Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian
Imperial Black IPA
Stone Brewing Co. has released its newest beer, commemorating a
decade and a half of brewing excellence with the Stone 15th
Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA.
The name—besides being a mild-yet-necessary chore for dutiful
writers, dedicated retailers and enthusiastic publicans to write out
in its entirety—is Stone Brewing President & co-founder Steve
Wagner's chuckling jab at those looking to lay territorial claim to
the Black IPA style.
"There's this small faction of people that seems to think it can
call Black IPAs 'Cascadian Dark Ales,' historical accuracy be
damned," Wagner explains. "So, we thought we'd lightheartedly lay
claim to our own style, dubbing it 'Escondidian,' both as an homage
to our hometown of Escondido, CA and as a gentle ribbing to those
Black IPA fans worshipping a false Cascadian idol."
And while this point of contention may only be of import to 0.01% of
craft beer fans, what is important is how the beer looks, smells,
and ultimately tastes. "Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial
Black IPA pours thick and opaque, with a deep brown head of foam,"
boasts Brewmaster Mitch Steele. "Intense herbal and piney hops are
followed by roasted malt notes redolent of coffee, anise, and cocoa,
all coming together to form one of the darkest, hoppiest and most
colossal beers we've ever brewed."
"To those confused few still sipping a Black IPA by any other name,
I hear your argument… that Black India Pale Ale is a bit oxymoronic
on the surface," adds Wagner. "But as an English Major, I can firmly
stand behind the term Black IPA. At its core, language is all about
one thing: conveying meaning. And there's no doubt what Black IPA
means: an IPA that's black. Elementary, my dear Watson!"
Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA
-- Availability: 22oz bottles, on draft, and a limited number of 3L
bottles.
-- Vital stats: 10.8% abv, 100 IBUs
-- Malt bill: Pale Malt, Cara-Bohemian, Carafa III Special, and
Chocolate Malt
-- Hops bill: Columbus (bittering), Citra (flavor/aroma). Dry-hopped
with Nelson Sauvin and Pacific Jade.
Stone Brewing Company
Stone Brewing Co. was founded in 1996 by Steve Wagner and Greg Koch
in North County San Diego, CA. It is the 14th largest craft brewery
in the United States and has been named "All-Time Top Brewery on
Planet Earth" by BeerAdvocate magazine - TWICE! A recently announced
$26.6M expansion plan (that includes a hotel among other lofty
ventures) is underway, as are developments to become the first
American craft brewery to open a brewhouse in Europe. Visit
http://stonebrew.com
for more information.
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