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Stone 21st Anniversary: Hail to the Hop Thief

California
United States
Stone 21st Anniversary Hail to the Hop Thief by Stone Brewing Co.
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
95
Aroma:
23 / 24
Flavor:
38 / 40
Appearance:
6 / 6
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Description 

Pekko is an under-utilized hop, which plays nicely with Mosaic to create a juicy flavor profile of orange and peach alongside just the right dankness. Grapefruit, pineapple, orange and even cherry candy come through on the fruity and floral aroma. Some wheat malt is included, adding to the nice malt backbone of the beer. Its unfiltered finish enhances the grainy characteristics of the wheat while bringing out the fresh fruit flavors and aromas of the hops.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.8%
IBUs: 
80
Served at: 
55º
Hops: 
Magnum, Pekko, Mosaic & Mandarina Bavaria
Judges Review 
Randy Scorby's picture
Judges Rating:
95
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Stone Brewing's 21st Anniversary Hail to the Hop Thief is being evaluated as a Double IPA (Category 22A) from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.

This beer is a hop showcase in all aspects, the aroma is a cornucopia of mixed stone fruit and tropical fruit, with a light grapefruit zest kick.  A light bready, grainy maltiness opens up as the beer warms and provides a pleasant balance to the big hop character.  The flavor turns more toward citrus, with grapefruit being the predominate character, and fresh pineapple and mango following closely behind. A light bready, toasty malt character appears in the middle with light residual malt sweetness.  

If you like the tongue assaulting, eye scrunching, grimacing hop bitterness that is classic to many double and triple style IPAs - then you probably will not like this beer much. The moderately high hop bitterness is extremely smooth and well integrated, and is quite complimentary overall.  It has the alcohol kick expected from a 9.8% beer, but as with the bitterness it is smooth and pleasant.  Enjoy this one now while the hop character is fresh and bright.

Brewery Introduction

Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner, Stone Brewing has come a long way since opening up in San Diego, California in 1996. We have been listed on the Inc. 500 | 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list 11 times, and has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate ... Read More

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