Deceiving Looks - Master Of Disguise

Stone has always been a brewery that pushes the brewing envelope, especially when it comes to IPA's, as they brew more of that style than any brewery that I'm aware of… They don't discriminate though, as last year they released a pair of smoked porter varietals, and then asked for consumers input as to which one they preferred better… I preferred the vanilla version over the chipotle version, but both were delightful concoctions… I must also give them a nod for encouraging consumer feedback and participation, which is evident in their porter experiment, as well as their recent Xocoveza collaboration with a homebrew competition winner!!

This particular brew caught my eye because I've never even heard of a stout that's not dark in color… It made me think of how Black IPA's were a recent trend, and the back of the beer even mentions how they've been accepted as somewhat normal in the realm of IPA's… I've always had an affinity for the darker styles, so I've wanted to try every Black IPA I could get my hands on… Making me think - If a Blonde Stout is anywhere near as good as most of the Black IPA's I've consumed, it's sure to be a real treat!!

Stone Brewing - Master Of Disguise [Imperial Golden Stout Brewed With Cocoa And Coffee Beans] (22oz ---> Left Hand Curved Pint Glass : 9.7% ABV : 55 IBU)

This beer poured somewhat light for a stout, but its malt selection could very well be the reason for that, and it had a sturdy inch tall head which is fairly uncommon for a stout… After stating that, I feel somewhat silly assuming the standard stout characteristics would apply to this beer… The head faded at a moderate pace, leaving a decent ring of lacing around the entirety of the glass… A nice, bubbly retentive cap sits atop this orangeish-gold hued brew… A nice stir allowed for the coffee aromas to come through, as well some chocolate and wheat also - Almost like chocolate frosted flakes… Once I tasted it, the coffee and chocolate raced each other to the forefront, bringing with them a nice roasty bitterness that is often left out in stouts… Halfway through, the wheaty bread notes get a few moments in the spotlight, with traces of spiciness, possibly from the hop varieties, laced throughout… It finishes with more roasted coffee and chocolate notes mingling nicely with yeast elements… It doesn't end immediately though, dark berry flavors develop amongst some nutty features as it lingers on the palate… The mouthfeel on this beer is extremely nice, as it has a a fair deal of fullness and some creamy aspects that round out this beers body swimmingly, all preceding a velvety smooth ending… Not my favorite stout ever, but it was fun to enjoy a stout that was truly different from all the others I've ever tried… Another great brew - Cheers!!