Stone skips a year again

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by MichaelInMA, Mar 30, 2019.

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  1. MichaelInMA

    MichaelInMA Devotee (373) Apr 24, 2016 Massachusetts

    It is that time of year that I start looking for Stone's Russian Imperial Stout (RIS). I have been getting a half dozen bottles for my cellar for more than 10 years. They skipped the regular RIS this year and are doing the coffee version again.

    RIS is probably my favorite style of beer when crafted properly. It is probably me but I hate when they add extra things like coffee, chocolate, and oatmeal to a RIS. I like it when they develop the flavor and texture from toasting the malt and brewing process. Adding things just seams like taking a short cut. It looks my cellar will have a year without Stone. I am going to have to look for other brands to fill out this year. Suggestions?

    Can cellaring be done with cans? Last year I picked up a dozen cans of Mayflower RIS it was OK when fresh so I put some in my cellar. They only do cans now. I broke out some for Christmas which would have been about 9 months. One was better but the other tasted like the can. I went threw the rest. Of the 8 cans 7 were OK. It is just that one that was bad. What are your experience with cans?
     
    #1 MichaelInMA, Mar 30, 2019
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  2. CoreyC

    CoreyC Initiate (0) Mar 16, 2015 Wisconsin

    For a straight up IRS that ages really well and is readily available, I would recommend Bell's Expedition. I have had no issues with aging canned beers, but I don't know that I've gone longer than maybe 3 years with anything canned.
     
    #2 CoreyC, Apr 4, 2019
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  3. dlcarst

    dlcarst Zealot (733) Aug 21, 2015 Missouri
    Trader

    Cans are fine. See the thread below. And I'm still pissed at Stone for discontinuing Old Guardian and Double Bastard. I bought one can of Espresso and I buy an Arrogant Bastard here and there, but I don't buy any of their IPAs anymore. They did the "odd beers for odd years" thing for a while with IRS, so this isn't really anything new, but I don't know why they can't just release both versions.
     
    #3 dlcarst, Apr 5, 2019
  4. MichaelInMA

    MichaelInMA Devotee (373) Apr 24, 2016 Massachusetts

    I agree about Stone IPA's mostly. IPA's are such a competitive category and there are better ones. However, I still like the Go To IPA. Not that good compared to other IPA's but compared to other session beers I think it is the best.

    Consider the can feedback and looking at other posts about cellaring cans I think I will try again.
     
    #4 MichaelInMA, Apr 5, 2019
  5. youradhere

    youradhere Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2008 Washington

    I’m with you. Sometimes I feel like those extra things are nothing more than an attempt to cover up something by distracting with that extra flavor. I love a plain well crafted RIS, where the grain, yeast, and the process bring out those flavors, rather than artificially adding them with actual anise or actual chocolate.

    Don’t get me wrong, I’ll drink it regardless of what’s added if it tastes good to me, but there is something different and special about a beer that achieves those flavors without extras. Something more natural that appeals to me.
     
    #5 youradhere, May 2, 2019
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  6. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's the artistry of brewing. There is something more magical about a photorealistic painting/drawing even though we could obviously just have the super hi-def photo itself if what we wanted was a pure capture of those photons.
    It is the philosophical failing of adjuncts and flavorings and all of that. The beauty of beer (one of them, but THE one in this moment of conversation) is the range of familiar flavors drawn from unusual places. Coaxing the chocolate flavor out of that barley is what we love the brewer for. We can all make hot chocolate and add liquor to taste. Pulling the mango out of those hops is the miracle.
    I miss Stone's big dark beer category more than just about any brewery on earth
     
    #6 unlikelyspiderperson, May 2, 2019
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