“Deep amber in color, Stone Pale Ale is robust and full flavored. A delicate hop aroma is complemented by a rich maltiness.”
The old humble pale ale, this beer was this breweries first ever brew way back in 1996 when most craft beer enthusiasts were still stuck, drinking their bland old regulars. Oh how far we’ve come. Served in a shaker glass the clear amber pour produces some unsettling floaties. On top a half inch off-white cap retains and laces well. Straight away the olfactory’s tell the senses of a malt-driven pale ale. Overtones of toffee, caramel, toasted malts, spent grain and dough dominate the floral hoppy hints of pine, grass and sage. In the mouth it feels smooth and rounded with medium carbonation. Just like the aroma the tongue initially detects sweet malts and toffee but with a nice, light drying bitterness. The hops hit full swing in the mid-palate and reconvene with the sweeter fore flavour in the end to produce a dry, nutty finish with good length. 5.4% ABV is spot on, enough to offer a little buzz but not evident in flavour. Once again the West Coast states of the U.S offer up a brilliant beer. Well done.