Stone Brewing Co., North County San Diego - Smoked Porter

[Paradox]

Bob has asked if anyone has tried Stone's IPA before, but I finally got to try their Smoked Porter. I've had mixed feelings about porters because some I find to be not powerful enough when it comes to bitterness and others have been 'off the hook' bitter (overly bitter) with a finish that makes one gag. This one from Stone seems to walk that fine line in-between both. Typical porter color and aroma but the initial taste is actually quite different and good. It's hard for me to explain the taste, but I do get somewhat of a smoked flavor in it but not like a fire roasting of the ingredients smoke flavor. Almost reminds me of the way a red pepper tastes different when you fire roast the skin for making fire roasted salsa. After a few seconds it finishes with a more typical porter flavor but still not too powerful.

A bottle from Stone Brewing that I am saving for Bob's next visit is their Arrogant Bastard Ale. Bob's a hop head from hell, so read their site and you'll understand why I am saving to open that one with him!

Also, if you care to check out some of their other brews, visit Stone's website here.

[ratcheer]

It sure looks good!

Tim

[Bob]

Yes indeed, I AM a hop head from hell! And I'm proud of it! In fact, I'm enjoying a Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale at this very moment. This is released each year prior to Christmas, so although it's August, I'm thinking ahead.

BTW, I picked up 2 other Stone Brewing products today...the "Ruination IPA" (that one's making me hoppy already ; and the Stone Imperial Russian Stout. That should be a good one as well.

Bob

[jeff]

Bob,

I love the Ruination IPA, but I have to save it for the last beer of the evening, as my taste buds are fried and I can't taste anything else

[Paradox]

I'm enjoying a Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale at this very moment. This is released each year prior to Christmas, so although it's August, I'm thinking ahead.

Yet another seasonal brew to add onto my list to look for this winter. Have you had Samuel Smith's Celebration Ale Bob and if so does Sierra Nevada's compare? Or are they two totally different things?

[Bob]

Mark,

They are 2 totally different things. One is the easy drinkin' SS Celebration Ale; the other is the SN CA, which is a hop devils kinda brew. I, for one, prefer SSCA, its to my liking!

Bob

[Paradox]

Really, you prefer the brew that is not a "hop devils kinda brew"? And all along I thought you were a hoppy hop head! Really though, glad I asked to find out that they were different. I really enjoyed that SSCA alot and think I will pick up another when I pass that small place in NJ that still had em'. I'll still buy some SNCA this winter as well though.

[Bob]

OOOPs, my mistake! That's what I get for using abbreviations! I'll get it right this time, I much prefer the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale over the Samuel Smith's Celebration Ale. Phew, that was a close one. I hope the hop devil will forgive me.

Bob

[jeff]

I think I went through 4 sixers of SNCA this year. Hell, you can still find it at Liquor Barn, though it's getting a little past its prime. My first homebrew IPA kinda turned out like the SNCA. I'm down to my last 3 bottles of that

[jeff]

A bottle from Stone Brewing that I am saving for Bob's next visit is their Arrogant Bastard Ale. Bob's a hop head from hell, so read their site and you'll understand why I am saving to open that one with him!

Let me know what you guys think of this one. To me, it is the strangest beer I have ever tasted