Stoned

Beer #347 Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale / Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, CA
Beers to go: 19

Welcome to the long weekend!  Today is apparently one of the biggest bar days of the year, as everyone cuts out of work early/comes home from college and heads immediately to a bar to begin celebrating.  I'll spend more time on the topic of Thanksgiving tomorrow, but for tonight please make sure that you all stay safe - can't enjoy Thanksgiving if you're absurdly hung over, or in jail, or something bad like that.

What better way to celebrate a legendary bar night than with an awesome beer: the unusually named Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale from Stone Brewing Company.  In the spirit of full disclosure, this is probably the third time I've drank a Stone beer this year.  However, due to the fact it's frequently available in stores near me, I never felt pressure to review it, figuring I could always come back to it later.  And here I am.  Anyway, this black ale has a cola color in the glass with an off white head.  The aroma is a heady mix of malt and citrus, and the taste is a lightly toasted malt, with plenty of pine and citrus, some notes of stone fruits, and an enjoyable dry, bitter finish.  Quite good, and definitely on the verge of being included in my Top 25 for the year.  This beer was originally brewed as a special edition for Stone's 11th anniversary, and it was so popular it was added to the regular rotation.

Demons and beer

Stone opened for business in 1996, and have gained a well-deserved reputation for producing big, bold, delicious beers.  In 2005, they moved to a larger space, and fellow awesome brewer The Lost Abbey now occupies their old real estate.  I did not get to visit Stone in person during the San Diego leg of our journey, as Escondido was a bit out of the way from where we were.  Next time, I promise.

Thing to Think About Today:
While the Rolling Stones would be an appropriate connection here, let's go against the grain and let Van Morrison send us into the weekend with the always enjoyable And it Stoned Me.  I'm thankful you all read this.  See you all tomorrow....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_iVxiBNGFM