"[Stone Brewing Co.] is hoping to open a production facility in Europe sometime in the next few years that will be the American craft beer movement’s first foothold on the continent."

"This year, Stone's resident expert, Certified Cicerone Bill Sysak, has put together a list of over 100 sour beers, on draft and in bottles with some coming from as far away as Belgium."

"This year, Stone's resident expert, Certified Cicerone Bill Sysak, has put together a list of over 100 sour beers, on draft and in bottles with some coming from as far away as Belgium."

"Stone just closed its request for proposal to construct a brewing facility in Europe. If it works out, in a few years Stone will be the first American craft brewery to make its product outside the United States."

"As it turned out, Arrogant Bastard was one of the formative beers that turned me into a hop head. However, if the label had not stood out so much, I may not have tried it that day, or for quite awhile after that."

"Stone has made its reputation on big-personality beers, so it’s no surprise that its lower-alcohol offering still packs plenty of flavor. This dark-copper brew offers loads of floral hops and a bitter-orange finish."

"Stone Brewing's Levitation Ale is the perfect summer beer for hop lovers. Levitation Ale has all the hoppiness of an American India Pale Ale, but at 4.4% alcohol by volume it is significantly less alcoholic."

"Escondido-based Stone Brewing Co. offered a tongue-in-cheek videotaped public apology last week when it learned that the mustards packaged under its name by an outside contractor did not contain its signature product--Stone beer."

"A frothy, sudsy, malt-and-hoppy scandal is smearing the craft brewing and gourmet condiment worlds: MustardGate. Two mustards marketed under the Stone label contain NO BEER."

"[Stone CEO Greg Koch] and the merchandise manager sat down in front of a mustard-colored wall and recorded a video public apology [for MustardGate] that’s on their web site and was posted to Facebook yesterday...This is a terrific demonstration of what to do when stuff happens."

"Stone brews Arrogant Bastard, Ruination and other 'angry' beers, and their huge tap list, along with their beautiful rock garden, has to be seen to be believed. It's a top-notch place..."

"[Stone Imperial Russian Stout] is easily one of the best stouts I have ever had and, like many of Stone’s brews, I would have another and another."

"The Stone 14th Anniversary Ale will be released this coming Monday, June 21st and I had a chance to hang with head brewer Mitch Steele and learn how they came up with the Emperial IPA for this year’s anniversary beer."

"Your sniffer is going to need a vacation after smelling Ruination...Local 'hop-heads' have been waiting for a long time to see this one show up on tap. Their reward is a spicy ale with skyscraper-high flavors."

"No company brewing beer carries the same determination, vigilance and abrasiveness as Stone. They are to beer what Fugazi was to everything else."

"Stone loves hops...and their imperial stout is true to their creed, its clean bitterness rounding out the beer’s dark-chocolate profile."

"Greg Koch, founder of Stone Brewing in San Diego and a voraciously vocal proponent of American craft beer, said: 'These are unprecedented times for American beer. No other nation can rival America in terms of diversity and creative passion.'"

"Greg Koch, CEO and co-founder of Southern California's Stone Brewing Co., talked about his company's proposed expansion to Europe...With a July 1 deadline approaching, Koch said that despite the ongoing economic downturn, the company has received 'a lot of interest' from Europeans..."

"How strong is the U.S. craft beer industry? One of its marquee names seems set on opening a brewery in Europe. Greg Koch, the CEO of Stone Brewing Co., announced in December that the Southern California company is 'officially considering' an expansion there and had issued a call for proposals..."

"The Saison du BUFF is a roller coaster of flavors, employing four spices that few would expect in their beer...So, to the brew titans of Dogfish, Stone, and Victory, on behalf of craft beer fans, I want to thank you for coming together to deliver to us the collective artistic expression that is on display in the the Saison du BUFF."

"[Stone Brewing Co.] is hoping to open a production facility in Europe sometime in the next few years that will be the American craft beer movement’s first foothold on the continent."

"Stone just closed its request for proposal to construct a brewing facility in Europe. If it works out, in a few years Stone will be the first American craft brewery to make its product outside the United States."

"[Stone Imperial Russian Stout] is easily one of the best stouts I have ever had and, like many of Stone’s brews, I would have another and another."

"Your sniffer is going to need a vacation after smelling Ruination...Local 'hop-heads' have been waiting for a long time to see this one show up on tap. Their reward is a spicy ale with skyscraper-high flavors."

"Last month we asked you to name your favorite beers...the winner was a very respectable offering: Stone Brewing Company of San Diego."

"A distinctly British ale by way of San Diego, Stone Pale Ale is one of the main reasons Stone Brewing Co. has seen its production explode from 400 barrels in 1996 to 98,500 barrels last year. In fact, given the company's growth, it may be unfair to include the Stone folks in the America's Next Top Beer debate -- they may have already arrived."

"Sam Calagione, Bill Covaleski and Greg Koch have come together again to brew a special beer, the Saison du BUFF...Calagione suggested they brew a saison, which neither Dogfish Head nor Stone brew. Koch said he always wanted to brew a beer with sage. From there, they decided to go along with the sage and to add rosemary, thyme and parsley."

"The latest news from Stone Brewing makes you think you're hearing about two different breweries. In the span of a few weeks, they released 2010's Imperial Russian Stout...and followed it with [Saison du BUFF] a light, refreshing, herb-infused saison. It's like Black Sabbath opening for Simon and Garfunkel."

"Stone Brewing, which prides itself with not only thinking outside the box but challenging the very definition of the box concept, is moving ahead with a plan that could see it opening a new brewery in Europe."

Beer of the Month: Stone IPA, "I've been waiting a long time for the beers of the San Diego area's Stone Brewing Co. to come to Chicago, and now that they are finally here, I couldn't be hoppier...The Stone India Pale Ale is a benchmark for hop-a-licious West Coast-style IPAs."

