Tag Archives: stone fruit

Stone 19th Anniversary Thunderstruck IPA by Stone Brewing

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11907207_10102786505996610_6513815829560734204_o 11896221_10102786506924750_961320073481942548_oRating: 4.75/5

Stone 19th Anniversary Thunderstruck IPA by Stone Brewing is an 8.7% ABV Double India Pale Ale brewed with 100% Australian Hops.

Label:
Ella, Galaxy, Topaz, Vic Secret-no, these aren’t the names of the performers at your local “gentleman club” (at least as far as we know). Rather, these exotic, and admittedly rather sexy, Australian hop varietals that have been dancing on the minds and pallets of the craft brewing intelligentsia around the world of late. We’ve been openly flirting with them via test batches, and they become popular around or brewhouse thanks to their sensual flavors and aromas. So in developing our celebratory anniversary beer, we decided it was time to seal the deal and take these down under wonder beauties to the main stage at Stone. And what better way than allowing them to strut their stuff in the spotlight as the sole focus for the luscious tropical, peachy, citrus like flavors and slightly residence, aromatically dank earthiness of the special, all Aussie consummation! Also invited to the stage as a special guest performer is Fairview malt which we had shipped in from Australia especially for this brew.

As you’ll discover, this beer brings the boom, delivering it to the pallet in a volume is thunderclap back by the power of our 19 years of brewing and passion and intensity. All told, a great kick off to the veritable beer storm that will be our 20th year of brewing. We have many special beers plan for release to celebrate, so let this serve as the first course to what will be in undoubtedly epic feast for craft beer enthusiasts, with particular thanks to those who’ve been with us from the long haul and helped us obtain such longevity. Consider this the first of many thank you’s for years to come!

==Introduction==

The AC/DC tribute beer, maybe not the actual endorsed one but tribute none the less. This is awesome as many bands are endorsing their own beer like Iron Maiden. As stone celebrates their 19th Anniversary, it is an honor to bring their anniversary ale to the site and see how this Australian hopped IPA really “strikes” the flavor palate. This one you can pick up at any retail that sells stone beers or atleast the majority retails that sell stone beers. Cheers to Stone and many more years to come as they release many good beers.

Aromas:
Rich tropics like dragon fruit, passion fruit, papaya, pineapple, tangerine, strawberry, raspberry, Citrus, Grapefruit, herbal, garlicky, oniony, flowery, earthy, piney, grassy and dank hops, sweetened condensed milk hints, prickly pears, honey dew melon, peppercorn notes, biscuit bread, banana notes and Stone fruit apricots hints.

Flavors:
Rich Citrus, Grapefruit, herbal, garlicky, oniony, flowery, earthy, piney, grassy and dank hops, stone fruit apricots, peaches, lychee fruit, cherries, raspberries, lemons, dragon fruit, passion fruit, papaya, pineapple, tangerine, strawberry, raspberry, sweetened condensed milk, prickly pears, honey dew melon, peppercorn notes, biscuit bread, banana notes and honey hints.

Aftertaste:
Finishing semi dry with nice tropical fruit, stone fruit notes and distinct garlicky and dank bitterness. No alcohol in the taste, Clear Golden Orange body, Crisp, refreshing, Easy to drink despite the ABV.

Overall:
Well, for making a delicious Tropical IPA they deserve the merit. It is not like some of my favorite tropical beers out there but it has some nice character especially since these are all Aussie ingredients. Especially with a name like thunderstruck, it strikes the palate as I thought with tropical notes but also very much so some dank dank bitterness. A hop heads love for sure and a recommend. Why not, its Stone’s Anniversary after all, cheers!

Anime Corner:
Tayuya from the Naruto series was used in this pairing as I wanted to show case the gargoyle using a demon girl. While Tayuya is not a demon normally but turns into a demon using a level 2 curse technique, she mesmerizes like the way this mesmerizes with the sweet flavors. The way she jumps backward is almost like the sense of the name. She is getting out of the way of the thunder strike as it crashes onto the glass and then splashes into the palate to really electrify the senses with hoppy greatness! Oh and the colors definitely complement the beer and its closer to berry flavors too!

