Stone 8th Anniversary Ale

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

Very nice brew. I loved the nose, the Oak is there, just dig a little for it, it’s under the typical stone hops, and brings a depth/demission to the nose that is welcome. The taste is as advertised, very hopy (by typical standards), with high ABV that brings a nice ’warmth’ after the first few swallows. The Oak adds a depth/demension to the finish as well with amost a whisky’esque finish to it. Very yummy.

Bottled...Roasty brown in color with malts dominating the aroma...Very sweet and malty with the slightest hint of hop at the finish...NOt your typical Stone fare...But a really good beer nonetheless

I’m a huge Stone fan and always know I will get a great beer. That being said I wasn’t overly exicted with this beer. It had a lot of roastiness and carmel to it but it just didn’t seem mature yet. I view it as a lite version to the arrogant bastard. It had a lot more porter attributes to it than I expcetd being categorized as an american strong ale. Stone has so many great offerings, but I think this one needs time in the cellar before it reaches the epic proportions of thier other brews.

Damn I hate being the 150+ rater. I mean, wtf can I say that hasn’t been stated? So my scores are the only thing that I can use to influence anything. So be it. But damn, not much to say here in the way of a revolution. I’m rather stuck here. I grabbed a few extra for aging and I can’t wait to see how this does in a few years; it’s certain to improve with age. But, I gotta say, the "raw" release is great in and of itself. I like Stone brews but I think the image exceeds reality overall. So, the bottle at hand... Aroma is more malt than anything else, but exhibits dark fruits as well. Could easily be an Amber at this point. Appearance lacks for the style. Pours a dark brown with a decent head, but a small head and virtually no lacing. Simply average at this point. Flavor is of mild fruits. Definate apicots, coffee (pretend it’s a fruit, work with me here)... Okay darker fruits, only not as strong as usual. Nicely done and complex. Palate is good; moderately full. Overall it’s pretty damn good, but I think that in a few years this is really going to kick ass. Count on another review here in a while.

Suposedly the only keg of this in Richmond (at Capital Ale House), so I was happy to run into this. A dark reddish brown color. Sweet coffee flavor with some nice hop bitterness that rounds everything out to make a well balanced tasty brew. Stone never lets me down on big flavored beers.

Pours a honey brown, settling to a clear medium mahogany with a somewhat loosely bubbled yet firm finger high foam of light tannish hue. A whispy thin skim stays a float the entire session as does a solid collaring. Lacing coats the glass well in sporatic sheeting. One lavishly impressive looking glass of brown ale if I ever saw one; which ain’t many. Smells of frappicchino cocoa and caramel malted goodness with a slight roastyness and even slighter note of nuts. Overall very clean and pleasantly welcoming on the nose. Flavors are mild but invigoratingly yummy. Nice malt base of candy caramel, akin to most of the Stone line of brews. Roasty edged with a small nutty hint in the backing. Finishes clean and airy dry with bits of cocoa. Feel is smooth and malty rich with a small roasty tweek thats boarding on a burntness. Yet the roastyness never excedes past the malt base by much, keeps clean, and drys out nicely in the finish with a favorable return of roasty draw. Well carbonated and nearly full for a brown ale. Beastly so actually, very Stone-like in my mind, or should I say "buds". Quite quaffable and easy flowing with the smoothness. Fine, fine stuff, another keeper from the fellas at Stone. I found it to be up to par, and beyond by a big measure, with any brown ale I’ve encountered. Good stuff.

Dark amber color, with tinges of brown. Caramel, hops, and alcohol in the nose. Medium bodied but quite smooth and creamy. Caramel, malt, and alcohol flavors with a light hop finish.

Deep amber light brown body with a very small head and a touch of lace. Aroma is malty but at first it is dominated by harsh upfront hops but mellows out to more malt as it warms. I can definately taste and smell the oak chips- especially when it warms. Lots of earthy and woody notes with vanilla hints in the finish. Great smooth finish.