16th Anniversary IPA With Green Tea Leaves - Stone Brewing Co.

fitzy84

Massachusetts

3.99/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

So this was on tap at the Sierra Grille. I thought it was the normal 16th anniversary IPA, but the bartender and the menu board both said that this was the style with the green tea leaves. Before getting to the aromas, the appearance was good; hazy orange color with a thin, patchy, lacing cover. Now, the aromas. The aroma of the drink packed a punch for me. I could smell a bit of the tea leaves (such as an earthy herb flavor), but they were overpowered by the citrus, orange, smell. However, being overpowered by that sweet-sour smell was not a bad thing. Indeed, the aromas stayed with the drink for a long time, which can be a good thing or bad thing if you do not like those aromas. In terms of taste, the drink weighed more on the bittersweet side, with a hint of honey, lemon, and an herby hint from the green tea leaves. A crisp carbonation was apparent in the drink, making it oddly refreshing with such potent flavors. Overall, an interesting treat and discovery at a regional bar.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2013 18:43:41 | More by fitzy84

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.04/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

kind of an interesting mix, herbal green tea and sticky resinous weed-esque hops. I like this a lot. it pours a clear light redish color with some brassy hints and an average lacey white head. the nose is not really influenced too much by the tea, and the hops dominate much like they do in the regular 16th. the tea flavor is intense though, and competes well with the bold hops in the finish of this beer. its earthy and herbal and a little sweet, but it also has that oversteeped bitterness to it, which counteracts some of the sweeter hop resin. its absolutely a new sensation on my palate, and the alcohol in this version is hidden a lot better than it is in the normal 16th, I think the tea has a lot to do with that. the body is pretty big on this, and the carbonation is right in the middle. the finish is long and very much like a west coast ipa until the tea kicks in. its not really Asian, but its not really American either. sort of an interesting cultural fusion here, and one that I would be happy to drink again. this is clever and well executed.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2013 17:58:56 | More by StonedTrippin

ELS

Florida

4.11/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Currently drinking this beer on tap while I write my review at the Coffee District in Delray Beach, Fl.

The appearance is an orange hazy color which looks fine. The lacing however is excellent. It smells like lemon zest with a very sharp citrus smell. The taste is a little more subdued and balanced as the 10% abv is well hidden behind the moderate hops and malt . I have about 2 ounces left and I'm feeling it and liking it! Surprisingly, I do not detect any green tea smell or taste in this beer and I drink green tea all the time? Wait, I just smelled it again and it is faintly there. I'm not usually a big fan of Stone Brewery but this is a good beer!

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2013 18:44:07 | More by ELS

Rizalini

Nevada

4.54/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes taken at Aces & Ales - Winter Beer Fest in Las Vegas. (1-20-13)

A - Pours a hazy golden orange color, with aminimal 1/2 finger light tan head. Some nice lacing left behind as I sip.

S - Aromas of lemon zest, lemon verbena and some honey/caramel notes as well.

T/M - The taste starts off with an aromatic green tea flavor, then rolls around the tonge hitting it with some spicy citrus lemon notes. Finishes with a nice herbal/grassy hop bitterness. Medium/sticky mouthfeel.

O - This beer really was an improvement to an already great DIPA. The flavors blend great. No one flavor over powers the other.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2013 04:55:29 | More by Rizalini