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

olimpia84

Florida

3.48/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap served on a Pint glass.

A: black body with a two finger tanned head, wall light brown lacing present.

S: strong oak wood smell with hoppy herbal tones. Presents the beer fairly well.

T: strong earthy tones, strong hop flavor, very herbal and passion fruit/orange feel. There is a big bitter kick in the palate at the end. A bit too strong for my liking.

M: medium to full body with low to medium carbonation. Best enjoyed slowly.

O: I found this beer to be a bit too strong and aggressive for my taste. The bitterness at the end gets in the way of fully enjoying this beer in my opinion. Hops fans should be pleased though.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2011 16:20:33 | More by olimpia84

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.83/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap 10/28/2011 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep black color, with a large brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains roasted malts, chocolate, coffee and a good amount of hops.

T: The taste starts with flavors of dark fruit, citrus, coffee and chocolate. Then a strong floral hops bitterness comes in followed by a hearty roasted malt character creating a very good balance. The after-taste is bitter-sweet and hoppy.

M: Crisp and smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Very tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, strong kick, excellent representation of style, this is a very nice beer with good complexity making it worth drinking for an entire evening.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 17:38:15 | More by TheManiacalOne

osusullins

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer is amazing. Definitly one of the strongest offering I have ever tasted from Stone, and I think they are a solid brewery. This beer pours black as night with a creamy amber foam. Nice carbonation. The nose is piney hops and some light hints of caramel. That brings us to taste, ahh... the glorious taste of this beer. As dark as it looks, the beer drinks as though it were much, much lighter. Very hoppy, but the malts are well balanced. This is everything you want in an imperial IPA wrapped up in a beautiful, black package. The gargoyle logo that adorns the bottle is that of triumph and victory and the beer captures that. Cheers to you, Stone.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2011 02:25:54 | More by osusullins

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark, chalky charcoal color, nice cap of dense khaki froth, good sticky lacing. Scent is fruity with pineapple and tangerine, light pine, solid roasty and chocolaty malt backbone. Bright and fruity flavor notes, again with pineapple and tangerine, solid bitterness with grapefruit and pine notes, surprisingly big notes of cocoa and chocolate along with roast, mild profile of dark fruits on the rear. Medium bodied, smooth, maybe a touch too much carbonation, bitter and dry. An all around solid Black IPA, one of the best in style with nice notes of chocolate and dark fruit to add to the complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2011 16:29:09 | More by rfgetz

MicroBeerMan1980

Pennsylvania

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

A: Creamy tan head sits on a rich black body. Ha ha! Anyway, it's head dissipates slowly and the lacing clings to edge of the glass. A fine, thin head remains.

S: Amazing citrus aromas pummel the nose. There's a touch of pine on the end of that. Sweet malts compliment the hardy hop profile. If you closed your eyes, you would imagine you're on a hop farm in the northwest. Brilliant.

T: Distinct citrus and pine hops greet the taste buds. Flavorful malt is prevalent. Once you get past the hops, the beer has a sweet/dry malt quality.

M: Full-on hop attack on the palate. Tannins and acid. It's heavy on the tongue, but not in a bad way. Full bodied.

D: SIP THIS BEER. Also, don't drink it first, because you don't want to blow out your palate before switching back to Miller Lite because you suck. ;)

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2011 04:23:41 | More by MicroBeerMan1980

Adamblair

California

4.88/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Fantastic brew! Almost feels like a breakfast stout to begin, but finishes like a big IPA.

Had it on tap at SmithHouse in LA. Served in goblet. Dark black in color with a touch on tan/brown head.

Fruit aromas, citrus and maybe even a hint of passion fruit.

Big mouth feel here, robust to put it mildly.

If you can find it you owe it to yourself to try it. As a fan of unique in beer, this one tops my list!

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 02:51:47 | More by Adamblair

TheMultiYeast

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I asked for a strong ale and the bar tender surprised me with this little gem. Black as the night with a thick tan head.

Hops dominate the smell. Loads of pine with underlying citrus and resin scents fade into a bit of a malty sweetness.

Hop bomb in the first sip. Taste follows smell with resinous pine and hop oils/acids. Balanced perfectly by sturdy malts, big roasted character, some coffee, and lingering bitterness

Mouthfeel is smooth, chewy and creamy. Leaves a pungent aftertaste. Best to drink this slowly and get the most out of every sip.

Highly recommended BIG BEER

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 16:58:45 | More by TheMultiYeast

mattcrill

Ohio

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

Aroma: Big piney hop resins abound up front. Clean fermentation character. Mild chocolate notes. Hard to get past the piney, grassy, in your face hops. All good.

Appearance: Deep black pour with a tan, sticky, and persistent head.

