After posting an older review earlier in the week, it is back to a newer one. This evaluation comes with a bit of a lesson, both for myself and to anyone else who does not read the label on the bottle before tucking it away in the fridge, cellar, etc.
Generally when I purchase a beer that has a fairly high alcohol content (as this one does), I don’t worry too much about it being stored for a while since they tend to hold up well and can often get better with some age. As I pulled this bottle out to enjoy it I noticed that it was (clearly) labeled with “June 2009” and below that “Do not cellar. Enjoy in 2009.” Now it had been in the wine fridge since I bought it, but still I have no way of knowing how the overall flavor had been affected.
With that said, learn from my mistake and take this review only for what is worth given the circumstances.
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, CA)
Name: Thirteenth Anniversary Ale
Style: (American Strong) Ale
ABV: 9.5%
Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge (52 degrees +/-) and served in an oversized wine glass. $6.99 for 22oz.
Aroma: Rich, malty base of dark fruit, brown sugar-like (somewhat) aroma. A big, floral hop character with some undertones of alcohol. Pretty nice overall.
Appearance: Dark brown color (to coppery amber when held to light). Short, solid/frothy, tan color head with good retention and a strong trail. Somewhat opaque (with no rising bubbles visible) though crystal clear when held to light.
Flavor: Nice malty backbone of dark (brown sugar/molasses) sweetness with some bitterness that comes in the middle (after the initial hoppy flavor) and stays through the finish. Some dryness at the finish that lingers a bit (though something nice about it).
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a moderate amount of carbonation (though volatile when swirled in glass). Smooth and lightly creamy with some warmth present from middle to the finish.
Overall Impressions: The bitterness builds as the glass empties and the hop character(s) also become more dominant. I am not sure what may have changed with the age, but the flavors seem to have become sharper and not as much in harmony. Really can’t be considered a true evaluation.
Grade: B
Stone Brewing Co. - Thirteenth Anniversary Ale
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