"The title of Greg Koch's presentation was ‘The World According to Stone’ and it appears that the world according to Stone is a world that needs to change. Change is needed in form of increased commitment to the environment and to more sustainable business practices."

"The featured speaker, Stone Brewing CEO Greg Koch, used a bullhorn to broadcast his message to the crowd, exhorting the 'sinners' to repent for their environmentally unclean ways and proselytize the message of sustainability."

"The Green Chamber's mission to encourage green business practices was highlighted by a presentation given by Greg Koch, chief executive officer of Stone Brewing Co., on his company's sustainability efforts. Koch's presentation, and the event as a whole, strived to emphasize the benefits that sustainable operations can have on a business's bottom line."

"Stone is the country’s number one brewer. And they know it...Indeed, as an extreme brewer that amps up the hops and alcohol in most of its beers, Stone isn’t for beginners. But to serious hop-heads, this San Diego brewer deserves Beer Advocate’s distinction as best in class."

"Stone Brewing announced on their twitter feed this afternoon that Chicago is its fifth largest market this year after only one week of sales. Guess Chicago was worthy of the Arrogance."

"Well, pull up a barstool and see for yourself during “Stone Beer Week Chicago,” which kicks-off Thursday, April 1 and runs through Friday, April 9, at hotspots like Publican and Hopleaf. We caught up with Greg Koch, CEO and co-founder of Stone Brewing Co. to ask, “where does all this confidence come from?”

"Stone Brewing, which is located in Southern California and is already widely acknowledged as crafting some of the best beer in the country, is just now making some headway onto the fairways."

"Southern California beer-maker Stone Brewing bombards Chicago this week with a balls-to-the-wall rollout involving dozens of rare kegs, dinners with special beer pairings, and lots of chances to meet the people behind the company."

"One of the largest holes in Chicago’s beer landscape has been the absence of Stone Brewing Co.  As of today, however, that is the case no more, as the Escondito, Calif., brewery adds Illinois as its 35th state (and no, this is not an April Fools’ Day joke)."

"Interview: Stone Brewing's Greg Koch. Koch and I discussed the perils of dealing with Illinois beer distributors, the response of Stone's arrival from restaurants and bars, and other major plans for the brewery."

"Stone Week in Chicago More Like An All Out Assault: The Chicago area is two days away from the full throttle launch of Stone Brewing Co. in the market, and owner Greg Koch appears to be leaving no stone unturned (pun totally intended) in saturating the market with his beers."

"Starting tomorrow, the Cali craft beer colossus is finally distributing to Chi and's celebrating with a week of events and tastings at assorted spirits stores and brew-friendly joints all over the city..."

"California's Stone Brewing Company kicks off its arrival in Chicago this week with nine days of events. Beginning Thursday, bars across the city devote tap space to Stone beers, which include the company's seven year-round releases as well as specialties like Old Guardian Barley Wine and the Vertical Epic series."

"If you're unfamiliar with Stone, they're one of the most remarkable success stories of the American craft beer renaissance...The Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens is as beautiful a casual dining environment as I have ever seen connected to a brewery, or even winery..."

"Stone's kickoff week is unlike anything Chicago's seen before, with most of the city's top beer bars and liquor stores pouring Stone brews and hosting special events."

"Although local brewers don't expect to compete for marketshare with virtual monopoly held by multinational conglomerates, brewing exceptional beer has proved lucrative: Stone has grown, on average, 47 percent each year for the past 12 years."

"One of the finest Black IPA examples in the market, in my opinion, is Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale (formerly Stone 11th Anniversary Ale)...If you like IPAs and you like brown ales, porters and stouts, you really must try this beer."

"This week, Chicago finally gets a taste of Stone’s swagger. Slow to enter the local market, the brewery is making up for lost time with a week of launch events April 1-8. We talked to Stone co-founder and CEO Greg Koch to find out what the fuss is about."

"Another brewery’s extreme beer is Stone’s status-quo. The Stone IPA knocks it out of the park and is a strong, hoppy, yet balanced and crisp IPA."

2010 Stone Old Guardian Review: "Pretty amazing, very balanced this year."

"Cheap, commercial beer pales in comparison to beer from Stone Brewing Co. With the menacing gargoyle logo and bold beer flavors, Stone is a favorite among beer enthusiasts."

"Stone Brewing Co. plans to start selling its craft beers, known for their bold flavors, in Chicago next month...'Chicago is a very competitive market, but they have a great reputation throughout the industry,' says Gabriel Magliaro, president of Chicago’s Half Acre Beer Co."

"There were three breweries on our wish list of those that deserve distribution in Illinois. We say 'were' because, starting April 1, Stone Brewing makes its official (legal) debut in the Chicago market."

Brewing Benevolence is a series of articles and interviews with breweries that are committed to more than just brewing beer in their communities. In this edition, I talked to Chris with Stone Brewing  in Escondido, California.

"If you like kick-ass beer, then you like Stone Brewing Co. The Escondido Calif.-based brewery has a rabid following in the craft beer world and direct ties to USC. Greg Koch, class of 1987, co-founded Stone in 1995 and has helped build it into a juggernaut."

2009 Local Hero Award Winner! "Founded in 1996 by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner, Stone operates with as much of a conscious as they do a palate. Their restaurant, the Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens, is committed to local growers and artisan purveyors."

"Because I’m totally down with the slow-food trend, I was quick to RSVP when I caught wind of a 'fresh dinner' event happening at Stone Brewing Company in Escondido. Each ingredient from the menu was to be procured from a local farm on the same day as the meal."

"Next week's [Stone Imperial Russian Stout] tasting, a first for Stone in Texas, is another sign that Houstonians are open to alternatives to mass-marketed beers."

"Of course, though, the wit would be meaningless if the beer didn't back it up. Good news! It does. Arrogant Bastard features an avalanche of flavor..."

Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee, Macadamia, Coconut Porter named one of the Top 25 Beers of the Year!

