Life is extraordinarily precious, joyous…and fragile. In 2013, we suffered the tragic loss of our dear friend and coworker, Matt Courtright. In the midst of our grief, we pulled together as the family we are, suggesting and exploring numerous ways to pay tribute to our dearly departed colleague. In the end, we felt there was no finer way to honor his memory than to brew one of his most recent and special beer recipes.

Everyone at Stone recognized Matt’s prowess and passion for brewing. He loved to explore all beer could be, rather than limit himself or his brews to accepted parameters. He conceived a Belgian-style saison with his Stone friend and compatriot, Brian Bishop. Infused with cherrywood-smoked malt, the beer was dubbed Burning Rosids, referencing the rosid plant family from which cherry trees hail.

Matt’s smile and voluminous laugh were infectious mainstays around the brewery. By no means a shrinking violet, he was exuberant, courageous, unfailingly positive and the type of stalwart friend that everyone was happy to have in their corner. He was larger than life in so many ways…and without a doubt, an incredible brewer. We, Matt’s brewing comrades and friends at Stone were proud to hoist our mash paddles and brew this recipe as a symbolic gesture of how much he meant to everyone and how immensely we will miss him.

Rather than regarding Burning Rosids as a somber memento, please think of it as a celebration of Matt. We do. When you drink this very special beer, please join us in raising your glass, both in Matt’s memory and in tribute to everything he so passionately stood for: caring for others, passion and skill for his art, and laughter…lots of laughter. Among the long list of things he held dear were GoDesignInc.org, a charity committed to fulfilling the architectural needs of developing communities around the world; and TKF, a non-profit working to stop youth violence by educating, mentoring and making positive impacts on high-risk communities. We are proudly contributing funds earned through the sale of this beer to this worthy organization in Matt’s honor.

Enjoy, and please remember that life and those we hold dear are precious gifts to be cherished every day. Consider sharing this beer, conversations on life’s passions and, again, lots of laughter, with good friends as we remember ours.

Stonebrewing.com/BurningRosids

==Introduction==

Picked this one up as it is no longer brewed. I love that it is still around in some locations. Never got a chance to do a review but since I do remember how good this one was back then, I wanted to do the review. It is a special beer in honor of someone who lived and died for their passion, which was craft brewing. Many would say how they die by the sword as an honor to serve the greater purpose. Life is short and the meaning is to live for something you love. In this modern society case, we live and breathe craft beer and share with our loved ones our passion for what the craft beer movement really stands for. So much so, that as for me, trying different beers, to reviewing them and now home brewing to share that passion and educate others is something that I really do love. Everyone has something they cherish. Well, for me, my family and friends are very important, but also share the love Anime and Craftbeer. So to bring this beer forth and review but also reflect on life and its own treasures of the senses and experience, I can simply just raise that glass and say cheers to life, to Matt and all other passionate people that really work hard to make that difference in people’s life for even the smallest influence and contribution changes the world for the better. Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich honey, orange preserves, orange peel, tangerine marmalade, floral notes like lavender, hibiscus, roses, sakura cake, rich stone fruit peaches, peach nectar, apricots, mango hints, bananas, clove spice, peppercorn, coriander spice, lemon notes, rye bread, toffee, butterscotch, dulce de leche caramel, phenolic notes, candy sugar, maple syrup, guava quince cheese (Membrillo), butterscotch and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Rich Honey, honeysuckle, sakura cake, rich stone fruit peaches, peach nectar, apricots, mango hints, bananas, clove spice, peppercorn, smokey notes, plum sauce, mild tartness, Tejuino hints, white raisins, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, dark cherries, waffle cone, marshmallows, grapefruit, oranges, coriander spice, lemon notes, rye bread, toffee, butterscotch, floral notes of lavender, raw like the sun orange preserves on toasted biscuit bread, Rich tangerine marmalade, guava quince cheese (Membrillo), dulce de leche caramel, phenolic notes, candy sugar, maple syrup and Mexican sweet bread.

Aftertaste:
Finishes with some smokey notes, stone fruit peach, orange preserves, earthy notes, grapefruit and floral hops and bananas. No alcohol in the taste as it has mellowed over time, easy to moderate drinkability, creamy, syrupy and a Golden Cherry light to medium body.

Overall:
1 year and a half later and this beer is damn phenomenal. So much more richer flavors than when I first tried it on tap sometime last year. The rich phenolic flavors of the Belgian styles, Saisons along with the smokiness that brings about delicious flavors that developed overtime. Essentially, giving way to much stronger fruits and flowers. Much like the way the flowers blossom when they are ripe. This is very delicious and if you ever find more of this beer, it is worth saving a couple of bottles. In Matt’s memory, he would have loved this beer. Cheers to you Matt!

Anime Corner:
Vocaloid Sakura Miku was used in this pairing for the Cherry blossoms/Sakura aspect of the flavors and cherry wood. I have not used this Cherry version of Miku as I never knew it existed. My original pairing for the beer was mainly to be something with cherries, the forest or even burning rosids. I found this artwork as I feel it pairs the best. Very lighthearted, innocent but yet power and delicious like the beer and the tribute to Matt.