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

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

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

This is a good beer, but doesn't really mesh with the style that well. Seems a bit thick on the character for a black ale; almost porter like. Has some nice hop characeristics, but doesn't really bring all that I would hope it would. Especially for an anniversary ale. Nice beer. An "okay" black ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 21:26:23 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Holy mother of ...Poured a deep black color, like I changed my wifes motor oil after 10k miles or something. Big beautiful brown cap, loads of bubbles.

S: Huge and impressive. Sordove started off with a big grainy nose tht I tend to get from a lot of Stone and CDA's in general. Yes, I still call it a CDA. Citrus notes, big huge espresso, smoke and roasted notes. Booze lightl;y stings the nostrils.

T: Taste is about as Imperial as this style can get. Huge espresso, roasted malt, black malt lending overdone bitterness and that certain burnt bite. I got some cocoa, citrus, bittering hops on end and as the beer warmed it became almost a hint at a smoked beer, lending notes of meat, perhaps a liquid smoke note and that booze is constant.

M: Wow, big, bold and in your face, much more so that draft. Reminded to a double of Sublimely at first but then it just AWOL on that and kept it real. Deviated between creamy and dry depending upon the temp and how long it rolled on the palate

O: Super impressive and one hearty as beer but halfway through this on later Summer day I was ready to run for a good ol Pils. I may hold a few of these back for some Winter sipping and aging.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 19:53:32 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

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

Deep, dark brown liquid where no light shines through. Good beige head that drops very slowly, leaving a blanket of fine lace.

Dark, nearly burnt caramel aroma--semi-sweet. There's a light touch of hop at the end of the smell.

Bitter malt followed by bitter hop, quite different from the smell. There is no sweetness to this beer. In fact, it seems like an over abundance of black patent malt was added to the brew. Think coffee grounds and you'll come close. This beer is more bitter than a stout, even though the hop is largely overwhelmed. The body is decent with a good level of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 00:52:36 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

4.43/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks goes out to portia99 for this brew.

22oz. Bomber

Poured into a DFH glass a very nice black color, nice carbonation, with a one-finger creamy light tan head, with some nice sticky lacing left behind. The nose is very very nice, hoppy, malty, lots of licorice, plums, raisins, figs, and chocolate. The taste is exceptional also, hoppy, with a nice touch of malts, chocolate, licorice, and some dark fruits. Medium body, kinda chewy, with a slight bitter finish. This is a very nice brew. It's been awhile since I've had a Stone beer, and this one is making me look for some more. Thanks Bill!

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 20:47:08 | More by Wasatch

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

(Served in a tulip glass) A- A jet black body supports a thick sticky cocoa-tan head that holds on the glass with each sip. There are some microbubbles that show up just at the base of the head. S- The green earthy pine hops are full with some nice pine resin character coming through as the beer opens. There is a hint of sweet black roasted malt in the background. T- The green herbal hops have a woody quality to them with a pungent pine bitterness and masks a roasted malt flavor a bit. The bitter hops linger nicely after each sip. M- The medium-full mouthfeel has a creamy texture with just a touch of alcohol warmth. O- The nice full hops are what you expect but there just isn't much depth to them nor is there any juicy bright character to the hops. Just a good solid earthy dark hops that compliment the trompe l'oeil body.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 20:49:08 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz brown bomber, vintage date on bottle.

LOOK: Black as can be, thick brown head.

SMELL: Booze, dark chocolate, dank hop resin, dark fruit, burnt bread, orange zest.

TASTE: Roasty, dry toasted bread, hop bitterness, tobacco, earthy, smoky ash, brown bread, booze.

A solid brew, hits all the right buttons for what it is supposed to be. A bit too much alcohol and the hops seem to cloud ... Meaning the flavors don't mesh as well as I thought the would have.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 01:01:42 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

4.43/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

32 ounce growler pour ($10.99) @ DeCicco's in Ardsley, NY

Pours BLACK, dark tan head, initially large, then going to a quick meraingue, then quickly again to a film and collar, quality lace left behind.

Rich nose of black coffee, dark chocolate and I get some hop cones...

Suprise-suprise a celebratory beer from Escondidian heavy weight Stone Brewery that is densly flavorful, hoppy, bold and kickin all sorts of ass...lots more coffee, more dark bitter chocolate, more hoppy goodness...thick, creamy and viscous...fine creation...get some..drink it fresh...