"Since I’m a big fan of smoke flavors, I thought a chili that merged Stone Smoked Porter and  chipotle peppers would hit the spot. Borrowing heavily from Routson’s base recipe, here’s what I came up with."

"Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale may not have been the first black IPA out there, but I believe it was the first kick-ass version to be distributed widely. Where Stone goes stylistically, other brewers follow."

"That’s right, sometimes when I want a great drinking experience, I go out and get a selection of beers from Stone Brewing Co., located in Escondido, CA."

Stone is named "All-Time Top Brewer" for the second year in a row.

"Stone Brewing Co. Voted 'Best Beer' in our San Diego's Best Restaurants Survey 2010!"

"Stone Brewery is proving, yet again, that they are in the forefront of the craft beer industry.  The third installment of their ‘Women Only’ beer classes - held at the brewery – featured eight stouts and porters and about 40 beer loving women of all ages."

"Even the possibility of Stone opening up a new brewery is the best holiday present that beer has received this year. "

"European beer drinkers often contact Stone, Koch said, wondering where to find their ales. Brewing in Europe would mean that Stone beers sold in London or Rome, say, would taste fresh. Economic and environmental costs of shipping would also be cut."

"Southern California’s Stone Brewing Co., makers of Arrogant Bastard and a panoply of big beers, announced yesterday in a web video that they are considering opening a second brewery across the Atlantic."

"Stone is known for brawny beers with lots of hops and flavor, and the Ruination IPA fits the bill."

"If your girlfriend was to cheat on you with a beer, it would be from Stone Brewing Co. It would send you the pictures and it would laugh at you to your face when it saw you in public."

"Stone Brewing Co. of San Diego is where my heart truly lays. It rises to the top of the suds in the world of my favorite beers."

"[Stone] Vertical Epic is a grand experience that lives up to its name."

"Translated using Stone’s notoriously unapologetic vernacular, the objective of the class was to convert fizzy yellow beer drinkers to the ranks of “worthy” craft brew fans."

"Stone Vertical Epic 09.09.09, the lastest in a series of special release beers from Stone Brewing Co., is designed to spend a couple of years in your beer cellar."

"Congrats, San Diego. You're the new beer capital of the U.S. (as far as Men's Journal is concerned). This calls for a party: San Diego Beer Week.

Kicking off Nov. 6, the 10-day countywide celebration makes for a timely opportunity to present our ongoing series of videos profiling local breweries."

"Since quietly opening the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in November 2006, Greg Koch and Steve Wagner have reinvented casual dining in the same bold manner they did beer."

"Why just fantasize about sipping fresh Kona coffee while cutting open a ripe coconut to munch on when you can do all the above in one amazing new beer?"

"...Greg Koch is one of the superheros of the American craft beer industry, and in that role he recently struck a resounding blow for truth and justice by proving once and for all that beer has more breadth, depth and character in food pairings than Johnny-one-note wine"

"Stone has built its reputation by screwing with people's heads, and their newest [BrewDog/Cambridge/Stone Juxtaposition Black Pilsner] beer continues that tradition."

"Maybe it's (my favorite beer) because I can identify so well with its name, but more likely it's the fact that Arrogant Bastard Ale is just one tasty beer. It is rich and complex, yet it delivers its pallet-punching flavor in a deviously unassuming way."

"So, how good is Aloha Plenty? Good enough to justify the high prices (we paid $6.99 for 12 ounces) and the hype? Oh, yes. This is the liquid equivalent of moonrise over Diamond Head."

Part of my generosity with my rating of “OAKED Arrogant Bastard” (four stars rather than three) has simply to do with the ale being arrogant enough to live up to its own name.

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens sets the bar high for local brewpubs...In addition to taking a brewery tour and tasting outstanding beers, patrons can enjoy a delectable menu of organic, local food. Stone Brewing World Bistro proudly adheres to the highest standards of sustainable, fresh food items.

The readers of Beer Advocate magazine, the bible of American beer geeks, named Stone Brewing Co. the “All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth.” Louisiana, however, was one corner of the globe where you couldn’t buy a glass of hoppy, full-flavored Stone beer. All that changes next week when the California brewery storms into the city with three days of parties.

"Once again Stone Brewing Company knocks it out of the park with another world class addition to the Vertical Epic series."

Stone Levitation Ale Named "Best Ale":

It has a deep amber body, roasted malt flavors reminiscent of the finest English ales, and the sturdy dose of hops you'd expect from a leader of the West Coast's "extreme beer" movement. The result is the tastiest session ale we've had this year.

San Diego Named "Best Beer Town in the US":

“San Diego isn’t just surfing and LaDanian Tomlinson anymore—it’s the new beer capital of the U.S. Stone (maker of our number one ale) exemplifies the local approach, with aggressively hopped but completely drinkable brews."

"[Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone Kona Coffee, Macadamia, Coconut Porter] demonstrates what amazing things can happen when craft brewers work together."

WW: What should people know about your brewery?
GK: Everything. We don't bother engaging in activities that aren't worth knowing about. Between our range of beer styles, our award-winning architecture, our acre of gardens, the fact that our brewery tour is one of the top tourist destinations in our region, our eclectic organic and free-range menu at the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, our blogging and online videos (including the IAmACraftBrewer.com vids), the 32 beers on tap at our restaurant, our wide array of special events, the large set of solar panels on the roof of our brewery, our charitable activities, or our incredible team of fascinatingly diverse employees, it's hard to pick any one thing. We are that good.

"Extraordinary growth has become ordinary for Stone Brewing Co. The 13-year-old company keeps outgrowing its surroundings like a teenager outgrowing his clothes."

"...when asked the reason behind Stone's recent expansion, marked by the purchase of a $6.2 million, 60,000-square-foot warehouse for distribution, [Greg Koch] said it was because sales of craft brews, including his, are increasing while sales of mainstream beers are declining."

