Levitation Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

threeviews

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle (Best Before Date: 9-20-12) into a Magic Hat 9 Shaker Glass (with etched bottom to encourage carbonation).

A- Pours a crystal clear amber color with about a 1-1/2 finger, mild khaki head with good retention.

S- Caramel malt, some pine resin and (just a hint) of tropical fruit/citrus...the aforementioned is so faint it is almost undetectable until the brew warms.

T- Without question, this is a hoppy ESB...or better yet, a hoppy English Mild. It is certainly not bad, but completely not what I was expecting. As a session ale from Stone, this is a nice take on the style.

M- Good carbonation and a drying bitterness makes up for the session-ability of this beer. Hop heads will be able to get their fix on both ends...hops and quantity.

O- A good offering, but at the price-point ($10+ 6-Pack) for a 4.4% ABV beer, that seems a little excessive. If the price was paired down to $6-8 a 6'er, than I'd be singing (and slinging) its praises for a wonderful year-round, session beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 00:27:41 | More by threeviews

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Amber colored body with a sticky tan head. Good lacing and good head retention.

S- Noticable hop aroma in the front with hints of caramel malt in the back.

T- Hops come through up front with a smooth malty finish. Nice mix of hop and malt.

M- Very smooth and creamy with a little bit of crisp aftertaste.

O- Very impressive for a low abv session beer. Would definitely try again.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 22:03:14 | More by stephenjmoore

masonacoats

Louisiana

4.4/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- poured into a pint glass. Beautiful burgundy with a nice, dense tan head. Decent head retention and good lacing. This is a REALLY pretty beer, especially the ruby-red hues when held up to light.

S- balanced on the nose. Earthy hops balanced with bready, caramelly malt; hints of dates and raisins.

T- much more hops than I expected from the nose (not that I'm complaining); good bit of bitterness; same malt flavor as the nose. Very good.

M- Medium mouthfeel; very good carbonation

O- A great beer just on the hop-heavy side of balanced

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 02:48:51 | More by masonacoats

GR_Rick

Michigan

2.38/5  rDev -38.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Great looking beer! Pours a nice deep hazy copper with some sentiment present, and a nice frothy off white head. Significant lacing on the glass. Looks like a nice strong iced tea with a fluffy head.

S: Smell is light overall. A little bit of malt and a fair bit of sweetness - almost sugary. I get a smell like a weak, sweetened iced tea.

T: much stronger than the smell, with more hop presence than expected from the nose. Starts out mild and a bit malt-esque, then the hops hit, which linger a bit throughout the sip and into the finish. I get that sweetened tea in the finish as well - it reminds me a bit of sweet tea flavored vodka, but with a hop bite instead of an alcohol bite.

M: Thin given the deep color, overall I'd say on the heavy side of thin, if that makes sense.

O: Dissappointing, overall. I wanted to like this, given the look and low ABV, but it just doesn't deliver. Has that strange bitter hop/sweet taste I just can't get into. Not a drain pour, but I won't be buying or drinking this again soon. More interesting then a macro light lager, but at 3x the price and the same ABV, I'll take a Bud Light.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 00:56:09 | More by GR_Rick

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

3.3/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle into tumbler.
I got the freshest bottle I could find... BB 6/25/2012

A- Hazy, dark amber pour with a two and a half finger off white head. Lacing is very good.

S- Some floral and citrus hops, there is a touch of strawberry and some fresh baked bread. Slight metallic aroma.

T- Slight metallic taste, floral hops are there but don't shine like in the aroma. Baked bread and a touch of orange rind.

M- Light bodied, slightly chewy. Good carbonation.

O- Every time I head to Buffalo I see this and check the date, I bought this in early July and the BB date is the freshest I've ever seen for this so I took a chance. I'd love to try it fresher but being in Canada and relying solely on Buffalo stores I think this is good as it's going to get...

