13th Anniversary Ale | Stone Brewing
Brewed by:
Stone Brewing
California, United States
stonebrewing.com
Style: American Strong Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.50%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
None provided.
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
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Reviews: 607
| Ratings: 726
3.31/5 rDev -18.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Before there was Pataskala, there was this red ale. This was brown and red. Aroma was hoppy, but not as citrus sun drenched as Pataskala. Came off like arrogant bastard a little bit.
Its boozy, its heavy C hopped, bitter. Wasn't the greatest, pretty strong, bomber format, I only had one of these when it came out.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Before there was Pataskala, there was this red ale. This was brown and red. Aroma was hoppy, but not as citrus sun drenched as Pataskala. Came off like arrogant bastard a little bit.
Its boozy, its heavy C hopped, bitter. Wasn't the greatest, pretty strong, bomber format, I only had one of these when it came out.
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4.46/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Taken from notes dated 5-2-10.
A deep ruby red body is very elegant as it sits in my Maudite glass. Head is a full three fingers of biscuity tan rocky foam with nice retentions. Scattered lace is left all over the top of the glass. Nose previews a nice mixture of woodsy hops and mineral based malts. It is a very appetizing aroma for sure. Enters the mouth crisp and just as rustic as the nose previewed. Hops hive a nice bite up front but are not overly dominate as the malts equally shine. the hops may have been more prominent when this brew was freshest, but it is just right for me now. Beautiful balance on this beer. Hops do come back and get a little prickly on the back of the tongue as you drink but this is quite nice. The mouthfeel it produces is wonderful. This beer really reminds me of Double Bastard which I love. Superiorly drinkable.
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Taken from notes dated 5-2-10.
A deep ruby red body is very elegant as it sits in my Maudite glass. Head is a full three fingers of biscuity tan rocky foam with nice retentions. Scattered lace is left all over the top of the glass. Nose previews a nice mixture of woodsy hops and mineral based malts. It is a very appetizing aroma for sure. Enters the mouth crisp and just as rustic as the nose previewed. Hops hive a nice bite up front but are not overly dominate as the malts equally shine. the hops may have been more prominent when this brew was freshest, but it is just right for me now. Beautiful balance on this beer. Hops do come back and get a little prickly on the back of the tongue as you drink but this is quite nice. The mouthfeel it produces is wonderful. This beer really reminds me of Double Bastard which I love. Superiorly drinkable.
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3.79/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Told not to cellar, BUT I'M A MAVERICK. I had a few of these fresh a few years back and thought they were quite good, so I saved one for a 5 year tasting. Poured into a Duvel tulip.
A: Dark red with pretty decent head formation. Reading previous reviews, it seems the head does develop over time. The agitator in the Duvel tulip certainly doesn't hurt, I'm sure.
S: I read the 2012 reviews and saw a lot about the alcohol. I'm really only getting a little of that, so I guess the extra 2 years have really helped on that front. Some toffee and sweet malts up front, with a slight hint of currants.
T: Very, very sweet, caramel and molasses dominate. I think a year earlier would've been a better call for this, but I was bound and determined for a 5-year review. That currant/raisin flavor sticks around a bit. Decently long finish - honestly, a minute or so after the last sip is when this beer gets really interesting, with the raisins and molasses dominating.
M: Medium- to full-bodied, surprised the rest of the flavors don't stick around longer.
O: This one was pretty solid fresh (wish I would've reviewed it back then), but 5 years really is too long. I could see maybe 3 or 4 being worthwhile. I don't really get Stone's insistence that you "Do Not Cellar. Enjoy in 2009." I had this as part of a 3-year vertical in 2010, with 2008, 2009, and 2010 anniversaries, and I recall 2009 standing out above the others (and those were pretty solid fresh). I remember thinking I had a gem on my hands but I guess it was just slightly too long.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Told not to cellar, BUT I'M A MAVERICK. I had a few of these fresh a few years back and thought they were quite good, so I saved one for a 5 year tasting. Poured into a Duvel tulip.
A: Dark red with pretty decent head formation. Reading previous reviews, it seems the head does develop over time. The agitator in the Duvel tulip certainly doesn't hurt, I'm sure.
S: I read the 2012 reviews and saw a lot about the alcohol. I'm really only getting a little of that, so I guess the extra 2 years have really helped on that front. Some toffee and sweet malts up front, with a slight hint of currants.
