Tantalizingly robust ebony-hued tan-laced porter brings bittersweet hop-roasted black chocolate thrust to creamy caramel-toffee cluster countering tar-like hickory-smoked cedar-burnt black coffee bittering mid-palate. Black cherry, blackberry, black currant, and bourbon scamper through anise-draped pine-tarred molasses malting. Bitter mocha tones hit hard, then back off, as deliciously smooth cappuccino finish lingers infinitely. Maple-smoked cola nuttiness and cocoa-beaned dryness fill the gaps.
STONE 7TH ANNIVERSARY ALE
Enormously successful reddish copper pale ale bursts forth with juicy orange-peach citric punch after cascading amber bubbles settle at top. Perfumed hops match piney notes for alcohol-thickened bitterness, countering gorgeous floral yeast bed, sweet barleywine legs, and butterscotch variance.
STONE RUINATION I.P.A.
Purposely ‘over-hopped’ pine-sapped stickiness and buttery warmth efficiently furnish deep-grained full-bodied insistence. Perfumed spruce nose, floral yeast continuance, and raspy orange peel finish prolong bittersweet attenuation.
STONE PALE ALE
Not bold enough for a brusque pale ale despite IPA-like citric hop drive and inconspicuous earthen pining. Yet lagerheads in search of an off-dry moderate-to-medium-bodied upgrade will be pleased with rounded pale ale. Despite unwarranted herbal-floral astringency, its zesty lemon spritz, creamy caramel malting and distant nuttiness nearly save the day. But there’s a certain transparency forsaking the bittersweet citrus finish.
STONE OLD GUARDIAN BARLEYWINE ALE 2006
Awesome ruby amber ’06 version covers harsh boozy malting with sherry warmth, bruised orange sensation, and delectable butterscotch twist. Further investigation reveals clinging cherry-apricot tang engaging prune-raisin wisp and candi-sugared whim. Mysteriously, debris-like earthen mushroom musk heightens (instead of ruins), sweet Scotch nucleus.
STONE OLD GUARDIAN BARLEYWINE ALE – 2004
Aggressive glowing amber winter 2004 release scores big. Rum-soaked candi-sugared malting surges above honeyed wheat sweetness, settling to ripe tangerine-grapefruit-apricot tang. Supplemental herbal hops rejuvenate lively fruited template as whiskey malt foray and syrupy cognac snip raid creamy caramel cupboard.
STONE OAKED ARROGANT BASTARD
Ambitious slow sipping boubon-sherry-like offshoot adds oak chips to sterling Arrogant recipe. As thickly cascading tan head settles above cloudy rust-orange body, sharply alcoholic fruity waft surges. Chewy vanilla-butterscotch creaminess thickens syrupy peach-cherry sinew, correlative tangerine-mango-melon tang, and impending spruce sweetness. At midst, red apple ripeness, purple grape twang, and sun-dried raisin tinge counter ethereal floral-hopped bittering. As bottle empties, bruised orange-grapefruit notes gush forward, adding further complexity.
STONE 9TH ANNIVERSARY ALE
Released September ’05, this 7.8% alcohol specialty features a soft ‘n fuzzy lemon meringue theme abetted by peach-nectarine-orange tang. Sturdy cracked wheat spine gains honeyed nut illusion. Liquor-stained aftertaste embitters over time.
STONE I.P.A.
Heavenly butterscotch alleviation undercoats superb honeyed wheat and chocolate-pale malt exchange. Luscious citrus freshness, impervious orange rind bittering, and honeyed nectar-melon panorama crest at mildly hop-embittered silky-spiced spruce finish. Marquee West Coast microbrewery compares favorably to Rogue with its harmonious blend of medium-to-full-bodied organic grain stamina and immaculate water purity.
STONE IMPERIAL STOUT
Creamy full-bodied 2002 edition contains hefty 9.4% alcohol rate, retaining powdery milk chocolate opulence and richly aromatic molasses malt enhancement. Black currant, vanilla, prune, and raisin variance muscles through sugar spiced fizz hedging too close to cloy. Yet this Russian-styled heavyweight finishes with an absorbing espresso coffee lift that turns to cheap cognac or cherry coughdrop.
STONE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN STOUT
Fabulous opaque jet black ’05 release goes down velvety smooth despite heady 10.8% alcohol guise as creamy black chocolate overlay absorbs dried espresso-coffee roasting and coarsening charcoal backdrop. Chewy molasses-caramel-toffee midst increases above silken anise spicing, black currant bittering, nutty raisin swipe, and bread crusted base. Sherry-port notes subsume grape and cherry esters to fig-induced mocha finish.
STONE 8TH ANNIVERSARY ALE
Creamy coffee serenade prevails over meaty Brazilian nut dryness, resinous chocolate bitterness, and distant cherry jubilee tartness. Stove-burnt coffee finish levels alcoholic severance then loses luster.