Sources:
http://static.zerochan.net/Tayuya.full.1836222.jpg

Reserva Piña by Five Stones of Cibolo Texas

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11145565_10102784732465780_1423726647216555056_o 11903656_10102784733693320_2438269228824236854_oRating: 5.65/6

Reserva Piña by Five Stones of Cibolo Texas is a 6.7% ABV Golden Ale hand crafted with fresh Pineapple and Roasted Jalapeño then aged in Tequila Oak chips.

Label:
An American Golden Ale handcrafted with fresh pineapple and hint of roasted jalapeño, then conditioned 45 days with tequila soaked oak chips.

==Introduction==

It has been a long time since my awesome friend Aaron and I traded for some good. We both were in very interesting points in our lives. Me busy learning home brewing and him getting experience at Busted Sandal and now working for Mad Pecker brewing of Texas. We have definitely come along way especially with the growth of our websites. Check my Aaron’s kick ass beer and metal pairings at www.beermetaldude.com. Some of the best inspirations in pairings that will definitely make you beer experience ever more awesome! I also want to thank his friends at Five Stones brewery out in Texas. Mahalo! guys once again as I was able to obtain the follow up beer to the Aloha Piña. I loved that beer and now this one with Tequila oak chips, MAN….. Well, enough imagining, let’s see how this one breaks into dimensions of taste. Cheers!

Aromas:
Citrus, Papaya, Pineapple, Agave, oak hints, Stone fruit apricots, peaches, grapefruit hints, peppercorn, honey, lavender, hibiscus, mezcal, lemon, caramel, vanilla, jalapeño hints, cherries, strawberries and biscuit bread.

Flavors:
Lots or Rich pineapple, toasted oak, Tequila notes, mezcal, jalapeño at mild heat, agave notes, cane sugar, sangria hints, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, dragon fruit, oranges, mango, papaya, kiwi, lemon grass, honey, rye bread, vanilla, caramel hints, biscuit bread, herbs, spices, flower notes like hibiscus, chamomile hints and lavender, peppercorn, Stone fruit apricots, apples, agave lechugilla hints (Mexican Agave juice), white grape notes, coriander spices, banana notes, clove hints, honey comb and mild sweetened condensed milk.

Aftertaste:
The Jalapeño heat lingers mildly but the pineapple, cherries, strawberries and other tropical flavors soothe and then lots herbs, oak, stone fruit, tequila notes, mezcal, coriander and banana hints linger. No alcohol in the taste, Hazy peach color medium body, Crisp, refreshing and slightly smooth mouthfeel, as well as an easy to medium drinkability.

Overall:
All I have to say is, make sure you order a pizza to go with this beer. Especially a Hawaiian with Jalapeños and cherries if they have it. You would come close to the awesomeness of this beer. Reminding me so much of the Aloha as it is the base for this but the Tequila unleashes other flavors that make this beer much more complex and takes it another step further than it originally could. Thanks to my good friend Aaron for hooking me up with this delicious treat which I could definitely have way more of it. Highly recommended.

Anime Corner:
Nonon Jakuzure from Kill La Kill was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair mainly the skeleton of the label but also some of the tropical colors and the red colors that would come from sangria and the berry flavors which I think came about thanks to the special aging of the beer. Nonon is pretty much a rebel without a cause, jams to her own beat and compliments this beer as the breweries experiments are a masterpiece and music to the tastes buds.

Sources:
http://img.4plebs.org/boards/tg/image/1387/66/1387669796830.jpg
http://img0.joyreactor.cc/pics/post/Anime-Anime-Art-Kill-la-Kill-1931263.png

Pierre Ferrand Billionare by Clown Shoes

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11412089_10102702367730370_3527950086934754145_oRating: 6/6

Pierre Ferrand Billionare by Clown Shoes is a 12% ABV World Class English Style Barleywine aged in Cognac Barrels.

