Stone 9th Anniversary Ale

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

Pours a golden color with a very thin white head. A very citrusy aroma with some hints of oak and grass. A piney and citrusy hop flavor, with a slight warming of alcohol. No malt flavor that i could detect. It was like a different tasting IPA, with a rather thin body!

22 oz Bottle. Golden straw color with white head. Aromas of tart grapefruit, pine earthiness, and metalic astringency. I didn’t care much for this cold: all at once it was too sweet, too astringent, too alcoholic (even though it’s only 7.8%). At room temp, the grainy malt body was present enough to compensate both for the astringency and the sweetness, as well as balance out the hop bitterness and provide a nice background for the fruity aroma hops. The finish was quite tacky. A good brew once it warmed up, though it seemed like an adolescent version of the Dogfish Head 90; a bit brash and confused, lacking the bastard arrogance needed to carry it forth unscathed.

This is a rather complex brew. Hopsy citrus overtones characterize this Strong Ale. The alcohol is well hidden. A clean, crisp ale to serve on a warm summers day. Actually I’d serve it on the beach in a 30oz burgundy goblet at the tail end of a Rocky Point vacation. You know, the turn of affections when you start jonesin’ for the U.S. Thats right! ***REVISED 6-5-2007 ******** Almost two years later and this brew is better than before. Brew pours a deep golden color w/ a full, rich and creamy froth. Head retention is lasting. Perfect! Residual lacing is sticky leaving a clumpy creamy island of cream to spoon out. Aroma is of brisk, fresh, velvety hops and mild caramel. Full nectar w/ creamy residual effers. This is on the chewy side. The caramel malts are intertwined well yet persistant. I am truly amazed this brew made it this far. There is an aged vegetal component that is totaly inviting. Big caramel malts w/ velvety hops that gently caress my palate to balance. Where’s my girlfriend ? The hop component is vibrant like the effect of Pop Rocks in my mouth. Not real complex in flavor but very complex as a whole. VERY drinkable. The finish has a moderate hop bittering w/ a long malty sweetness (mildly). As I stated earlier, I am amazed. I remember thinking as I bought it...well, what the heck, I’ll just have to take my chances. As I am a sucker for aged brew comparisons. Today it gets a 4.4 total score w/ the aroma and palate gaining the most. Now I’ll just sit and enjoy.

Draft at O’Brien’s. Hazy gold pour. Aroma shows some age with some mild smoke and a lot of sweet malt. The flavor is of some banana, oxidation, smokiness, and spices.

Poured hazy orange with fluffy white head. Aroma of citrus and alcohol. Surprising good hop flavor for being 2 years old. Citrus, candy, and wheat hints also present. Harsh alcohol finish but drinkable.

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

Poured orange with a white head. Aroma of alcohol and lemons. Some hop flavor left but mostly oxidized. Some caramel.

Bright honey tone with fine visible particulates, medium carbonation and a thick, foamy, collapsing white head. Aroma of papaya, lime, and butterscotch. Some wheat flavor but mostly hops with strong tropical fruit qualities, warm alcohol, and medium bitterness. Mouth-filling carbonation and somewhat syrupy feel. Decent, but nothing enthralling about this. I’d take a Gumballhead over this every day of the week.