Stone Brewing Co.
Escondido, CA
Style: Smoked Stout
ABV: 5.9%
Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean appears a deep brown with garnet highlights and a soft tan head. There is light, sweet smoke, caramel and a touch of chocolate in the nose with huge waves of vanilla. This is a smooth, creamy smoked porter. The vanilla flavor is prominent and keeps the smokiness hiding in the background with the light cocoa. Give this one a second. As the vanilla fades the chocolate smokiness creeps up. This beer is exactly as advertised. If you like your porters on the sweeter side, this is a winner. It’s not too smoky, not too sweet. A fun twist on a Stone classic.
—Adam Harold