Stone 9th Anniversary Ale

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

Bottled and enjoyed in my Stone RIS snifter:

Poures a glowing amber hue with a nice off-white creamy head and very good lacing. The aroma has notes of fresh juicy hops with lots of fruity esters and notes of pine and white pepper. Also detected some sugary and grainy/wheaty vapors as well. The taste is 1) sweeter than expected, really comes off more Belgian Strong with this characteristic and 2) hoppy yet not over-the-top to balance out slightly the massive sweetness. Some wheat nature does show more towards the finish but is quickly beat down by a peppery and bitter hammer. This is like Gumballhead on roids and not near as refreshing. The feel is aggressive yet softens as you drink it, too metallic for the style aimed at. All told, a solid brew I will drink again (like I have a choice after buying six of them).

Poured a hazy orange wth a small off-white head. Aroma of citrusy swet lemon. The citrus aroma seems to be more from malt than from hops. Aroma is thick. Malty sweet flavors. Citrusy with an acidic and bitter finish. Pretty tasty. I wish it came in 6 packs.

Bomber. Poured a clear medium-golden with a massive, rocky white head. Thorough lacing followed it down. Grapefruit and sticky caramel pounded the nose, and were followed up by tart wheat, grass and lemon zest. Tart, lemony wheat found the tip of the tongue... somewhat heavy caramel base for the Pac NW hoppage in the rest of the drink. Body was significantly less assertive than the aroma led on... refreshing, though. Very enjoyable overall.

nice great head, mini-lace. Grapefruit aroma, pleasant. Easy drink, had this mellowed. Don’t feel the wheat, maybe a bit from a moderate hazy. head and lace to the end. Tropical and other fruit.Strong beer but double IPA. Medium mouthfeel;. Thanks Dr. Jay.

Bottle (650ml). Shared with blankboy, GregClow, jerc, tupalev - courtesy of GregClow. Poured Poured clear reddish-amber with a large lasting foamy off-white head - nice lacing. Rich fresh resiny/citrusy hops, decent woody malt backing it - so far so good. Taste follows nose, a little more muted, longish linger, on balance more bitter but the malt keeps up with the evergreen hops. Moutfeel astringent, creamy, decent body. I like it - maybe a little unbalanced, but I like it.

amber gold , thick creamy head . Hoppy refreshing nose . Garden vegetable like . Medium bodied , bitter . Green hoppy brew , but not raw. Good hoppy ale .

This wheat beer/American Strong Ale pours a orange gold color from a 22 oz etched bottle. Large white foamy head, with good long lasting lacing. Aroma is floral and earthy hops, citrus fruit and sweet. A medium to full bodied American Strong Ale. Malts are initially bready and there is a hint of banana and clove going on, but it seems to evolve into more of a coriander and tangerine and mint(?) taste as you progress through the taste. Lots of hops, citrus, pine and grapefruit. Crisp and clean and there is some wheat beer character in all those hops. Lively carbonated. I always wondered what a wheat beer from Stone would taste like, (yes I am a total beer geek, thank you!). This is exactly what I was expecting. I like it. Nice beer. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is crisp and dry. Aftertaste is bitter.

Golden orange body, with a small creamy white head that fades. Fruity aroma with mild citrusy hops., muted touch of caramel. Fairly intense hops, lots of resin with a touch of grapefruit/lemon rind. Bit unbalanced, but interesting. Average palate.