Levitation Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

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BA SCORE
88
good
-
2,274 Ratings

rAvg: 3.9
pDev: 12.05%
Reviews: 1074
Hads: 1200

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Brewed by:
Stone Brewing Co.

California, United States

Style | ABV
American Amber / Red Ale | 4.40% ABV

Availability: Year-round. bottle (957), on-tap (106), growler (7), cask (3), nitro-bottle (1).

Notes:
No notes at this time.

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Reviews

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Reviews by weizenbob:

weizenbob

Michigan

3.9/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Single 12 ounce bottle purchased at Siciliano's Market in Grand Rapids, MI for $1.99. Poured into a tulip glass. The pour manifests three fingers of khaki head. Retention is good. Heavy lacing holds firm to the glass as the head recedes. The beer is deep amber in color with a mild haze, giving the brew little translucence. I give Levitation points for having great looking head and lacing, but the aesthetic otherwise bores me.

The nose is filled with a nice floral citrus bouquet. Tangerine is the most obvious reference. Mild pine rests in the background. The aromatic volume is modest but lovely. If you could call a hoppy beer subtle, this is it.

Given the nose, the flavor of this ale is a surprise. Yeah, it's kinda hoppy, but not "Bastard" hoppy. Stone's website claims 45 IBU, but the malt bill manages to stand up well against the bitterness. This is particularly impressive given the relatively low alcohol content of this beer. Mellow citric bitterness initially clashes against mild caramel. The hops provide a fresh green flare over an earthy malt backdrop. There is a woody character overshadowing the whole affair. It is a somewhat watery in the middle, but at 4.4% ABV, that was expected. Alcohol is well hidden hidden; no surprise there. It finishes dry with a small amount of resinous hop oil holding to the tongue.

In the mouth, Levitation is fairly light bodied. The carbonation level is medium. It is not notable for feeling particularly spectacular or poor, but it does feel appropriate. For better or worse it is the most flavorful beer in its weight class. As for Stone's lineup, you might call this one "Modest Bastard." Though it has my vote for "World's best beer pong brew," it is a bit pricey for a near-session brew. Still, it reminds me of the first time that I encountered Sierra Nevada Pale Ale; it didn't change my life, but it is an all-around solid and refreshing hoppy ale, that I could enjoy under almost any circumstance. That'll do donkey; that'll do.

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The Two-Schlitz Scale: (reference my profile for an explanation)
I pretty much did give two Schlitz for this bottle of Levitation. I don't know if I would do it often.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 02:29:07 | More by weizenbob