Stone 11th Anniversary (3 Years Later)
Stone 11th Anniversary was a beer that put Black IPA on the map 3 years ago. The amazing aroma and deceptive appearance was a huge conversation piece, and something Stone fans clamored for to be brewed again. A year and a half ago, Stone listened, and repackaged this recipe in the form of Stone Sublimely Self Righteous Ale, and sell it fairly regularly. This set of tasting notes represents what would happen if you took this amazing hoppy beer, and put it in a cool closet for 3 years. You might notice, Stone has since released two more hoppy Anniversary beers (13 and 14th), and asked us NOT to age them.
Stone Brewing Co. Stone 11th Anniversary Ale (Enjoyed 3 Years later) – 22 oz. bottle poured into a goblet. 8.7% abv. Purchased at Lone Hill Liquor – Glendora, CA
Appearance: Pours a dark brown that starts with a light tan head that slowly subsides to a thin layer of white film.
Aroma: Big time chewy oxidized dried dark fruit notes and a herbal whiff at the end. The amazing pine and citrus hop aroma is gone.
Taste: By golly, it tastes like a barleywine with a burnt roast finish. Within the roasty notes, I pick up black coffee and burnt malt. Still has fairly firm hop bitterness. The roast lingers well past the sip.
Mouthfeel: A bit spicy on the throat, full bodied, with prickly carbonation.
Overall: I wondered what would happen to this beer. All things considered, it’s fairly drinkable. I prefer this much better fresh, in the form of SSR.
