The Year in Beer

Name: Stone Levitation Ale

Brewer: Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, Calif.

By the numbers: About 140 calories per 12 oz.; 4.4 percent alcohol by volume

Notes: This is the first beer I’ve had from Stone, but I know they have a good reputation. This is classified as an American Amber/Red Ale and has a surprisingly big flavor for a beer that comes in at only 4.4 percent alcohol. It pours a nice reddish amber, but the taste is unlike most ambers. It starts bitter like a pale ale and checks in at 45 IBUs, according to Stone. The aroma is floral, which also seems contrary for the style. It does balance out nicely at the end with a decent malt character. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the beer, though, may be the gray and gold label which is painted on. It gives the bottle an interesting look.

Try it with: Drinking away a recent run of bad appliances. I must be on the 10-year plan with my appliances, because in the last month I’ve had to replace a clothes washer and a dishwasher. The water in our little town is pretty hard, which probably accounts for some of the problems. What’s next? The water heater?

    — Posted by Mike Freimann