A Warm Fire

I am a big proponent of zagging instead of zigging when it comes to brewery merchandise. There is enough shirts, hats and glasses out there.

And for a while, when bottles of glass were in vogue, there was a definite uptick in candles in sawed off bottles. Most were not beer scented so I did not have much interest.

But maybe this candle from Stone Brewing might make a good gift alongside some Old Guardian barleywine as a pairing idea…

You could also check out the apple tinged candles at Benny Boy Brewing and Cider right here in Los Angeles. They have actual dried apples in them and they have them in various cider “flavors”.

Arrogantly Aged

The second batch of Stone Arrogant Bastard Whiskey (made with Foundry Distilling) is now out.  “this version was aged even longer (4+ years) in new charred oak barrels. Made with 100% malted barley, it’s truly an American Malt Whiskey worthy of the Arrogant Bastard name.”

The limited supply will be available in California, Iowa and Texas but NOT at Stone Brewing locations. You can thank our nations patchwork liquor laws for that.

28 Stone

Stone Brewing has two options for you if you want to got to their 28th Anniversary party in November. One, you can get Main Festival tickets and sample dozens of amazing beers from Stone and our friends in the industry. Or two, get the Rare Beer ticket so that you can access your own special private festival area on the Stone campus in Escondido.

Head HERE to choose.

One Batch of Schoolmates

The Stone Brewing One Batch Dispatch series is back with the new Schoolmates Hazy Double IPA.

Here is the beer description from he brewery: “This particular hazy double IPA features a unique new hop called Anchovy. Don’t panic – despite the name, you can expect ripe watermelon flavors combined with dankness and orange cream character from “new classic” Citra.”

Stone Brats

Usually I review beers but today, I will be reviewing a beer bratwurst. Silva Sausage teamed with Stone Brewing on a Delicious IPA brat. “Seasoned with German-inspired spices and mixed with fresh onion and Stone IPA, our beer bratwurst are finished with a light hickory smoke process for flavor.”

First off, this is a pretty good sausage. That is the good news to report. But there is not really any IPA flavor to be found. I also didn’t get a bunch of hickory flavor either to be fair. Perhaps these just go well with Delicious IPA?

Old Guardian Returns

Stone Brewing has done a good job of retiring then bringing back old favorites by not going too overboard on but also not letting interest flag in beers like the newly back Old Guardian Barleywine.  Though I do think that a 12oz can would be better for such a big beer.

A Ghoulish Dispatch

I took a pass on the last released One Batch Dispatch from Stone Brewing but a future one has me interested…

Screenshot

I think that the combination of maple and oak could really work especially on a lighter canvas like the base lager.

Review – Growls Like a Tiger DIPA from Stone Brewing

Hopefully, I will never know how a tiger growls unless it is Hobbes but the beer version from Stone Brewing is next on the review docket, described as a “Double IPA that features Citra and Talus hops which pounce on your palate with abundant sweet orange and stone fruit notes.”

Growls pours a dark orange. This is sorta heavy. The first third swipes at your palate, then there is a bit of grape and candied orange in the second part and then you can feel the ABV in your throat on the way down. The heavy portions are carried by grassy / woodsy notes. A bit different from past Stone big DIPAs.

28 Stones

It is probably not much of a shock for Stone Brewing to have an anniversary IPA. The only question is, what sub-style will it be? The answer, at least for year 28 is a hazy double IPA brewed with Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic hops. More details below…

Don’t Be Scared…

…away by the last ingredient listed in the latest Stone Brewing One Batch Dispatch offering, Down the Rabbit Hole.

“Our Innovation Brewer Fritzi Lara Lino concocted this creation along with our Small Batch team using coffee, chocolate, strawberry… and mushrooms.”