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 21:49:57 | More by korguy123

dontpanic5

4.1/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours an opaque hazy red with a bubbly white head. The smell is light floral hops, very nice. It's very carbonated, a little too much... the hops are in front in the taste just like in the smell, definitely bitter - I guess I shouldn't expect any less from Stone considering their other offerings. I was expecting a little maltiness since this is an amber ale but I can't pick out anything over the hops. It's a supremely drinkable beer, a nice feat considering the hop-packed flavor.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 02:10:26 | More by dontpanic5

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, best by 7/9/2012. Pours lightly hazy reddish copper color with a nice 2 finger dense cream colored head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice rings spotty lacing cling to the glass as you drink. Aromas of caramel, orange zest, grapefruit, mango, floral, pine, herbal, pineapple, and toast. Pretty nice and well balanced aromas; but a bit muted. Taste of grapefruit, orange, pineapple, caramel, pine, herbal, floral, and toast. Light bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, pine, herbal, caramel, and toast on the finish for a good bit. Very nice balance of hop flavors with caramel malt sweetness; almost perfect contrast. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and crisp mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is not really noticed at all, as expected for 4.4%. Overall this is a very nice amber ale! Very flavorful and balanced; and extremely easy drinking of course. If I am looking for a nice session beer I would not pass this up.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 01:37:23 | More by superspak

ShaneO

5/5  rDev +28.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

By far one of my top beer! Very hoppy but has a great malt balance. Seems like a lighter ipa. If your not quite ready for ipas yet this is where you should start. Goes down very smoothly and has a high drinkablilty. I could definitely use this as a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2012 02:59:02 | More by ShaneO

SawDog505

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass, best by 8/20/12. Pours a dark amber red, with a two inch off white head, with great retention and loads of lacing. Smell is carmel, pine, biscuit, and grapefruit. Taste is all of that, kind of carmel and citrus in the start, with a blast of grapefruit in the finish. Body is medium for its ABV, plenty of carbonation, not dry, and very drinkable. I have passed on this many times, because of price and low ABV
It is a wonderful beer, but I will still pass until I see it crazy fresh.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 15:29:36 | More by SawDog505

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass at cellar temperature.

L - Amber-brown color with a 2-finger bubbly, pillowy light tan head. Great retention and pretty good lacing. Lots of bubbles coming to the surface.

S - Hop-forward with grapefruit, pineapple, peach, and mango aromas along with a toasted caramel malt backbone.

T - Starts off sweet with caramel malt flavors and builds to a slight bitterness from toasted, bready malts. Bitterness continues to build to a light-to-moderate level with grapefruit, orange, peach, and pineapple hop flavors. More malt presence than the nose suggested.

F - Light-to-medium bodied with good carbonation, a creamy and crisp mouthfeel, and a slightly bitter and dry finish. Caramel sweetness and toasted malt and hop bitterness both linger for a little bit.

O - This is a pretty good beer. It’s well-balanced like a good amber ale should be, but it’s somewhat confusing because the nose was more hop-heavy while the taste was more malt-heavy. It’s also a little on the lighter side in terms of body, but that kind of makes sense considering the low ABV. Despite these characteristics, this is a really nice session beer. Stone never disappoints.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 00:56:34 | More by BlackBelt5112203

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.18/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a New Belgium snifter. The pour is a nice clear dark reddish-amber with a thin head and a bit of lacing. The nose is pretty hop-forward with sweetish floral notes (almost like a barleywine). Mostly, I get pine, caramel, and a hint of cherry.

The beer is medium-bodied with a firm mouthfeel. There are some sweet caramel-like notes up front and a not-so-subtle hop assault that somehow just doesn't work for me. Perhaps it's the varieties used, but they contribute a strong lemon-like character that gives the beer an almost acidic flavor. At mid-palate, the acidic flavors come in and carry you to the finish, which is watery, lemony, and rather unpleasant.

This style is hit or miss with me and this time it definitely was a miss. I did not find this beer enjoyable or flavorful, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to turn in my Stone Fan Club pin just yet. This brewer has several outstanding beers. In my opinion, this isn't one of them.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 23:36:36 | More by deadonhisfeet

MortarPestle

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clear copper color with a rich head that had nice retention and good lacing.
Aroma: A good nose of citrus and pine, with malt breadiness.
Taste: The hops is up front in this brew; grapefruit and rind, with juniper. The malt comes through with flavors of bread crust and toast.
Texture: Crisp and creamy with a dry finish.
Drinkalbility: Nicely balanced hops and malt, very drinkable. A good session brew.
Presentation: Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 18:23:38 | More by MortarPestle

AMiz602

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A nice, strong, mildly yellow head that is quite thick and frothy.

