Stone Russian Imperial Stout

BA Rating-A

ABV-10.5%

I picked this guy up at the ABC on my way home from work the other night. I’ve tried curtailing the amount I drink by drinking beers with more ABV. Sounds fool proof eh? Anyways, this is a spring 2009 release and that stored very well. Poured into a Stone Levitation Ale Glass it poured a creamy head that faded fast leaving a little lacing on the glass. It smelled of bitter chocolate and alcohol, stronger on the alcohol side. Silky, chocolate, coffee, bittersweet, awesomeness; with a slight alcohol after taste. Two of these beers would’ve kicked my arse, I got a nice little buzz from the 22 oz. it provided. I would definitely recommend this beer to Russian Stout lovers.

Stone Cali-Belgique IPA

 There's a description on the back of the bottle that explains what the hell Cali-Belgique means. Neat, right? Yeah. So, anyway, wow. This stuff is good. I drank it after the BSP Quad so the 6.9% didn't really rip through, but that could be different if I wasn't alread primed.

I loved the way this one hits. The finishing flavor is that of fresh hops. I thought it was familiar, made a guess and I was right - Chinook hops (FACT CHECK ME HERE). I only knew this because it's one of the varieties I have growing on the side of my house and when the first ones popped through I crushed and smelled them non-stop, but damn I felt smart when I could pick that out.

The bottle on this one is styling as well. That gargoyle is one badass looking dude. And he's just sitting there like "Oh, hey. Me? I'm just a gargoyle. enjoying a mug of brew. Watching from the corner of old buildings."

6.9%ABV
Beer Advocate rating: A-

Stone Arrogant Bastard to Drinkers: You're not worthy.

Stone Brewing. Arrogant Bastard. I honestly can't tell if this is delicious because of the name or if it's because it's just delicious. I'm arrogant, this beer is arrogant. I feel like it's two negatives mixing for one gigantic positive beer orgasm in my mouth. It's on the more malty side of ales, but damn if this doesn't deserve the first post.

It's also worth noting that Stone has the coolest marketing of any brewery. Go buy a bottle of this, read the back, tell me I'm lying.
Here's but a snippet:

Questions or comments? If you don't like this beer, keep it to yourself --- we don't want to hear from any sniveling yellow-beer-drinkin' wimps, 'cause this beer wasn't made for you. 

7.2% ABV
Beer Advocate rating: A-