Stone 10th Anniversary IPA

Amber/orange color with thin head - very alcoholic and will knock you on your ass if you’re not careful. Sweet smooth finish - not dry or sharp at all. Unique

Offered on draft at my favorite watering hole in the entire area, the Dilly Deli. This glass is a thing of beauty. I sat and admired it on the bar before I even took a drink. It was a nice dark amber color, with a half inch head that receded after a minute or two. The smell is absolutely wonderful. I got a stronger hop presence from the tap offering than from the bottle. The flavor was more predominant as well. The stronger hops were parading around my mouth with some of the cleanest, juiciest citrus flavors I’ve had in a beer. The mouthfeel is juicy, with some tart/bitterness that follows. I was deeply impressed with the bottled version, but as almost always, on draft this thing really opens up and numbs the senses. Why oh why can’t this be a year round offering here on draft. Oh well, better once than never. If you are lucky enough to come across this on draft, get your fill, this is one impressive brew.

Not a typical IPA. Very heady and dark. Too strong to really be considered an IPA. Some hops and lots of malt, too much malt for an IPA. Very good beer, for beer lovers. IPA afficionados may disagree.

Bottle: Fiery amber, fairly clear, moderate to large light beige head, spotty lacing, light carbonation.   This looks exactly like the Baron Oktoberfest.   Big sweet piney aroma, slight biscuit, hops, rich malts... did I mention sweet?   Oh wow, there also seems to be quite a bit of tropical like fruit associated with this one.   Rich sweet malty goodness.   Very piney, on the sweeter side, with a good dose of hop bitterness.   Very warming, noticeable alcohol.   Very sweet, almost cloying, with an alcohol infused hop grenade blowing up on my tongue.   This one is young, and could do much better with some age (what special Stone release couldn’t?).   Body and mouthfeel are big, viscous, thick, but almost on the side of "get the f*ck off of me!".   I gotta hit some more of this Point Reyes Blue Cheese to take the edge off.   Yeah... WOW, its like a punch in the face.   Overly sweet malty goodness, with a huge follow through of hop bitterness and piney sweetness.   This one is good, but brash would sum it up well.   Teach it a few lessons, beat the piss out of it for a bit, and then revisit after a few years and I bet you will have a much better IIPA than it is now.   Great potential, but I’m a little bruised after fighting with this one.

Bottle. [Blind tasting session @ Sk8viking] #19 Small frothy white head that mostly diminished. Spare lacing. Clear flat looking body with an amber hue. Aroma was a god mix of hops and malt. Caramel, grain, fruit, flowers, grass, pine, grapefruit, citrus and light alcoholic feel. Full bodied with a dry texture. Moderated bitter flavor with light sweet notes. Excellent dry and crisp finish.

22 oz. bottle. Pours a nearly clear coppery gold with a large linen white head that lasted through the entire glass. Caramel, malt, pine and citrus are all present in the aroma. Initial flavor is caramel malt. This is quickly washed over with a bright citrus flavor and some pine. Bitter finsh but by no means acrid. At 10%, the alcohol is very well hidden. This is a first class IIPA.

Blind rating at sk8viking´s. Pours a clear amber with a slightly tanned head. Smells of alcohol and cherries(?). Sweet with lots of hops and bitterness. Has a slight breadiness. Slight hint of malts. Bitter and alcohol finish.

Thanks to jgd0608 love the smell of this. A strong piny flavor, nice crisp appearance what a swell brew yummy get one yourself if you can.