Flavor: Wow! Palate crushing pine and grapefruit hop character. Lots of thick resiny hop flavor. Background crust-like maltiness but I have to search for it. Balance is firmly bitter. Finish is long lasting and bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body with medium carbonation. Oily and prickly carbonic bite.

Overall impression: An intensely hopped American Ale. The fuller body suggests more of a porter-like base but whatever you want to call it, it's big and bold. Seek out.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 00:27:46 | More by mattcrill

argock

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a 10oz clear glass snifter at Beer Run (Charlottesville, VA).

A: Black with light brown cap of had with a few bits of lacing down the glass.

S: Roasted and hoppy aromas are both pretty light and a dense maltiness dominates.

T: This is a black IPA that manages to showcase both the orange, fruity citrus hoppiness and the coffee and chocolate roasted notes and making them work together rather than having both of them stick out like two sore thumbs. The hoppiness is restrained along with a very significant dark malt breadiness that fades to some roast, chocolate, coffee, and lighter licorice notes. A very well-crafted beer that I wish had a little more character.

M: The thick maltiness leaves a full-bodied feel with no acrid character but a wonderful smoothness with very little blatant alcohol.

O: I really liked this beer a lot more than I though I would, mainly because I have not had very good luck with black IPAs generally. This one doesn't really fit that category too well, but it doesn't fit any category very well all-around. Instead, this beer balances the roast and citrus hops notes very artfully rather than hitting you over the head with them both.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2011 02:19:59 | More by argock

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

2.38/5  rDev -43.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

on-tap, reviewed from notes.

A- Brown... dark dark brown/black body and a sticky icky tan head.

S- Intense hops- I do a double-take after sniffing this one. Piny, a bit fruity, very pungent.

T- Too much. There's roasty malt and some coffee notes for a second, and they're completely obliterated from the zippy, minty, herbal, piny hops. Yes, that's a lot of descriptors. They're all there. Orange peel, pine resin, and mint leaves. The hops are pulling my tongue all over the place and don't give me a chance to sit back and explore the beer. After my tongue recovers from the assault, some ashy flavors peek through. Not doing the beer any favors.

M- Abrasively hoppy, too much, too confusing. Good carbonation, though.

O- Meh. SSR is a much better beer- this one is just disorganized and a tough nut to crack. I won't be revisiting this one, no chance no way.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 13:56:57 | More by ShogoKawada

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

on tap at good dog in philly

Pours an opaque black with a slightly tanned head resting on top. Tones of patchy lacing is left on the glass in rings, along with thick, filmy retention.

Pungent hops in the nose with grapefruit and citrus sweetness. Some roasted malt and light nuttiness with a touch of caramel. Very faint hint of boozy warmth.

Bitter and juicy up front with pine hops and sticky resin. Stiff notes of grapefruit tempered by lighter fruit sweetness. Thick roasted, nutty malt backbone, some touches of caramel and bittersweet caramel. Finishes bitter and long with a flash of pine and a soft bite of alcohol.

Medium body, fine carbonation, sticky and a little chewy. One of the best black IPAs I've had, and I'd definitely drink this again. I was also surprised at how well they masked the double-digit ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2011 14:19:27 | More by xnicknj

JDizzle

Indiana

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

Got a pint on tap at the Heorot in Muncie, IN for $4.75.

This pours really dark with a dark, dark tan head. Not sure I have seen head this dark. About a finger and a half. Impressive!

The smell is of hops and a lot if roasted malt. Really decent smelling beer. The alcohol comes through on the nose as well.

I am way more impressed than I thought I would be. Solid hop bitterness with a nice roasted malt taste. A little smokey. My favorite black IPA so far.

The mouthfeel is so creamy and thick. It's unreal!! Pretty much a milkshake.

I was thoroughly impressed with this beer. Stone never disappoints, and this one deserves an A.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2011 17:13:57 | More by JDizzle

Jadjunk

Georgia

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

#123. Had on tap (last cask, whew!) at Taco Mac Decatur. Major kudos to owner Donald Munroe and Stone for making sure I could get a glass of this fine ale while it lasted and reinforcing my faith with good service, something that I find usually lacking in many taverns in my area. A heartfelt toast to you!

Served in an 11 oz. snifter at a nice cool (but not too cold) temperature!