T: Very, very sweet, caramel and molasses dominate. I think a year earlier would've been a better call for this, but I was bound and determined for a 5-year review. That currant/raisin flavor sticks around a bit. Decently long finish - honestly, a minute or so after the last sip is when this beer gets really interesting, with the raisins and molasses dominating.
M: Medium- to full-bodied, surprised the rest of the flavors don't stick around longer.
O: This one was pretty solid fresh (wish I would've reviewed it back then), but 5 years really is too long. I could see maybe 3 or 4 being worthwhile. I don't really get Stone's insistence that you "Do Not Cellar. Enjoy in 2009." I had this as part of a 3-year vertical in 2010, with 2008, 2009, and 2010 anniversaries, and I recall 2009 standing out above the others (and those were pretty solid fresh). I remember thinking I had a gem on my hands but I guess it was just slightly too long.
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3.95/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Lost this in the cellar when it explicitly says not to.
A - Big thick, brown, looks full bodied. Not much head formation, but when did appear was mocha in color with little lacing.
S - The age probably muted the hops here, as all I get are a strong malt backbone. Nutty, caramel, sweet. What hops are there are trademark stone, the dark dank and hefty type.
T - Starts off malty and sweet. . Caramel malts are in charge. Mid-stream gets more balanced, bitterness appears. Then a hint of citrus and resin from a unadulterated hit of hops appears. In the finish the bitterness becomes very strong. The oily texture comes through.
M - Full bodied, moderate to light carbonation. Sticky and clingy at times, and then oily at others. Alcohol warmth sneaks in.
O/D - A nice "strong ale" that tries to bring in all the attributes. Certainly the bitterness came through, while other parts perhaps lost it with age. It really reminds me of Arrogant bastard, which sadly to say in this day and age is more balanced than it used to be. This beer carries that design a little further.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Lost this in the cellar when it explicitly says not to.
A - Big thick, brown, looks full bodied. Not much head formation, but when did appear was mocha in color with little lacing.
S - The age probably muted the hops here, as all I get are a strong malt backbone. Nutty, caramel, sweet. What hops are there are trademark stone, the dark dank and hefty type.
T - Starts off malty and sweet. . Caramel malts are in charge. Mid-stream gets more balanced, bitterness appears. Then a hint of citrus and resin from a unadulterated hit of hops appears. In the finish the bitterness becomes very strong. The oily texture comes through.
M - Full bodied, moderate to light carbonation. Sticky and clingy at times, and then oily at others. Alcohol warmth sneaks in.
O/D - A nice "strong ale" that tries to bring in all the attributes. Certainly the bitterness came through, while other parts perhaps lost it with age. It really reminds me of Arrogant bastard, which sadly to say in this day and age is more balanced than it used to be. This beer carries that design a little further.
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4.03/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a Stone Imperial glass. Dark caramel color that is pretty hazy. Highlights are a bright ruby red. Head is a huge three fingers. Root beer colored and about as creamy. Lace is super sticky.
Smell is ultra sweet. Caramel, taffee, some wood and still quite a bit of alcohol.
Taste is sweet. Virgin white oak and caramel. Alcohol hard candy.
Mouth is quite creamy, carbonation is bright and the finish is long, wet with quite a bit of alcohol burn.
Overall I am reviewing this 3 years out but I do remember this one fresh and am going to review this with the memory of it fresh too. I think this is still drinking pretty good. More of a barleywine now. I really did enjoy this fresh and older.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a Stone Imperial glass. Dark caramel color that is pretty hazy. Highlights are a bright ruby red. Head is a huge three fingers. Root beer colored and about as creamy. Lace is super sticky.
Smell is ultra sweet. Caramel, taffee, some wood and still quite a bit of alcohol.
Taste is sweet. Virgin white oak and caramel. Alcohol hard candy.
Mouth is quite creamy, carbonation is bright and the finish is long, wet with quite a bit of alcohol burn.
Overall I am reviewing this 3 years out but I do remember this one fresh and am going to review this with the memory of it fresh too. I think this is still drinking pretty good. More of a barleywine now. I really did enjoy this fresh and older.
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3.85/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a very dark red color, head was super creamy and frothy. The aroma is unique and beyond complex. Caramel up from, slight mint, spicy hop remnants, leather, chocolate, and earth. There's a big caramel, almost chocolaty note up front on the taste, some earthy, spicy bitterness still lingering from the hops, sweet malts, and a leathery finish. Full bodied on the feel, creamy.
"Do not cellar".
I never noticed that on my bottle until I decided to crack it...3+ years later.
