Stone Hammer Dark Ale from F&M Brewery/Stone Hammer Beers in Guelph, Ontario
MacLean’s Stone Hammer Dark Pale Ale from F&M Brewery in Guelph, Ontario
Note: This is not a real beer. When we bottle both the MacLean’s Pale Ale and the Stone Hammer Dark Ale in the same day, the first 24 bottles off the line after we’ve switched between the two get mixed together. These become staff beer, and like most free beer, YUM!
NOTES: A few months ago I was given a bottle of this at the brewery, unlabeled just like the photo. I’ve had it in my fridge for a while now; To be honest I have no idea what it’s taken me this long to have it. However I was out at a bar the other night and they had this on tap, so I decided to not only give it a go, but finally break open my bottle when I got home. Pours to a dark black however light can make it’s way through. Beautiful tan head that stuck around for the entire ride. Looks very much like a black lager. That all changes with one sniff however; Wow, I’ve never smelt such a hoppy black beer before. Hops had a very earth smell to them, with a bit of marijuana funk as well. Taste was nice and floral hoppy at the front, no weed and/or hemp to it at all, but the back end of this brew was more like a thin porter: roasty malts with a smooth but bittering finish. Man this is good! The bottle I had was less hoppy with no weed smell. It was either the aging or a change in their recipe that’s the reason for this.
NOTES: Hazy raisin in colour with an off white head that skims the top and laces the side of the glass. Let’s see, I smell red wine, brandy, bananas, raisins, plumbs. Taste is plumbs and raisins and warm brandy with dark caramel. This list could go one forever, this is one complex beer. 8.5%ABV shows itself as it warms. Between the suggested serving temp (5-7°C) this beer is perfect.
NOTES: Without a doubt the pick of the 5 pack! Pours to a very very dark ruby brown, almost black. Again a beautiful thick creamy head. Smells roasty, malty and sweet caramel. Taste is caramel and chocolate, mostly malt with a bit of hop. Quite heavy and complex for a Brown Ale, although not too complex overall. Again I’d love to try this on tap!