(Appearance) As most bar pours, there was really no space for head room. The color was a good solid black with some light brown foam ring lacing the rim, darker than tan but not solid brown and a light surface cover shrouds the surface. What more can I say? It's solid black and looks quite nice! 4

(Smell) Wow. There's a beautiful blend of dark fruits, licorice and some light roasty malt flavor. Dark bitter chocolate and fruity hops round out the entire aroma. A light fragrance despite the complexity, perhaps potency being the one point where it could improve in this category. In all, it's well balanced and enticing. Can't wait to drink this. 4.5

(Taste) A fruit base with a touch of lightly charred (not smoky) caramel and earthy hops just for starters. Most of the qualities from the smell come out in full bloom in the taste. It's equally sweet and bitter but very drinkable. Nothing goes overboard in this beer. The balance is quite nice. This tastes like a fantastic black IPA. 4.5

(Mouthfeel) Smooth as silk. There's a well concealed alcohol presence despite holding a bold 10.8% ABV. The body of this beer is midway between medium and heavy, slightly lighter than the appearance would give off of course, but spot on in density for a black IPA. The smoothness of this beer is the most striking part of the mouthfeel in general but it works. 4

(Overall) Oh, Stone, but can't we just stay 15 years old forever? Yes, it's a great black IPA. Stone never lets me down with these limited runs and it's just a shame that this is around for a limited time, but you can only be 15 years old for so long. Grab some while you can, it's apparently moving quite fast. 4.5

Stone Brewing Company's
Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA
A (4.43)

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2011 00:39:13 | More by Jadjunk

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

roodie

Texas

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

Enjoyed on tap at the Flying Saucer, Houston

~8 oz pour into a snifter

A: pours a dark coffee black, with 2 fingers of espresso head. Low retention, light lacing. dark coloring belies the hoppy potential

S: mild citrus with a hoppy, bitter, pungent backbone like a spicerack. odd, but working for me

T: bitter and piney; roasty malts give off a muted sweetness, very good.

M: a bit chalky with lingering bitterness. leaves a velvety coating blending the best qualities of a stout and heavily hopped beer

O: A great beer, better than most Black IPAs, I think Stone does this style well. A strong beer for sure, but hides it's punch till the end!

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 05:49:47 | More by roodie

KidsDoc

California

4.85/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On draft at Thirsty Monk in Asheville, NC

A: pitch black with fluffy, robust mocha head that sits around FOREVER

S: dark malt, huge chocolate aroma with a piercing pine hops

T: perfect balance where two become one. each sip is a surprise which feature will come out on top, but just by a hair. Piney, resin hop with a puckering bitterness going toe to toe with a rich, complex malt profile spreaheaded by molten chocolate smoothness and hints of coffee/mocha. Lingering finish, sticky, and addictive.

M: Everything - so smooth and at times creamy like a milk stout but then puckers from hop bite. Full body, light carbonation.

Overall this is the best Black/Cascadian IPA I have had; this is twice as good as the next closest Black IPA I have tried (maybe a slight exaggeration). Dessert to enjoy or can even seem a meal in itself.

Simply thankful to have had the opportunity to enjoy this beer. One that I will talk about for years to come. Moved into my top 10 of all time, easily.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 23:21:00 | More by KidsDoc

b3shine

Ohio

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

Draft to snifter. Appearance is nice; looks like an imperial porter. Smells good. Both the hops and the malt are aromatic. Tastes good too. Much like it smells, but delicious, especially for such a high abv. The mouthfeel is good; just be prepared for the abv - it's definitely not a session beer. Overall, a great sipper that im glad i got to try.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 22:48:49 | More by b3shine

Kadonny

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured fresh from tap at TJs in Paoli PA into a 12 ounce snifter glass.

A: A jet, jet black with no light filtering whatsoever. A half finger mocha colored head leaves tons of ring glass lacing that never goes away.

S: Wow, loads of citrus hops goodness initially on the nose. Citra is amazing. Grapefruit rind, mango, tropical fruit etc. You can pick up some of the roasted malt and chocolate on the smell, but I got mostly Citra hops. You sure don't expect that smell from that dark beer.

T: Citra hops again on the flavor with grapefruit, mango and tropical fruit. The roasted malt comes in with notes of earth and dark chocolate and some woody tones even. Sweetness is short lived but bready only to be taken over by the heavy pine bitterness on the finish. When warm this beer becomes very prickly and resiny. Alcohol starts to really poke through too when it warms.

M: Full, alcoholic, prickly, resiny with very good carbonation.

O: This was a two sided sword for me. I loved the tropical notes up front when the Citra hops shined, but as it warmed and the pine and darker flavors start to poke out it became a little less enjoyable. Still, to get some of those flavors from that dark of a beer was amazing.

Overall I really liked it, but scores were hurt on the alcohol as it warmed and the very bitey bitter finish that turns almost off putting. I think I'll still edge out SSRA over this one though, even though I love Citra. I just think the more pine/earth hops of SSRA compliment the dark roasted flavors better.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 19:17:29 | More by Kadonny

Rizalini

Nevada

4.7/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into my Stone 15th Ann tulip. Also had on-tap at the Stone brewery.

