Stone 9th Anniversary Ale

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

2005 bomber, aged over 3 years. Pours a hazy, deep, orange-amber color with a massive, spongy, cream colored head. The incredibly well retained foam leaves sticky swaths of honeycomb lacing all the way down the glass. This is simply a beautiful looking beer. The aroma is quite hoppy, even at this advanced aged, with sharp grass, pine resin, and citrus notes still showing. A toffee malt base is sweetened a bit by orange marmalade, while lemon pepper lends a hint of bright, peppery spice. Flavors show more of the same, orange citrus hops, pine resin, semi-sweet toffee, and cracked pepper all showing well. This must have been a serious hop bomb when fresh, as it’s still mighty tasty years after the fact. Medium-full on the palate and well carbonated, the mouthfeel evokes thoughts of a lightly creamy, hoppy barleywine. Damn nice brew.

Bottle thanks to jjpm74. Bright orange pour. Definitely showing its age. Earthy, some malt, must, and oxidation/menthol notes showing. Still some hop presence.

Bottle shared by durhambeer. Thanks Bob! Had this fresh on tap and in the bottle back in Amherst and it has changed a bit since then. Thought is tasted okay back then was never too impressed. It tastes pretty much the same but a little watered down and old tasting. Not a very good beer right now.

Thanks durhambeer for sharing. Pours a hazy gold orange with a 1 1/2 finger light yellow head. The nose is mildly sweet, malty, earthy, definitely aged, light oxidation, basementy. The flavor has a mild citrus peel bitterness to it, malty, earthy, has maintained more of its hop feel than expected. Mild bitterness in the mouthfeel.

Thanks for whomever brought this to the BBBash! I didn’t think this would hold up, but it was still in great condition. Overall, I liked the 8th Anniversary better, but this was good, hoppy and a little yeasty. This was an original brew.

22 oz. bottle Pours a nice clear golden color, some carbonation, thick huge head, tons of lacing throughout. Scents of hops and a grassy hint. Awesome sweet tasting brew with a real nice hoppy bite. Medium body. When I first poured this I thought it was an IPA, still think it is, but what do I know. Very drinkable at the ABV, I really like this brew, another awesome brew from Stone. Would highly recommend.

Tasting at mcbackus 10/19. Very glad to have tried this. Amber pour, medium mosty white head. I smell some yeast, fruit, and some juicy hops. Flavor is very smooth with a good balance of malts and hops. Wheat makes this creamy and nice. Good beer.

Bomber courtesy of StFun. Pours a very carbonated medium amber with a 2 finger off-white head and very spotty lacing. Nose is wheat and sweet fruits like apricot and peach. Taste is sweet malt and more sweet fruits upfront with some citrus in the middle. It almost tastes like a DIPA that’s lost its hop profile. Some hoppy alcohol burn in the finish. Smooth creamy mouth feel. Wish I had tried this fresh – I bet it was nice and hoppy. Still very good as is. Thanks Josh!