2005 Year in Review

Back in 1996 Stone started at a pace of "little by little" and currently as we write this, the Stone Crew is busy assimilating into our new brewery and we couldn't be happier. The Stone World was spinning rather fast in 2005, and in case you didn't catch every detail --- here's a little recap:

In true Stone fashion, we started off 2005 with a new accolade and some new ideas. First off, Malt Advocate Magazine bestowed upon us their prestigious moniker of "2004 Brewery of the Year" when they announced their annual "best of" awards. Needless to say, we were delighted by the recognition of our peers and proudly accepted the award.

On the new ideas front, Greg felt he needed a better way to communicate with all the Stone fans and to chronicle Stone happenings...and introduced the Stone vBlogs. These are short, minimally edited vignettes of life at Stone. From the new brewery project, to hanging out at the Stone tasting bar, to braving beer festivals, Greg and his handy camera documented many things in 2005. How many did you watch?

Of course the beginning of the year would not be complete without the release of the Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine! The 2005 version was the strongest beer Stone's ever brewed (weighing in at a hefty 11.26%), but as with all Stone Special Releases that weight didn't keep it on the shelves for very long...

The second month of the year saw things starting to take shape with the new Stone brewery project. Greg came up with a splendid idea of creating an artisanal wall made primarily from stones found at the construction site, and in February the first of the "test walls" for the Stone Wall were created.

Additionally, the Brewers Association released some positive information on the growing segment of craft beer. The industry as a whole grew by a hefty 7% for 2004, and although we had a slow growth year (for us) Stone still grew by a whopping 31% from last year --- thanks everyone!

On the "home-front" we had some pretty exciting news, namely the announcement of the new Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens! The public first learned of Stone's plans to not only build a new brewery, but to have a world-class restaurant as well. Furthermore the Stone Wall became more than just a "stone wall," as we announced that we would be making it our latest fundraiser by selling the stones to raise money for local charities.

As usual, Stone Brewing wasn't a stranger to being in the news in 2005. With the announcement of the new Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens and the Stone Wall Project we garnished some local and regional press.

Often we kick off April with a little "fool," however this year we decided that with the announcement of the Stone World Bistro & Gardens - we didn't want to confuse anyone. However, that didn't quite work, and here's why. The theme and menu at the new Stone restaurant is going to be in line with our beers: world-class and focusing on the all-natural aspect of the culinary world. So when Stone posted a preview of the menu, which is VERY eclectic, a good percentage of people – including some of the Stone Crew – thought the menu was the "fool"... but we're glad to say it's not!

Stone also made more headlines in April, thanks in part to the Stone Wall Project. After Greg's successful test walls, we got the word out about our ambitious fundraiser and Stone Fans responded with open hearts and open wallets. Throughout the 3-day "placing of the stones" we had hundreds of people come by to place their stone, enjoy a beer, and become part of Stone history forever.

The emergence of spring saw the next installment of the Stone Vertical Epic Ale series released, and the 05.05.05 version was welcomed from coast to coast.

We had more good news to tell the public in May. The Stone Wall Project raised more than $73,000 for local charities! Truly an incredible amount and we were so proud of everyone for stepping up and raising so much money for some very Worthy causes.

Good news also came from Germany in May regarding our new brewhouse that was being built in "the mother-land" of brewing technology. ROLEC had finished prepping the new brewhouse tanks. However, before they could leave Germany our President and Brewmaster, Steve Wagner, made a visit to the inspect them. After careful examination, Steve said they looked good and gave them the go-ahead to start their journey to the good ol' US of A for installation in Escondido! Very good news indeed.

The early part of summer once again had us celebrating several mileStones.
After all the preparation and planning, all the lifting, placing, and hard work, The Stone Wall was ready to be tilted up. Anxiously the gorgeous walls were righted and the newest addition to Stone's new building was finished.

The much sought after Stone Imperial Russian Stout was released in June. And as the days warmed, this dark, decadent brew greeted fans with a chocolate intensity, roasted bitterness, and robust alcohol. Furthermore, the website Ratebeer.com released their Summer 2005 results and beer geeks worldwide spoke: Stone was rated the #3 brewer in the World...again!

Several things wrapped up in July with the most notable one feeling like Christmas: we presented over $73,000 to the various charities from the Stone Wall Project and we certainly enjoyed handing over the extra-large checks!

Getting awards and accolades are always nice, but some really make us feel great. Such was the case when Zymurgy Magazine released their 3rd Annual Survey results. Our fans, friends, and comrades in the industry voted us the #1 brewery, with the #2 best portfolio and ranked us # 4 in the "Spirit of Homebrewing"...certainly awards to be proud of!

