Anniversaries are exciting, aren’t they? They provide an oft overlooked opportunity to engage in a retrospective state of mind and consider growth at many levels that has occurred over the years. Next Saturday my wife and I will be celebrating the anniversary (sixth) of our marriage, so I am already getting into the celebratory state of mind. This week, you (hopefully) and I will be celebrating with Stone Brewing Company, their thirteenth anniversary, by enjoying their Thirteenth Anniversary Ale.
Steve, with Stone's 1rst beer
The history of the brewery is well worth reading. As I devoured the paragraphs from idea to fruition of the first barrel of beer produced in 1996, I developed a deeper respect for this tastefully successful brewery, and couldn’t help but see some parallels between the founders, Steve Wagner and Greg Koch. The company growth and commitment to quality is apparent. I have been following Greg’s blog for a while, a hope to rub shoulders with him someday.
Thirteenth Anniversary Ale is bold beer, touting an ABV 9.5%. It is an Imperial Red Ale (a first for stone), with an enticing grain build of Pale malt, a blend of “various crystal and amber malts, and a touch of chocolate malt,” and a triple hop build of Chinook, Simcoe, and Centennial hops.
Pick one up, share with some friends, and then leave your opinion!
Cheers!
Nate,
Been poking around the site, enjoying the beer reviews. Starting to feel a bit thirsty…
Irritable
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Thanks for stopping b, Irritable.
I am thirsty too…the only writing about beer has the same effect! You should pick up stones 13th!
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I can’t wait to get my hands on this!
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Hey, Nate (& Mike!):
I might just have to hit the local Bevmo this evening and pick up a 22 ouncer! (Do they sell this in a 13 pack? Would be fitting …)
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@Mike…I’ve tried it…pretty good!
@ManlandNorth…Stone has a huge following, you should give this one a whirl. I catually think the 13 pack would be a great marketing tactic!
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Just found a bottle of Stone 13th Anniversary Ale at BevMo! Looking forward to the tasting!
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I’m glad you are “sipping with us Saturday.” I’m looking forward to it. I’m also happy that you commented. I would have gotten back to you sooner but it was crazy (all day) work day.
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What a great beer!
Just spent the last 2 hrs enjoying a 22 ouncer of Stone 13th Anniversary Ale. This is one big beer! There’s serious pine and grapefruit on the aroma that also comes through on the taste.
I’ll admit that I’m not a “hop head” so for me to enjoy this turbo-hop-fest, that is saying a lot. It’s a big, bold beer with a bit of sticky after finish. It almost has a rootbeer-like consistency which makes it a nice sipping beer. True to the Imperial style, the higher ABV makes you pace yourself. It’s definitely a beer to keep you busy for a few hours, unless you want to see the Stone Gargoyle in the company’s logo flying around the room!
Thanks for the suggestion to sip this beer. I wasn’t a big fan of Stone’s Arrogant Bastard, but I really dug this beer.
I posted a youtube video of the pour. It’s my first video in HD (high definition)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZdFN_gDmww
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Awesome! I;m glad you like it MLN. I am on my way to check out the video.
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oh yeah…I’m not a fan of Arrogant Bastard either.
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