Stone 6th Anniversary Porter

Formerly brewed at Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Escondido, California USA

This is a stellar beer. A little bitter for the style, but unmistakably in line with Stone's other beers. Think big fat porter with a smoky aftertaste and on the high end of the IBU scale. TASTY!

Big raisin dryed plum nose to it with great head. Deep dark coffee roasted malt flavor knocks you on your butt, with a finish that won't leave you.

Bottle. Motor oil pour, decent head. Smells very hoppy with some smoky malts coming through as well. The flavor was different than any porter I have ever tasted. The hops were present from start to finish, and the chocolatey porter flavor came through strongly in the end. Complex and truly unique! Interesting mouthfeel: smooth but still with the zing of some hops. A masterpiece.

Very dark. Aroma was very roasty and smokey, subtle hops as well. This beer could be called an imperial smoked porter for the hops and alcohol that came along with the full bodied taste. A very complex beer, to be expected from Stone, definitely in a class of its own. There was a slight twang in the acidic finish of this beer that kept me from rating it higher.

Poured a semi-opaque ruby tinged black with a thick tan head. Light smoked malt aroma with some hops in the background. Flavor full of smoke, roasted malt, strong hops with some faint oakiness and vanilla. Moderate acidity and carbonation, moderate/full mouthfeel and a light creaminess. In some bottles, I taste a little more and a little less of the smokiness. Temperature plays a big role in this.

Deep, rich color. Dense, rocky head. Aroma of alcohol and coffee. Starts off tasting kind of burnt, good hop balance (which is surprising since this is a stone beer). After about 4-5 big sips this beer really melds in your mouth making every sip Beervana.

Thick tan head. Piney hops and smoked malts in the aroma. Smoke continues into the flavor, with an assertive finish of hopiness. More pine, laid back citrus. Alcohol slightly noticeable. Nice complementation between malt and hops--a Stone beer with heavy acent on malts that created a smooth body and an enjoyable porter.

5/12/2004: Still rich, roasty and sweet with the dark fruit complexity of an imperial stout. Hops have mellowed significantly, as has any hint of smoke. Smooth balanced and enjoyable, this has aged well, and should continue for years to come. 3/4/2003: Rich, deep opaque color with a sandstone head that laces well. Caramel chocolate malt aroma with western hop character. Flavor has good complexity, dark fruit, and a robust, viscous, somewhat silky body. Very drk and bitter for a porter, but this helps to mask the high alcohol. You could've fooled me that this was a smoke beer, because I didn't notice any smokiness whatsoever.