Beer of the Week: Stone Brewing Company

(By Stephen Magee) Stone Brewing Company from San Diego has recently made a splash in the markets outside California. Stone Brewing Co. has chosen the Gargoyle as the figured head for it's beer, "A fearsome figured carved from stone that has powers to ward off evil spirits...such as chemical preservatives, additives, & adjuncts. One taste, and you can tell he does his job very well." (from the SBCo. website). I have sampled the Stone smoked porter, the stone IPA, Stone ruination IPA, Arrogant bastard, and the Double Bastard.

The most worthy offering I have found is the Double Bastard Ale. This beer is available in 2 sizes the 22oz and the limited edition 3 liter bottle. Each bottle has a silk screen logo on it and comes with an amusing back label. See picture for the Diatribe on the Double Bastard. While the bottle and the verbiage will entertain you it is the liquid inside that has to capture your taste buds. This beer clocks in at over 100 IBU's and 10% ABV, first released to the public in 1998, you will have to wait until October 2007 to get this year's batch, you can still find the 2006 around. This is one serious beer and you will enjoy the hopped up taste. It is very full bodied with a solid malt character. Better yet stop reading this and pull down a bottle you can read the label and still enjoy the beer. To get more propaganda go to http://www.stonebrew.com/ One slogan on the website taunts you "It's not too expensive your too cheap!".