Brief reviews of three newish beers:
Soggy Coaster really enjoyed Stone Sublimely Self Righteous Ale. This full-bodied strong ale (8.7 percent ABV, 90 IBUs), pours very dark, with a big head that recedes quickly. It's got a big hop flavor up front that yields to a nice, subdued smoky note. Sublimely is similar to, but better than, Stone's very popular Arrogant Bastard Ale. The flavor profile is more interesting. Sublimely is available in 22-oz. bomber bottles in liquor stores and, as of last weekend, on tap at Lady Falconburgh's Barley Exchange in Durango. A-
In constrast, Great Divide Brewing Co.'s Belgica was a huge disappointment. A summer seasonal from the Denver brewery, Belgica comes in at an aggressive 7.2 percent ABV. The idea was allegedly to create a Belgian-style IPA. Belgica more or less slams together an abbey ale with a big IPA like, say, Modus Hoperandi. An interesting gamble, but unfortunately the flavors clash in a most unwelcome manner. It tastes like an industrial cleaner - I kept being reminded of Windex, ammonia and powdered soap. Belgica was disgusting, and I struggled to finish a 12-0z. bottle. One of the worst craft beers I've had in years. F
The third newish beer to pass Soggy Coaster's lips lately was Sierra Nevada's Torpedo Extra IPA. Sierra Nevada, of Chico, California, is a well-respected industry elder, having been around since 1980. They're known for their commitment to quality ingredients, using only whole-cone hops, for example. Torpedo is a big, hoppy IPA, coming in at 7.2 percent ABV and 70 IBUs. Although Soggy Coaster isn't a hophead, he recognizes this is a fine example of the style. I prefer slightly mellower IPAs, like Avery's version. But the hopheads among you will love it. B+
Showing posts with label Stone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stone. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Durango visitor loves everything
Eli Shayotovich of Beer Tap TV swung through Durango recently, hanging out with the Ska Brewing guys and Stone Brewing co-founder Greg Koch.
He also made an apparently memorable visit to Lady Falconburgh's Barley Exchange in downtown Durango. It is a very well-stocked beer bar, but damn, I don't know if I'd be that effusive in my praise for anybody but possibly Snoop Dogg.
If you're interested, the Durango episode may be viewed here.
He also made an apparently memorable visit to Lady Falconburgh's Barley Exchange in downtown Durango. It is a very well-stocked beer bar, but damn, I don't know if I'd be that effusive in my praise for anybody but possibly Snoop Dogg.
If you're interested, the Durango episode may be viewed here.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
On Stone Brewing
Stone Brewing Co. co-founder and CEO Greg Koch was in Durango last week to promote his beers and hang out with the Ska Brewing guys.
I like Stone. Levitation Ale (4.4 percent ABV, 45 IBUs), it seems to me, is a major accomplishment. It has huge taste for a session beer. Levitation was recognized with a gold medal at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival in the American-style red/amber ale category.
It has a resiny, piney taste that's more flavorful than most amber ales. I have never encountered a more flavorful beer with such low alcohol content. It's marvelous.
I spoke briefly with Koch(pronounced Cook) at Lady Falconburgh's (pictured), and he said Levitation is the only beer in Stone's regular lineup that has changed significantly since its introduction. The recipe has evolved. It's now hopped with Columbus, Amarillo, Simcoe and Crystal hops, and dry-hopped with Amarillos.
San Diego-based Stone is all about the West Coast hop craze. Their ales all derive from basic English styles (pale ale, IPA, porter, stout), before getting stuffed full of hops.
Stone's Pale Ale (5.4 percent ABV, 41 IBUs), is its flagship and was its first beer. I recommend it, as I do the IPA (6.9 percent, 77 IBUs) and Imperial Russian Stout (10.5 percent ABV, 90+ IBUs).
Arrogant Bastard Ale (7.2 percent ABV, IBUs not released) is an extraordinarily popular beer, but I'm not on the bandwagon. It lacks a distinctive taste. It's not bitter, sweet or funky. It's just a dark ale that leaves me without any memorable impressions.
Arrogant Bastard's marketing is also, to me, a little off-putting. Stone says: "This is an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth."
The whole arrogant bastard bit is apparently not just a gimmick. Koch, as his public interviews make evident, is a beer snob of the highest order. Still, I found him to be friendly and open during our brief conversation.
In general, I resent breweries that succumb to obnoxious corporate marketing because so many do well without it. Speak softly and distribute big beer, I say.
A lot of good breweries find their way onto liquor-store shelves in Colorado. Stone has to compete with a long list of out-of-state breweries, not to mention Colorado's own brewers. Yet Stone is a solid choice, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their lineup.
I like Stone. Levitation Ale (4.4 percent ABV, 45 IBUs), it seems to me, is a major accomplishment. It has huge taste for a session beer. Levitation was recognized with a gold medal at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival in the American-style red/amber ale category.
It has a resiny, piney taste that's more flavorful than most amber ales. I have never encountered a more flavorful beer with such low alcohol content. It's marvelous.
I spoke briefly with Koch(pronounced Cook) at Lady Falconburgh's (pictured), and he said Levitation is the only beer in Stone's regular lineup that has changed significantly since its introduction. The recipe has evolved. It's now hopped with Columbus, Amarillo, Simcoe and Crystal hops, and dry-hopped with Amarillos.
San Diego-based Stone is all about the West Coast hop craze. Their ales all derive from basic English styles (pale ale, IPA, porter, stout), before getting stuffed full of hops.
Stone's Pale Ale (5.4 percent ABV, 41 IBUs), is its flagship and was its first beer. I recommend it, as I do the IPA (6.9 percent, 77 IBUs) and Imperial Russian Stout (10.5 percent ABV, 90+ IBUs).
