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

jkanavel

Texas

3.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Jet black with a pillowy, poofy, chocolate milk head. Very sticky rings lace the glass.

S: Charged with hops. Piny resinous pacific northwest style hop profile. Undertones of toasted pecans, and strong coffee.

T: Big hop explosion, very aromatic with solid bitterness. Next is a sweet but very earthy maltiness. Mild roasted notes. Not as assertive as a stout, and not as sweet or chocolaty as a porter. Very balanced.

M: Rich and creamy. Decent sparkle of carbonation.

O: This style of beer could easily be enjoyed as a pint, but I assume for cost reasons its served in a snifter, at least where I order it. I like to imagine that one day, some guy at the brewery was drinking a super hoppy IPA and decided he wanted some backbone to match the hop punch. Its not an imperial stout, its not really an IPA because its black. I dunno what it is. Its good stuff though.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2012 07:27:26 | More by jkanavel

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