A - Pours a beautiful jet black color, no light at all can be seen through this one. 1 finger light brown head fades leaving some spotty lacing.

S - The smells are so agressive, bitter, citric, hoppy and earthy. It smells so complex and inviting!

T/M - Rich and hoppy all in the same sip. Very pleasing bitter hop aftertaste left on my pallete. The kind that makes your tongue, and back corners of your mouth water. Great medium/heavy mouthfeel. Almost tongue coating, but the descent amount of carbonation balances it out.

O - What an amazing beer! I've had this one on tap straight from the brewery, and I've had it in the bomber and the flavor profile is right on either way. A big beer, as it should be. The best of both worlds; dark & hoppy

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 05:50:30 | More by Rizalini

Braseltonage

Missouri

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

Served on draft in an oversized 22oz. goblet

A: Moonless night. Opaque black. Held to light, no penetration. Rich, thick 3/4" toffee colored head. Dissipated somewhat quickly, but dense lacing collects at edges and persists throughout consumption.
S: Wow. Citrusy wallop up front. Pungant grapefruit aroma, with some toasty edges. Some coffee like notes, with dark chocolate. Really starts as a typical big AIPA nose but brings a distinctly roasted malt presence.
T: Taste falls right in line with aroma. Big hop dose up front. Very "signature" Stone-like aggressiveness. Grapefruit is the dominate hop flavor, but a lingering malt sweetness creeps in. A bittersweet chocolate/espresso finish. Really delicious. An espresso-glazed grapefruit w/ cocoa nibs.
M: Full bodied, strong on the palette, but surprisingly dry finish for a 10.8% ABV. Really carries the mouthfeel of a well made DIPA.

A wonderful experience. Unexpected. A Sublimely on steroids???

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 04:00:18 | More by Braseltonage

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

First time: on-tap at Cole's. A story in licorice and well integrated chocolate. good though understated roasting. Dry finish. Black as night with a little head. High a.b.v. well hidden.Above average mouthfeel. Smooth drinker.Unique and not just another black IPA. Receommended.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2011 12:36:26 | More by northyorksammy

drabmuh

Maryland

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

Served in a snifter, at the time of this review this is the #5 American Black Ale (whatever that means) on the best of beeradvocate.com lists.

Beer is black / dark brown with a thin tan head of small bubbles, some lacing but low retentioin and low carbonation.

Aroma is mildly sweet with a lot of earthy and piny hops.

Beer is medium in body and not roasty at all, blindfolded I would assume I'm drinking an IPA. Very earthy, almost sweet, strong, nice. Tastes pretty good, I'd have it again (I had more out of a bottle later).

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 02:56:26 | More by drabmuh

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this big guy on tap at Pizzeria Paradiso in Georgetown last night before an amazing Kenny Garrett concert, as I knew that the beer at Blues Alley would not cut it.

Pours black with a great tan head with lots of thick body to it. Outstanding lacing leaving webs on all parts of the glass the brew touches. The smell has a ton of resin and also a heavy dose of citrus and pine. Some toasty bakery bread notes with even a hint of smoke come through in the aroma as well. Has some spices and herbs that are hard to place and also a dose of cocoa bean.

The taste reflects those things in the smell to a point, but mostly this is a huge hop bomb with aggressive citrus and pine with raw hop resin that hopheads would appreciate clearly taking center stage in the flavor dept. A note of barley with a tiny bit of roast in the finish but again mostly all I get are hops as the main characters here and it tastes great. The feel is good and slick over the palate without much of a bitter or roasty aftertaste that was slightly disappointing.

Enjoyable overall, and I'd like to get a bottle. The beer is hard to get through even a 12oz pour of though in one sitting as it's not really the most balanced of beers, just mostly a hop explosion with a bit of roast thats almost not even there. I'm giving it a 4 overall because it tastes great, but drinkability turned out to be average at best.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 13:27:12 | More by Dreadnaught33

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Ale+Witch. The brew pours with a look reminiscent of 10w-40 at 25k miles; cappuccino-colored froth clings to the glass' side. The nose offers piney and herbal hop notes, evoking the aroma of fresh Cascade. There is also a chocolate-y note underlying, revealing roasty bitterness. The flavor is essentially the aroma transposed upon the palate, but it is greatly aided by the mouthfeel, which seems to amplify the quality and depth of flavor. The mouthfeel is creamy and silky all at once, and really I cannot imagine it being any better. Overall, this is one of the best examples of a Black IPA I've seen. And it has dark flavor, not just color, which is not always the case with this style.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2011 23:41:32 | More by ktrillionaire