Article by FisterRoboto of lefthandhorror.com
Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
$7.99/bomber
Style: American Double/Imperial IPA
10.0% ABV
Serve at 50-55
Enjoyed from a tulip glass
Notes:
We’ve been loving creating Collaboration beers with great creative brewers from all over the world these last several years-unique beers that would never have existed without the free-flowing imagination and idea generation of the collaborative process. However, when it comes to the Stone Anniversary Ales, it’s all us. Yet, it is indeed still a collaboration with great creative brewers (if we do say so ourselves). We’re talking about our own brewing team, of course. And while some of our beers, anniversary and otherwise, have been designed by a single person, the Stone 16th Anniversary IPA was definitely a team effort.
This year our brewing team was inspired by some exotic-ish additions of the lemony persuasion. Yes, it’s a Double IPA (can you really say you’re surprised?), but as we strive to do with all our Stone Anniversary Ales of the let’s-take-this-IPA-in-a-new-direction variety, we’ve brewed up a Stone-worthy divergence from tradition. The amount of rye malt we used isn’t quite enough to warrant the appellation “Rye IPA,” but it still adds hints of spiciness that contrast deliciously with the tropical fruit flavors and aromas of the Amarillo and Calypso hops. Add a few European specialty malts, some lemon verbena, and three more hop varieties to the mix, and you have a highly complex brew melding both bitter and fruity hop notes with rich toasted malt character punctuated by nuances of spicy rye and subtle lemon.
A: Pours a clear, copper-amber color with a finger of head. Nice retention with lacing down to the last drop.
S: Huge hops up front. The lemon is noticeable for sure. Nice floral aroma mixed with fruity esters. The malt backs this up nicely.
T: Piney hops, lemongrass on the front end with a nice subtle lemon/malt finish. Stone does it again.
M: Just slightly thin, but overall a very pleasing balance. Bubbly carbonation with an oily characteristic. Very little alcohol presence for something with a big abv.
O: I get the impression Stone rolled the dice on this one – and they won. A great anniversary DIPA in every regard. The touch of lemon works in this where its failed in other brews. Grab it while you can.