I haven't had it fresh, which would have been nice, though I was just getting into beer at that time and Stone entered Louisiana the year after. But, this was a nice Strong Ale. Though the said "Don't cellar", I think they knew this would hold it'd own to father time.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a very dark red color, head was super creamy and frothy. The aroma is unique and beyond complex. Caramel up from, slight mint, spicy hop remnants, leather, chocolate, and earth. There's a big caramel, almost chocolaty note up front on the taste, some earthy, spicy bitterness still lingering from the hops, sweet malts, and a leathery finish. Full bodied on the feel, creamy.
"Do not cellar".
I never noticed that on my bottle until I decided to crack it...3+ years later.
I haven't had it fresh, which would have been nice, though I was just getting into beer at that time and Stone entered Louisiana the year after. But, this was a nice Strong Ale. Though the said "Don't cellar", I think they knew this would hold it'd own to father time.
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4.33/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bought a ton of these back when it hit shelves. Drank half then, took notes, drank some more now to compare.
Appearance- Thick, hazy brown/red. Looked almost like blood at first, until the carbonation settled. A nice, thick, fluffy head with a bone-ivory color capped off the pour. Nothing about the appearance changed over the three years.
Smell- (Fresh)Enough hops to punch you in the face. Aroma is ripe with cut grass, citrus hop, grain-alcohol(you can smell the booze on this one), and lighter notes of charcoal, peat, and tobacco. (3 years later) Much of the grassy hop is gone, leaving warm and spicy hop aromas, sour grapes, biscuit, and warm leather. The charcoal is still there, but muted.
Taste- (Fresh) A metric ton of hops, maybe too much at once- Not bad or bitter-for-its-own-sake, just a LOT of different hop flavor. Caramel and raisins mask a lot of the strong alcohol, and the same smoky notes of charcoal and leather round out the finish. Aftertaste is a lingering combination of burnt biscuits and sour fruits. (3 years later) The hop punch is gone, leaving earthy, musty hop flavor without most of the bitterness. Cut wood, mushrooms, sour cherries,and lemon zest, with a streak of caramel sweetness straight down the middle of the tongue. Aftertaste is that of muted hops with pangs of zest and leather.
Mouth feel- Definitely carbonated, but not obnoxiously so. Thick, with enough residual sugars to keep the beer present long after the final sip. The higher alcohol warms the throat. Nice. Nothing about the mouth feel changed over the 3 years.
Overall- Wow. What a killer beer. I still have about a case left. At first, this beer was a little much- so much going on, and the wall of hops was almost too much to take in. This beer held up incredibly well to aging. 3 years later and it is an almost entirely different, yet equally wonderful beer. I save these for special occasions and get together- goes nicely with Cohiba Red Dots, late nights, and dimly lit poker games.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bought a ton of these back when it hit shelves. Drank half then, took notes, drank some more now to compare.
Appearance- Thick, hazy brown/red. Looked almost like blood at first, until the carbonation settled. A nice, thick, fluffy head with a bone-ivory color capped off the pour. Nothing about the appearance changed over the three years.
Smell- (Fresh)Enough hops to punch you in the face. Aroma is ripe with cut grass, citrus hop, grain-alcohol(you can smell the booze on this one), and lighter notes of charcoal, peat, and tobacco. (3 years later) Much of the grassy hop is gone, leaving warm and spicy hop aromas, sour grapes, biscuit, and warm leather. The charcoal is still there, but muted.
Taste- (Fresh) A metric ton of hops, maybe too much at once- Not bad or bitter-for-its-own-sake, just a LOT of different hop flavor. Caramel and raisins mask a lot of the strong alcohol, and the same smoky notes of charcoal and leather round out the finish. Aftertaste is a lingering combination of burnt biscuits and sour fruits. (3 years later) The hop punch is gone, leaving earthy, musty hop flavor without most of the bitterness. Cut wood, mushrooms, sour cherries,and lemon zest, with a streak of caramel sweetness straight down the middle of the tongue. Aftertaste is that of muted hops with pangs of zest and leather.
Mouth feel- Definitely carbonated, but not obnoxiously so. Thick, with enough residual sugars to keep the beer present long after the final sip. The higher alcohol warms the throat. Nice. Nothing about the mouth feel changed over the 3 years.
Overall- Wow. What a killer beer. I still have about a case left. At first, this beer was a little much- so much going on, and the wall of hops was almost too much to take in. This beer held up incredibly well to aging. 3 years later and it is an almost entirely different, yet equally wonderful beer. I save these for special occasions and get together- goes nicely with Cohiba Red Dots, late nights, and dimly lit poker games.
