Stone Brewing Co.
Escondido, CA
Available: AK, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, ME, MA, MS, MI, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI
Stone Brewing Co. just received the SD County Supervisor’s 2009 Sustainability Award.
ABV: 8.7
ABW: 6.93
Color: 110
Bitterness: 90
Original gravity: 1082
Black as Hades with a devilish tan head so thick, it hides the horns underneath. A “come hither” nose is big and bold, like Beelzebub’s breath, sinfully suggestive, almost pornographic and censorable, with both vegative and roasted cereal components unabashedly playing with one another. I must confess, SSR is one hell of a drink, addictive and hard to put down. There is a complexity of earthy, bittersweet chocolate malt joined at the hip with bone-dry humulus that is otherworldly. The finish leaves you breathless, like the finest witch’s brew. You must try it with devils food cake, blood oranges, and Morbier cheese. To die for!
Darkness belays hidden truth. There’s no peeking through this beer. Moussy head dares you to interfere with its self-righteousness―and I haven’t even lifted the glass, yet. Classic citrus and neo-American hop character emerges pretending undercover. Full flavor and body, but then―wham; a hop-licorice-like bite-your-butt impact. Complex malt and fermentation evident. An assertive shot of self-righteousness, indeed, this black brew is one for the record. Gotta try it to see what I mean. Rewrites black ale. Got no style, though.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