Label:
What could be more distinguished than our Director of Operations, Matt Smith, gracing a billion dollar bill with a smirk and a neck beard? You! With this rich beer in your belly. The Billionaire is an English Style Barleywine Ale aged for sic months in 30 year old Cognac barrels we got from friends at Pierre Ferrand. Here’s to rare beer wishes and caviar dreams!

==Introduction==

I have never tried the original Billionaire beer but when I heard it would be available around my area and with Cognac barrel aging, I said, Sign me up!! Clown Shoes has made some pretty damn epic and phenomenal beers creating lots of various barrel aged gold and available in many areas. So without further a do, let’s check this one out shall we? Cheers!

Aromas:
Dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, dark fruit raisins, figs, dark cherries, currants, stone fruit apricots, peaches, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple hints, Bananas, clove spice, Cognac, Wine grapes, Sangria, crème brulee, plantain, macadamia nuts, cookie dough ice cream, hazelnut nectar, leather, tobacco, rye bread, figgy pudding , butterscotch, marshmallows, waffle cone, rocky road ice cream hints, toffee, caramelized sugars, brown sugars, flan, sweetened condensed milk and stone fruits.

Flavors:
Bananas, clove spice, Cognac, Wine grapes, Sangria, Dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, dark fruit raisins, figs, dark cherries, currants, leather, tobacco, rye bread, figgy pudding, butterscotch, marshmallows, waffle cone, rocky road ice cream hints, toffee, caramelized sugars, brown sugars, flan, sweetened condensed milk, earthy hop hints, almond marzipan, pecan pie, molasses, anise, stone fruit apricots, peaches, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple hints, crème brulee, plantain, macadamia nuts, cookie dough ice cream, hazelnut nectar and coconut hints.

Aftertaste:
Lots of caramel, cognac, dark fruit, figgy pudding, hazelnut nectar, vanilla, port wine and leather. Slight alcohol in the taste but not detracting from the flavor. Syrupy, silky, creamy and slightly smooth mouthfeel, Orange Caramel medium body and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Hot Diggity! Drinking this is really rich. Not monetary but flavor wise super duper rich. A whole lot of complex worlds are abound with this one. So much complex sweet and alcohol goodies everywhere. Cognac as well as many other barrel aged beers does wonders to barleywines and other high gravity beers. I would definitely get this one again! I highly recommend it as it will make you feel like a billionaire, at least flavor wise.

Anime Corner:
This original character was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair something that represents the many things money can buy in terms of the briefcase and the unlimited amount of goodies that flow from it. This character is green haired which represents the money and being a billionaire. The is very attractive and like many people would quote, “like a million bucks” or in this case, “a billion”. Her seduction and beauty yet complexity shines in this beer as the money represented by power and the ABV strength shines but it gets you lots of good feels and gets you pretty buzzed if not careful. Surely, she is worth the try.

Sources:
http://img0.reactor.cc/pics/post/full/Anime-rockman-South-Park-butters-stotch-2118647.jpeg

Frederick Berg by Five Stones

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11017662_10102416996556490_3250494592999786379_oRating: 4.85/5

Frederick Berg by Five Stones is a 6% ABV Fruit Ale handcrafted with fresh peaches.

Description:
Ale handcrafted with peaches.

==Introduction==

Thanks to Aaron Mendiola of www.beermetaldude.com for providing this awesome brew to the site. I have been fortunate to try a good variety of 5 Stones brews thanks to Aaron as well as other Texas goodies. This one is made with peaches. Definitely love me some peaches and peach beers are pretty damn awesome! Some peach beers I have tried in the past are tart or sweet. While there may not be much information about how this one is supposed to be, we can take a look at this one and see what can be found. Cheers!

Aromas:
Biscuit bread, Floral, herbal and citrus hops, Stone fruit peaches, apricot, Honey, peppercorn, banana hints, honey, peach preserves on toasted rye bread, bubble gum, phenolic bready notes, clove spice, farmhouse hay, floral, herbal, citrus and piney hops, vanilla, apples, brettanomyces hints and graham crackers.

