Greetings, beer enthusiasts and cosmic explorers! As we dive into Stone Brewing’s 27th-year celebration, we’re introduced to their latest masterpiece: the Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA. This extraordinary brew features a unique blend of New Zealand ingredients, promising an exciting flavor journey.
A Quest for Unique Hops: Stone’s adventurous brewers have traversed the globe in search of exceptional hop varieties and ingredients. This year’s anniversary ale is the culmination of their odyssey, combining Southern Hemisphere and US hops, including Riwaka, Magnum, Mosaic, and the newly available Peacharine hops. They’ve also incorporated Phantasm, a dried grape skin extract from New Zealand, which undergoes a fascinating transformation during fermentation, infusing the beer with intense tropical and white grape nuances.
A Symphony of Aromas: Upon encountering this brew, our senses are treated to a symphony of delightful aromas. Notes of peach pulp, Bartlett pear, lemon peel, white wine, and subtle herbal hints harmonize, inviting us to embark on a sensory adventure.
A Flavor Extravaganza: With the first sip, a celestial blend of flavors unfolds. The hops blend seamlessly, delivering waves of ripe peach, pineapple, mango, orange, lemon, and passion fruit. Herbal and sweet orange notes persist, gracefully accompanied by a pleasant bitterness. It’s a cosmic flavor sensation that lingers on the palate.
The Art of Earthly Hops: Steve Gonzalez, Stone Brewing’s Small Batch Sr. Manager of Brewing & Innovation, reveals the magic behind this brew. “New Zealand hops are incredible for citrusy and tropical beers,” he shares. “Many of these hop varieties are less commonly used, allowing us to create truly unique flavor combinations.” His visionary approach has resulted in a beer that stands as the pinnacle of their cherished anniversary series.
The Lemon Shark Collective: As unusual as it may sound, the Lemon Shark, an apex predator with a distinctive social nature, inspired the name for this beer. Just like a harmonious school of Lemon Sharks, the flavors in this brew complement each other perfectly. Steve Gonzalez, an Earthly scuba diver, named this series of experimental beers after sharks, and the “Lemon Shark” moniker aptly represents how the flavors in this brew work together, much like a school of hungry Lemon Sharks.
Join the Cosmic Celebration: Stone Brewing invites all beer enthusiasts to join the Stone 27th Anniversary Celebration on September 23, 2023. This exclusive beer festival promises a cosmic journey, featuring tastings from over 40 breweries at Stone’s flagship brewery in Escondido, CA. Tickets for the main festival and the highly sought-after Rare Beer access are available now but expected to vanish into the cosmos.
Limited Cosmic Offering: The Stone 27th Anniversary Lemon Shark Double IPA is now available nationwide for a limited time. Embark on your own flavor odyssey by finding it at Find.StoneBrewing.com or ordering it online at Shop.StoneBrewing.com.
Join us, the Beer Aliens, at the Stone Brewing 27th Anniversary today, Saturday, September 23rd, as we embark on a cosmic journey through the world of craft beer. Here’s to another year of bold flavors and unforgettable brews!
