“This year, in a nod to our roots, Stone Beer 2020 is the first brewed with all-Australian malts, including a Red Gum-smoked malt that adds a subtle smokiness to the brew’s roasted barley, coffee and dark chocolate flavours. A delicious wood fired dark porter with a firm bitter finish, Stone Beer 2020 is best paired with campfires, fresh air and cold starry nights.”

Glassware: English Pint.

Appearance: Dark brown with some faint light penetrating around the edges. It forms a thumb of tanned foam which gradually peels off. Some broken wavy lace sticks as we imbibe.

Aroma: Wow she’s much smokier than all previous releases. It’s almost got a bit of a smoked ham hock vibe going on. Lots of support from earthy roasted malts, wood, cacao, toasted almond, baker’s chocolate, figs and tobacco. As it warms the latter turns more ashy and the base smoky-ness really develops. Every year this beer gets better and better.

Flavour: That smoky quality transfers on to the palate beautifully, bringing a delicious roast, mild espresso, dark chocolate, roasted nuts and earthy tobacco. It doesn’t budge either…the dominant roasty and smoky notes carry nicely in to the robust finish and lingers for days.

Mouthfeel: Good weight to it. Medium-full body, muscly texture. Some dryness post swallow. 6.6% ABV – well concealed.

Overall: Another cracking vintage of the Stone Beer. Loving the lifted smoky character too…at first we were a bit unsure but they managed to keep it complex yet well balanced. Diggin it.