Serving type: growler

08-31-2011 03:41:50 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

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

From 11/15/11 notes. Had on tap at Fireworks in Arlington, VA at their Stone steal the pint night event. Poured in a 10 oz. tulip.

a - Pours a very dark brown, almost black color, with one finger of very dark brown head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of citrus hops, grapefruit, roasted malts, a tiny bit soapy. As expected, lots of hops and roasted notes. Hops are a little more dominant, but it's a nice mix.

t - Tastes of roasted malts, citrus hops, sweet smooth chocolate, pine hops, grapefruit. Again, very hoppy and roasted, but the roasted malts and chocolate come out a lot more here than in the nose. A nice step up from the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Light bitterness from the hops up front, than smooth thanks to the malts. Surprisingly easy to drink considering the high ABV.

o - Overall a very nice Black IPA; one of the better ones I've had. Didn't enjoy it as much as the sublimely self-righteous ale, but still good. Would have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 18:22:49 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle purchased as a single at Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" dark brown head over the opaque dark brown/black brew. Thick head holds on strong, with leggy lace that also hangs around. Aroma is dark grain and green hops.

Taste starts with burnt malt sweetness, which blossoms into acrid bitterness in the middle, added onto by fresh piney hops toward the end. Flavors all seem to linger long after the swallow, along with some alcohol numbing. The hop burps could strip paint. Mouthfeel is velvety smooth, and drinkability is very nice. Maybe a bit over the top, but all in all, a brew that is worth the time and effort.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 01:38:28 | More by ppoitras

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

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

22 oz bottle into a tulip glass.

Pours a deep brown, with a couple fingers of dark mocha head. This retains with a tight finger, leaving back a big frothy cascade of foam that settles down into a sticky latticework of lacing that clings to the sides of the glass. The aroma smells of fresh grapefruit and pine accents, with both definitely having some vibrant power to them. Notes of roast and sweet chocolate come in off the sides, while that big ABV adds a bit of heady warmth to the nose. Those American hops really control this though.

The taste starts with strong grapefruit bitterness and pine that cut across the tongue, with that initial blast being buffered by a thick mix of chocolate sweetness and a touch of tangier feeling caramel. A wall of burnt roast pulls up the back of this before the hops regains their strength in the finish with bitter fruit, resins, and spicy alcohol sticking to the tongue with a stiff dryness, while even the roast gets in on the act as well with an intense charred feel that leaves an impression. The mouthfeel is full bodied in the mouth and has some sharpness on the tongue that pops those notes of hops and roast. The rest of the feel has more of a smooth creaminess to it that helps fill out the corners of the mouth. That near 11% ABV isn’t ridiculous feeling but like the nose, does give this a certain amount of beefiness and intensifies those already aggressive flavors.

While this certainly had some big ole’ balls on it, it ultimately came as more of a hefty and hoppy American Stout to me, as those roasted malts and chocolate sweetness had about as big of a presence here as the hops did. Even with this not quite being quite up to snuff style-wise for me and much like all of these Stone Anniversary beers, it’s always at least worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 15:34:39 | More by Kegatron

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep dark brown that appears pitch black and completely opaque in the glass.  Two finger frothy beige head with great retention only slowly fading into a lasting cap/ring that leaves streaks and spots of lace behind.

Roasted malt aroma that's countered by some piny, oily hop notes.  Hints of chocolate, coffee and toast balanced by notes of pine, resinous oils and citrus fruit.

Fuller bodied than expected with a chewy mouthfeel and a blast of dry bitter hops up front that linger over the roasted malt backbone into a sweet yet dry finish.  Earthy with lots of piny resinous oily hops along with some subtle citrus.  This is countered by the roasted malt backbone that has hints of toast, chocolate, toffee, coffee.  Well balanced and easy to drink with a decently basked ABV.  Only subtle heat in the finish.  

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 19:14:26 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.05/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours black, looks thicker than just the usual dehusked, debittered black malts used in these black ipa type beers. Good citrus aroma to it, the citra hops do a good job. Almost gave it a 4.5

Solid taste, hoppy, bitter, not not so much it drowns out the other aspects of the beer. What was outright amazing was the mouthfeel. I was just drinking this beer by the river two weeks ago. Like at a normal pace. Finished the beer. Was reading the label. What? 10.8%? I really would have guessed 7%. Hid that shit very well. Nice and dry. Didn't pull out the chocolate or licorice that others did, at least to any discernable degree. You could find the roast and chocolate if you're looking for it I guess, but its kind of a psychosomatic thing if you ask me anytime a beer is darker in color.

