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14th Anniversary Emperial IPA
Stone Brewing
- From:
- Stone Brewing
- California, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
- ABV:
- 8.9%
- Score:
- 87
- Avg:
- 3.86 | pDev: 13.99%
- Reviews:
- 577
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- May 17, 2023
- Added:
- Jun 19, 2010
- Wants:
- 10
- Gots:
- 44
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by NeroFiddled:
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
4.25/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.25/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I've had a bottle of Stone 14 sitting in my fridge for a while. Looking at it I could tell that it was totally hoppy because I could see the haze through the brown glass. I decided to open it tonight to find that it's not actually hop resins that are making it hazy (it's actually cloudy), it's just yeast! It looks like a Bavarian style hefeweizen in the glass (except for the quick rising bubbles of a higher carbonation). In fact I can see fairly large chunks of yeast suspended an inch or so above the base of the glass. There's also a lot of sediment, but I'm surprised that there's so much floating about. And this is the first pour!!!
It holds a good head though, continually maintaining a 1/4" thick lid of creamy white foam. Rings and sheets of lace are also left behind with each sip.
Surprisingly, it's not that hoppy in the nose. Ahh, I see. After a quick look at the label I understand that it's an English style IPA (although a bit strong), hence the title "Emperial". It's gently citrusy, leafy, mildly floral, a touch piney; and fruity from the yeast (apple, some pear). But does being an English style allow for a cloudy appearance? Hmmm?
In the mouth it's medium with a gently dextrinous edge, and a moderate carbonation that gently bristles the palate (I guess that's English-style as well).
The flavor is fairly basic, except that it is a bigger beer with more alcohol and a lot of bitterness. I find pale ale malt with perhaps a touch of light crystal; but this could simply be "Golden Promise" or some other UK malt. It's not Maris Otter. The hops are as the nose suggests, although a bit more grassy and spicy, and less leafy. They remain floral. The fruitiness of the yeast is present throughout, and it's reminiscent of other Stone beers, however, I think it's a different strain than they normally use. Is it just White Labs WLP023? I initially thought WLP002 but that's a little sharper than the "Bass"... ... could be, but who knows? I find it amazing how the same strains of yeast can taste different coming out of different breweries based on how their fermentation program.
As to drinkability, I enjoyed it. It's not an English IPA by any means, but it sits well as a west coast interpretation of an English IPA. Could it be described as anything else? No. That said, it's a bit bitter and the alcohol shows. Is it too bitter...? Nah, not really. As far as micros go it's still well within reason, especially for Stone. But should the alcohol be so apparent? Probably not. Is there enough complexity to keep it interesting? Ahh, not really. But that goes back to the style. On the other hand, the alcohol and bitterness throw off the balance a bit.
Jan 12, 2011It holds a good head though, continually maintaining a 1/4" thick lid of creamy white foam. Rings and sheets of lace are also left behind with each sip.
Surprisingly, it's not that hoppy in the nose. Ahh, I see. After a quick look at the label I understand that it's an English style IPA (although a bit strong), hence the title "Emperial". It's gently citrusy, leafy, mildly floral, a touch piney; and fruity from the yeast (apple, some pear). But does being an English style allow for a cloudy appearance? Hmmm?
In the mouth it's medium with a gently dextrinous edge, and a moderate carbonation that gently bristles the palate (I guess that's English-style as well).
The flavor is fairly basic, except that it is a bigger beer with more alcohol and a lot of bitterness. I find pale ale malt with perhaps a touch of light crystal; but this could simply be "Golden Promise" or some other UK malt. It's not Maris Otter. The hops are as the nose suggests, although a bit more grassy and spicy, and less leafy. They remain floral. The fruitiness of the yeast is present throughout, and it's reminiscent of other Stone beers, however, I think it's a different strain than they normally use. Is it just White Labs WLP023? I initially thought WLP002 but that's a little sharper than the "Bass"... ... could be, but who knows? I find it amazing how the same strains of yeast can taste different coming out of different breweries based on how their fermentation program.
As to drinkability, I enjoyed it. It's not an English IPA by any means, but it sits well as a west coast interpretation of an English IPA. Could it be described as anything else? No. That said, it's a bit bitter and the alcohol shows. Is it too bitter...? Nah, not really. As far as micros go it's still well within reason, especially for Stone. But should the alcohol be so apparent? Probably not. Is there enough complexity to keep it interesting? Ahh, not really. But that goes back to the style. On the other hand, the alcohol and bitterness throw off the balance a bit.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by GarrettB from Colorado
3.74/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
November 3rd, 2016 - Another big, bad and bold IPA from Stone on store shelves is always promising. This pours like so many other in their genre, a small crown of white head and a dusty, tan color. The aroma is predictably bold and big with hop notes, leaning in with grapefruit and underripe pineapple. The flavor is both dry and sweet, like a well crafted tiki drink, and sparkles with some Countreau in the aftertaste. A sophisticated IPA, it has a few layers to offer, and makes for a nice break from the San Diego IPA staples.
May 17, 2023Rated by OKCNittany from Oklahoma
3.85/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.85/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
from very old notes
Mar 22, 2018Rated by TylerGray27 from Connecticut
3.92/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This beer was almost a year old as I was rating this
Aug 09, 2017Reviewed by drdiesel9483 from Ohio
3.85/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
For Looks, this beer was really really cloudy with a yellowish color and a slight head. For the smell you could get so musty citris hops. Taste was wierd and I feel like it was somewhat english style but more booze and somehwat citrusy, very different. medium body and carbs. Overall this beer is very different like what I noted about the taste but not something I would want to drink again.
Nov 27, 2016
14th Anniversary Emperial IPA from Stone Brewing
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
780 ratings
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