249. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA

Found this bottle of Stone's 14th Anniversary IPA in my local IGA of all places. They have a decent selection of Stone, Rogue, Allagash and a few other bombers but apparently do not sell many of them. This beer was released in June of 2010 and since then Stone has released their 15th anniversary and must be prepping the 16th anniversary versions. I was a bit skeptical with a nearly two year old IPA but figured I would give it a shot.

The color is beautiful cloudy yellow with a very solid white head. Lots of different aromas with nothing really standing out over the rest; certainly some citrus and pine hops, something sweet and earthy in there as well. So far it appears the beer has held up well. 

I did not try this beer fresh so I have nothing to compare it to but I think the hop taste has probably faded a bit over the years. There is still a fair amount of hop bite here but there is also a sweetness that may not have been there when it was brewed. Ends with some grapefruit flavors that linger. Overall this was better than I had hoped and I may just grab another bottle to age for a couple more years to see how it holds up.

234. Stone Ruination IPA

I had this beer on tap a few weeks at Ebenezer's Pub and really enjoyed it. Came across a bottle at a local store and decided I should have it again. Very little change from having it on tap so it still gets high marks from me. 

Pour is a nice orange with two finger white head. Tons of aromas coming from this one; mostly hops - pine, tropical fruit and only a hint of sweet malts. Taste mirrors the smell with the sweet malts up front and then the hops kick in and do no stop. Loads of fruity hop flavors here and a nice dry finish which only makes you want more. Alcohol content is hidden well in the complexity of the beer. This is a very easy to drink DIPA with an alcohol content that is not overpowering.  Stone did an excellent job with this one and I would recommend anyone give it a try. 

Pros: Well balanced with lots of hops

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 7.7% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 100+
Rating:  

Brewers Website: Stone

Brewers Description: So called because of the "ruinous" effect on your palate! This massive hop monster has a wonderfully delicious and intensely bitter flavor on a refreshing malt base. One taste and you can easily see why we call this brew "a liquid poem to the glory of the hop!" Those who seek, crave and rejoice in beers with big, bold, bitter character will find true nirvana in Stone Ruination IPA!

220. Stone Ruination IPA

The third beer from Ebenezer's Pub draft list and probably my favorite of the afternoon. Should not be a surprise as I really like the double IPAs. Pour is a nice light orange with single finger white head. Tons of aromas coming from this one; mostly hops - pine, tropical fruit and only a hint of sweet malts. Taste mirrors the smell with the sweet malts up front and then the hops kick in and do no stop. Loads of fruity hop flavors here and a nice dry finish which only makes you want more. Alcohol content is hidden well in the complexity of the beer. This one went down easy after lunch and left me feeling quite good. 
Pros: Loads of hop flavor

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 7.7% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Stone Brewing

Brewers Description: So called because of the "ruinous" effect on your palate! This massive hop monster has a wonderfully delicious and intensely bitter flavor on a refreshing malt base. One taste and you can easily see why we call this brew "a liquid poem to the glory of the hop!" Those who seek, crave and rejoice in beers with big, bold, bitter character will find true nirvana in Stone Ruination IPA!

107. Stone Vertical Epic (11/11/11)

I think this is only my second review of a Stone Brewing beer and both have been unique but not necessarily my kind of beer. This one pours a great amber color with solid tan head. Lots of fruits and a fair amount of alcohol in the aroma on this one. Taste is complex with many different fruity flavors and a lot of lingering aftertaste. Not a bad taste at all but it certainly lingers for some time after you are done. This is an interesting beer but certainly a Belgium style which I usually do not enjoy as many other types of beer. Stone Brewing says this beer ages well in the bottle and may be best after 12-12-12 so I may purchase another bottle and try it again next year. If so I will post an update or a new review for the aged version of their 11-11-11 brew. 
Pros: Complex

Cons: Too Fruity

Alcohol Content: 9.4% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??

Rating: 

Brewers Website: Stone Brewing

Brewers Description: As with any good epic, herein lies the promise of larger-than-life experiences, heroics and twists & turns as the adventure unfolds. These bottle-conditioned ales are specifically designed to be aged until sometime after December 12th, 2012. Provided you can wait that long. At that time, enjoy them in a "vertical" tasting. Each one unique to it's year of release. Each with its own "twist & turn" in the plotline. Each one released one year, one month and one day from the previous year's edition. To remind you, the remaining dates are: 12.12.12

43. Stone Brewing Arrogant Bastard Ale

This is my first 22 ounce bottle beer review and I bought this after seeing Stone Brewing on Drinking Made Easy. The description on the bottle and the brewers website is very accurate as this beer is full of flavor and very close to being barley wine. Very little carbonation, lots of complex flavors (not all of which I enjoyed) - too much hop flavor for my taste. The beer does have great color, pours well with a great head that lasts. It is a quality beer just not my style. 
Pros: Color
Cons: Too hoppy
Alcohol Content: 7.2% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): Lots
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Stone Brewing
Brewers Description: This is an aggressive ale. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. We would suggest that you stick to safer and more familiar territory–maybe something with a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it’s made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless fizzy yellow beverage will give you more sex appeal. Perhaps you think multi-million dollar ad campaigns make things taste better. Perhaps you’re mouthing your words as you read this. 

At Stone Brewing, we believe that pandering to the lowest common denominator represents the height of tyranny - a virtual form of keeping the consumer barefoot and stupid. Brought forth upon an unsuspecting public in 1997, Arrogant Bastard Ale openly challenged the tyrannical overlords who were brazenly attempting to keep Americans chained in the shackles of poor taste. As the progenitor of its style, Arrogant Bastard Ale has reveled in its unprecedented and uncompromising celebration of intensity. There have been many nods to Arrogant Bastard Ale…even outright attempts to copy it… but only one can ever embody the true nature of liquid Arrogance!