"[Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale is] a very luxurious beer, that gets even better as it warms up...this beer just might be destined for greatness with a bit of age on it."

"For the Las Vegas show, the Top Chef production crew came back for more Stone beer. The well-regarded brewery never pays for product placement, but given its Southern California location it has many fans in Hollywood. Stone beer has been featured in shows such as Weeds, West Wing and the movie Old School."

"[With Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale] Stone Brewing Company continues to demonstrate that they are masters of complex beers and tastes..."

"All in all, [Stone 13th Anniversary Celebration and Invitational Beer Festival] was a refreshing look at the beverage industry-a business usually full of big corporations with bitter rivalries battling for market control. Not here. Not these guys."

"The guys at Stone brewing know how to throw a birthday party. And perhaps even better, they know how to get other brewers to bring their newest and best brews to the party."

"Stone Brewing Co. keeps powering its way through the recession with more growth."

"This year's Stone 13th Anniversary Ale...is double dry-hopped, giving it a slap-your-mama hop bitterness."

"Now [Stone] is turning 13. Unlike many of us, who ushered in that awkward age with cracking vocal cords and hair sprouting in funny places, Stone is marking its adolescence gracefully with the limited release of an exceptional beer."

"Hops make a potent statement here...but the malts hold their own. 13th is big, balanced and beautiful."

"My brother always said character was what made someone into a legend...that phrase could easily be applied to Stone."

"You gotta love the California-based Stone Brewing Company. They're out of control, push the envelope, crazy-ass dudes...and they make some of the finest ales on the planet."

"...if you are a hophead like me, you'll absolutely love [Stone 13th Anniversary Ale]. This has to be one of the tastiest hop driven beers that I've ever had."

"First off, there's Stone's logo: It's a bad-ass-looking gargoyle sporting a sinister underbite and usually holding a mug of beer-and it would make for a hell of a tattoo. Secondly, and more importantly, Stone makes EXTREME brews for extreme beer fans."

"I give [Arrogant Bastard Ale] extra credit for hooking me on Stone."

"Thousands of pages of print media have been dedicated to the craft beer experience over the past two decades, but few of them have come close to capturing the true spirit of the American craft brewing industry like ['I Am A Craft Brewer']..."

"Of all the breweries in San Diego, it's safe to say that Stone has gained the most national recognition-not just for their roster of distinguished beers, but also for their approach to the business."

"[Stone 13th Anniversary Ale is] a big, powerful beer but surprisingly balanced...Even the label is sexy. Really, everything about this brew is sexy."

"On July 19, Stone Brewing is hosting its third annual Sour Fest in Escondido. Newly installed beverage coordinator Bill Sysak has visited Belgium 30 times and promises the selection will be 'decadent, more extreme' than previous years, with close to 50 kegs, plus plenty of bottled lambics."

"'As more and more craft breweries have opened around the country, brewers have continued to make great craft brews as they refine and improve the craft,' says Greg Koch, president and co-founder of Stone Brewing Co. of North County San Diego, Calif. 'And just like rock 'n' roll, the craft beer industry has grown up and matured by introducing new sub-genres.'"

"Stone Brewing, the godfather of San Diego's burgeoning scene, turns 13 this year. To commemorate the occasion, head brewer Mitch Steele created Stone 13th Anniversary Ale, a dry-hopped Imperial Red Ale."

"I could go on for hours about how great [Stone 13th Anniversary Ale] is. I have been doing that for the 6 years that I have been writing this column about every other Stone special release..."

"Over the past ten to fifteen years a lot of brewers have released “Anniversary” brews. Some are uninspiring, simply a hopped up version of their regular offerings. Others simply add a random ingredient in an attempt to be funky or unique. There are other brewers that celebrate their Anniversaries by giving us the consumer and their fans a beer unique to that year. No one does this better that Stone Brewing Company."

"Stone 13th Anniversary Ale is a perfect example of Stone Brewing Co. producing a high quality hopped ale...[and] demonstrates yet again how they are the masters of well-hopped beers."

"The point of Wagner's love-them-or-hate-them beers (Stone is now sold in 31 states, so it's mostly the former) isn't to get the drinker intoxicated, but to create complex layers of flavor through long, robust fermentations with a rich mix of grains and huge amounts of resiny, fresh, green hops."

"The many facces of Greg Koch were on dispay during his keynote address at the recent Craft Brewers Conference in Boston, MA. In a bravura performance, the brash Stone Brewing Co. co-founder expounded, sang, and twittered for nearly an hour. 'It was the best speech I have ever seen,' said Harry Schumacher, publisher of Beer Business Daily."

"(2009 Stone Imperial Russian Stout) is one exceptional bold beer. When poured, it has a very strong aroma, which has an almost smoked/burned espresso flavor. It's a very pleasant smell..."

"The savory flavors of the oily salmon and seasoned lentils go nicely with the robust and full-flavored (Stone) pale ale. A distinctive hop spiciness allows the beer to complement and cut through some of the heavier flavors."

"(Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine) is another wonderful accomplishment from the people at Stone Brewing Co. Although it is quite hoppy, the maltiness is a strong supporting character that blends perfectly with the hops."

"Values are as important as barley and hops to the flavor of Stone Brewing Co. While accomplishing growth of up to 47 percent per year, the company has been careful to hold on to its character."

"They won't admit it, but Stone Brewing Co. is quickly becoming one of the most well-known Microbreweries in the United States...Stone isn't trying to cater to the masses. This is obvious by reading the back of the Arrogant Bastard Ale bottle."

"The abundance and thickness of flavor (in OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale) is what is most apparent, but the alcohol gives it that little extra bite that gives you that perfect beer face, like Burt Reynolds scaling the Rockies with a pipe in mouth kind of face."

"While many small company-CEOs dream of expanding across the nation, Stone Brewing Co.'s Greg Koch, wants the opposite...Koch told students at CSU San Marcos' 'In the Executive's Chair' class he'd rather sell more beer in five states than get spread out across the nation."

