Stone Brewing Company Levitation Ale

Stone Brewing Company Levitation Ale

Style: Amber Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.4%

From: Escondido, California, United States

Purchased from: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames

http://www.stonebrew.com/

Stone Brewing Co. is a craft brewery headquartered in Escondido, California. Founded in 1996 in San Marcos, California, it is the largest brewery in Southern California. As of 2012, it was the 10th largest craft brewery in the United States and 17th largest brewery overall, based on sales volume.

Established in 1996, the brewery's first beer was Stone Pale Ale, which they consider to be its flagship ale.Most of their beers are characteristic of west-coast craft brews, meaning that they have a high hop content. Stone beers are bottled in 22 ounce bottles, 12 oz six packs, and occasionally 3 liter bottles (thats one big beer). The beers available in six-packs are the Stone Pale Ale, Stone IPA, Stone Levitation Ale, Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Stone Ruination IPA. Stone uses 22 ounce bottles to feature their "bigger character" beers and Stone Special Releases. Compared to most brewers, many Stone brews feature alcohol percentages that are well above average. The alcohol-by-volume content of Stone brews ranges from 4.4% to well over 11%.

Is the devil in the glass?

Colour: Pours a rich chestnut brown. If you have tried Meantime's Yakima red, then you will be familiar with the colour. There's a dense white head which stays around for the duration of the drink. So far so good.

Aroma: Once poured, you can pick out notes of elderflower mixed with grapefruit cut with sweet lime. When you take your first sip, you are bombarded with fresh pine needles and gooseberries. As the drink warms you will be able to pick out hints of smoky peat which helps to add an earthy quality to this beer.

Body: Surprisingly light to drink with excellent lacing in the glass. Very smooth in the mouth and this liquid will leave a light coating on the back of your throat that will make you beg for more. Pure bliss!

Taste: This drink has a rather complex flavour profile. First, you will be presented with the tastes of sweetened citrus fruits such as lime, grapefruit and orange. These are then held together by a robust chestnut. As with most ales in this style, there is a very bitter finish with just an edge of sweetness and a hint of saltiness. This will help cleanse your palate after each sip. I really enjoyed this beer and will certainly be going back for more.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/brewdog-dead-pony-club.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/partizan-brewing-ipa-bobek-amarillo.html

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