Stone’s 13th Anniversary Ale

(Yes, I really really need to shave)

When I first pour it I got some alcoholic dark malts, but primarily it’s the intense, resiny hops that Stone’s known for. The color is a dark, almost opaque red that becomes a deep, almost cough-syrup like red when held up to the light (keep in mind this is the color and not the taste). Taste is hoppy, including the napalm-like flavor from the west coast hops, but either it’s died down some (this isn’t supremely fresh, after all, though it’s by no means old: the bottle says ‘Do not cellar’) or it’s more balanced than I thought it’d be, especially considering they claim to have more hops per barrel than in any of their past beers.

I have to say: I think I’m kind of done with super hoppy beers. Not IPAs, not double IPAs, but ones that blow out your tongue because they frickin’ can. I’m not trying to claim that I have the most sophisticated palate out there (though I’m trying to improve), but I’m doing my damndest to isolate the flavors from this and all I can really say is ‘hops, with some alcohol beneath it.’ A got a hint of malty sweetness (they call this a double red) but it only managed to poke its head out for a second before being swallowed again by the riptide of C hops.

I think I need to do a vertical tasting of some of Stone’s beers, like the Arrogant Bastard, IPA, Ruination, etc. Maybe it’s not you; it’s me. And for what it sets out to do — be a super hopped, higher gravity red ale — it certainly achieves. I’m just not sure I’m their target audience.

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Okay, after giving it some time to warm (and breathe), the hops have died down somewhat; they’re still present, but like an overenergetic kid they’ve since calmed down and are ready to play more nicely with their classmates. There’s some dark fruit that I’m getting, but there seems to be a poorly defined triangle of alcohol, hops and dark malt that shifts and blends together (and beats up on Person Man).