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4.3/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Review from past notes...
A - Poured a reddish mahogany color with nice head.
S - Citrus and fruits with definite hops presence.
T - Strong citrus, possibly grapefruit with some other fruits. Hop bitterness stays afterwards.
M - Full bodied, thick and smooth.
D - Very drinkable even with the high abv.
Would love to see them do this one again.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Review from past notes...
A - Poured a reddish mahogany color with nice head.
S - Citrus and fruits with definite hops presence.
T - Strong citrus, possibly grapefruit with some other fruits. Hop bitterness stays afterwards.
M - Full bodied, thick and smooth.
D - Very drinkable even with the high abv.
Would love to see them do this one again.
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4.05/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Beer served in a Stone 15th Anniversary snifter. Close enough.
Beer is over carbonated but not too bad. Beer is dark amber and really hazy. Thick tan head of small bubbles. Tons of lacing, lots of carbonation, good retention.
Aroma is malty and sweet. Strong alcohol.
It is a good beer. Medium in body and sweet through. Strong alcohol and a great bitterness on the back end. I like Stone beers. I'd have this again.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Beer served in a Stone 15th Anniversary snifter. Close enough.
Beer is over carbonated but not too bad. Beer is dark amber and really hazy. Thick tan head of small bubbles. Tons of lacing, lots of carbonation, good retention.
Aroma is malty and sweet. Strong alcohol.
It is a good beer. Medium in body and sweet through. Strong alcohol and a great bitterness on the back end. I like Stone beers. I'd have this again.
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4.8/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
A 22oz bottle found at my local liquor store. Aged 2 years. Bottle says drink fresh, enjoy by 2009. Oops.
A - A cloudy, amber/brown color. 0 clarity. 1 finger of head, and sticky lace all over the place
S - A boozy smell of caramel, sweet aromas. Very, very boozy. Probably because the hops have faded, not leaving the alcohol much to hide behind
T - Sweet caramel, malty, boozy. The hops have faded, but it is fantastic. Definitely a sipper beer
M - Thick, full bodied, wow.
O - An amazing strong ale. I never had it fresh, but I can imagine what it was like, and I honestly think aging helped this beer. This is some sweet nectar from the gods...
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
A 22oz bottle found at my local liquor store. Aged 2 years. Bottle says drink fresh, enjoy by 2009. Oops.
A - A cloudy, amber/brown color. 0 clarity. 1 finger of head, and sticky lace all over the place
S - A boozy smell of caramel, sweet aromas. Very, very boozy. Probably because the hops have faded, not leaving the alcohol much to hide behind
T - Sweet caramel, malty, boozy. The hops have faded, but it is fantastic. Definitely a sipper beer
M - Thick, full bodied, wow.
O - An amazing strong ale. I never had it fresh, but I can imagine what it was like, and I honestly think aging helped this beer. This is some sweet nectar from the gods...
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3.92/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The last of my southsound gathering notes.
A Pours a nice reddish amber color that had a pretty good head on it.
S Lots of a grapefruit like citrus. Still pretty strong despite being a few years old.
T Lots of citrus hops still present with a good bit of grapefruit like bitterness.
M medium body with good carbonation.
Overall this was an excellent beer despite being past it's prime. It would have been amazing to have had some fresh.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The last of my southsound gathering notes.
A Pours a nice reddish amber color that had a pretty good head on it.
S Lots of a grapefruit like citrus. Still pretty strong despite being a few years old.
T Lots of citrus hops still present with a good bit of grapefruit like bitterness.
M medium body with good carbonation.
Overall this was an excellent beer despite being past it's prime. It would have been amazing to have had some fresh.
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4.3/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
From South Sound tasting notes:
Poured a very dark amber with a small tannish head. Despite being several years old, this still had a pretty big pine/grapefruit hop aroma mixed with some toffee.
Moderate carbonation and a creamy, not-too-heavy mouthfeel. Plenty of grapefruit up front mixed with biscuity toffee, slight roast, and a lingering pine finish.
Never had it fresh, but this was drinking pretty darn well even after a few years.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
From South Sound tasting notes:
Poured a very dark amber with a small tannish head. Despite being several years old, this still had a pretty big pine/grapefruit hop aroma mixed with some toffee.
Moderate carbonation and a creamy, not-too-heavy mouthfeel. Plenty of grapefruit up front mixed with biscuity toffee, slight roast, and a lingering pine finish.
Never had it fresh, but this was drinking pretty darn well even after a few years.