"Is Escondido's Stone Brewing the world's best Brewery? Yes say the readers of BeerAdvocate magazine..."

"Values are as important as barley and hops to the flavor of Stone Brewing Co. While accomplishing growth of up to 47 percent per year, the company has been careful to hold on to its character."

"Stone Brewing named by BeerAdvocate Magazine as the ‘All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth. The most popular and highest-rated brewery...ever.'"

"As a craft beer fan, I often ask a similar question of my beers: 'Why were you not made by Stone Brewing?' "

"These days, Escondido's Stone Brewing Co. is not just brewing beer. It's also simmering a stew of industrial-strength bugs, in tanks far removed from the barley and hops, to treat sewage. The brewery is taking a detour from its traditional operations and will soon begin treating its own wastewater...."

"America's Top Breweries: Stone Brewing is the southern California outfit responsible for beers like the Arrogant Bastard Ale and the Imperial Russian Stout." Click Here For Full Story

"There may be a budding food crisis afoot in the land, but at least there's still beer—and a growing amount of small-batch "craft" beer, according to the U.S. Brewer's Association, the trade association for America's favorite foamy beverage. The food crunch has hit the beer business; rising costs have made quality ingredients harder to come by. And last spring Oregon Reps. Peter DeFazio and Greg Walden founded the first ever House Small Brewers Caucus, a bipartisan group dedicated to keeping watch over the interests of the microbrewery industry on Capitol Hill."

"Craft industry's budding mecca welcomes annual conference. Many industry leaders flew in early to tour an area they say could become to craft beer fans what Napa Valley is to wine afficionados."

"There's something about eating food that was grown in a way that enriches rather than depletes the soil, that hasn't been sprayed with chemicals to keep it "fresh" for months, and that hasn't been trucked across the country or flown across the world, that feels good as well as tastes good. Greg Koch, co-owner of Escondido's Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens, feels the same way."

"The Brewers Association, a Denver-based industry group, estimates that global demand for hops exceeds supply by 10 percent to 15 percent. Add poor harvests, the loss of arable land to development, and farmers increasingly turning to corn instead of barley and hops – thank you, ethanol! – and you have Beercalypse Now."

"Greg Koch brews and sells beer. He doesn't advertise though--and he doesn't care if you don't like his beer. He knows that only 3 percent of the world likes specialty beer, and he wants that 3 percent to enjoy his brews at Stone Brewing Co."

Brewers in North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County say hops ---- the ingredient that gives beer its biting zing and heady aroma ---- is in short supply. Across the world, breweries are scrambling to secure supplies. In some cases, they're coming up short. "The impact is dramatic," said Greg Koch, chief executive of craft brewer Stone Brewing, based in Escondido. "It's going to affect pricing. It affects our ability to do special projects and other things that we had in mind," said Koch

"Savvy malt-and-hop establishments have been opening across the county at a rapid clip. Each has its own personality and offerings; all bolster San Diego's position as a rising star among American cities on the beer Tourism circuit."

"Stone Brewing Co., maker of challenging beers with a high hoppy kick, plans to install a $3.2 million photovoltaic system in its brewery/restaurant."

"To be sure, the maiden meeting of the Book and Beer Club, hosted by the Stone Brewing Co., had a heady buzz to it. The subject of the adult palaver, however, was at times gut-wrenching, at least for this haphazard diner."

"AS CEO AND COFOUNDER of Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, throwing back cold ones is all in a day's work for Koch (pronounced "cook"). Okay, so maybe there's more than a pinch of vision, ambition and work ethic involved; you don't build one of the most successful brewery operations in the country by hosting all-day, company-wide burp contests."

"In the beer world, at least among those willing to pay a premium for their brew, Stone's creations are famous. Although the company has never advertised, its fame has spread. Its beers have been ranked among the best in the country, and even the world. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens officially, but very quietly, opened two months ago."

"Stone Brewing Company celebrates 10 years"

"Stone Brewing in Escondido, one of the top brewers in the world."

"Beer lovers have taken notice; the website RateBeer.com ranked the brewery's Stone Imperial Russian Stout as number seven on the list of best beers in the world this year."

[Stone Imperial Russian Stout] is a 5 star brew. Bravo, gentlemen!

"Arrogant Bastards: Stone Brewery Brewest The Best Beer In The World...And They Know It"

"Stone Brewing Co. has finished its move from San Marcos into its new and larger location in Escondido, but the work is far from over."

"If you...name your beer "Arrogant Bastard Ale" you better live up to the name. Fortunately this beer from the Stone Brewing Company in California does."

With its tagline of "You're not worthy," [Arrogant Bastard Ale] has been taking the country by storm under the reins of this fast-growing brewery.

"Known for its full-bodied brews and in-your-face marketing, Stone has gone from a small upstart brewery that bled red ink in its early years to a powerhouse in the craft-brewing business."

"Not for the faint of heart, [Stone's] bold brews have a strong and fast-growing fan base"

Stone will kick off a three-day charity fundraiser, asking its fans to help build a 14-foot-high stone wall that will run through the new restaurant and beer garden

"A few well-known folks were looking and feeling blue yesterday, but actually were quite happy, and so were three charitable organizations."

"Stone plans $10 million brewery in Escondido."

"Stone Brewing thrives after rocky start"

"Even in the snootiest beer circles, San Diego is becoming known for its inventive beer culture...."

The internet's largest beer-rating website "RateBeer.com" again names Stone Brewing "America's Best Brewer" for the FOURTH time running!

Stone Brewing makes the INC 500 list of America's fastest growing companies for the second year in a row.

"Cheers For The Bitter Brew"

"This Ale's An Arrogant Bastard"

The internet's largest beer-rating website "RateBeer.com" again names Stone Brewing "America's Best Brewer" for the third time running!

