Stone 6th Anniversary Porter

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

Very dark brown pour. The head is light brown, quite thin. Rather complex nose, very malty that’s for sure yet with a more than healthy does of hops (orange, grapefruit, burnt wood, ashes, weed). This is all fighting side by side with mildly smoky chocolate malt, anise and wood(roots) reminiscent. Very dry palate, stone-like, the smoke hints from the aroma keep on through a harsh roastiness and dried pineapple still powerful hops. Not quite as good as the aroma fom my point of view. Full bodied, airy palate, probably too dry for what I want my porters to be, but they sure managed what they intended.

Tasted as part of a vertical including the 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Anniversary beer (big thanks to egadzis!). Poured a dark black with red tinges at the edges with a smaller tan head. Aromas of smoke, chocolate and roasted malts. Real nice smokey aroma. Tastes of chocolate and roasted malts.

Very much stout like. Big roast and mocha beer with nice smoke and bittersweet cocoa. Viscous and huge mouthfeel. some oak and vanilla notes with burnt raisins and toffee. Good finish nice mild malt bitterness.

22 oz bottle, snifter. Deep roasty chocolate is the first aroma I encounter. Smoke, spicey hops and the protypical porter "tang" come across next. Molasses, caramel, toffee, whisky aromas all play a smaller role. Deep cola black-brown body with hints of ruby is topped by a moderately sized, frothy tan head. Flavor starts moderately sweet with a slight bitterness. The taste experience rounds out with a gianty dry tang, light sweetness, light acidity, and moderate bitterness. Medium-full body, oily texture and slightly below average carbonation. The bottom line is: Flavor doesn’t have the complexity of the aroma, but this is still a solid offering...perhaps more out right drinkability than the regular smoked porter. Thanks Whaleman!!!

Another nice porter...Black appearance with tan head. Flavors mostly of roasted malts and a hint of smoke, with dark fruits detectable as it warmed. Thanks, Springslicker!

Thanks to MRomero548 for this one. Opaque black pour with a deep tan head. Aroma is sweet malt with some roast and a bit of chocolate. The palate is smooth, delivering a well balanced flavor that has some roasty bitterness, sweet malt and maybe s touch of smoke. This is probably at it’s peak, age wise, but certainly not done yet.

GABF 2004, in somebody’s hotel room. After hearing so much praise for this beer (and witnessing the paroxysims of joy when whoever brought it--Chris?--unleashed it), I must conclude that I just don’t enjoy smoked beers. This is the best one I’ve ever had, but the overall rating suffers because I don’t like the style (mostly affected the smell, but the flavor a little too). Black with some hints of ruby in the less-opaque parts, a lighter head than I would expect. Good level of roast, good level of vanilla sweetness, the smokiness was noticable but thankfully understated, full mouthfeel and creamy, long finish.

dark ruby brown, essentially black. very sweet (TONS of malt) and warming aroma, lightly hoppy and yeasty. very neutral flavor, less roasty than most porters, but it feels very smooth and silky. this is an awesome porter, seems softer than most. thanks secret santa!