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3.11/5 rDev -23.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
22oz bottle into a pint glass
brewed in june, 2009. DO NOT CELLAR, ENJOY IN 2009 written on bottle
pours a gilded bronze with a rising 2 finger head.
you can smell this when it pours and it smells ridiculous
floral and earthy notes with some hops
hops, sweet taste that turns kinda bitter followed by a toasty malt and chocolate.
kinda thick and flavor thats left goes fast
this beer would have been great in 09. its seen better days, but still not shabby
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
22oz bottle into a pint glass
brewed in june, 2009. DO NOT CELLAR, ENJOY IN 2009 written on bottle
pours a gilded bronze with a rising 2 finger head.
you can smell this when it pours and it smells ridiculous
floral and earthy notes with some hops
hops, sweet taste that turns kinda bitter followed by a toasty malt and chocolate.
kinda thick and flavor thats left goes fast
this beer would have been great in 09. its seen better days, but still not shabby
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4.38/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I had this at Lord Hobo earlier in the week.
Poured from the tap into a tulip glass.
The color is a a cloudy dark maroon with a finger or two of foamy brownish head with some nice lacing left on the glass..
The smell is pretty darn malty. There is some slight hops in the back with some dark fruit aroma.
The taste is malty with some biscuit like flavor. There seems to be more dark fruit flavor like raisins and plumbs in the middle with some very light bitterness at the end.
The feel of this beer is medium bodied and is drinkable even more then before. There is quite a difference from a fresh bottle to now two years later. It is still drinkable and goes down easy with a smooth feel.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I had this at Lord Hobo earlier in the week.
Poured from the tap into a tulip glass.
The color is a a cloudy dark maroon with a finger or two of foamy brownish head with some nice lacing left on the glass..
The smell is pretty darn malty. There is some slight hops in the back with some dark fruit aroma.
The taste is malty with some biscuit like flavor. There seems to be more dark fruit flavor like raisins and plumbs in the middle with some very light bitterness at the end.
The feel of this beer is medium bodied and is drinkable even more then before. There is quite a difference from a fresh bottle to now two years later. It is still drinkable and goes down easy with a smooth feel.
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4/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from Perry's Liquor in Livermore, Ca purchased summer 2011.
A - Poured a dark copper color with a tan head that leaves lacing behind
S - Is of piney hops on top of sweet caramel malt at this point in time
T - Like the nose bitter citrus and piney hops on strong caramel malt
M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it
O - I'm sure this beer is well past its prime but its still a pretty good beer that I'm enjoying the hops aren't as fresh as they should be but they're still there making this almost barleywine like with the way it is I think this is still worth drinking if you have the chance.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from Perry's Liquor in Livermore, Ca purchased summer 2011.
A - Poured a dark copper color with a tan head that leaves lacing behind
S - Is of piney hops on top of sweet caramel malt at this point in time
T - Like the nose bitter citrus and piney hops on strong caramel malt
M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it
O - I'm sure this beer is well past its prime but its still a pretty good beer that I'm enjoying the hops aren't as fresh as they should be but they're still there making this almost barleywine like with the way it is I think this is still worth drinking if you have the chance.
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3.58/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Got a bottle of this in August of 2010, so the brew was not fresh like the bottle says it should be enjoyed. However I wanted to have it and give it a try. The brew poured out as a brownish color with a pretty decent head on it. The smell of the beer is malty and had some nice hops in there also. The taste of the brew was similar to a Barley Wine to me. Sweet, hoppy and dry. The mouthfeel was on the thicker side. Overall not a bad brew, wish I could have had it sooner just to see the difference.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Got a bottle of this in August of 2010, so the brew was not fresh like the bottle says it should be enjoyed. However I wanted to have it and give it a try. The brew poured out as a brownish color with a pretty decent head on it. The smell of the beer is malty and had some nice hops in there also. The taste of the brew was similar to a Barley Wine to me. Sweet, hoppy and dry. The mouthfeel was on the thicker side. Overall not a bad brew, wish I could have had it sooner just to see the difference.
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4.85/5 rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Just came up on a couple bottles of this the other day and am I ever glad I did! Beer pours a dark amber/brownish color with a nice off white head that leaves a generous portion of lace behind. Smell is heavy on roasted malts, dark chocolate and an amaretto scents. Not much hops to speak of in the nose after 2+ years of aging. Flavor is incredible and has taken on kind of a twisted, barleywine like profile. Great roasted malt and dark chocolate up front with a tinge of the 9.5% abv sneaking in there as well, followed by a nice acidic bite on the back end. Couple that flavor with a nice, crisp mouthfeel and great carbonation level and you have yourself one great beer.