"This year, Stone's resident expert, Certified Cicerone Bill Sysak, has put together a list of over 100 sour beers, on draft and in bottles with some coming from as far away as Belgium."

"This year, Stone's resident expert, Certified Cicerone Bill Sysak, has put together a list of over 100 sour beers, on draft and in bottles with some coming from as far away as Belgium."

"As it turned out, Arrogant Bastard was one of the formative beers that turned me into a hop head. However, if the label had not stood out so much, I may not have tried it that day, or for quite awhile after that."

"A frothy, sudsy, malt-and-hoppy scandal is smearing the craft brewing and gourmet condiment worlds: MustardGate. Two mustards marketed under the Stone label contain NO BEER."

"[Stone CEO Greg Koch] and the merchandise manager sat down in front of a mustard-colored wall and recorded a video public apology [for MustardGate] that’s on their web site and was posted to Facebook yesterday...This is a terrific demonstration of what to do when stuff happens."

"The Stone 14th Anniversary Ale will be released this coming Monday, June 21st and I had a chance to hang with head brewer Mitch Steele and learn how they came up with the Emperial IPA for this year’s anniversary beer."

"No company brewing beer carries the same determination, vigilance and abrasiveness as Stone. They are to beer what Fugazi was to everything else."

"Stone loves hops...and their imperial stout is true to their creed, its clean bitterness rounding out the beer’s dark-chocolate profile."

"Greg Koch, CEO and co-founder of Southern California's Stone Brewing Co., talked about his company's proposed expansion to Europe...With a July 1 deadline approaching, Koch said that despite the ongoing economic downturn, the company has received 'a lot of interest' from Europeans..."

"How strong is the U.S. craft beer industry? One of its marquee names seems set on opening a brewery in Europe. Greg Koch, the CEO of Stone Brewing Co., announced in December that the Southern California company is 'officially considering' an expansion there and had issued a call for proposals..."

"The Saison du BUFF is a roller coaster of flavors, employing four spices that few would expect in their beer...So, to the brew titans of Dogfish, Stone, and Victory, on behalf of craft beer fans, I want to thank you for coming together to deliver to us the collective artistic expression that is on display in the the Saison du BUFF."

"Stone brews are expertly crafted, premier examples of their types...Any trip to San Diego should include a visit to the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - whether you like beer or not!"

"Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens was created as a park-like environment for dining, relaxing, exploration, and special events. The project represents an important concept in combining recreation with stormwater management and water quality improvements."

"[Stone is] glad to be a part of a community that appreciates creativity, and we hope you’ll join us in working to keep it that way. We all have the ability to demonstrate our support for the arts…we all have a voice…make your voice heard!"

"Like any good friend, I put the pressure on Mitch Steele to subject himself to my extremely lengthy brewer interview. Surprisingly enough, Mitch not only complied, he went all out and provided me with my most in-depth interview to date! ROCK ON!"

"Stone, the county's largest brewery, is famous for delightfully in-your-face beers, bold plans and elaborate practical jokes. So how serious is the Escondido company, when it announces it is scouting locations for a brewery in Europe and hopes to identify one by October? Our guess: as serious as the company's mascot, that scowling gargoyle."

"Another Fresh Dinner at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens has come and gone, and once again, 'epic' describes it rather adeptly."

"The [Stone] detour turned out to be one of the best ideas we’d had in a long time as the brewery and accompanying brasserie was absolutely freakin’ spectacular...a visit to the brewery is reminiscent of a Napa winery trip – a great cathedral of beer set in lavish surroundings."

"Sunday, April 18th, a day that will live in infamy...Stone World Bistro and Gardens [hosted] one of the most impressive collections of beer in the universe, Stone Oakquinox."

"Stone Brewing Co.'s CEO and cofounder Greg Koch will be in town Thursday evening to give a speech to the St. Louis chapter of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas...Koch [is speaking] about the history, philosophy and environmental commitments of the wildly successful Stone Brewing, as well as the Escondido, California-based company's equally compelling Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens."

"Stone has made its reputation on big-personality beers, so it’s no surprise that its lower-alcohol offering still packs plenty of flavor. This dark-copper brew offers loads of floral hops and a bitter-orange finish."

"Stone Brewing's Levitation Ale is the perfect summer beer for hop lovers. Levitation Ale has all the hoppiness of an American India Pale Ale, but at 4.4% alcohol by volume it is significantly less alcoholic."

"Escondido-based Stone Brewing Co. offered a tongue-in-cheek videotaped public apology last week when it learned that the mustards packaged under its name by an outside contractor did not contain its signature product--Stone beer."

"Stone brews Arrogant Bastard, Ruination and other 'angry' beers, and their huge tap list, along with their beautiful rock garden, has to be seen to be believed. It's a top-notch place..."

"Greg Koch, founder of Stone Brewing in San Diego and a voraciously vocal proponent of American craft beer, said: 'These are unprecedented times for American beer. No other nation can rival America in terms of diversity and creative passion.'"

“'We have some of the top breweries in the country here right now, if not in the world,'” [said Summer] Nixon [Co-Founder of Brew Hop.] 'Stone Brewing Company is world-renowned...'"

“Classic,” I mumble. “Prophets in their own town. Never appreciated.”...“Darned right,” says Mark. He’s the airline pilot to my left, sipping a Stone Levitation, the “best beer I’ve had all night.”

"'The 5 Best Beers for Taco Night' Stone Pale Ale: This California ale has an aggressively hoppy flavor balanced by lightly toasted malts, which bring out the caramelized flavors of grilled meats."

"Experimentation plays a key role in the beer industry, says Greg Koch, CEO of Escondido's Stone Brewing Co., one of the nation's largest craft beer producers. 'It's definitely an attention-grabber,' Koch says about the high alcohol level. 'But it demonstrates what's possible in the world of beer. We like anything that shows people the diversity in beer.'"

