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Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA

 (RETIRED)
Score
9999
OVERALLStyle
Formerly brewed at Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Black IPA
Escondido, California USA
Serve in Shaker, Tulip

bottled
common

on tap
available

Regional Distribution

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RATINGS: 667   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.89   EST. CALORIES: 324   ABV: 10.8%
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COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
In the 15 years since we entered the craft brewing world, change has come not in a straight line, but as an exponential curve. The craft brewing movement has long been called a "revolution." But today the air is so thick with revolution, it’s palpable. No longer is it only an awareness among the faithful; the unconverted are beginning to feel it as well. Denial and ignorance are disappearing in favor of opened eyes, curiosity and the sense that there’s something larger out there. For far too long we have been lied to. For far too long we have been oppressed by the notion that dumbed-down-lowest-common-denominator-mediocrity was all that we could, and should, expect. You might think we’re talking only about the world of brewing, but we’re not. There is a myriad of products out there masquerading as cheeses, coffee, chocolates, breads...hell, there is stuff pretending to be ’food’ that our great grandmothers would not recognize as such. Yet the craft brewing movement, together with the artisanal food movement, is making much progress. Where the industrial companies can’t dismiss or bury us, they are attempting to copy us with cheap facsimiles. Yes, chances are if you are holding this bottle, you understand these things to be true about the world of brewing. You also likely understand the importance of our fight at Stone against accepted ’norms’ over the last 15 years. We believed that America was ready to embrace things made with artistry and passion. You have spoken. Your response has been clear. We are not merely consumers to be spoon-fed whatever commodities need to be unloaded for a profit. We have only just begun to move the needle of this revolution, & mediocrity still reigns. Consider that when you reject dumbed down, industrialized food and drink, you also support craft brewing. The line is nearly seamless; we are fighting the same battle. We will not win in our lifetime, as the powers are too entrenched, and the masses too…fooled. And shackled. However, this is a revolution of ideas and of taste, and we will win. How do you want to be viewed by your children, and your children’s children? As a hero, or as the oppressed? (Those that don’t think they have been oppressed are already lost.) Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide. We hope you’ll stand with us. Strong and unyielding. You are needed. This bottle and its glorious contents are a celebration of you, brothers and sisters, and your importance in this fight. Cheers to all we’ve accomplished together in the past fifteen years, and cheers to the adventure ahead!


top raters

4
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
madsberg (8819) - Søborg, DENMARK - JUN 17, 2012
Bottled. Pitch Black coloured. Dense Brown head. Aroma of herbs, flowers, roast, chocolate, medicin. Flavour of roast, herbs, grass, liqourice, Spice, light perfume. Medium to full bodied. Ends on a herbal bitterness.

3.9
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
Tmoney99 (8792) - Cincinnati, Ohio, USA - SEP 5, 2011
Draft. Poured black color with an average frothy brown head that lasted and produced good lacing. Moderate to heavy toasted malt and hop aroma. Medium to full body with a smooth texture and soft carbonation. Moderate to heavy toasted bittersweet flavor with a medium to heavy bittersweet finish of moderate to long duration. This is a very good beer and hides the alcohol well.

3.8
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
Koelschtrinker (8492) - Köln (Cologne), GERMANY - NOV 13, 2011
Angenehmer Hopfenantrunk, blumig aber hier bereits trocken. Sehr würzig und grasig, ausgewogen, gelungen. Zum Ende Citrus, zu trocken, wenig schokoladig. /11/12/12//12

3.9
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
Lubiere (8247) - Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA - MAY 17, 2013
A dark brown head with a thin brown head. In aroma, meaty chocolate with piney hops, iodin, meaty character, very nice. In mouth, a smooth chocolate with herbal piney hops, licorice and alcohol warmth, very nice. When did the ticker the beer.

2.8
   AROMA 3/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 11/20
hopscotch (8217) - Vero Beach, Florida, USA - NOV 8, 2011
Draft… Pours black with a small, creamy, beige head. The aroma is just… Wow!… really bad. Hits me in all the wrong places. Big-time armpit and old, stale bong water. Full-bodied and oily with soft carbonation. The flavor is bitter, burnt and acrid – gunsmoke and fresh weed. Bitter, grassy, roasty finish. Not a bad beer overall, but I hate the smell.

4.5
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 18/20
chrisv10 (7860) - DENMARK - DEC 31, 2011
Bottle. Black with medium light brown head. Aroma is roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, hops, citrus, and pine. Flavour is roasted malts, chocolate, little coffee, hops, citrus, pine, grass and bitter.

4
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
hopdog (7658) - Lansdale, Pennsylvania, USA - SEP 21, 2011
On tap at Capone’s. Black color, with brown edges, and a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of roast, pine, chocolate, and floral. Tastes of the same with lighter caramel.

4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
Ratman197 (7633) - Arvada, Colorado, USA - SEP 8, 2011
Bomber poured a clear dark reddish brown nearly black with a lasting brown head. Aromas of charcoal, roastiness, grapefruit, earthiness and pine. Palate was medium to full bodied and smooth with a dry finish. Flavors of charcoal, roastiness, grapefruit, earthiness and pine with a smooth dry bitter lingering grapefruit finish.

4.2
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
JoeMcPhee (7625) - Toronto, ON, Ontario, CANADA - NOV 10, 2011
Pitch black pour into my RBSG 2010 glass. Thick, sticky dark brown had. The aroma is realy great. loads of pine and dank resin with a fairly pronounced roasty character. There is a slight touch of salty/savoury character as well. Fresh and a little bit of earthy muskiness. It’s big and brash, but it certainly doesn’t taste like a 10% ABV brew. Heavy bitterness though, even for the style. Slick and slightly oily, but it doesn’t come across as overtly sweet either. Warming alcohol mouthfeel and a touch of pine as well. It’s got a lot of lingering bitterness and a not quite roasty dark cocoa character. It’s damn solid.

3.8
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
rlgk (7470) - Skövde, SWEDEN - DEC 3, 2011
Bottle at Ekstedts tasting 2011-12-02. Black beer with a nice brown head. Hoppy aroma, licorice, roasted, some fruits, some pine needles notes. Hoppy licorice flavor, grassy, metallic, some hay, some fruits. Hoppy finish. Very nice and refreshing.


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