Sublimely Self-Righteous

The Beer Stats:

• Beer Name: Sublimely Self-Righteous

• Brewery: Stone Brewing Company (California)

• Style: Black IPA

• ABV:8.7%

• IBU: 90

• Pour Color: Dark color that swallows most the light. Slightly brown head to it.

      The pour came out extremely dark. Held up to light, you get a slight red color through the glass. The head came up to be 3 fingers easy and was quite formidable. It took four or five fights with it to make it go down. The scent off the glass was all hops really. A nice mix of piney, grassy hops that most beers can't get. The taste was really where this one overwhelmed. Not just hops there. You get the fair share of hops in the opening. In the mouth you notice a thicker body then the average beer. The swallow was a nice mix of coffee, chocolate, and hops at the end. Quite delicious all and all.
      Late in the year it's hit and miss on seasonal offerings. This is an exception but what else would you expect from Stone! Sublimely Self-Righteous makes you excited for winter to come as this will be your reward. Even if instead of San Diego California you live in upstate New York or anywhere in between!  

 
Rating: *****

Cali-Belgue IPA

The Beer Stats:

• Beer Name: Cali-Belgue IPA

• Brewery: Stone Brewing Company (California)

• Style: Belgian IPA

• ABV: 6.9%

• IBU:77

• Pour Color: A nice clear golden color.

      This one poured with a finger high head. Not to tall at all. This would sit on the sides of the glass all the way down the beer. The color was a nice golden color that had a nice glow as light passed through. The scent off the top is a strange malty, yeasty, spicy scent. You can tell by the smell that the hops are there too. You also get a slight orange citrus to the bouquet too. The taste is a nice malty yeasty mix like the scent. A almost sweet cereal taste to the malts. That mixed with the yeast give you a nice Belgium wheat beet flavor. Then comes the kick. The IPA portion of this beer is really tasted most after the swallow. You then get a nice echo of that flavor long after a sip. I really like this brew. 
      Starting out, this is a great IPA as just a IPA.  Add in the fact that you get a Belgian kick, that most beer company's would be afraid to go to, makes it even better! Raging Bitch is the only Belgian IPA I've reviewed so far that's on this level. I find it real hard to choose between which I like better my friends!

Rating: ****1/2