Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

Stone Brewing Company
Escondido (San Diego County), CA

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Black. Thick, rocky, espresso-colored head. Pretty–laces the glass.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Grassy, woody hop aroma. Coffee, roasted nose. Surprisingly, not overly aromatic.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Strong coffee/roastiness up-front. Bitter dominant. LOTS of woody hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Strong bitterness that lasts. Really bitter–almost too much roasty, burnt coffee bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Fills the mouth, bitter on the tongue. Big but not boozy; alcohol is nicely masked.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Definitely a black IPA. Very roasty. Almost too bitter, but leave it to Stone to pull it off (though if you don't like coffee or roasted flavor, skip it).

TOTAL: 16.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A nice change of pace—not overly complex, though too bitter, it's a straightforward beer. Simple, well done, a solid Black IPA.
Ben: A great, hoppy, roasty Black IPA. Another great offering by an awesome brewer; pick up a Stone, you can't go wrong.