"Owner Brian Huskey recommends pairing Stone Smoked Porter with baby-back ribs. Dark and smoky, with a hint of chocolate, this will enhance the flavor of the rub, he said."

"'The Best Beer For Your Bowl.' If you like strong beer, try Stone Double Bastard Ale. The caramel flavor dances well with chili ingredients"

"Spend the day indulging in two of Escondido’s finest attractions. A long day of walking and sightseeing at the Wild Animal Park is best topped off with a dinner at the relaxing and refreshing Stone Brewery."

Stone Imperial Russian Stout and Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine both named 50 Beers To Try Now!

"The event's main speaker, Greg Koch, Stone Brewing Co.'s CEO, advocated profitable environmentalism with histrionic flair. Escondido-based Stone is the poster child for successful melding of green (environmental) with green (cash)."

"It makes sense that local beer enthusiasts would recognize the potential to grab a slice of the market, said Greg Koch, CEO and co-founder of Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido. 'As things hit a certain critical mass it makes business models viable. Tap Hunter wouldn't be a viable website that anybody would care about if there were two places in San Diego that had anything interesting on tap,' Koch said."

"Neither Stone Brewing nor their distributor expected the reaction of their beer reaching Chicago that they eventually received. Stone head brewer Mitch Steele said that when he left California to come to the conference, 'the brewery is pretty much empty [of beer.]'"

"The first Black IPA I had that blew me away was Stone Brewing Company's Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale...'A really well-done Black IPA is incredibly tasty and delicious,' Greg Koch, CEO and co-founder of Stone Brewing Company, tells me. 'It's a compelling beer.'"

"Stone Brewing founder and CEO Greg Koch is coming to town and as a result you can taste the largest number of Stone taps ever sipped outside of California."

"When a craft brewer has the balls to name a beer Arrogant Bastard, he better bring it. California’s Stone Brewing has no trouble delivering the goods..."

"The California brewers best known for Arrogant Bastard Ale are starting to distribute in Chicago, and they’re celebrating with a full week of appearances by brewmaster Steve Wagner and CEO Greg Koch."

"Stone Brewing Co. of Escondido [won a SANDEE Award] for its commitment to the environment and sustainability, including a solar-power system that provides 30 percent to 40 percent of its electricity."

"Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido, Calif., is joining forces with two of the East Coast’s most innovative craft brewers, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Victory Brewing Co., to make Saison du BUFF, an ale spiced with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme."

"Well, the head of the WTO did stop by the Stone World Bistro & Gardens last Wednesday. The head of the World Toilet Organization, that is. I know what you're thinking. There's a World Toilet Organization? Apparently, there is."

"Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido may brew the best-known [beers designed for aging], a series of annual beers called Vertical Epic, with each new release coming one year, one month and one day after the last. The full flight is meant to be experienced, according to the brewers, in one sitting on Dec. 12, 2012."

"Having someone like Greg Koch of Stone Brewing Co. coming all the way out here from California to be the keynote speaker is fantastic," says Tenny. "He's just about the biggest rock star in the craft brewing scene."

Nearly Perfect: Stone Smoked Porter. "This mouth-filling porter has a lovely balance of creamy malt and fruity hops. Don't be afraid of the smoke: this has just a hint of roasty flavor to balance generous coffee, cream, and sweet caramel notes, and it finishes very dry."

"A word to the wise," said Greg Koch, whose Stone Brewery in California produces the very cellarable Vertical Epic series. "The best way to ensure a beer for long-term aging is to keep it cool or cold. Period."

"Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido is recognized as one of the best breweries in the nation..."

"Smoky, heavy, and earthy both in smell and taste, Stone Imperial Russian Stout's flavor is characterized with hints of roast coffee beans, dark fruits, molasses, and brown sugar."

"According to Professor Greg Koch of Stone Brewing, [bashah] might just be the world’s first ever commercially brewed Black Belgian Double IPA."

"Stone Brewing Co.'s...Vertical Epic line of bottled beers was really one of first brewery-based initiatives that tried to educate consumers about [aging beers.]"

"We now have beer from some of the best in the business, including Ska, Deschutes, Oskar Blues, Boulevard and the full line from Stone Brewing Co.”

"California's Stone Brewing Co., noted for its highly rated Russian imperial stout and a strong ale called Arrogant Bastard, has been on Missouri drinkers' wish list for more than a year."

"Stone Brewing of California, may be dipping its toes into the European market."

"Stone Brewing Co. also had multiple collaborations with various companies and it turns out home brewers have been doing the same and will continue to do so into 2010."

"With an elegant restaurant, hospitality room and bar and a beautifully landscaped outdoor area that often hosts movie nights and other events, Stone is, as our bartender put it, “beer mecca.” The grounds rival any winery in Napa Valley."

"...locally produced wine and beer is the fifth hottest trend on restaurant menus in 2010"

"Arrogant Bastard Ale...my favorite beer."

"Escondido-based Stone Brewing Co. recently designed beer lists for BICE, the new Italian restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter; the dining room at the Madera Bolf & Country Club in the Central Valley; and the Charlie Palmer restaurant chain."

"...Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido, hosted the third annual Stone Sour Fest on July 19. More than 600 guests attended to taste the 90 beers..."

"Beer Clothing Co...will feature apparel, gear and accessories from a number of craft breweries from around the United States."

Pecan Pie's Best Pair: Stone Smoked Porter. "You might think a smoky beer belongs with grilled meat, but it's great with pecan pie (and not bad with pumpkin either."

"Ruination IPA is delicious to drink, but good luck appreciating other flavors afterwards. Allow this Double IPA to ruin your palate for anything else that claims to be 'beer'"

"'We should do a pub crawl,' my wife suggested -- after we learned that our flight from Denver International Airport was delayed two hours. My wife has come up with some great ideas over the years, but this was one of her best."

"It’s called 'San Diego Beer Week,' but this countywide celebration is actually a super-sized 10 days."

