E-Malt.com News article: USA, CA: Stone Brewing Co. releases an anniversary beer

Stone Brewing Co. has released its newest beer, commemorating a decade and a half of brewing excellence with the Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA, local media reported on August, 16.

The name is Stone Brewing President & co-founder Steve Wagner's chuckling jab at those looking to lay territorial claim to the Black IPA style.

"There's this small faction of people that seems to think it can call Black IPAs 'Cascadian Dark Ales,' " Wagner explains.”So, we thought we'd lightheartedly lay claim to our own style, dubbing it 'Escondidian,' both as an homage to our hometown of Escondido, CA and as a gentle ribbing to those Black IPA fans worshipping a false Cascadian idol."

And while this point of contention may only be of import to 0.01% of craft beer fans, what is important is how the beer looks, smells, and ultimately tastes. "Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA pours thick and opaque, with a deep brown head of foam," boasts Brewmaster Mitch Steele. "Intense herbal and piney hops are followed by roasted malt notes redolent of coffee, anise, and cocoa, all coming together to form one of the darkest, hoppiest and most colossal beers we've ever brewed."

"To those confused few still sipping a Black IPA by any other name, I hear your argument… that Black India Pale Ale is a bit oxymoronic on the surface," adds Wagner. "But as an English Major, I can firmly stand behind the term Black IPA. At its core, language is all about one thing: conveying meaning. And there's no doubt what Black IPA means: an IPA that's black."

Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA

-- Availability: 22oz bottles, on draft, and a limited number of 3L bottles.
-- Vital stats: 10.8% abv, 100 IBUs

Stone Brewing Company

Stone Brewing Co. was founded in 1996 by Steve Wagner and Greg Koch in North County San Diego, CA. It is the 14th largest craft brewery in the United States. A recently announced $26.6 mln expansion plan (that includes a hotel among other lofty ventures) is underway, as are developments to become the first American craft brewery to open a brewhouse in Europe.



24 August, 2011