Stone Brewing Company - Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

Pours a deep dark ruby colors with an offwhite two finger head. The oak barrel ageing is definitely apparent in the aromas, though some other maltiness and latent hoppiness is lurking. Ooak barrel aging up front in the taste with hoppiness following. Great mouthfeel, very carbonated with smooth finish. Enjoyable and somewhat stout, limits drinkability, however the alcohol is not out in front and therefore could sneak up.

Rating: Better

ABV: 7.2%

Stone Brewing Company - Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale

Poured from the bottle into a snifter. Dark brown, slightly opaque. Tan head of about 3 fingers, laces nicely throughout. Initial malt tones in the aroma followed by peppery spiciness, with some slight citrus notes. Taste is peppery and spicy, with the malts balancing nicely. Feels smooth with a crisper finish, and light carbonation. Very drinkable and enjoyable.

Rating: Better

ABV: 8.9%

Stone Brewing Company - Imperial Russian Stout

Poured very dark black, opaque no light passing through. Golden brown head that hangs around nicely. Aromas of Coffee, malts, chocolate. Taste of coffee and chocolate is what hits first, sweetness comes later. Feel is excellent, good carbonation, lingers just long enough. I found it to be quite drinkable. One of the better RIS I have had, a great example of the style. This one begs me to keep several in the cellar...

Rating: Best

ABV: 10.5%

Stone Brewing Company - Double Bastard Ale

Poured into a standard pint glass a deep ruby red with one finger of tan head. Aroma was malty with some chocolate hints. Tasted of chocolates, malty sweetness very well balanced with hoppy bitterness. Nice tight carbonation, some thickness to the feel. Very drinkable despite alcohol, almost dangerous.

Rating: Best

ABV: 10.5%

Stone Brewing Company - Arrogant Bastard Ale

One of my favorite beers of all time, just love the magnificent flavors of the malts and hops, so bold and big.

Poured into a standard pint glass a deep dark amber with cream colored head and medium sized bubbles, 2 fingers of foam that sticks around well. Very balanced with caramel hints of malt sweetness and bitter pine notes of hops. Taste followed smell very closely, initial caramel sweetness, followed immediately with the hoppiness and pine notes. Finishes with hint of malts, very balanced flavors. Oily feel with fine textured carbonation. Medium full body & alcohol isn't over the top.

Rating: Best

ABV: 7.2%

Stone Brewng - Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2009

Poured a nice caramel/amber color with a light tan head and good retention. Laced pretty well, with the head dissipating to a nice crown and a bubbly island in the middle. Sweet malts on the nose, with some fruity hop presence. Tasty sweet maltiness gives way to some alcohol spiciness. Feels well with light carbonation tickling the palate, and some oiliness on the finish. Drinkable for the style though the ABV prevents mass consumption.

Rating: Better

ABV: 11.3%

Stone Brewing Company - Cali - Belgique IPA

Picked this one up a few weeks ago at a local beer store. Then saw it again this afternoon on tap at the Vine Street Pub (Mountain Sun Brewing) so when I got home I decided that this was definitely going to be enjoyed this evening.

Poured from the bottle into a rounded tumbler nice golden color with a thick, sticky, barely offwhite lacy head that really sticks to the glass. Great aromas of hops initially but transitions to a more typical Belgian spicy-malty aroma after some time. Definite crisp piney flavors to go along with the unique Belgian spiciness in the taste as well. Crisp, light bodied feel with a dry aftertaste that lingers. Unique flavors and wonderful aromas, combined with the light feel and relatively low alcohol content lend a hand to make this a very drinkable beer.

Rating: Better
ABV: 6.9%

Stone Brewing Company - Levitation Ale

Another very early review that probably needs to be revisited for descriptiveness. This is a great session beer, and never really gets old.

Poured from a bottle to a standard pint glass. Poured a deep amber with cream colored head, average carbonation, dissipating quickly. Smell encourages tasting, light bitterness noticable. Good light bitterness, light aftertaste. Enjoyable feel, easy drink. Lighter alcohol heightens drinkability.

Rating: Good

ABV: 4.4%
IBU: 45

Stone Brewing Company - Stone IPA

One of the first brews that I ever reviewed so the content is not quite as descriptive as it should be or needs to be. I will have to pick up some of this soon and update this review.

Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass, nice honey colored appearance with healthy head when poured. Slight cloudiness noticed. Fine bubbles with sticky characteristics. Enjoyable aroma, nothing extremely noticable, though it builds anticipation well. Great taste, slight bitterness detected though still thoroughly enjoyable. Interesting feel considerable carbonation with tight bubble texture on tongue. Thoroughly enjoyable and extremely drinkable, easily could have had several more.

Rating: Better

ABV: 6.90%
IBU: 77