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The Sip #70 Stone & Wood Stone Beer

Long-time beer drinker and The Sip editor Ross Lewis puts some of Australia's top drops to the test.

Catch up with other beers on The Sip Archive

The technique is an homage to the brewers of the Middle Ages.

But when the hot rock was added to Brad Rogers’ latest instalment of his famous beer it was as if the weather gods had been stirred.

Stone and Wood like to deliver a drink that suits winter. The Stone Beer is seasonally released around May each year.

And when the latest batch arrived in WA it was immediately followed by some of the foulest weather to hit Perth in recent times.

So it with the weather cold and wet it was better to say inside and savour a Stone Beer. The brew’s journey had gone full circle.

Each year the task of making the brew is turned into a community affair. The placing of the stone in the beer process is witnessed by friends of Stone and Wood.

The concept behind the hot rock is an honour to ancient brewing techniques. Heated stones were used to boil kettles.

It results in a steroid boost for the malt characteristics. The 2015 Stone Beer has plenty of backbone with 11 different malt types.

This year’s version starts dark with a strong earthy aroma. The initial taste is smoky but the Hellartau Hersbrucker hops kick in to give a floral edge.

There is a strong but pleasant bitterness.

Stone and Wood believe punters should have Stone Beer ready for when the days are short and nights are cold.

Thank goodness, the nectar arrived just in time.

The Sip Snip
Stone Beer
Brewer: Stone and Wood
Style: Altbier
Alcohol content: 6.4%
Standard drinks: 2.5
Bitterness: N/A
Bottles: 500ml
Estimated calories: 192 per litre
The Sip Tip (rating): Straight to the pool room.

Average prices: $8 per 500ml bottle.