Liberty Station Witty Moron
Stone Brewing

Another one I don't remember where or when I had it. After so many beers and years of keeping track on another platform and trying to transfer them. You can't remember all.

 

By now as I reflect on these old reviews from a hop festival, its easy to see why it didn't come back. They had all these beers that are probably better placed at the Strange Brew festival (man my average scores ticked up this year without that festival that has quite a few rough experimental brews).

As if the plethora of black ipas at the festival wasn't enough, Stone didn't want to be outdone so here they brought a single hopped, black, witbier. WTF indeed.

Black ale pours black. Beige head, 1/4". Aroma was not of wheat, but I never thought it actually would, more roast than wheat perceptible at this point. Hops? Don't make me laugh. Way more yeasty presence than that. I mean, why bring a single hopped beer to a hop harvest festival if it actually leads with roasted malt and yeast way moreso?

Taste, yeah, a roasty, yeast heavy beer that lacks the delicate touch of wheat. Where my sawft-ness? Hey Stone, you made a unique beer, but not one I like or even one that makes much of any sense.

 

 

 

 

 

Dark brown black body, thin tan head, moderate lacing. The nose hints dark fruit, the flavor is more dark bread, with a mild crisp close. Reminds of a Belgian dark without the heaviness. A very nice dark beer that is highly drinkable and tasty, too.

Ok, a really unique beer, so I feel strange giving it an average rating, but it's neither good nor bad. It's super intense, Belgium yeast, coriander flavor. There is very little dark malt/chocolate flavor. Just a little on the aftertaste that does smooth it out a little bit. I'd be interested to try a more balance black wit as the idea was interesting and it may balance and smooth out the finish, but this beer is so overpowering in other ways that the whole concept is mute. Other tasters. It's a soapy and citrusy character which is true, but it's really just a Belgium yeast/coriander profile. It's overdone and overpowering, but interesting and can help you recognize and note the flavor, which makes it interesting in my mind. If you watered this down or blended it with another beer it may actually be called a really good beer, which normal I would think would be a knock on the taster, not the beer, but I stand by it. It's an interesting, overpowering, overdone beer that is definitely unique, but ultimately average.

 

 

 

Quick taster review. Crimson hued dark brown.. almost black. The first smell I got? Fruity Pebbles. Fruity, slightly wheaty. Taste has that similar fruitiness but also an herbal dominance, similar to Earl Grey. Subtle vanilla even. Strong seltzery carbonation, very soft on the palate. Overall a unique beer, good flavor profile and great smell.

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at the Kettner tasting room by the railroad station. Brewer says it is made with coriander and bergamot plus Sonnet hops (a Saaz descendant). Appearance is a dark, really black brew with a beautiful off-white head. I don't think this would be confused with a Witbier of any description, but it's exactly the Stone style: bitter and unexpected.

The bergamot is just plain weird with a resiny and herbal tang, but no, it doesn't taste like Earl Grey tea. Not much fragrance. Light body, pleasant sudsy mouthfeel. It really just attacks the roof of the mouth. Very seriously bitter. If this is a witbier, it's got an attitude and an Uzi to go with it.