Stone Pale Ale

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

She pours clear amber with at least a full inch of foam which leaves an intricate network of lace as it fades into an attractive cap. As far as pale ales go, one of the far more impressive and tantalizing pours I have witnessed in a while. Looks aren’t everything though for we all know that true beauty lies within and not on the surface. It is my personal mission to discover her inner beauty and so I take my first step by savoring her generous nose; summer grass and sweet nectarines with a soothing toasted biscuit background. Notes of apple, lemon, and grapefruit mingle amidst their companions. Flush with excitement, I take my next intrepid step into her beery depths and discover more of her sweet nature; apricot and honey up front followed by summer grass. Balancing her sweet fruity side is a warm essence of toasted malts, biscuits, crackers, and crunchy nuts. The lemon and grapefruit I noticed in her nose linger in the breath as I revel in her clean and minimally dry finish. My glass empties sooner than I would have preferred, leaving me with a refreshed palate of grass, toast, honey, lemon and grapefruit. Inner beauty indeed.

I must say, Stone’s Pale Ale is most beauteous and the best American Pale Ale I have quaffed to date. Her balance of sweetness, toasty malts, and citric hop crispness is perfection. Stone has officially nabbed the top position when it comes to my pale ale of choice. Utterly sessionable with a rich balance of complexity so far unrivaled by any, may I have another please.

med-amber color. Apricots and oranges in nose, but somewhat subdued. Lightish body, hops are brash upfront, but bitterness is restrained. Nice malty backbone. Very drinkable with great depth.

TAP: gold/orange pour, citrus and hop aroma. Some hop bite in the taste, but pretty well balanced. Not over the top in any way, but a solid beer overall.

Bottle. Poured a cloudy amber color. Aroma of hops and malt. Taste of hops and sweet malts. A pretty good pale ale.

Pale yellow/orange color, mango citrus on the nose. Hints of peach flavor. Excellent beer for a hot day. Think I could drink a lot of these.

For me, this is the best session beer in the world. How can you do any better? Delectable hoppng with a solid, well balanced malt backbone. I went on a trip to San Diego last year and enjoyed many great beers but it was always nice to come back to Stone. Man, I’d like to get this in my draft fridge!

A pretty reddish amber with a thin white head. Nice, light, malty almost floral aroma. Fruity flavor of hops over a slightly sweet malty character. A little flat with a slightly bitter finish. Pretty clean mouthfeel. Decent lacing.

12 ounce single bottle from Total Wine in Jacksonville, Florida. Pours a rich amber color with a thin white head. Aroma is light with hops and a bit of citrus. Taste is hoppy with citrus and some malt overtones. Clean finish. A great pale ale!