The Partner Ships Series: Stone Brewing Co.

This was evaluated as a BJCP style 21B Specialty IPA: Brown IPA, and I must say, I love this beer. It brings together a rich, creamy zaftig brown ale texture and body with a big, soft alcohol character and a balancing yet assertive hop bitterness. Hop resin and berry aromas blend with light chocolate, traces of dark sugar and nuts. It’s a stunningly beautiful, brilliant chestnut-colored beer blanketed by a two-inch rocky tan layer of foam. The palate settles in with dark chocolate, a hint of coffee and light fruit – primarily plum and a trace of cherry – and then moderately high bitterness comes forward in the middle providing balance and leading to a drying finish with bittersweet chocolate notes. A mild alcohol warming provides a perfect finish. The beer is big but well balanced with nothing harsh or out of place.