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Dark stout-like pour of dark brown, settling a solid ebon chunk capped with a boldly tanned brown foam that lifts to about two fingers high and keeps its seat for a good length. Some stringy spongey lacing is stuck abput the glass.

Aroma is of a buzzing orangey citrusy hoppyness capped well with a soft milky chocolate bitterness roasted with a bit of char.

Taste is totally Stone; something I've come to enjoy about their brews...balance. And this has plenty of it. Nothing overwhelming as usaul with most of their stuff; taken in first is a slender tang of dark orange marmalade and dark sappy pine, quickly forwardring itself is a moderate chocolate waft of sweet smooth chocolate that underlays the hops dancing upfront with a very solid balance. A bit more pine and smoothly softened roast build across the palate just after the midway point. Where it levels off with an ease of bitter orange and chocolate mixing.
If you've ever had a dark chocolate truffle with an orange creme center, this is a very close represtation of that taste. Nummy!

Slimming yet bold medium body with a smoooth tender tone and even smoother carbonation that allows for a nice sessionable ale. It does seem to build a girthyness as it closes into the finish where the roasty twang and chocolate sweetness stick on the palate with a bit of the orangey hoppyness popping about.

Happy 15th Stone! Thanks for the yummyness over the years and keep em coming! This stuff is yummytrific!

Price: $6.99 Served In: Pint Glass

22oz bottle purchased as a single at Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" dark brown head over the opaque dark brown/black brew. Thick head holds on strong, with leggy lace that also hangs around. Aroma is dark grain and green hops.

Taste starts with burnt malt sweetness, which blossoms into acrid bitterness in the middle, added onto by fresh piney hops toward the end. Flavors all seem to linger long after the swallow, along with some alcohol numbing. The hop burps could strip paint. Mouthfeel is velvety smooth, and drinkability is very nice. Maybe a bit over the top, but all in all, a brew that is worth the time and effort.

Served In: Pint Glass

Cracking the bomber, the brew pours into my glass a deep, super dark black with two fingers of creamy dark tan head atop the brew. Patchy lacing as it falls with aromas of dense pine and resinous green hops along with plenty of tropical citrus. Roasted chocolately malt backbone as well.

First sip brings big roasted malts upfront with plenty of chocolate. Pungent hops roll in with a great mix of tropical fruit and resinous pine tones as well. Plenty of bitterness as it flows down to counteract the malty sweetness. Touch of alcohol heat on the way down.

Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, medium bodied with just enough carbonation. This brew goes down pretty darn easy for clocking in at 10.8%. A solid, super hoppy black IPA, much better than the 14th Anniversary IMHO and well worth trying!

Price: $6.99 Served In: Other