Stone Levitation Ale

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Amber Ale
Escondido, California USA

Draft. Pours a nice brown with red highlights and a small, creamy, off-white head. The hops struck me first with pine and light citrus notes in the nose, but were followed by some roasted malt notes as well. Medium carbonation with a light mouthfeel. Solid hops on the tongue with notes of pine, citrus, and fresh cut grass. The malt plays second fiddle and remains strikingly hidden. Perhaps a little sweetness lurks there. Slightly dry on the palate too. Clean finish considering the hop content. Decent and sessionable, but I would like to see how this one would turn out with a little more malt.

12 oz bottle. Pours clear dark copper, off white head. Minimal lacing. Aroma is strong citrus hops. Flavor is about what you’d expect from a 4.4% Stone beer. First sip is exciting... after that, not so much. For some reason, doesn’t seem like it would be a good session beer... Probably won’t try again.

Bottle poured a clear reddish brown with a medium off-white head. Tried while I was out in California. Was surprised to see such a low alcohol content offering from Stone and curious to give it a try. It is interesting how much flavor this beer has compared to a lot of the macros of similar strength. Nice mixture of malt and hops. This would be a good one initial step into the world of good beer for someone who has not ventured far beyond the realm of Budweiser and Coors.

draft at coles, buffalo ny- tea like astringency- pleasant and herbal, but nothing too special- nice malt character, but the hopping is far too grassy and tea like to make this a go-to.

Almost British-style hopping with USA hops favors the crisp attack and finish of this med bodied ale. The alcohol and body is very present for such a moderate beer - in a good way. Lightly terpene and citrus. Nutty, fruity aromas and taste. This is great, and I could enjoy it often.

Great easy drinker. Great hoppy aroma and taste. Just what you would expect from Stone even with the lower ABV. Hoppy Citrusy and a good light to medium body. A well balanced Stone session beer.

Sampled at Dark Lord Day 09. Thanks, Andy! Hop profile is intense. Smells of NW US hops. Smooth drink/malt profile with nice, crisp bitterness. At 4.4% ABV, this makes a nice session beer.

Dark amber colored with a lasting thick tan head that leaves quite a bit of lacing. Aroma is full of fresh, juicy hops, purple grape juice and some pine. Flavor pretty much follows the aroma, lots of citrusy hops, not a whole lot of malt to balance things out. A tad thin and metallic in the finish. I appeciate the attempt at a session ale from Stone, but this is way unbalanced. If I wanted an IPA, I would have bought one. (12 oz. bottle)