Stone 13th Anniversary Ale – Their Hoppiest Beer Ever!?!

Stone 13th Anniversary Ale has 4.5 lbs of hops per barrel—more hops per barrel than any beer Stone Brewing Co. has ever brewed (Stone 10th Anniversary Ale, revered by many as the quintessential hopped-up Stone Anniversary Ale, had 2.5 lbs of hops per barrel).

“The interesting thing about this beer from a brewing standpoint is the sheer quantity of hops that we used in it,” said Mitch Steele, Head Brewer. Just the fact that we’re at four and a half pounds per barrel is pretty huge. It’s definitely as big and as hoppy as anything we’ve ever done…I think Stone 13th Anniversary Ale is going to be right up there with some of the older Stone Anniversary IPA’s, and if all goes well it will be right up there with the 10th Anniversary IPA.”

This is the first-ever release of the Imperial/Double Red style and the first double dry-hopped beer in bottles for Stone. It will be released in 22oz. bottles on June 29, 2009.

The beer has an abv. of9.5% and uses Chinook for bittering and flavor and a 50/50 blend of Centennial and Simcoe for dry-hopping.

Stone 13th Anniversary Ale pours brilliant deep red with a light tan foam, said Mitch, describing the flavor profile. “Up front, the aroma is all piney, resinous and citrus hops. Upon tasting, the hops are still on the front, and they are balanced with the malty, toffee-like flavors contributed from the blend of crystal and amber malts used in the brewhouse. The finish is deliciously bitter, with a touch of warmth provided by the 9.5% alcohol. Bitterness comes in at 90+ IBU.”