Stone 8th Anniversary Ale

Formerly brewed at Stone Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Escondido, California USA

Well... My brother-in-law found these two hidden in his climate controlled wine cellar! I am hoping this aged well. Here goes. Pour was a clear amber with a small white fast to fade head. There were layers of citrus, vanilla, yeast and alcohol. Aged quite nice, thank you. One left guys...

22oz, thanks to kmweaver, bottle is 2 1/2 years now. pours a beautiful ruby with tan head. the body and head contrast is one of the best i’ve seen but the head didn’t last long at all. nose has nice caramel, brown sugar, nutty, vanilla, oak, and candied dark fruits. taste is very pleasant and balanced, a tight concentration of caramel, brown sugar, and sweet dark fruits. subtle vanilla notes reminisent of oaked arrogant b. mild bitterness present but this has clearly mellowed with age (duh!). mouthfeel is as tad fizzy and thin but sweetness isn’t cloying. i didn’t have this fresh but it’s tasty and i doubt degraded any. 3.8.

9/13/09, aged 5 years and it shows, oxidized in that dull doughy malts sort of way. the hops are all gone and this has died. 6/3/6/3/13. 3.2.

Pours a light brown with ruby tinges. Mostly diminishing head is beige. Aroma is of nutty malts, alcohol, ripe fruits, namely peaches and nectarines, earthy and herbal hops, caramel and a dusting of cocoa. Flavor is intriguing and really has me wondering what Lee’s Mild tasted like. Tastes of more intense nutty malts bring to mind thoughts of cashews. Caramel is sticky and very sweet. Fruit flavors are muffled but very attractive. Alcohol rounds out the finish in an almost caustic fashion, but really doesn’t detract from my enjoyment of the beer, I finish my glass happily. Palate is a little too sweet, but no complaints otherwise. a very, very unique taste and somewhat singular aroma has left me craving another shot at this. Nice one.

On tap at the brewery. Hazy, caramel amber color with a tall layer of creamy tan head. Dark malty aroma with some gentle oak and vanilla undertones. A touch of raisin spice and light chocolate accent the aroma nicely as well. Medium bodied, creamy mouthfeel. Pleasant flavors of toasty malts and a touch of vanilla, but the supple mouthfeel is really the stand-out feature on this brew. A bit of soft minty hops linger in the final smack.

Bottle. Hazy amber with a small head.Aroma: Roasted. Dark fruits. Flavor: Roasted malt. Chocolate. Bitterness in the finish. Full-bodied

tap at bistro. fruity and candied sweetness. has some roast and vanilla. this was quite experience getting to try these beers at stone.

Definitely a vanilla character to the beer. Very thin head to the brew. A nice malty, candied taste with a smoth aftertaste. Pleasant. 737316 Re-rate: Feb 29, 2008 Aroma is a touch acidic, sherry, bright red apple and dull sweet raspberry. Taste is sweet toffee/caramel that’s been slightly burnt. Dull hops, nutty, and oats. 838417

Bottle thanks to whoever brought this. Pours a clear amber body with a thin head that faded. Smell is of candy and some malt. Flavor tasted a little off with currants, yeast and malt leading the flavors. Vanilla tones and slight alcohol taste.