I think I really like this American Black Ale.  It has a real roasted maltiness like a stout or porter in front, followed closely by a sour hoppiness.  It doesn't have that sharp burnt bitterness that sometimes occurs in stouts, it's more of the smooth hoppy sourness you get in say an oak aged IPA.  Regardless, it actually seems to work and it is at least smooth.  It's funny, sometimes it seems to me like there is a clash of two flavor profiles going on, but somehow, it also seems to totally work as the brew stays smooth and definitely has complexity as well.  I said there wasn't 'burnt bitterness', but that isn't exactly true as after each sip, in the after taste, there is sometimes a lingering burnt bitterness; but it is definitely mild.  At first it didn't take away from my enjoyment of this beer; however, I think as time passed it got a little clingy and annoying.  The mouth-feel is medium skewing full, while the carbonation was light.  Overall though, I really do like this beer.  It's just one of those, shall we say, BIG, beers that definitely is something that I would only drink on rare occasions despite its obvious great quality.

Bottle Cap

Brewery Website

BeerTripper Rating

http://www.stonebrew.com/

Alcohol Concentration

10.80

American Black Ale

Ale