Citra hop makes you think there is orange rind in it at times. Nice price is even nicer.

Pretty much a bigger sublimely righteous beer, with citra.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 00:43:48 | More by Beerandraiderfan

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's today.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is intense and nearly over the top, with black cherry, espresso, vanilla and light chocolate. The flavor profile is more of the same, and I'm not sure why Stone just didn't call this a hoppy RIS. The beer is fairly sweet, and although there's considerable hoppy bitterness in the finish, I felt as if the beer was ultimately dominated by the sweetness and the black cherry. Mouthfeel is fairly full, with a long, sweet, black cheery and bitter finish. The sweetness is a bit of a problem from a drinkability standpoint, as it makes the already noticeable alcohol all the more prominent.

This is a good beer, no doubt, but it's hard to imagine ever drinking more than one very small glass of this stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 22:46:40 | More by johnmichaelsen

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA

Poured into a snifter, an oily brownish black with a small cap of tan head that retained decently and left some streaky lacing behind. Big aroma full of pine, with a sweet maltiness just peeking through in the background. A blast of pine and resin on the tongue, on the border of being a palate killer. Notes of coffee bitterness and bottom-of-the-barrel molasses. Heavy, greasy mouthfeel and definitely boozy.

I like Cascadian dark ales, I like Stone's brews a lot, and I know they're all about being extreme. But I think this one was too much even for me. It wasn't bad by any means, just a little over the top and one-sided with the pine taking almost complete dominance. I'd really have to be in the mood to try this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2011 11:04:51 | More by Rifugium

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber purchased in California, brought back to Sydney, Australia and opened with @LaitueGonflable and @tobeerornottobe.

Pours a heavily dark black-brown, with an exceptional head of crackling yellow brown coffee crema. Lacing is intricate, solid, honeycombed. Really solid legs to it, too, staying sticky on the edge of the glass when tilted. Body is surprisingly light, but extremely suitable for the style. Very fine carbonation. Looks genuinely exceptional.

Nose is heavily hoppy, with earthy, rusty hops giving the main event. There's no bright, citric fruitiness here—more of a tea tannin, earth, bracken character. It melds very pleasantly with the dark notes from the malt, in a way that makes some sense in a weird style; instead of the bright, citric, whimsical hoppiness creating an amusing contrast to the darkness, this blends together into some odd symbiosis.

Taste is smooth and clean and bright. The roast gives a nice basis, more of a dark biscuity sweetness, but the hops really lift the palate, and here they do have a touch of the crisp, bright citric quality to them, more than the tannic earthiness suggested on the nose. Finish has lingering bitterness, partially due to the hops, partially due to the roast. It's a nice finish, and sums up what the beer is about.

Really nice beer. It's a very odd thing that Stone have seemed to make sense of this style in a way that's quite orthogonal to the regular interpretation. The darker, more earthy hops match it really nicely with the roast malt, giving a beer that is different, but in all the right ways.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 05:14:46 | More by lacqueredmouse

DoubleJ

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Looks like Stone is going back to the well of its 11th Anniversary Ale and has formulated a stronger version with Citra hops. Excitement is in the air once again. On to the beer:

It's as rich black as an imperial stout. The head on top is a mix of bubbly suds and milky lace, whipping up strings to the glasss. That's the Stone I know about...the aroma is filled with Citra hops. It's very juicy and filled with passionfruit. Metallic at times, but in a good way. There's that underlying note of roasted malt I was hoping to find.

Normally with a color so black, your brain tells you to wait for an espersso assult. In this case, it's a tropical fruit assult. Rest assured, it is tasty. Passionfruit and tangerine galore with a little layer of roast. I do like this, though a little more with the malt bill wouldn't hurt. The 10.8% ABV listed seems like a misprint, because the alcohol is disguised extremely well, it feels lighter than anticipated (closer to medium-heavy than heavy), and its drinkability is very high for its size.

Much more delightful than I was expecting. It's approachable and not over the top. Behold the power of the Citra hop, and Stone's ability to hop beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 04:33:11 | More by DoubleJ

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle cond. Aug. 11. Consumed Oct. 11.

A: Pitch black with a 2 finger, frothy mocha colored head that sits steadily atop. Lengthy retention on the head's part leaves a modest half glass coating for lace, patchy and splotchy.

