21st Amendment / Firestone Walker / Stone El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

oggg

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From K&L in Redwood City

The bottle says it's brewed with fennel and figs.

A: This beer pours into my goblet and forms probably the most beautiful non-nitrous head I've ever seen -- nice and big and creamy, brown on top, off white after a sip.
S: The nose is restrained with caramel malt, a touch of chocolate, and then a little vinous alcohol halfway through the glass.
T: Thick chewy, the sweetness is quickly balanced by a moderate level of clean hop bitterness. The burnt flavors of a nice big stout arise from the edges. Mild dark fruit (raisin/prune) plays a minor role, compared to a lot of RIS beers out there. Not really any fig. The fennel manifests as a broad licorice taste that really blends in quite well.
M: big, thick, full, but...
D: the finish is syrupy and cloying.

Comments: this is a nice big big stout, but the finish is subpar. I'm guessing the fig was mostly useful in providing sugar, so maybe that's why I don't get any fig. Or peppercorn. The licorice is alright, I suppose.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2010 03:55:03 | More by oggg

Zbeetleman

California

2.75/5  rDev -30%

05-15-2013 02:38:41 | More by Zbeetleman

cadaugherty

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

05-07-2013 23:00:56 | More by cadaugherty

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.8%

05-02-2013 04:55:35 | More by spycow

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -10.9%

04-27-2013 09:27:46 | More by Kelp

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%

04-21-2013 14:06:08 | More by drgonzo2k2

iparaez

California

3/5  rDev -23.7%

04-01-2013 06:54:39 | More by iparaez

jenray

Texas

3/5  rDev -23.7%

03-12-2013 13:16:21 | More by jenray

acurtis

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1.8%

03-10-2013 23:02:53 | More by acurtis

InfernoBoss

California

4/5  rDev +1.8%

03-03-2013 08:03:51 | More by InfernoBoss

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

02-25-2013 01:18:25 | More by t0rin0

jvillefan

California

4.68/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Got a 12 oz bottle from Toronado in San Diego.

A: Jet black with a thin lace mocca brown head.

S: Peppercorn, Belgian yeast, and Licorice aroma in the beginning. Roasty and chocolatly malts bring up the rear.

T: Heavy with chocolate, toffee, spices (specifically Thyme-like, peppercorn, and a little chai). There is a slight Belgian character in there as well.

M: Perfect, it is heavy and viscous with subtle but perfect amount of carbonation.

O: Well done Stone, Firestone Walker, and 21st Ammendment. I am sad it took me so long to try them gem of a beer. Get if you can find it because the beer is very good.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 22:46:18 | More by jvillefan

arash1000

California

2.75/5  rDev -30%

01-02-2013 20:41:41 | More by arash1000

JALIEN

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.8%

11-25-2012 23:42:51 | More by JALIEN

elkinbrown

Mississippi

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%

11-18-2012 00:08:13 | More by elkinbrown

robmoak

Mississippi

4/5  rDev +1.8%

11-18-2012 00:07:01 | More by robmoak

MarkyMOD

Colorado

4/5  rDev +1.8%

11-17-2012 02:43:20 | More by MarkyMOD

socon67

New York

3.18/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Dark brown pour. Cola color foam rises hig and settles quickly. Moderate lacing.

S - Smells of raisins, molasses, and peppery spice. There is some residual hoppy smell but it is fleeting.

T - Tastes like a hodge-podge of flavors. Some sweetness of dried fruit that has some bready notes; like a fig newton. Has some spicy notes of freshly ground pepper. Finish is mildly bitter. But it really comes off very odd.

M - I don't think the balance on this is right, or at least I didn't like it. Had a slight aftertaste.

O - Was disappointed in this as I like all 3 of the breweries involved. Well, it isn't the first collaboration to miss the mark.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 02:46:37 | More by socon67

ThePaleRider

California

4.13/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Close to black and no light is making it through the glass. Small tan head that leaves plenty of lacing.

S - Charred wood, toasted grans, BBQ smoke, and a little booze.

T - Dark grains and pumpernickel. Lots of cocoa and wood flavors. Very smokey on the back of the tongue, but not as much booze as I was expecting.

M - Full bodied with no carbonation present.

O - Excellent barrel aged beer. Especially for the crowd that likes the smokey ones.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 19:18:21 | More by ThePaleRider

flayedandskinned

California

5/5  rDev +27.2%

09-30-2012 22:41:39 | More by flayedandskinned

claspada

New Jersey

2.73/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Pours a very dark brown color with ruby highlights and a massive tannish head that displays great persistence and leaves some solid lacing.

Aromas begin with piney, resiny hops with emerging licorice bitter dark maltiness. As it warms you get a little dark fruitness and spicy peppercorns.

The tastes begin dark, roasty and rustic, with tangy molasses and figs being joined by the licorice at mid-palate As it warms the piney hops and the peppercorns begin to asste themselves.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation; a bit tingly

Overall, when it comes to beers with dark malt bills and citrusy, dank hops; it is just an odd combo that doesn't work for me. While it may work for some the bitter and spiciness is less than drinkable for my palate; the flavors just don't mesh in an approachable manner.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 16:09:03 | More by claspada

Texasfan549

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%

09-19-2012 14:29:22 | More by Texasfan549

BeerHunter76

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%

09-19-2012 01:04:16 | More by BeerHunter76

kjkinsey

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%

09-18-2012 00:05:14 | More by kjkinsey

Jeffo

Netherlands

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this one last summer, but I have have no idea from whom. Cheers to whoever you are!

From a bottle into a snifter

APPEARANCE: Pours a one finger, medium looking, fluffy, light mocha head with good retention. Head slowly fades to a full wisp cap. Black body and understated carbonation. Splotchy wisp and ring remain leaving some dots of lacing down the glass. Good looking brew for sure.

SMELL: Dark malts, dark chocolate notes, sweet cream and some nice, hoppy notes in the back. A touch of grapefruit and pineapple for sure, with some light grapes in there. Very nice, and plenty forthcoming.

TASTE: Flavor follows suit, luckily enough. Dark malts, grapes, and some caramel sweetness before a bitter and hoppy finish. Dark chocolate, some bitter coffee, and pleny of grapefruit and piney hops after the swallow. Very flavorful. Some roasted chocolate bitterness and fruity, citrus hops linger nicely. This is enjoyable stuff.

PALATE: Medium-fuller body and medium levels of carbonation. Enough weight on this one, creamy as well, goes down smooth and finishes slightly dry on the palate. A bit of spicy alcohol lingers.

OVERALL: Either reviewers have been too harsh on this one, or it's simply getting better with age. Really enjoyed this, and while it may have been smart to have drunk it fresh, I'm certainly very pleased with how well its held up. Just wonderful stuff here. A good look, bold, enticing nose, lovely flavors and a full body make this a great drinking experience. Excellently balanced brew. Cheers again for the trade. Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 21:16:46 | More by Jeffo