"Bradley Boyle, owner of Salt Gastro pub in Stanhope, N.J., said he has seen his customers pairing higher-end beer with the food instead of wine."

"...try out the Stone Smoked Porter. The brewers there have an ego, and it's rightly deserved."

"The Vertical Epic is an annual limited release ale intended to age for approximately ten years. That is when Stone estimates that it will reach its peak. (Stone has been doing this since 2002, and you can track their check-in tastings on each of the beers.)"

"Stone Brewing Co. of San Diego makes some of the best and hoppiest beer on the planet."

"The results are in: Beer is better than wine. At least that’s how the voting went at the third annual Beer vs. Wine dinner held recently at Rancho Bernardo Inn."

...with powerhouse craft brewer Stone Brewing Co. just 30 minutes outside the city limits, America's Finest City (seriously -- that's actually their nickname) has a lot of pull with the brewing community."

"Levitation is a milder version of American pale or amber ale, and its lower bittering and ABV make it very sessionable. Stone has impeccable craft brewing credentials, and its Levitation shows it."

"'All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth.' This was the title recently bestowed by BeerAdvocate Magazine upon Stone Brewing Company - an irreverent San Diego brewery with big dreams. Stone is just one of over 30 craft breweries in this city that is fast becoming the Napa of beer."

"Arrogant Bastard is the point of no return. Maybe it’s the beer’s bad-boy demeanor, or maybe it’s the West Coast hop action, but we see this American strong ale everywhere and, despite its attitude, people love it. So do we."

"Finally, from October 20-22, the Avenue Pub celebrates the local arrival of California-made Stone beer with a non-stop 72-hour party.'This is the biggest beer thing that has happened in the state of Louisiana,' said bar owner Polly Watts, 'so long term it will change the face of craft beer in the city.'"

"San Diego's rise to hop-and-malt prominence began 20 years ago, with the founding of the area's oldest surviving brewery, Karl Strauss. Later arrivals, notably Stone and AleSmith, cultivated an anything-goes attitude that reflects the freewheeling Southern California culture."

Stone Brewing Co. places 19th on San Diego Business Journal's 2009 list of Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies

"I want my burger juicy in the middle and charred on the outside, and I want a Stone Smoked Porter to go with it. Its bittersweet chocolate flavors give it a hefty body, while a dose of smoked malt puts grill marks on your pint glass."

"In the United States, we can satisfy ourselves with luscious, full-flavored American-style IPAs that are close to the original. Spiced with ample amounts of aromatic hops, American IPA from the likes of Stone Brewing and Dogfish Head is now one of the most popular styles you'll find in the craft-beer aisle."

"Dark beer lovers will be pleased to find Stone's Imperial Russian Stout; but watch out if you've never tried it before. It makes Guinness look like Bud Light and double espresso taste like a vanilla Frappucino."

"Of all the beers guzzled--I mean, sampled--for this tasting, the hands-down favorite was Stone Brewing Co.'s Arrogant Bastard Ale. 'Luscious' describes it quite nicely, bursting with nutty, toffee-like aromas and a complex array of flavors..."

"'Twitter isn't a promotional gimmick or a sneaky way to conduct marketing research,' says Matthew Steele, who operates the @StoneBrewingCo Twitter account. 'It's a way to talk to our fans and connect personally.'"

"Asked if they (BrewDog) were inspired by any UK beers, Martin plainly says 'no'; rather it was the potent, complex beers of Belgium and experimental US microbreweries like Dogfish Head and Stone Brewery in California which provided their role models."

"Winding down the walkway to Stone Brewery's eatery in Escondido, you may feel as if you're entering Batman's lair. With firelight bouncing off the large stone tables and a glass wall displaying towers of fermenting hops, the site is both impressive and inviting."

"On July 19, Stone Brewing is hosting its third annual Sour Fest in Escondido. Newly installed beverage coordinator Bill Sysak has visited Belgium 30 times and promises the selection will be 'decadent, more extreme' than previous years, with close to 50 kegs, plus plenty of bottled lambics."

"An increasing number of bar and restaurant owners will go out of their way to support smaller brewers...[and] small brewers reward that loyalty. Stone Brewing CEO Greg Koch, for instance, personally delivered a keg of vanilla porter to the Downtown bistro Neighborhood on Friday afternoon..."

"Stone Brewing Co. in San Diego, CA, is the brainchild of OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale...consumers are lining up to buy this beer."

"'As more and more craft breweries have opened around the country, brewers have continued to make great craft brews as they refine and improve the craft,' says Greg Koch, president and co-founder of Stone Brewing Co. of North County San Diego, Calif. 'And just like rock 'n' roll, the craft beer industry has grown up and matured by introducing new sub-genres.'"

"Many thanks to both Stone Brewery and Pal Joey?s for helping make SpringFest the terrific community event that it is."

"It just seemed like everything Stone released in 2008 was exactly what I wanted."

"I've always enjoyed a good soup. By far the most stunning soup I've found to date is the Garlic Cheddar & Stone Ruination IPA Soup at the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido".

"[Brewers] are facing soaring costs and a shortage in hops, the plant used to give beer its bitterness, aroma and flavor. At Stone Brewing Co., considered one of the industry leaders in creating hoppy beers, the 15-20% price hike instituted earlier this year was the "biggest single price increase we had to take" in the company's 12-year history, said owner Greg Koch."

"Stone IPA takes the edge off a tough day."

"[Stone] has more than a dozen or so videos posted on YouTube featuring various behind-the-scenes tours of their operation led by CEO Greg Koch. It’s an engaging way to connect with the story of the brewery and thus, get interested in their beers."

Every elementary school kid learns that necessity is the mother of invention. Never was there a truer statement when talking about a particular style of beer called India Pale Ale. One particular innovation stands head and shoulders above the rest in world history, one that solved the problem of how to get beer to English soldiers in the newly colonized country of India.

"They will go blue to raise some green"