Arrogant Bastard Ale (7.2 percent ABV, IBUs not released) is an extraordinarily popular beer, but I'm not on the bandwagon. It lacks a distinctive taste. It's not bitter, sweet or funky. It's just a dark ale that leaves me without any memorable impressions.
Arrogant Bastard's marketing is also, to me, a little off-putting. Stone says: "This is an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth."
The whole arrogant bastard bit is apparently not just a gimmick. Koch, as his public interviews make evident, is a beer snob of the highest order. Still, I found him to be friendly and open during our brief conversation.
In general, I resent breweries that succumb to obnoxious corporate marketing because so many do well without it. Speak softly and distribute big beer, I say.
A lot of good breweries find their way onto liquor-store shelves in Colorado. Stone has to compete with a long list of out-of-state breweries, not to mention Colorado's own brewers. Yet Stone is a solid choice, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their lineup.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Stone Brewing founder to pour at Falc's
Greg Koch, CEO and founder of Stone Brewing Co. in San Diego, will bring his own arrogant bastard self to Lady Falconburgh’s at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 3.
He’ll be in Durango to tour Ska Brewing World Headquarters, and will drop by Falc's to meet, greet and pour some of his award-winning ales.
Stone beer will be on special at Falc's, 640 Main Ave., with Stone mugs and other goodies available. Falc's will tap the 2009 Russian Imperial Stout, as well as Ruination IPA and Levitation Ale.
Ska distributes Stone beer in Southwest Colorado, so bottles can be found at several local liquor stores. In addition to Falc's, Mutu's Italian Kitchen, 701 E. Second Ave., pours some Stone beer.
Soggy Coaster fully endorses both the Stone Russian Imperial Stout and Levitation. One expects imperial stouts to be good. But I'm amazed every time I sip a Levitation. It's only 4.4 percent ABV and 45 IBUs, but it packs the flavor of a much bigger beer.
I haven't tried Ruination, but Stone's standard IPA is excellent.
Soggy Coaster will endeavor to make it down to meet Greg.
Thanks to Top Shelf for the heads-up.
He’ll be in Durango to tour Ska Brewing World Headquarters, and will drop by Falc's to meet, greet and pour some of his award-winning ales.
Stone beer will be on special at Falc's, 640 Main Ave., with Stone mugs and other goodies available. Falc's will tap the 2009 Russian Imperial Stout, as well as Ruination IPA and Levitation Ale.
Ska distributes Stone beer in Southwest Colorado, so bottles can be found at several local liquor stores. In addition to Falc's, Mutu's Italian Kitchen, 701 E. Second Ave., pours some Stone beer.
Soggy Coaster fully endorses both the Stone Russian Imperial Stout and Levitation. One expects imperial stouts to be good. But I'm amazed every time I sip a Levitation. It's only 4.4 percent ABV and 45 IBUs, but it packs the flavor of a much bigger beer.
I haven't tried Ruination, but Stone's standard IPA is excellent.
Soggy Coaster will endeavor to make it down to meet Greg.
Thanks to Top Shelf for the heads-up.
Monday, April 27, 2009
In the fridge
Soggy Coaster is excited about the bottle of Stone Imperial Russian Stout in the fridge. I love imperial stouts, and Stone is a quality brewery.
This beer from the San Diego brewery was just released. I found a 22-ounce bottle at Star Liquors.
Spring seems like an odd time to release a seasonal stout, but hey, they own a brewery and I don't.
I'm looking forward to seeing if Stone's imperial stout measures up with others I've had this winter, including Carver's Imperial Stout, Deschutes' The Abyss (11 percent ABV, 65 IBUs), Rogue Imperial Stout (88 IBUs), North Coast's Old Rasputin Imperial Stout (9 percent ABV, 75 IBUs), Great Divide Oak-Aged Yeti Imperial Stout and Victory Storm King Imperial Stout (9.1 percent ABV).
My only concern is the very aggressive profile of Stone's stout: 10.5 percent ABV, 90+ IBUs. I loved The Abyss, but found its very noticeable alcohol bite to be a discordant note. With a similar profile, I fear the Stone will carry a boozy fume.
My favorite imperial stouts have been those that were just slightly dialed back, like the Old Rasputin and Victory Storm King. Once you get above 10 percent, you're talking serious booze.
Until I crack that open, I'm enjoying working my way through a six-pack of Mexican Logger, Ska's just-released seasonal lager. At only 4.2 percent ABV and 18 IBUs, it's a nice break from the "big" beers.
This beer from the San Diego brewery was just released. I found a 22-ounce bottle at Star Liquors.
Spring seems like an odd time to release a seasonal stout, but hey, they own a brewery and I don't.
I'm looking forward to seeing if Stone's imperial stout measures up with others I've had this winter, including Carver's Imperial Stout, Deschutes' The Abyss (11 percent ABV, 65 IBUs), Rogue Imperial Stout (88 IBUs), North Coast's Old Rasputin Imperial Stout (9 percent ABV, 75 IBUs), Great Divide Oak-Aged Yeti Imperial Stout and Victory Storm King Imperial Stout (9.1 percent ABV).
My only concern is the very aggressive profile of Stone's stout: 10.5 percent ABV, 90+ IBUs. I loved The Abyss, but found its very noticeable alcohol bite to be a discordant note. With a similar profile, I fear the Stone will carry a boozy fume.
My favorite imperial stouts have been those that were just slightly dialed back, like the Old Rasputin and Victory Storm King. Once you get above 10 percent, you're talking serious booze.
Until I crack that open, I'm enjoying working my way through a six-pack of Mexican Logger, Ska's just-released seasonal lager. At only 4.2 percent ABV and 18 IBUs, it's a nice break from the "big" beers.
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