3.6 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
No light passed through the ebon liquid in my glass; this stuff is a muddy black color, though it tastes little like it looks. The head was surprisingly aggressive, foaming almost malignantly like a soda. Sweetly floral aromas overwhelm an expected rush of hops, with a hint of ginger accompanying the alcohol. I was surprised at how little character the beer had upfront, as I typically expect strong IPA’s to knock me off my feet at the first kiss; but this beast waited a little while before pouncing. The middle flavor was a great, fullmouthed rush of hops, but not overwhelming. Just a pinch of coffee underpins the hops. After swallowing, I could feel the hops flavor ebb and flow not unlike distant cannonfire, while a faint frothy cream lingered on the back of my tongue. Overall, this beer is really damn good. Surprisingly, it doesn’t taste as strong as the 8.2% alcohol, but boy did I feel it after drinking the whole bomber.
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20
bitter at first but than you cant get enough of this fine nectar small haed hoppy aroma slight bitterness in the after taste
3.8 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
Great aroma with that slight bit of malt in there. Nice strong IIPA hoppiness in the flavor. Has got slight more bitter finish than I would prefer, but a great all round beer. Would get more if I could find them.
3.6 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Had on draft at the brewery and a few bottles now and I must say this is my least favorite anniversary beer in a while. Nice deep color - tight head - great aroma of complex piny / slightly citrusy hops pushing through a solid background of toasty malt with lighter bready / biscuit like aromas. Flavor is a tangy blend of sweet / toasted malts and hop bitterness. The finish puts me off somewhat as the hop bitterness combines with the malt flavors to finish with a very tangy / almost tannic twinge on the end. I expect this may mellow with a bit of time so I’ll put a few bottles in the cellar for another day.
4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
UPDATED: NOV 17, 2007 Nice hoppy roasted scent with slight under-tones of citrus.
Nice and strong flavor. Definitely tasted citrus, hops, and a strong roasted flavor all blended. Also think there were berries in there somewhere. All this conglomerates to a pleasant bitterness on your palate and a smile on your face followed by a pleasant warming sensation in your throat...
Consumed from a bottle so I can’t comment on the color or head.
Texture was pretty thick but not stout thick.
Fits nicely between IPA and Stout. Not the best ale to introduce your college buddies to if they prefer crap...
4.3 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
First whiff off the bottle was stunning. Pours a dark black with a short but lasting head. Borders on a porter in appearance. Piney with a mild chocolate flavor. The sweet hoppy flavor comes through along with the smooth IPA type mouth feel. Some pleasant bitterness lingers on the tongue. Stone has out done itself on this one. Better than the 10th.
4.4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Stone’s newest year-round brew is also their best. This beer is everything a Black IPA should be - smooth, medium-bodied, dry, and tremendously hoppy. It looks like a porter and tastes like an IPA, but smoothed around the edges by the dark malt and, presumably, spot-on water chemistry. A truly world class beer.
4.4 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
grass, citrus, black, frothy, very bitter, medium body, creamy, average carbonation, long finish,
4.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
This is the real deal! The best US BIPA for sure! Bottle from cotteridge wines. Pours a nice black with a thick tan head. The aroma was fairly muted which didn’t really set me up for what was to come. Taste was a great balance not to heavy or bitter, spot on. Initial flavours of mocha from the malts and salted caramel. Then the citrus hit from the hops move in with its grapefruit tang and nice lasting bitterness In the mouth. Another great stone. Beer. As it say on the bottle, sublime.
4.3 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Stone did it again. Great IPA. Its a nice change up from the ruination or the rgular IPA....little darker, litttle heavier, but with a much more complex flavor. Give it a shot of your a fan of big bad american IPA.
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