Is a very nice pale amber-reddish color and smells like a very strong IPA. Smells hoppy and tangy almost.

Is actually not too hoppy, a light Chinook (?) hops taste will a dry, burnt flavor. Very little sweetness in this beer. Has a nice mouthfeel to it that is heavy, easy on the tongue, and not the consistency of some lesser amber ales.

For an amber ale that defies tradition and tastes like an IPA, it is a low key tasting beer that doesn't overpower, yet keeps its flavor throughout.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 01:21:50 | More by AMiz602

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.1/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a pint glass

Appearance – Served a nice deep amber color with a large white head. The head faded rather fast to give a light to medium level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma had many good characteristics for a beer at only 4.4 % abv. It had a great bready and hoppy aroma with a light spiciness and a nice caramel sweetness which balance out the hop nicely. The hop was rather complex in smell with notes of earth, citrus and pine all present.

Taste – The taste started out on the breadier side with some of the caramel detected in the nose. The hop flavors quickly come to the tongue however and mellow some of the sweetness. First a more citrus hop flavor comes on the scene shortly followed by the pine and more earthy hop flavors. In the end a somewhat pinely and spicy hop flavor mixed with a smooth bread flavor are left to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel –The body of the beer was better than I would have originally anticipated for an only 4.4 % brew. It had a nice slightly more creamy feel with a higher level of carbonation. Overall quite good for the style.

Overall – While only at 4.4 % this beer has some really wonderful characteristics. It has a nice look, smell, mouthfeel and taste that are all much more characteristic of a beer of a much higher abv. Very well done.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 19:13:20 | More by Darkmagus82

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.9/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark amber colour with orange tinges throughout and a bubbly white head on top that stays for roughly a minute.

Nice pine hops on the nose, lighter than those of an IPA though. There is some mild citrus and a nice amount of malts coupled with a little spice and mild caramel too.

A good malt base with some caramel, hops and spice thrown on top of it. I also detected a little pine and citrus but not a lot together with some very light grapefruit and a touch of bitter at the end.

Smooth and quite bitter for the style thanks to the pine hops and citrus. The carbonation was slightly above medium and overall the beer had excellent balance, going down great.

This one was a very nice beer and seemed a lot stronger than the 4.4% abv mentioned on the label. I enjoyed it but I think it would prove a little to strong in the bitterness department for me to make it a regular session beer despite the relatively low abv.

1001 Beers: http://abarwithnoname.wordpress.com

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 10:38:16 | More by flyingpig

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

A- Pours a reddish-brown color with a mega 3-finger head and lots of rings of lacing.

S-a toffee nose with just a hint of citrus. Is that a sweet and spicy cinnamon as well?

T-it's malty, toffee, but not overly so because there's enough citrus hop flavor for balance.

M-light for its look. There is plenty of carbonation. The flavors last between sips.

O-another winner from Stone, a drinkable [yet hearty @ 4.4%] American Amber Ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 00:20:46 | More by NiceTaps

Breen

Kansas

3.53/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pour/Appearance: Rather thin head that maintained through the session and left thick lacing on the glass. Dark red tint; hazy with some visibility to other side when held to light.

Smell: Grapefruit! (cascade hops?)

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, yet relatively heavy on carbonation.

Taste: Citrus/grapefruit from the hops are very prevalent in this red ale. There is a lingering aftertaste of this flavor as well.

Overall an enjoyable ale, but unbalanced. Definitely on the extreme end of the hops scale for my taste buds.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 21:32:38 | More by Breen

rangerred

Tennessee

3.55/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a nearly clear medium copper with a thick 1.5 finger head. Awesome lacing and head retention.

Aroma is a wonderful mix of citrus and pine with a little roasted malt shining through.

Flavor has plenty of citrus up front along with some nice toasted malt and caramel. Even a little bit of coffee. Bitterness is medium to high and lingers through the finish. Mouthfeel is quite watery and a bit chalky.

Overall, for the strength of this brew is sure packs in plenty of flavor. Maybe a little too expensive to be a regular session brew but it is great on occasion.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 00:35:23 | More by rangerred

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-Dark, dark amber. Light head. Body is a soda-esque color. Minimal light penetration.

S-Great Amber Ale nose. Hoppy but well balanced. Piney and citrusy hops combine with some really deep maltiness. Nose is quite rich.

