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Stone Brewing started their Vertical Epic series around this time in 2002 and now they have a re-imagined version to mark 02 02 2020 on the calendar. If you had 02 02 2002 all the way through 12 12 2012, then you may feel the pull to keep your record complete when this beer comes out.
According to the brewery, “This one will be distributed exclusively in California, but online ordering is now live, along with a few other equally-epic beers. (Shipping to CA addresses only.)”
I think we will be seeing a lot of the Strata hop in 2020 but another hop that has momentum potential is Bru-1. It is a new experimental hop developed by John I. Hass and Brulotte Farms (hence the 3 letter initials).
Yakima Valley hops puts these descriptors on the hop, “aromas of pineapple and stone fruit that is backed by a soft spice” and it is being featured in a new IPA from Stone, Lupulin Loop so it must have enough inventory to be in an IPA from a bigger distribution footprint.
I know that the label for the new Mosaic hopped IPA from Stone Brewing is targeted at IPA Diehard Fans but I could see this as something that could be brand widened to include the colors or logo of local teams around the country. Stone could even make a Charger version for when they finish their season outside of the playoffs. Nice little, this is what happens when you leave San Diego nudge.
Finding themes for in-between the notable anniversaries like 10, 20 or 25 can lead to some interesting ideas and I do like that Stone is making # 23 a bomber only DIPA and eschewing the can.
Stone is getting in on the branded jerky though I don’t know how beer, even one as strong as Arrogant Bastard will come through into jerky. Personally, I would have gone with one of the big imperial stouts instead.
But I do like jerky, so I may have to grab a bag for nibbling.
Stone has got some new beers (hoppy of course) in the pipeline for us….
…I don’t know what Incognito is. Couldn’t find a hop by that name but all three could be interesting.
My wife saw this can that I received in the mail from Stone Brewing and thought the name funny, when I told her there was a pumpkin beer already named that, she revised her statement and thought the name should be changed.
Since I am not a fan, or have heard the music of NOFX, I don’t know if the name fits, but I would agree. Name this hoppy lager something else.
That being said, what about the liquid in the can (I don’t much like the label design either)?
The Punk pours a bright yellow. Getting some sweet tart notes in the aroma and right off the bat on the first sip. Solid bite of bitterness with a nice sharpness to it as well. The aroma barely betrays the hops to come and the bitterness lingers as you drink more. I am torn about where to rate this. It is just a hair too bitter for the base beer but that sharpness is bracing, which I like. 7/10 perhaps.
I am quite picky about beer festivals but when I saw that the Pink Boots Society was going to have a 10th Anniversary Craft Beer Festival at Liberty Station in the temperate clime of San Diego, I clicked on the link and read on.
They have secured a nice roster of breweries with an emphasis on locals from SD and there will be music and food and most importantly beers brewed by PBS members.
The event is on Saturday, June 3rd from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm with tickets ranging from $45 in advance and $60 for Day of Sales
All proceeds from Festival will benefit the Pink Boots Society Scholarship program that helps women in the brewing industry advance their careers.
Coming next year…..
…the latest trio collaboration from Stone Brewing. And despite their forays into milk stouts, wits and pilsners this year, they are going to start with hops in 2017.
This wheat style IPA is, “M” hop heavy, imperial IPA. “M” hops like Mandarina Bavaria, Motueka, and Mosaic.” and is brewed with help from Odell Brewing from Colorado and Marble Brewing from New Mexico.
The Stone can onslaught continues with Ripper Pale Ale being added to the 12oz metallic line-up. Ripper is a surf-y inspired beer with Cascade hops from the Northwest and Australian Galaxy hops meeting the Stone hop machine and coming out with “grapefruit and passion fruit hoppiness.”