As things progressed with the new brewery project, tangible things started to happen, none more exciting than some of the new tanks arriving from Germany. Time restrictions on delivery from the CHP, massive cranes, and over-sized load signs (and oversized smiles from Steve and his crew), were all part of the process and they couldn't look better at our new home in Escondido.

It often seems that things happen in bunches. This was certainly the case with some of our media attention this year. At times it was rather slow, at times it reached a fevered pitch. Bon Appetit, USA Today, and other regional papers added to the Stone buzz in August.

Stone Fan might know we've had ongoing discussions with the government agency that oversees the labeling of beers. Specifically concerning the use of the word "Russian" on our label for the Stone Imperial Russian Stout. However, that long, arduous filing of paperwork finally came to an end in August when we received word that they had finally adopted our most recent petition. From now on Stone Brewing, or any other brewer, can properly label Imperial Russian Stouts / Russian Imperial Stouts...as the beer styles that they are!

For the first time in several years, the Stone Anniversary Celebration & Invitational Beer Festival moved out of August and into September. New additions to the annual event also included splitting it up into two different sessions, inviting more food vendors, and of course more breweries. The changes seemed to work, and Stone's annual event was successful in restoring the faith in our growing fan base...and successful in raising lots of money --- over $62,000 this year!

As usual the Stone 9th Anniversary Ale accompanied the aforementioned festivities and this year's ale harkened back to the days of a much lesser-known beer: Stone Heat Seeking Wheat. However, not many similarities between the Stone 9th Anniversary Ale existed between it and the beer from 1997/1998...except it was indeed concocted by our very own Lee Chase.

Of course when you make a name for yourself in the world of beer and build a new brewery, people start to take notice. Hence two very respected industry publications, New Brewer and Modern Brewery Age, featured stories on Stone Brewing and our often amiable, sometimes angry, and always outspoken leader, Greg Koch in September.

What has become tradition with the label for the Stone Anniversary Ale (Stone Crew submitting words for Greg to use in writing the label) turned in to a contest of sorts for our fans. We asked them to decipher the meaning on the back of the bottle and to submit their translations for review. Many "logophobic nightmares" ensued and a talented winner was eventually chosen.

October also saw the inception of a great event: the First Annual Tijuana International Beer Festival, created by a cooperative bi-national effort of Cerveceria Tijuana and Stone Brewing. Many months of planning resulted in an amazing event that featured craft beers from Mexico, Germany, and America all on the famed streets of Tijuana's Revolution Avenue!

Here at Stone we have some rather creative people (imagine that). So when Halloween rolls around at Stone, you never know just what'll happen. This year we had a 6' 7" girl scout, Santa, a Fly Strip, a Mexican wrestler, and to top it off...another GK (*shudder*, the horror) all show up to work! Speaking of creative people, our Brewmaster Steve attended the Great American Beer Festival in Denver during October and had a blast judging a variety of categories. However the highlight was bringing home a medal for our very own Double Bastard Ale!

As the months waned and temperatures fell, Stone Fan knew something was right around the corner: Double Bastard Ale! The sinister sibling of The Arrogance came out...and with it another close relative. For the second year in a row, the OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale greeted fans in 3Litre bottles and once again the palates of many were changed for the better!

November saw yet another industry publication focusing on Stone Brewing Co. and our beers. Patterson's Beverage Journal, a highly respected industry magazine, stated that "Stone Brewing is now the fastest growing regional specialty brewing outfit in the country and things have never looked better for this decade-old company." Good words...for good times.

Another interesting thing happened in November, and made us realize how some of our beers are very collectible. A single bottle of Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale sold for $400 on eBay over the Thanksgiving weekend!!

The media cycle came full circle towards the end of the year, with the New York Times, Financial Times, San Diego Union Tribune, and Delta Sky magazine all doing stories on our beers and the people behind the gargoyle. We always like to toot our own horn, but it's even better when others do it for us!

We'll tell you straight up that we hire some damn fine people here at Stone. Some are incredibly smart, some are incredibly talented, and some are both. One of those "both" people is are very own Rob Klepadlo. On December 18th Rob was on the TV show Jeopardy and in case you missed it and wondered how he did: he's still working here at Stone!

The new brewery was the focus of the entire year and as 2005 started to close, we anxiously began the transition to our new home. Brewing and bottling at the new facility began, we hired the new GM for the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, and the whole Stone Crew started moving into the new offices.

So, as you can see it was another amazing year...we grew...we expanded...we moved earth, and moved in! We made a lot of great beer and a lot of great friends. We raised walls, raised money, and raised eyebrows. We set records. We did what we knew was right and on our terms. And you know what? We're going to do all that and more in 2006...a lot more. Ah, the Stone Manifest Destiny is coming along quite nicely, quite nicely indeed!

Cheers!
-The Stone Crew

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