Stone 9th Anniversary Ale

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

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!

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.

From a 22oz. brown bomber bottle with a blurb about the wheat ale on the back label and a September 2005 bottling date on the front label. Made a good appearance, poured a chill hazy orange hued golden with a fluffy, bubbly topped white head that slowly settled into a semi-clingy, thin fluffy lacing, good carbonation. Had a floral and pear fruity nose with a earthy, tart wheat malt and a buttery yeastiness. A smooth, creamy but crisp and bitter medium bodied mouth feel, good drinkability. Spicy and peppery with a little fruity hoppiness upfront, good and bitter, tart and earthy from the wheat malt, the distinctive Stone buttery yeastiness and a bitter and tart earthy finish. The alcohol level is well masked by the hops and wheat malt. A very interesting take on a wheat ale, I enjoyed the bitterness and earthy flavors, a winner in my opinion.

I have to admit that I am really honored to be the third to rate this. How come no one on the west coast has yet? A really pretty urine color. Fat, foamy head. There used to be a time when I was privy to these releases without even having to try, but these days, I have to look long and hard for them. I miss you Greg;) Definitely an "organic" nose, by which I mean all the good things- earth, citrus,, etc. First sip is very full on the mouth with some definite wheaty elements. If I had my eyes closed, I may say that it was unfiltered. I must say that I am also waxing nostalgic while drinking this listening to Shake the Disease and some classic Afghan Whigs. Those things always make beer taste better; or at least make you appreciate them more. I also gave up a long time ago reading the labels on these things- too much beer has made my head hard to get around them. Some classic Wit characteristics- corriander, or some facismile. Mouthfeel can’t be expressed more. This one is going high for me. Ah, the dangers of rating live! I have an extra bottle, any of you TX f’s want some? HA, it is also my 1234th rating!! Take that Greg!!

A pretty good drink for me, it started off cold and harsh, but I liked it much more warm, sweet, but classic stone hopping. A bit of citrus and pepper flavor, I liked it.

Pour and aroma are great. Beautiful coloration, orange-ish gold, with effervescent carbonation. Head is substantial, foamy and a dingy cream color. Aroma is heavy of peach, honey, wheat-grain and hops. Peachy fruit is noted in taste as is a bit of an alcoholic fire that pairs nicely with slight sourness of wheat. Crisp finish.

Bottle courtesy of adrian910ss. Pours a cloudy orange with a small light tan head. Aroma of citrus, grapefruit, bitter hops, and slight dark fruit presence. Flavor is quite fruity- lots of tropical fruits, mango, apple skins, pear, and citrus. A little alcohol too, oddly. Quite sweet and fruity. I don’t know what this was like fresh, but it’s quite delicious right now with all those ester notes. Yum!

Rating from notes. Tap at Mugs. Very enjoyable flavors of hops and wheat. Some thick breadiness, nice body. Big head, larger bubbles. Some dark fruit skins maybe give a dry touch at the end. Very interesting.