S: Fresh wet pine, dry celery, and a herbaceous scent of fresh parsley is about. The hops are strong at first wind, but quiet there after, not sure if it’s the nature of the beast, or the 2 month shelf sitting.

T: Deep roasted malt flavor, dry parching citrus, with a strong level of hop presence. Dry pine, bittering grapefruit mingles with a dart roasted barley base with a burnt bitterness. A herbal hint of parsley and spicy zing of citrus is found in the middle. On the close is a lingering black licorice spicines as well a sharp wet citrus zing leaving a scorched fade of burnt grains behind.

M: fizzy at first, frothy, with a thick resistance from the heavy handed malt base. Bittering and dry hops with a licorice and citrus bite coming on the swallow.

O: Overall the hops are big and bitter on this one, as well the malting is equally big and roasted leaving a healthy dose of scorchness in its path. Worhty of an anniversary labeling. A bomber seems like a good level of drinkability, even before I noticed its 10.1% abv which kinda surprised me. Some alcohol warmth, but would of never guessed on this level. Gets progressively smoother and easier on the down once your tongue goes numb from the bitter roasted goodness found within. Very good in humble opinion.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 23:15:17 | More by beerthulhu

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black as night, though there may have been an smidgeon of a dark brown edge when held up to the light. Thick mocha cap of fine bubbles, clumpy sheets of lacing. I expected the aroma to be citrusy, and I wasn't disappointed - grapefruit pith was dominent at first, but gave way to some malty chocolate character as it warmed. Notes of cocoa and pine resin, alcohol and herbal hops, plus roasted malts, all floated in and out of focus. Big bittersweet chocolate flavour, more citrusy grapefruit and tangerine, peppery alcohol, bready and roasted malts. Full bodied with a silky texture, carbonation was a bit creamy. Mild warmth and astringency. Overall, quite enjoyable. It's a big beer packing a lot of flavour and I thought the brewers at Stone did a good job getting everything to work together.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 21:09:30 | More by DrJay

plaid75

New York

3.8/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a deep black hue with a two finger foamy tan head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a molasses, dark chocolate and caramel.

The taste consisted of elements of dry dark chocolate, coffee, caramel and a healthy dose of booze.

The mouthfeel was certainly full for the style with a dry finish.

If this isn't an RIS, then I'm the Queen of England.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 22:10:16 | More by plaid75

HopHead84

California

4.18/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

8/15/2011

Check the Stone tap list on the Stairmaster at the gym. Stone 15th? Don't mind if I do. 8oz draft pour.

A: Black as a moonless, starless Escondidian night. A massive brown head lingers with uncertainty above the liquid. Much lacing is left in the wake of the recession.

A: Aromatic resinous pine and grapefruit waft from the glass with lesser notes orange. Malt imparts notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, and roasted malt. The aroma is pretty great.

T: A prominent roasted malt profile is accompanied by dark chocolate and cocoa. The beer is dry, with anise and a touch of molasses. The malt profile does this beer much credit. Hops are aggressive, imparting an upper moderate to lower high level of smooth bitterness and flavors of pine resin, orange, and grapefruit that mix nicely with the chocolate and roast. Alcohol is really well hidden for how damn high it is. Stone should serve this in pitchers here at the Bistro. It would only be a $32 pitcher. Alas, they do not offer pitchers. I suppose you could bring your own, get 8 glasses of 15th Anniversary, and pour them gently into the pitcher. I'll have to see if they'll allow that. A nice pitcher of Imperial Escondidian Black IPA on a warm Escondido summer day in the Stone gardens, just the job.

M: Full in body with upper moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is sticky and chewy. Alcohol provides warming in the finish.

Overall: This is quite good. I really enjoyed my glass. It blurs the line between Imperial Escondidian Black IPA and Imperial Stout.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2011 02:55:39 | More by HopHead84

kojevergas

California

3.18/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

1 pt 6 fl oz. brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a generic hefeweissbier glass in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live.

A: Pours a three finger head of beautiful tan colour, wonderful cream and thickness, and excellent retention considering the high ABV. Colour is a solid black. Extremely appealing.

Sm: Bittering hops aplenty alongside cream and caramel. Interesting, but nothing special. Aroma is moderate in strength.

