Stone Brewing Co. Homebrew Collaboration: Cherry Chocolate Stout

The Beer: Stone Brewing Co.
Homebrew Collaboration: Cherry Chocolate Stout

The Date: 7/31/11

The Format: 12oz Belgian snifter

Appearance: Opaque brown/black with a moderate brown head. looks like a brownie.

Smell: Smells like a brownie! Chocolate and alcohol with  the hint of cherries. almost sickly sweet smelling; almost.

Taste: Initially, i wasn't getting much out of this beer. Then I let it warm up. *much* better. Initial light roast and dark chocolate, coming into a light cherry and more chocolate. Fades off into toffee and tart cherry.

Mouthfeel: Filling. Thickness in accordance of the beer's name, most likely derived from the lactose addition.

Overall: A good stout with a healthy dose of chocolate, but i think the cherries come in the wrong way. They offer a tartness on the finish that distracts from the rest of the beer, reminding more of cherry cough syrup than anything else. Which is crazy because they added real cherries, not a fake product! I wish I could of had the homebrew version of this to compare.

Stone Cali-Belgique (Citizen Review)

Stone Cali-Belgique:

"A different spin on

hoppy beer. It's good to be

different this one stands out

I don't like hops but can appreciate this

one as a better hoppy beer."


Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: .50
Style Points: .50
Personal Preference: .50

Total Score: 2.5 Flags


--Reviewd by Citizen Cheryl

Nøgne Ø / Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales / Stone Brewing Co. Special Holiday Ale

Nøgne Ø / Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales / Stone Brewing Co. Special Holiday Ale:

Bearing gifts, they traverse afar... I'm not very familiar with Nøgne Ø as a brewery but I'm about to become really interested in this brewery from Grimstad, Norway. This 2009 version of the special collaboration between Kjetil Jikiun and the other two wisemen (Ron Jeffries from Jolly Pumpkin and Mitch Steele from Stone) is worth its weight in rare herbs and glinting riches. This Special Holiday Ale pours so dark reddish brown that it is almost black, topped with a generous foamy tan head. The foam contains many tart, fruity flavors and notes of spice but actually covers up some of the aromas. Sip away some of the foam and let it die down a bit to release the full riches of this fragrant beverage.

What a unique twist on the holiday brewing tradition! Brewed with Michigan chestnuts (rich and hearty Americana), white sage from Southern California (for some sass) and Norwegian juniper berries (probably Santa's favorite), this perfectly crafted dark ale contains all the right flavors to complement any holiday meal. Its medium body won't compete with dinner and it has the rich tartness that could accompany a dessert -- even a rich mince pie. Actually, it would go perfectly with mince since its chestnut, juniper, and sage are an alternate wintry mix: fruit, spice, and bitters with a twist.

This brew is not very hoppy. It's fruity but not a fruit beer by any means. Tart but not sour, Nøgne Ø is a must-try for anyone who has ever tried a holiday beer... ever. Surprisingly accessible, it can be tried by anyone but will be loved by the select few who have discerning palates. The flavors are rich but not over the top.

Other holiday brews like it? Not that I know of. But if you've had Jolly Pumpkin's Noel de Calabaza and come away a bit intrigued yet startled by is bold assault on the tastebuds -- give this puppy a try. You'll be blown away but not confused. And if you love Anchor's Holiday Ale but wish there were just a little more body and festive trappings ... Nøgne Ø is right up your alley. Anchor may be coming close to porter land but Nøgne Ø is an ale beyond measure.

Whether you share the brew at a holiday meal, wrap your hands around it in front of a fire, or share it with shepherds on a silent night -- drink it. Share it if you can, hog it if you must, but go get some this holiday season. If you drink it by yourself keep in mind that it is 8.5% abv, so get a chauffeur for your sleigh or your camel.

By the way, did I mention that this is a collaboration between Stone, Jolly Pumpkin, and Nøgne Ø? Why wouldn't you try it? Sheesh!

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales/Stone Brewing Company/Nøgne Special Holiday Ale:

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: .95
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.95 Flags

Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale (Presidential Brief)

What: Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale 8.7%abv
Where: The Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: October 14, 2009, 9:11 PM
What-have-you: "Stone 'Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale' ist just that. Grapefruity hops and toasted malt. 8.7% sippin' tea."

See Stone's information page.

Stone IPA (Citizen Review)

Stone IPA:

"Notes of clover and cinnamon with a good, hoppy finish."

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0
Style Points: 1.0
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total: 4.0 Flags

--Reviewed by Citizen George Mangini

Stone Old Guardian (Presidential Brief)

What: Stone Old Guardian
Where: PJ's Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: October 8, 2009, 10:39PM
What-have-you: Stone. Old Guardian. Rich dryish and could stand guard over me any day. '07 vintage rocks!

Stone Thirteenth Anniversary Ale (Presidential Brief)

What: Stone Thirteenth Anniversary Ale 9.5abv
Where: PJ's Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: August 1, 2009, 11:38PM
What-have-you: "A lil' coffee, a lil' licorice and a lot dry. Some beer newbies loved it too cuz its sooo different."

Read a review of Stone's Levitation Ale

Stone Cali-Belgique (Citizen Review)

Stone Cali-Belgique:

"Now that's an IPA. Challenging yet rewarding, with prominent hops kept from being too sharp, and with a sweet Belgian smoothness. 'I love Cali in the Summertime' ."

Representation: .75

Accessibility: .75

Style Points: 1.0

Personal Preference: .75

Total Score: 3.25 Flags

--Reviewed by Citizen Jack Witzig

Read a review of Stone Levitation

Stone Levitation

Stone Levitation

In the craft brew world, a few names stand out as true innovators... Stone is one of them. With the near-perfect-just-out-of-the-average-beer-drinker's-league (Yes, that would be a reference to Arrogant Bastard) to more extreme versions of the same (Double and Oaked) and even mind-melting hop events likely to bring about the end of civilization (Ruination), Stone presents nothing but unabashed quality. They spare no expense and make no excuses.

So who could make a brew so light in body and low in alcohol (4.4% abv) that the term "session beer" needs to be redefined? Stone, of course. In order to fight the effects of a brew that drags you down, one needs the power of Levitation. Stone Levitation has an amazing cache of flavors stored in a very light body. Dry and hoppy, this ale is extremely drinkable and could, given enough servings, allow the drinker to conjure up a supernatural levity that defies the very laws of nature.

Present Stone Levitation to those who seek the knowledge which you have already attained. Small beer drinkers who are looking for something more might be brought across if only they had a beer worth trying... a beer floating just above the rest. And so behold the power of Levitation.

Stone Levitation:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style: .95

Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.85 Flags