I had this beer many times when it first came out and I always thought the hop profile was nice but overpowered many of the underlying characteristics. Now after a bit of aging this beer is truly stellar, do not hesitate to get it if you have the chance.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Just came up on a couple bottles of this the other day and am I ever glad I did! Beer pours a dark amber/brownish color with a nice off white head that leaves a generous portion of lace behind. Smell is heavy on roasted malts, dark chocolate and an amaretto scents. Not much hops to speak of in the nose after 2+ years of aging. Flavor is incredible and has taken on kind of a twisted, barleywine like profile. Great roasted malt and dark chocolate up front with a tinge of the 9.5% abv sneaking in there as well, followed by a nice acidic bite on the back end. Couple that flavor with a nice, crisp mouthfeel and great carbonation level and you have yourself one great beer.
I had this beer many times when it first came out and I always thought the hop profile was nice but overpowered many of the underlying characteristics. Now after a bit of aging this beer is truly stellar, do not hesitate to get it if you have the chance.
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4.08/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle (2009)
Stone 15th Anniversary Celebration
CSU, San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
(Aged 2 years at the brewery)
Dark auburn and near brown with ruby and red highlights near the edges. Khaki head and lots of lacing left on the glass. Very pretty.
The piney and pungent hops I remember this beer having when fresh have certainly faded, leaving lots of sweet toffee and caramel and a sweet and powerful tang from the yeast.
Little to no hop punch is left, leaving a dark, sticky caramel, yet delicious ale, letting the yeast and roast really shine far more than they did in the fresh version. Obviously, this will never happen with a beer only brewed once, but I'd love to drink this one next to a fresh bottle. If memory serves me correct, they seem to be vastly different beers two years apart from one another.
Medium to thick mouthfeel, though a touch still and heavy.
I enjoyed this beer I think more than the sum of its parts would indicate. Though the hops had certainly faded, this was actually one of my favorites of the Stone Anniversary Celebration.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle (2009)
Stone 15th Anniversary Celebration
CSU, San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
(Aged 2 years at the brewery)
Dark auburn and near brown with ruby and red highlights near the edges. Khaki head and lots of lacing left on the glass. Very pretty.
The piney and pungent hops I remember this beer having when fresh have certainly faded, leaving lots of sweet toffee and caramel and a sweet and powerful tang from the yeast.
Little to no hop punch is left, leaving a dark, sticky caramel, yet delicious ale, letting the yeast and roast really shine far more than they did in the fresh version. Obviously, this will never happen with a beer only brewed once, but I'd love to drink this one next to a fresh bottle. If memory serves me correct, they seem to be vastly different beers two years apart from one another.
Medium to thick mouthfeel, though a touch still and heavy.
I enjoyed this beer I think more than the sum of its parts would indicate. Though the hops had certainly faded, this was actually one of my favorites of the Stone Anniversary Celebration.
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4.12/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a darker amber brown color with a finger of tan head on it. Not much lacing to speak of.
Smell was full of caramel malts with a bit of citrus coming through as well.
Taste has a slightly bitter citrus flavor upfront with the malt thoughout. Bit of an alcohol taste in the finish.
Mouthfeel is light-medium. More of a sipping beer.
Overall a beer that I enjoyed trying. Definitely couldn't drink too many of these in an evening but a good nightcap or beer to share.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a darker amber brown color with a finger of tan head on it. Not much lacing to speak of.
Smell was full of caramel malts with a bit of citrus coming through as well.
Taste has a slightly bitter citrus flavor upfront with the malt thoughout. Bit of an alcohol taste in the finish.
Mouthfeel is light-medium. More of a sipping beer.
Overall a beer that I enjoyed trying. Definitely couldn't drink too many of these in an evening but a good nightcap or beer to share.
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4.32/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle poured into a tulip
A: Pours a mahogany color with a tan head.
S: Smells strong like almonds and some hazelnut with some light hoppiness and, strange enough, garlic. It sounds disgusting, I know, but it’s not. The aroma is really inviting, if a garlic scent can do that without being in an Italian dish.
T/M: You can immediately taste chocolate in the back of your throat, light traces of hops and nuttiness throughout. Biscuity malts and marshmallow round out the finish. It’s very rich and very good.
I know this wasn’t their intention, but this beer must have gotten better with age. Either that, or I may have peed my pants in ecstasy if I tried it in 2009. Old beer won’t make you sick will it? I hope I don’t get collera or lupus or something. Eh, I don’t care, it’s worth it.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle poured into a tulip
A: Pours a mahogany color with a tan head.
