Do u think stone is a top 5 brewery in the U.S.?

[heyblinkin]

Stone is definitely in the US top 5. Breweries are like indie bands these days. Everyone likes to drink beer from small regional breweries (which is great). But, once a brewery starts to get bigger and expand their distribution they've "sold out" and are not cool anymore. Stone still makes great beer. We're lucky that there are so many great breweries in the US, but Stone is one of the best and one of the most influential breweries in the US.

 

[LandoLincoln]

I think everybody knows taste vary. People are still entitled to there opinion about a brewery. Which is what the OP asked, many peoples opinions on stone brewery. It seems about everybody has contributed an opinion about Stone but you. You could help by contributing your opinion on Stone. Since your the only one that knows tastes vary does that make you special?

You want my opinion? Stone Brewing Company is probably a Top Five craft brewery because of volume of sales. Taste's got nothin' to do with it.

 

[NathPowe]

I love beer.

 

[aiptasia]

Top ten. Not top five.

 

[ktblunden]

IMO Stone and Rouge sit on the shelves WAYY to long....

WHY??

Pricing...16$ for a 6pack of stone ipa is a little out of control IMO.

You're getting ripped off. A 6-pk of Stone IPA sells for $10 here.

 

[Dolomieu]

Lucky for you columbus brewery makes far better hop forward beers.

CBC has some solid beers. I do like that they are local to me.

 

[jakenbacon]

You want my opinion? Stone Brewing Company is probably a Top Five craft brewery because of volume of sales. Taste's got nothin' to do with it.

It's a completely pointless thread.

"There's this popular brewery which I don't think makes very good beers."
"Well, I like their beers but I don't like this other one."
"I disagree. I like that one but I don't like this other one."
"You're wrong! This other one is really good but the first one is just awful."

Who. Gives. A. Crap.

You want to be a beer snob, go to beer snob central (AKA beeradvocate).

This website is for beer geeks.

You rank your top five breweries by sales and taste has nothing to do with it? Poor guy....

 

[Dolomieu]

Oh! No, I am afraid that EVERYTHING in OHIO sucks. Especially Universities and sports teams....and beer.


*watch, this will be funny*

You are entitled to your opinion.... funny enough?

 

[bob1852]

You want my opinion? Stone Brewing Company is probably a Top Five craft brewery because of volume of sales. Taste's got nothin' to do with it.

It's a completely pointless thread.

"There's this popular brewery which I don't think makes very good beers."
"Well, I like their beers but I don't like this other one."
"I disagree. I like that one but I don't like this other one."
"You're wrong! This other one is really good but the first one is just awful."

Who. Gives. A. Crap.

You want to be a beer snob, go to beer snob central (AKA beeradvocate).

This website is for beer geeks.

Actually Stone is #10 in craft beer volume...

 

[palys2]

I would definitely put them around #5 right now, so the top 5 is arguable. Obviously they Are in the discussion. My current opinion is:
1 alchemist
2 russian river
3 oscar blues
4 stone
5 sierra nevada

The 4-10 spot depends on the season, stone and Sierra Nevada get top rankings because of consistency/variety. Just my 2¢!

 

[two_hearted]

Oh! No, I am afraid that EVERYTHING in OHIO sucks. Especially Universities and sports teams....and beer.

*watch, this will be funny*

How's this for funny:
GABF 2013 - 8 medals for ohio
GABF 2009 - 2013 - 0 medals for Kentucky

booya.

And you can rag on Ohio sports all you like and you won't get a rise out of me. I can't speak for these Columbus boys though.

 

[BUCKNUTS]

Total BS. Blame your bottle shop not our state.

Ridiculous to blame the state Ohio. I love Stone's beers and yes thy are a top 5 brewery. I have had every stone beer multiple times and their IPA and Sublimely Self Righteous dozens of times and never a single issue with quality of the beer.

 

[passedpawn]

Please either discuss the topic, which by the way is Stone Brewery and products, or ignore this thread.

 

[philipCT]

Top 5 for me would be impossible. So many choices as well as so many great breweries that I have not had enough of their offerings to accurately judge (I've only had 2 Russian River). Instead, I would just drop the number....in otherwords, what do you consider the top breweries in America? While still very subjective I think it is easier and less trivial. Furthermore, I would say keep it regional. There is only a small number of "great" breweries that distribute all their offerings nationally.

Here are some regional/local breweries I consider "top" American breweries:

Jack's Abby
Maine Brewing Co.
Southern Tier
Cambridge Brewing Company (CBC)
Hill Farmstead
Lawson's Finest
Troegs
Tired Hands

Again, I'm just listing breweries that I have access to nearly their entire line up and have consistently been high quality.

This.

Agree that I haven't had the range of samples from many of these breweries that would allow me to pass judgement. I look to these lists for ideas about what I want to try next time I'm at one of my favorite craft brew bottle shops.

I have not had anything from Troegs or Tired Hands, but otherwise I like this list, and would include Stone as well. Some of the most memorable beers I've ever had were from Stone (RIS!).