T-Like the nose. Excellent balance between the malt and hops. Piny and citrusy along with a bunch of bread and caramel. Pretty enjoyable.

M-Body is fuller than the ABV would suggest. Sessionable and bubbly.

O/D-Overall, a pretty solid Amber. Well hopped but excellently balanced. Not my favorite Stone brew but its damn tasty the most of the other regularly available brews.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2012 16:23:18 | More by VelvetExtract

JWU

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz. bottle poured into a curved pint glass.

A- a beautiful translucent amber which is heavy on the red tones. a thick khaki head is on top that sticks around well and leaves a little lacing

S- the smell is really, really nice. A balancing act between earthy, citric hops and bready, caramel malt notes. There's some fruity yeast aromas there as well

T- The taste is a bit of a letdown after the smell. Pretty straight forward interplay of a mild bready/biscuity malt, with a hint of sweetness balanced by an earthy hop bitterness.

M- Smooth, with a mild carbonation. A bit too dry for my taste on the backend. I'm driking session amber ale here, not a APA or IPA.

O- A good, but not great amber ale. I'd certainly have it again if offered it, but wouldn't seek it out vs. others such as NB Fat Tire.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 01:28:22 | More by JWU

wiegs4life

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer won the 2007 Gold Medal Winner in the Great American Beer Festival. It has solid taste, and great feel. Easy drinkable, but as the warmer weather comes, it is not my preference. In the past I have never been a fan of Stone brews, but this one definitely changed my mind about the quality of brews from this brewery. Like most great beer, this beer has great head. I poured from a bottle to a pint glass and it poured with ease. It is definitely a beer I will buy more of.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2012 04:18:18 | More by wiegs4life

socon67

New York

4.05/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Amber colored pour with an off-white foam. Webs of lacing round the glass. Cloudy in appearance.

S - Scents of caramel, dry hops, and earthy spices. This is a very fragrant beer. Lots of complextiy here.

T - Taste is almost like a beefy IPA, but with notes of caramel and spice. The hoppy vibe is tempered by the underlying sweetness. Flavors concentrate as the beer warmed.

M - A very tasty beer but the distinct flavors muted over time. Not sure if this is a one drink type of beer, but I didn't find it sessionable despite its mild ABV.

O - Good variant of an amber that stands on its own. I'd have it again. Just another solid brew from the folks at Stone.

Serving type: growler

05-13-2012 00:53:31 | More by socon67

draheim

Washington

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle (best by 5/1/2012 - oh well, can't win 'em all) into a tulip. Pours a deep, clear ruby w/ a rich frothy head, khaki head, plenty of lace.

Aroma is spicy herbal hops and sweet bready malt. A hint of cinnamon? Intriguing.

Taste is brassy, biscuity malt and tons of bittering hops. Straightforward, tasty.

Mouthfeel is clean, medium-bodied w/ a crisp finish. Refresing, drinkable.

Overall another solid beer from Stone. Maybe not my favorite style but I can imagine this pairing well w/ a good stinky cheese or a burger. And 4.4% ABV = great session beer. One more please!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 02:45:47 | More by draheim

DocJitsu

California

3.58/5  rDev -8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a translucent dark amber with no head. The bouquet is very nice with tart citrus, cabbage, and pine. The flavor is vibrant but has that signature Stone overwhelming hop character. The mouthfeel is nice, but adversely impacted by the intrusive hop presence. I've had a lot of Stone, but the only one I've found to be good is Sublimely Self-Righteous.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 01:57:32 | More by DocJitsu

acevenom

Louisiana

3.73/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass mug. Pours slightly hazy amber with an eggshell colored two-finger length head. The head dissipates slowly. Some lacing is left on the side of the glass during consumption as well as a light cap of lacing. The aroma of piney hops is strong. There are also citrus and malt aromas as well. It's a very earthy smell. The big hop flavors hit up front to perfectly support the mild malt flavors. The citrus and sweetness are subdued, but present. It's incredibly well balanced. There is a slight bitter aftertaste. The body to this beer is actually surprisingly quite light, though it would be more light to medium. The carbonation is not strong, but this beer is still very easy to drink. Overall, this is another solid offering from Stone. It's a sessionable hop forward ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 23:42:48 | More by acevenom