S: Smells strong like almonds and some hazelnut with some light hoppiness and, strange enough, garlic. It sounds disgusting, I know, but it’s not. The aroma is really inviting, if a garlic scent can do that without being in an Italian dish.
T/M: You can immediately taste chocolate in the back of your throat, light traces of hops and nuttiness throughout. Biscuity malts and marshmallow round out the finish. It’s very rich and very good.
I know this wasn’t their intention, but this beer must have gotten better with age. Either that, or I may have peed my pants in ecstasy if I tried it in 2009. Old beer won’t make you sick will it? I hope I don’t get collera or lupus or something. Eh, I don’t care, it’s worth it.
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3.56/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
"enjoy in 2009"; yeah, didn't get to it until 10/5/2010
Pours a deep amber with three fingers of head, leaving nice lacing behind.
Smell is mostly grapefruit rind and rind, followed by some caramel malt and some quite apparent alcohol.
Still a decent hop punch in the taste, mostly grapefruit and pine. Balanced with caramel malt, and a faint taste of bubblegum. Quite bitter on the aftertaste, and the alcohol makes no attempt to hide itself.
Medium, slightly oily mouthfeel.
Overall this is bitter with some obvious alcohol, but still enjoyable even if it was past it's prime.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
"enjoy in 2009"; yeah, didn't get to it until 10/5/2010
Pours a deep amber with three fingers of head, leaving nice lacing behind.
Smell is mostly grapefruit rind and rind, followed by some caramel malt and some quite apparent alcohol.
Still a decent hop punch in the taste, mostly grapefruit and pine. Balanced with caramel malt, and a faint taste of bubblegum. Quite bitter on the aftertaste, and the alcohol makes no attempt to hide itself.
Medium, slightly oily mouthfeel.
Overall this is bitter with some obvious alcohol, but still enjoyable even if it was past it's prime.
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4.06/5 rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Apparently I was supposed to drink this fresh, but whatever, I just bought this a couple days ago. Pours a ruby-brown colour with huge off-white head. Lots of lacing, great head retention. This smells incredibly sweet, like brown sugar, vanilla and burnt sugar. Flavour is really sweet as well, slight bitterness too. Aftertaste leaves the burnt sugar flavour (in a good way). Smooth mouthfeel. This is really good even in 2011, so I wish I had it when it was fresh.
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Apparently I was supposed to drink this fresh, but whatever, I just bought this a couple days ago. Pours a ruby-brown colour with huge off-white head. Lots of lacing, great head retention. This smells incredibly sweet, like brown sugar, vanilla and burnt sugar. Flavour is really sweet as well, slight bitterness too. Aftertaste leaves the burnt sugar flavour (in a good way). Smooth mouthfeel. This is really good even in 2011, so I wish I had it when it was fresh.
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3.8/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22oz bomber poured into Nonic Pint Glass
Pours a dark ruby, dark red color with patchy lacing on the glass
Smells of piney and citrus hops up front, sweet, bready caramel malt, some alcohol but not bad
Taste of citrus hops up front with that bitter bite that I love, overcomes a real bready malty syrupy sweet and then finishes with the hop bitterness in the back. Maybe not as balanced as i usually like..maltiness kind of overpowering
Mouthfeel was a medium feel with real sticky taste left, medium carbonation, had a boozy heat
Overall, a pretty good beer by Stone, but I wish I would have had it when it was fresher. I think the hops mellowed out a little bit and I think this beer would have been better fresher,but thats my fault letting it chill for a while.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22oz bomber poured into Nonic Pint Glass
Pours a dark ruby, dark red color with patchy lacing on the glass
Smells of piney and citrus hops up front, sweet, bready caramel malt, some alcohol but not bad
Taste of citrus hops up front with that bitter bite that I love, overcomes a real bready malty syrupy sweet and then finishes with the hop bitterness in the back. Maybe not as balanced as i usually like..maltiness kind of overpowering
Mouthfeel was a medium feel with real sticky taste left, medium carbonation, had a boozy heat
Overall, a pretty good beer by Stone, but I wish I would have had it when it was fresher. I think the hops mellowed out a little bit and I think this beer would have been better fresher,but thats my fault letting it chill for a while.
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3.83/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Picked this one up about six months ago at Buckeye Beer Engine for $8 iirc. It was already a year old at that point. I really liked this one when it was fresh in summer 2009, so I figured I'd pick a couple more up and see how it ages.