I would also add Ballast Point (Sculpin!) and Bell's (TH!) for their superstar beers though I'm not familiar with the broader range of their offerings.

I lament the absence of CT breweries from these lists - including my own.

 

[bleme]

I don't think I would put them in my Top 5 but my favorite beer of all time was theirs. 2007 IRS, served in 2012. Phenomenal!

 

[philipCT]

You're getting ripped off. A 6-pk of Stone IPA sells for $10 here.

You are getting ripped off. I just bought one for $9.95 here.

 

[philipCT]

I do not think I am qualified to make that call since I have not drank all the beers from all the breweries yet .

Slacker.

 

[ted464]

IMO Stone and Rouge sit on the shelves WAYY to long.... WHY?? Pricing...16$ for a 6pack of stone ipa is a little out of control IMO.

I agree. I like a lot if Rogue's beers, but they can get pricey, especially for their double brews $14-$16 for a 22 ouncer.

 

[hellawaits77]

I would have to say yes. Double Bastard is my favorite brew, Arrogant Bastard is one of my faves as are Ruination and their RIS. Their pale ale and IPA's are solid, too. Only brew of theirs I didn't care for was the Epic Dark Ale or whatever it was (Belgian Strong Dark was the style I believe).

Not saying they're one of the top 5 just because I like their beers, it's because I've sampled many of their offerings, and compared to other breweries I've sampled similar amounts of, they match or exceep them all.

 

[two_hearted]

Ridiculous to blame the state Ohio. I love Stone's beers and yes thy are a top 5 brewery. I have had every stone beer multiple times and their IPA and Sublimely Self Righteous dozens of times and never a single issue with quality of the beer.

Ok dude, go reread the posts and calm down.

 

[ktblunden]

You are getting ripped off. I just bought one for $9.95 here.

That's almost a penny less per bottle! I hope you bought them all!!!!1!!1one

 

[two_hearted]

You rank your top five breweries by sales and taste has nothing to do with it? Poor guy....

Well, the question didn't specify the criteria. Stone has a huge distribution network across the country, they produce quality craft beer on a massive level AND do some pretty creative stuff (mixtape, enjoy by, anniversary series). To do the creative stuff on a level probably larger than your hometown brewery does their flagship beers is pretty cool. They're investing and risking a lot for the sake of cool beer (and selling it). I think that makes them deserve a top 10 spot at least.

Now, my personal tastes... maybe not in my top 10 list, but I am always willing to try something new from them (despite getting burned by beer sitting on the shelf a bit too long and warm). And even though I poke fun at their owner for his silly looking beard and bizarre behavior I still think stone deserves a lot of respect. I think that about Dogfish Head too.

I am willing to bet a trip to the brewery might boost them up in my list. I would love to drink their beer fresh and see what crazy stuff they have in the pub only.

 

[oconnorshomebrew]

I've never really had a bad Stone beer. I think Greg Koch is hilarious, and I respect any brewery that large that consistently delivers tasty, unforgettable beers.

 

[Coff]

Top 5 for me would be impossible. So many choices as well as so many great breweries that I have not had enough of their offerings to accurately judge (I've only had 2 Russian River). Instead, I would just drop the number....in otherwords, what do you consider the top breweries in America? While still very subjective I think it is easier and less trivial. Furthermore, I would say keep it regional. There is only a small number of "great" breweries that distribute all their offerings nationally.

Here are some regional/local breweries I consider "top" American breweries:

Jack's Abby
Maine Brewing Co.
Southern Tier
Cambridge Brewing Company (CBC)
Hill Farmstead
Lawson's Finest
Troegs
Tired Hands

Again, I'm just listing breweries that I have access to nearly their entire line up and have consistently been high quality.

Me thinks you dont have access to Tired Hands line up in Mass.

 

[BUCKNUTS]

Ok dude, go reread the posts and calm down.

I am always calm. No need to redead anything. Back on topic Stone is top 5 for sure.

 

[jammin]

I think everyone should send me samples from their favorite brewery.

I'll take one for the team and put together a true top five list after a thorough evaluation

 

[tgmartin000]

Top five? Hell no!

Top six? Definitely!

 

[BUCKNUTS]

Top five? Hell no! Top six? Definitely!

Lol

 

[Calichusetts]

Me thinks you dont have access to Tired Hands line up in Mass.

Me thinks I regularly trade beers and have amazing beer friends. But know, you are right. They come to many beerfests around here though. Hell, Anyone from Mass has to basically drive to Hill Farmstead to get their line up...and its only 2 hours away!

 

[Weezy]

IPA is the top craft beer style in the USA, right? IMHO, Stone's Best By is the IPA that best exemplifies the state of brewing West Coast style IPAs today. Hands down.

Does that make it a top 5 brewery? Not in my book. When I think of top breweries I imagine someone saying, if you could only drink beer from a single brewery, which brewery would that be? Stone would not be on my top 5 list in that case.