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

busterthecat

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled August 2011. Poured into a large tulip chalice.

A- Pours a velvety rich brown from the bottle. Sits very dark, almost black in the glass. A great foamy mocha head forms and leaves a good amount of sticky lacing. Head stays around for a while.

S- Smells like a christmas tree lot after some rain. Fresh crisp pine needles, pine sap from newly cut trunks with some muddy earthiness. A touch of sweet chocolate comes through. Almost a mint quality detectable. Very good.

T- Lots of pine again upfront, definitely a hop forward beer. Some mild citrus is also in the hoppy mix. The initial hop burst slowly blends into more of a bittersweet chocolate in the middle of the taste. More of the darker roasted malt side comes out. The flavor profile really evolves through each taste and through the entire tasting session. Very tasty.

M- Robust, yet not to overwhelming. At a very good level for an Imperial Black Ale. Stays pretty wet through taste. Lingering hop zest and tingle on palate. Bitterness is prominent but not overly intense. Some light alcohol burn on throat after a large gulp.

O- A great Imperial Black Ale. Possibly the best I have tasted since the style has become more popular. Everything was well within the appropriate range for this style. Crisp fresh hops powered the taste, while darker malt/ choc set the stage. Would definitely get this again. Very well done.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 16:52:11 | More by busterthecat

andysc83

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-16-2013 13:42:06 | More by andysc83

samibr

New York

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-12-2013 23:14:28 | More by samibr

jarrgal

North Dakota

3.25/5  rDev -23.2%

06-10-2013 02:24:34 | More by jarrgal

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-07-2013 14:30:49 | More by DeutschesBier

beertardis

Rhode Island

4.36/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

found a bottle at a local fish market that also sells beer and wine . been conditioning on the shelf for two years just my luck. smells of toffee , coffee, chocolate , and a hint of annise. the mouth feel was smooth and silky, almost tasted more like a russian imperial stout that a imperial black ipa .

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 00:38:19 | More by beertardis

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