Stone 11th Anniversary Ale

Growler fill from the Brewery. Pours dark black with a small white head. Slight aroma of hops. Flavor of malt and nice sweet hops. Flavor and aroma seem to have faded over the year. Had it earlier last year, and it was much better! OK.

Pours a dark brown/black that little light makes it through. Has a nice tan head that hangs around for a bit and leaves some decent lacing. Aroma at the beginning of the glass its a blast of hops, but then the hops mellow out and the caramel and malt notes kick in. As for the flavor my first reaction was malts and and dark fruits, but the bitterness of the hops really kicks in at the end. I do recall this being a little better and more IPA like when I had it a few months back.

Brown to black in color with a tan head. Smells of hops, caramel, malts, something else also that I could not quite put my finger on. Taste is slightly bitter, malts, roasty. Good balance between the hops and malts.

Bottle, thanks to Timmy300. I believe this one has crossed the line in terms of where it peaks. I could see the potential for this to be a black IPA, but it came more across as a very hoppy porter, regardless of the commercial description. Immensely bitter, the aroma and hop flavor has diminished and the roasted grains really press through at this point, some coffee and molasses. Still, a very nice beer that was surely a pleasure fresh.

Rich, inky black pour with little light shining through. A moderate off-white head with a fair amount of lacing. Looks like black beer. Aromas of grapefruit, pine. No doubt about it, this is an IPA! Hops are not overpowering, but are blended nicely. As I drink this, if I close my eyes I swear I’m drinking an IPA, but when I look at the beer, my brain says no way. Very interesting brew. I like it. A very clean finish. This is a smooth beer. The ABV is very well hidden. Overall, a very drinkable and unique beer.