15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA - Stone Brewing Co.

JohnnyMc

Ohio

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had 7 bottles fresh and decided to age one! 2011 vintage woo!!

Pours out completely black with 2 fingers of a deep, khaki head.

The aroma has a decent amount of roast, some chocolate, some dark fruit, a little bit of caramel and vanilla and hints of coffee.

The taste is very much an Imperial Stout type of taste at this point. Basically no hops at this point, but there are a lot of roasted notes followed by some bittersweet dark chocolate and a ton of dark fruit; figs, plums and dates along with a hint of vanilla and toffee.

The body is full and mouthfeel is creamy. No alcohol on the aroma or taste or even warming as it goes down.

This has really transformed from the Black IPA/American Black Ale/CDA that it was to a very nice and complex Imperial Stout. The hops are way gone, but that allows for many other elements to come forth! Extremely enjoyable with age and I hope Stone will do this one again!

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 07:01:40 | More by JohnnyMc

beernads

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

05-18-2013 06:39:49 | More by beernads

OC_Beer_Fan

California

4/5  rDev -5.4%

05-17-2013 05:22:10 | More by OC_Beer_Fan

Zbeetleman

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-15-2013 03:05:13 | More by Zbeetleman

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -5.4%

05-13-2013 22:24:50 | More by mikeincharleston

csfcmitchell

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-13-2013 15:54:17 | More by csfcmitchell

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-08-2013 17:19:02 | More by Whiskeydeez

cadaugherty

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.4%

05-07-2013 23:01:09 | More by cadaugherty

Tom-Peters

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-06-2013 19:43:12 | More by Tom-Peters

campfirebrew

New York

4/5  rDev -5.4%

04-04-2013 14:53:21 | More by campfirebrew

Obsidian

California

2.75/5  rDev -35%

04-03-2013 03:18:40 | More by Obsidian

Smurf2055

Washington

3.68/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Reviewed Dec 2011

Poured from bottle into a pint glass.

Pours like a stout, with a nice tan head about a finger thick. Good lacing.

It’s got some coffee and licorice, but the pine and hops smell as well. Maybe a bit of caramel. An interesting mix.

Taste really confused me. It’s a light body, very smokey, almost ashy. Greets you with light coffee and finishes with a hop kick near the end. I couldn’t tell it was over 10%. Very powerful. Leaves a nice aftertaste.

Overall, it’s a very interesting beer to say the least. Very complex and very bold. Impressive.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 20:11:28 | More by Smurf2055

irish01980

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

03-18-2013 23:04:28 | More by irish01980

dailyminefield

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

03-17-2013 05:06:20 | More by dailyminefield

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

03-11-2013 21:14:42 | More by DaPan

Duvel

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

03-09-2013 19:15:22 | More by Duvel

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev -5.4%

02-24-2013 15:57:35 | More by t0rin0

Danielr26

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

02-21-2013 00:50:44 | More by Danielr26

Azrael

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

02-07-2013 05:37:48 | More by Azrael

tswater

Colorado

5/5  rDev +18.2%

01-31-2013 05:36:55 | More by tswater

phishbone23

New York

3.25/5  rDev -23.2%

01-25-2013 14:22:09 | More by phishbone23

KiMiRaiK

Washington

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

01-20-2013 05:03:38 | More by KiMiRaiK

CanisMajor

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

01-14-2013 00:38:07 | More by CanisMajor

SeaOfShells

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

01-10-2013 23:49:28 | More by SeaOfShells

Charlie_Hoss

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

01-02-2013 18:12:38 | More by Charlie_Hoss