T: Some light floral notes and heavy bittering hops slam into dark caramel, light coffee, and cream like oncoming traffic. The balance is rather off, with most of the flavour contained in the latter half. The bitterness is too pronounced, to the point of being unwelcome, and even ruining the finish. Alcohol comes through, and there's a weak sauce chocolate note right on the end. It's complex but imbalanced, and overall is badly built for the style. That said, it does have some nice patches.

Mf: Smooth and wet, but too thick. The cream is lopsided and strange. It's also sharp on the finish. Doesn't suit the flavours of the body at all.

Dr: This is a strangely built beer for the style that isn't successful at meshing dark notes with an overload of IPA inspired bittering hops. The price is high, even in California. The ABV is pronounced. It's only worth trying for huge fans of Stone and/or the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 09:00:08 | More by kojevergas

Brad007

Vermont

4.47/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another ABA to satisfy the urge for hops!

Pours a color that is blacker than fucking black with a two-finger brown head into my glass. Is this a stout or an ABA?

Whoa, the hops deliver quite a massive dick punch with a shit ton of mint and pine resin. I'm loving every minute of it. I want to roll around in this beer for hours.

Ditto on the taste. Lots and lots of grassy pine with just a hint of mint. It has the consistency of chocolate milk. Creamy too!

Lingering grassy pine, chocolate and cream pepper the mouthfeel. I don't want it to end.

Cliches aside, this is one excellent example of the ABA style out from our friends on the West Coast. I don't know. I still think that Hill Farmstead's James is much better but that could be because it's fresher.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 22:31:37 | More by Brad007

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -26%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to wishuwerebeer for the share. Poured from a bomber into a pint glass. This brew appears black in color with a rich frothy cap of brown that is 2 fingers strong.  A thick wall of webby lacing completely covers the glassware everywhere it touches.

The smell of this brew initially is fruity with hops, some citrus and a bit of veggie to earthy aspect. A little bit pine included as well as a catty aspect across the back. Roasty grain becomes more bold across the back with a hint of alcohol as the brew warms.

The taste is bold with a roasty bitterness of the grain that immediately gives way to a hoppy bitterness that is oily and includes catty and veggie hop flavoring. Alcohol has a hint of fruit like pear or cantaloupe and a warmth down the back of the throat. The taste of this brew really clashes for me and seems a bit dirty.

This is a medium bodied brew, somewhat smooth in the feel with a creamy texture and modest level of carbonation. It is quite bold and roasty but the flavor and aroma really clashes for me. Pear/cantaloupe meets bitter roasted grain and catty/veggies is just so strange. I wanted to like this brew but had a really hard time finishing my glass. If black ipas are your thing, you might love this but there are better offerings for the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 18:34:23 | More by stakem

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

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

A West India Porter? Yeah, an American Black Ale.

A: Jet black with a tan head, light retention, great lace.

S: Floral, piny, molasses, citrus, brown sugar, intriguing.

T: The acrid roast is right upfront and surprising, but I like it. Tons of black-strap molasses and bakers chocolate, charred pineapple, with hints of licorice and soy sauce. Plenty of hop resin, slighty herbal, with an underlying piny backbone. Awesome bitterness. The first half of this bottle was almost exceptional. Unfortunately, the lysing yeast in the second half didn't play well with the acrid roast and the overpowering flavours became a little much. This is one to share... and leave the yeast sediment in the bottle.

M: Full mouth-feel has a bit of roasted acidity.

O: Enticing and awesome. There's plenty of alcohol here, but it's really well-hidden. More of a Baltic Porter fan than a DIPA.

Vital stats: 10.8% abv, 100 IBUs
Malt Bill: Pale Malt, Cara-Bohemian, Carafa III Special, and Chocolate Malt
Hops Bill: Columbus (bittering), Citra (flavor/aroma). Dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin and Pacific Jade.

Congratulations Stone! I'm looking forward to the next 15 years.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 01:03:33 | More by Derek

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very nice beer, heavier on the hops than the roast. Pours jet black, with a very nice caramel covered head, 2 fingers probably. Even after sipping on this for awhile, the head is still there. Smells roastier than it tastes, but the hops still dominate. The taste particularly tastes strongly of herbal hops, with dill and citrus notes. Without looking at the color you wouldn't really even know this is a Black Ale. The aroma has a bit of chocolate and roasted grain along with those same citrusy and herbal hops. A little on the thick side, with real body, and with a nice lingering bitterness. Quite a nice package- the hops are the star here.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 02:12:08 | More by Georgiabeer