Stone Bourbon Barrel Pale Ale

On draft at Stone. Appearance is a dense and murky orange-to-amber hue, thin layer of creamy foam sustains, moderate lacing. Smell is crisp bread malts with an underlying presence of dark fruits, vanilla, and oak. Taste is a mix of subtle malts, oak wood tones, light whiskey, cherries, vanilla, I am not sure how loquats taste but I guess they are in the fruit profile here, some bittering hops in the finish. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, watery-to-creamy texture, prickly carbonation. Drinkability is high, this is a great variation on the Pale Ale, the oak and bourbon serve to accent the malts and avoid dominating the taste profile, alcohol is well-masked, definitely a must try for anyone going to the brewery in the near future.

On tap at the Stone Bistro. Not a big beer for barrel aging, but it was still interesting. Aroma of bourbon, vanilla, and oak. Nice citrus taste, and nice bourbon flavor. Was glad I was able to taste this beer my first trip out to Stone.

Amber with small head. Not a big beer, but the addition of bourbon barrel aging adds some interesting complexity, as does the addition of "estate grown loquats," a fruit similar to apples. On tap at Stone World Bistro.

On tap at Stone. Golden copper with fizzy white head. Complex aroma: bourbon, vanilla, oak, and tobacco. Initial taste of sweet vanilla and bourbon, crisp citrus taste, and an oaky dry finish.