Appearance (4.5): Very dark, reddish brown with dark orange around the edges. A pretty healthy cream colored head with tight bubbles which sticks around and leaves a thick ring and a thin covering layer.
Aroma (4): Very strong, syrupy caramel from the crystal malts and slightly sweet. A touch of pine and dark citrus hops are well integrated.
Taste (4): Immediately the bitterness, piney hops and light, bready caramel flavors hit the tongue. The middle is much more of the syrupy caramel and pretty sweet and viscuous. The finish is more hoppy and not as malt forward but still a bit sweet. The bitterness lingers along with the thick sweetness of the crystal malts.
Mouthfeel (3): Thick and coating from the residual sugars. Almost overly so. I remember this being much more balanced when it was fresh so it's hard to dock it too much.
Drinkability (3.5): This isn't quite a sipper but the sweetness knocks down the drinkability. The alcohol is pretty well masked, but the syrupy caramel backbone makes it less palatable. I thought this one was better when it was fresh as it was very close to a DIPA. Not it's more of a barleywine, and a much different beast. Still not bad at all though and it's not coming back either.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Picked this one up about six months ago at Buckeye Beer Engine for $8 iirc. It was already a year old at that point. I really liked this one when it was fresh in summer 2009, so I figured I'd pick a couple more up and see how it ages.
Appearance (4.5): Very dark, reddish brown with dark orange around the edges. A pretty healthy cream colored head with tight bubbles which sticks around and leaves a thick ring and a thin covering layer.
Aroma (4): Very strong, syrupy caramel from the crystal malts and slightly sweet. A touch of pine and dark citrus hops are well integrated.
Taste (4): Immediately the bitterness, piney hops and light, bready caramel flavors hit the tongue. The middle is much more of the syrupy caramel and pretty sweet and viscuous. The finish is more hoppy and not as malt forward but still a bit sweet. The bitterness lingers along with the thick sweetness of the crystal malts.
Mouthfeel (3): Thick and coating from the residual sugars. Almost overly so. I remember this being much more balanced when it was fresh so it's hard to dock it too much.
Drinkability (3.5): This isn't quite a sipper but the sweetness knocks down the drinkability. The alcohol is pretty well masked, but the syrupy caramel backbone makes it less palatable. I thought this one was better when it was fresh as it was very close to a DIPA. Not it's more of a barleywine, and a much different beast. Still not bad at all though and it's not coming back either.
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4.2/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I had this beer at Gingerman's in Ft. Worth, TX the other weekend (they charge way too much for their beer) and enjoyed it a lot.
Watching the frothy creme-colored head form lets me know I'm already going to enjoy it. The color is a sort of dark cherry/ruby color.
It smells like hops ought to smell: bitter, floral, and citrusy. I like the pine smell/taste too. It seems like every pale ale I drink that smells/tastes of pine I really like. I also get some apricot in there too.
Up front the beer tastes very hoppy. It's bitter but not too much, with the citrus/apricot taste balancing out the bitterness along with some good malty sweetness that smooths out the palette. The pine flavor comes towards the end along with a lingering sweetness and the last American-satisfying lingering bitterness of the hops. I like the 9.5% alcohol too. It make my tummy warm and me happy!
To me this beer is like a darker pale ale but just enough to make it like an evil pale ale brother. I don't think that makes any sense... It's good! DRINK IT!!! It's my favorite Stone right now.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I had this beer at Gingerman's in Ft. Worth, TX the other weekend (they charge way too much for their beer) and enjoyed it a lot.
Watching the frothy creme-colored head form lets me know I'm already going to enjoy it. The color is a sort of dark cherry/ruby color.
It smells like hops ought to smell: bitter, floral, and citrusy. I like the pine smell/taste too. It seems like every pale ale I drink that smells/tastes of pine I really like. I also get some apricot in there too.
Up front the beer tastes very hoppy. It's bitter but not too much, with the citrus/apricot taste balancing out the bitterness along with some good malty sweetness that smooths out the palette. The pine flavor comes towards the end along with a lingering sweetness and the last American-satisfying lingering bitterness of the hops. I like the 9.5% alcohol too. It make my tummy warm and me happy!
To me this beer is like a darker pale ale but just enough to make it like an evil pale ale brother. I don't think that makes any sense... It's good! DRINK IT!!! It's my favorite Stone right now.
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13th Anniversary Ale from Stone Brewing
Beer rating:
4.06 out of
5 with
726 ratings
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