.

Medium bodied with ample carbonation. Just enough malt texture to keep things interesting.

Solid black ale. Classic Stone brewing hop character.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 16:38:01 | More by bnes09

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.23/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz
Tulip
Two Stone Pub, Newark, DE

A: Pours a nice dark brown/black color. Half finger nice fluffy layer of tan head. Leaving some sticky lacing.

S: Piney hops. Roast coffee. Dark chocolate hidden underneath it all.

T: Piney hops right on the tip of the tongue. Not overly bitter. Nice roast coffee notes and chocolate in the mid palate. Dry finish with lingering piney hop flavors.

M: Medium leading into full. Very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2012 14:26:21 | More by inlimbo77

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had SSR in a bottle but never on tap. Welll not anymore boys and girls because on Dec. 22 2012 at T J Smiths, during my annual christmas shopping I ran across this very ale.
And I'm happy to say it was good.
My compliments to Tj for his clean tap lines also.
Pours a handsome combination of deepest brown with a tall, dense , moussey yet fluffy mocha head. he glass was literally coated with sticky lacing.
Aroma was fantastic of piney hops sweet burnt caramel malts.
Taste was suberbin this perfectly balanced ale. Tons of oily piney citrus hops with a good deal of malts, eve so slightly roasted adding yet another layer of taste to this wonderful ale.
The feel on the palette was full bodied dry and bitter add two shakes of ashen grit and you got it.
A wonderful beer to drink smooth depth of flavor handsome complexion a true work of art and the grandest scale.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2012 16:01:10 | More by micromaniac129

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

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

A- Pours a deep brown to almost black. Medium to big, frothy, tan colored head. Lacing and retention are both very good. Hints of light peek through the almost impenetrable brown to black body. A beautiful beer.

S- Bang baby! You know she's a black IPA with hop aromas like that. Mostly pine hop scents with a hint of resin flavor. Not too overpowering. Hints of the darker malts are in there, but mostly covered up by the hops.

T- Starts with a bang of hops mixed almost evenly with dark malt flavors. Tongue immediately is met with burnt flavors and hops bitterness. These flavors mix very well throughout the drink, except for the very end. The drink finishes with a slight, almost chemical-flavored bite. It's not too distracting, but it's not among the better flavors of this beer. Aftertaste is mainly of the burnt malt flavors and lingers only a little while.

M- The weight of this beer is a mix between a porter and an IPA. Slightly thicker and less carbonated than an IPA, it is very drinkable. No alcohol is detectable, and the burnt flavors and the hops don't really destroy the palate. Rather gentle on the palate as far as Stone brews go.

Overall, this is a pretty good example of a style that I am discovering that I like. Not quite as Wookey Jack from my memory, but the mix of hops and dark malts is superb except for that slight finishing flavor. Wish these weren't $8 a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 23:48:31 | More by boilermakerbrew

Hopheadjnr

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

Bottle into goblet

A...almost pitch black with a quickly receding light brown head. Great lacing.

S...lots of pine and grass. Smells a bit like being in the mountains.

T...getting mostly the roasted malt right up front. A bit of black coffee and then the bitterness of the hops fight for your attention.

M...nice carbonation. Feels a bit heavy on the mouth. A full bodied brew.

O...nice winter beer for us hop heads. The only thing I didn't like is it seems like hops used may not be just right to compliment the malt. Something seems ever so slightly off. I bet this will go great with a maduro cigar. I will try that combo tomorrow.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 03:33:18 | More by Hopheadjnr

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into a Stone pairing glass (short-stemmed goblet) adorned with the familiar gargoyle logo

Pours a nearly pitch black topped with a one and half finger cream-colored head. Great retention and significant web-like lacing. Roasted malt, light citrus, and pronouced piney notes on the nose. Opens with roasted malt and a bit of citrus joined by grapefruit rind. Finishes with bitter rind, pine, and roasted grain and malt. Well carbonated smooth, and silky. A fantastic black IPA; a brew that was one of the first to define the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 04:22:09 | More by chanokokoro

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Served a opaque brown with a foamy light brown with very good retention.

S - Served pretty cold, so I let it sit for a while. Finally some roasted malts, nuttiness and bitter hops finally come through.

T - The taste is similar, but the bitter hops kind get in the way of the dark malts and roasted flavors.

D - Good carbonation and a medium to heavy body with a bitter finish.

O - A hoppy dark ale. Mission accomplished.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2012 21:13:51 | More by HuskyinPDX

BeerDawgs

Georgia

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

A 22oz bottle bought a year ago. So most likely the 2011 version

A - Pitch black, not much lacing. But a creamy, tan lace coating left on the top of the brew looks nice

S - Hoppy pine notes, and something sweet. Very well balanced nose. Smells delicous

T - Delicious! A very hoppy black ale. Not enough though to be considered a black ipa. Sweet hoppy ale

M - Creamy, full bodied, well carbonated. Great mouthfeel

O - Great. Like any Stone brew, very hop forward. But well balanced, and tasty. Well done! Heres to 11, and 111 more!

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 03:39:55 | More by BeerDawgs

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Though enjoyed many times the past 2-3 years this review was taken October 31st, 2012.

22 oz brown bomber style bottle with quality label screened on the bottle. This label is pure Stone B.C. Badass Gargoyle with some nice art and an arrogant description on the back. What more could a man want? Poured into a standard American pint glass.

A - Shade of black in color with highlights of Ruby red to brown gushing through on the edges. Big tan head sits atop this black ipa with layers of sticky lace splotched to the glass as the liquid gets closer to the bottom.

S - blackest of malts in the front of the aroma followed by a floral and citric hop Profile. Some roastiness to the scent.

T - Roasted black malts with a small hint of vanilla. Dark fruits deep within. Hop character is big Citrus and grapefruit. Alcohol spice Paired with everything else makes a pretty complex but balanced flavor. Bitter finish.

M - Pretty full in body and smooth mouthfeel. It coats the mouth nicely and has some alcohol warming to the finish. I found myself thirsting for the next drink. Quite tasty.

O - this is the best black ipa I've ever had and probably the first I actually seeked out to try. Stone sets the bar for this style and everyone else follow in line. I'm sure there are some good black IPAs out there, but I can't imagine any being better than this. A few may be equal, but for me this is the standard for American Black IPAs and is already becoming a classic for the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 15:18:57 | More by BradtheGreat7