Session Black IPA
Stone Brewing

Beer Geek Stats
From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
Black IPA
ABV:
5.6%
Score:
+6 ratings needed
Avg:
4.1 | pDev: 9.27%
Ratings:
4 | reviews: 2
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 01, 2018
Added:
Mar 17, 2015
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
Collaboration with BrewDog

Brewed with smoked Monita Peppers, chocolate, and Kafir Lime leaves.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of GarrettB
Reviewed by GarrettB from Colorado

3.66/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
March 16th, 2015 - Deliberately marketed as both a sessionable brew and a Black IPA, the Stone South Park and Brew Dog Black Session IPA straddles two very curious and somewhat trendy styles. My hope here is that it can be an excellent example of one or the other, or make something and interesting altogether. The aroma suggests a maltier front, with more chocolate flavor than is usual for a Black IPA. And these chocolate notes are more of a milk and dark chocolate intensity, drizzled with some pine syrup to give it a bit of hops. There's also a raw russet potato hardiness, with a touch of soil or dirt, and a dash of cumin. The body is - as promised - light and foamy, approaching the thin but velvety quality of a nitro brew. Most distinctive on the flavor are some vegetal qualities, followed by chocolate again, and then some burnt of heavily glazed vegetables like carrots, or sweet potatoes. Savory and drinkable, I'd say this meets expectations as something fantastically new and engaging.
Jan 01, 2018
 
Rated: 3.94 by stortore from Illinois

Apr 18, 2015
 
Rated: 4.7 by McStout5

Mar 19, 2015
Photo of DeanMoriarty
Reviewed by DeanMoriarty from California

4.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Picked up a liter growler from Stone Liberty Station and poured it into an Old Speckled Hen pint glass.

Pours black/dark brown with amber edges when held to the light, tan head that sticks around for a few sips with some lacing. Aroma is chocolate and toasted almonds, a nice hop presence that is fruity and grassy - works well with the lime - tons of chocolate though. Wow, a lot going on in the flavor, but it really works and is extremely well balanced - tons of hops and kafir lime up front, the peppers are subtle but add a nice earthy smokiness, plenty of hops and just enough chocolate to not dominate the flavor, bitter finish - you really get the lime leaves as it warms too - it's hard to distinguish the lingering bitterness between it and the hops. More body than expected but still comes across as a session with a lighter body and mouthfeel - wish it had a bit more carbonation but still enjoyable and refreshing for having so much going on. Overall a much better than average "session IPA" and a lot of fun to drink.
Mar 18, 2015