Flavors:
Peach preserves, biscuit bread, honey, stone fruit peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums mango hints, peppercorn, clove spice, banana notes, bubble gum, phenolic hints, grapes, brettanomyces hints, farmhouse hay, floral, herbal and citrus hops, apples, lemon peel, vanilla and graham crackers.

Aftertaste:
Tart peach notes, biscuit bread, flowers, peppercorns, phenolic notes, bananas and clove spice with some citrus hop hints finishing dry. No alcohol in the taste, light to medium body, crisp and refreshing mouthfeel, moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Very good and very peachy ale. Having a lot of bready and Belgian like character to it. The peaches and fruitiness are very present in this one. The tartness is calmed by the breadiness of the beer and sweet flavors. I highly recommend this one if you like a sweeter peach yet tart ale. This one is only in Texas though, so hope to see more of this in the future. 5 Stones really is an awesome brewery.

Anime Corner:
Tenshi Hinanawi from the Touhou project series was used to represent the peaches as well as the label in this brew. Tenshi has been used for a lot of the peach beers I used but this one with her laying back and relaxing was the perfect one. Laying back, relaxing and having a beer is an awesome pass time. This is what this one was made for. Enjoying!

Sources:
http://static.wixstatic.com/media/a77589_fc872376b5174627ba8e9a9b673de33c.jpg_srz_1000_707_85_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz

The Devil Within DIPA by Iron Fire

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10434316_10101855187331680_6635156255854538401_n 10370810_10101855187576190_5188098076390666121_n 10305956_10101855187745850_1063827372412053589_nRating: 5/5

The Devil Within DIPA by Iron Fire is a 9.5% ABV Double India Pale Ale.

Label:
ALES FOR OUTLAWS
Upon first quaff, Devilish amounts of hops assault you with citrus and stone fruit flavors and aroma. Add in just the right amount of malt to bring this beast of a DIPA to 9.5% alcohol by volume and what you get is an ale that is sure to bring out the demon in any outlaw. Be sure to call your exorcist before imbibing, for the devil within will soon become the devil without.
___

My friend Aaron told me about picking this beer up for a beer trade. I got him one but I figured, what the hell, I will give it a try to see watsup too so I got an extra bottle. This beer is pretty new and it seems to be holding its own among some of the great IPA and DIPAs in the world. Let’s see just how much this bad ass of a beer really is.

Aromas:
Lots of tropical fruits, mango, papaya, pineapple, dragon fruit, kiwi, passion fruit, prickly pear, tangerine, oranges, grassy, piney and grapefruit hops, honey dew melon, caramel, biscuit bread, stone fruit like apricot, peaches, lychee, tangerine marmalade, lemon zest, floral notes and toffee.

Flavors:
Definitely a rush of tropics, mango, papaya, pineapple, stone fruit lychees, apricot, plum notes, peach, dragon fruit, kiwis, prickly pear, caramel, toffee, biscuit bread, gummy bears, tangerine marmalade, oranges, honey dew melon, cantaloupe and guava.

Aftertaste:
Hoppy Bitterness in the finish with lots of tropical fruits lingering, caramel, grapefruit, honey dew melon and biscuit bread. No alcohol in the taste, a medium to sipping beer. It is very refreshing and crisp with a medium mouthfeel.

Overall:
A perfect IPA with the best representation of it’s style. Pin pointing a difference from other delicious IPAs is a difficult task but since I like tropical IPAs, just expect this one to be more tropical than grassy, malty or dank like some other IPAs go. So definitely highly recommended if tropical IPAs. This one is great!

Anime Corner:
Original character from Yone Kazuki, Dark Summoner by Masamune Shirow, and original character from Himoto Onoki were used in this pairing to pair with the label showing the skeleton and the devil . Mainly showing the devil within as how even as you have good in you you also have the other half which can do evil. So this beer aspires to unleash holy hell and a demon within but for me, this bitter sweet collision is one that is mainly one of balance. A lot of sweet tropical aspects along with bitter hoppy finish.

Source:
http://konachan.com/post/show/149656
http://www.a-tm.co.jp/news/service/2013/05/01dark_gw.html
http://www.zerochan.net/570333