We went to England this past spring as self-styled “IPA Hunters” on a mission to learn more about the confusing and often contradictory history of India Pale Ale—to look for some certainty where those before us have found mostly mystery and mercantilism. While our success in this pursuit is open to debate, there can be no question that we returned home inspired by the ghosts of Burton and by the…
In the 15 years since we entered the craft brewing world, change has come not in a straight line, but as an exponential curve. The craft brewing movement has long been called a "revolution." But today the air is so thick with revolution, it's palpable. No longer is it only an awareness among the faithful; the unconverted are beginning to feel it as well. Denial and ignorance are disappearing in…
This year our brewing team was inspired by some exotic-ish additions of the lemony persuasion. Yes, it's a double IPA (Can you really say you're surprised?), but as we strive to do with all our Stone Anniversary Ales of the let's-take-this-IPA-in-a-new-direction variety, we've brewed up a Stone-worthy divergence from tradition. The amount of rye malt we used isn't quite enough to warrant the…
Inspired by new experimental German hops, our brewing team is celebrating our 17ten Jahrestag by taking palates on an unconventional tour of Deutschland by way of Southern California. In doing so, we used a grain bill composed exclusively of pilsner malts and German hops with crazy awesome names: Herkules, Hersbrucker, Magnum, Merkur, Opal, Smaragd & Strisselspalt. Dry-hopping with Sterling,…
It’s customary that a 10th anniversary gift is made of tin, the 25th with silver, the 50th with gold, and so on. As far as we know, the 23rd anniversary doesn’t have any such designation. But we know it’s not aluminum. Not this year at least. Instead we have officially decided hops will be our focus. We know, again. So, our no-aluminum-yet-lotsa-hops Stone 23rd Anniversary Uncanny Anni Double IPA…
Australian hops may be a well-loved staple in craft beer now, but when we started up a small brewery in North County San Diego twenty-four years ago, they were unattainable on our side of the Pacific. These intense varieties boast a multitude of dank & tropical elements, building a flavor profile as powerful as the sound of a didgeridoo. Or a limited-press vinyl of some lesser-known doom…
25 years ago we celebrated the 1st Anniversary of our fledgling brewery with a beer that was far away from the craft beer norms at the time. It was far too intense. It was far too hoppy and bitter. Yet it became the shot heard ‘round the world, and beer history was changed forever. We’re talking of course about our flagship Stone IPA. So, to celebrate the beer that (eventually) launched…
For this year’s anniversary beer, we found inspiration in the southern hemisphere. This double IPA is brewed with Peacharine and Riwaka hops, along with a special ingredient called Phantasm – an extract from sauvignon blanc grape skins – all sourced from New Zealand. Combined with some good old fashioned Mosaic hops from the US and an amped up grain bill and we’ve got ourselves a unique sensory…
As if our seasonally released Stone Coffee Milk Stout wasn’t special enough, we decided to take our classic brewhouse blend and make our own riff by adding fresh chocolate mint and peppermint. The bright, intoxicating aromatics of the chocolate and mint emanating from this smooth-drinking, caffeinated libation are palpable. However, they are simply just a refreshing accent to this…
Clearly, style lines have been crossed. Is it half-IPA, half-stout? Not quite. It’s definitely all IPA, but it’s also the best of both styles, making this love child of a beer simply just a beautiful, pleasure-seeking meld of imperial IPA and mocha indulgence. How did we come up with this inexplicably delicious creation? Well, that doesn’t really matter. What matters is…
