Stone Stochasticity Project – Hibiscusicity Coming 9/12

September 15th, 2014
National release date
Hops : Sterling
Special ingredients: Hibiscus flower and orange peel
Packaging: 22oz Bottles and draft
Stats: 8.6% ABV
Available in: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, and WA

TASTING NOTES
The Stone Stochasticity Project’s recent creation of an imperial golden stout might lead one to believe this pink-hued brew is aesthetically driven, but its outwardly brilliant color is merely a side effect of our pursuit of intense flavor. It takes an immense dosing of dried hibiscus flowers—a full pound (roughly two kajillion deep crimson plant petals)—to infuse the essence of flor de Jamaica into this Belgian-style ale. Wheat and dried orange peel enhance the inherent flavors of hibiscus while bringing citrus notes and increased drinkability to the beer. One taste is all it takes to clearly see there is so much more to this beer than its looks.

UPDATE 12 Sep 2014 from Stone:

Today, we released upon this nation a beer with the most challenging name in the history of our 18-years-young operation. That’s saying a lot considering we’re the craft brewers who brought you such multi-syllabic wonders as Drew Curtis/Wil Wheaton/Greg Koch Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout, Stone Mixtape Ale vol.9 – Goats in the VIP Room Blend, The Bruery/Elysian/Stone La Citrueille Celeste De Citracadoand, of course, Stone Suitable For Cave Aging – An Imperial Smoked Porter Tribute to Danny Williams. Just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? Of course, odd nomenclature is the rule of thumb for the Stochasticity Project, which, since its debut earlier this year, has yielded ales called Varna Necropolis and Quadrotriticale. Before unleashing this new moniker on you, perhaps its best to go back a step and examine a term that’s both plenty perplexing and worth taking a look at—Stochasticity.

sto ● chas ● ti ● ci ● ty (stuh-kas-ti-si-tee), n.: 1. pertaining to a process involving a randomly determined sequence of observations, each of which is considered as a sample of one element from a probability distribution. Orig. 1655-65; < Greek stochástikós, equivalent to stochas- (variant stem of stocházesthai to aim at) + tikos

It all makes perfect sense now, right? Doubtful. Don’t worry. The team at Stone hadn’t heard of the word either until CEO and Co-founder Greg Koch rolled into work one day, gobsmacked by the concept of stochasticity and declaring his desire to set up an entire arm of our brewing enterprise to come up with a program that was stochastic in nature. Stochasticity basically refers to the process of arriving at an endpoint after following a random path, poking holes in the theory of randomness by pointing at the end results of endeavors—even those of a seemingly random nature. Brewmaster Mitch Steele and the Brew Crew embraced it instantly, seeing it for the awesome creative outlet it has become. The Stochasticity Project has zero set parameters, allowing our brewers to experiment with styles that go outside Stone’s existing family of bread-and-butter beers and the styles we’re known for. There’s never been a shortage of good beer ideas at Stone—only available time and fermenter space. The creation of the Stochasticity Project solved that and, in the process, has allowed us to have a little fun as proven by the name of our latest creation:Stochasticity Project Hibiscusicity.

hi ● bis ● cu ● si ● ci ● ty (hahy-bis-kuh-si-si-tee), n.: 1. of or involving hibiscus, a woody plant, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, also called China rose, of the mallow family, having large, showy flowers: the state flower of Hawaii; 2. of or involving any of numerous other plants, shrubs, or trees of the genus Hibiscus, characterized by lobate or dentate leaves and usually profulesly blooming flowers. Orig. 1700-10; < Neo-Latin, Latin < Greek hibiskos mallow

OK, you got us. We coined that term ourselves, but the definition is correct. This beer is all about dried hibiscus, which, as noted by Steele, adds a great deal to the sensory experience of this beer. The flowers nicely perfume its bouquet, bring tartness and floral, berry-like character to its flavor, and even increase this Belgian-style ale’s drinkability. Then there’s the most obvious impact—what was once a golden brew is now beautifully pink and beckoning imbibers to take a sip of what is a lovely, tropical, fruity beer that fits in well with the autumn season during which it’s being released. The stochastic nature of this beer may make it difficult to know from where exactly it hails, but when it comes to the Stone Stochasticity Project, it’s really about where you end up in the end and the beer that’s waiting for you when arrive.

UPDATE:  15 Sep 2014:  From Stone:

Another unique and nearly unpronounceableStochasticity Project beer will begin arriving in 22-ounce bottles and on draft at retailers, bars and restaurants in select markets nationwide beginning this week. Stochasticity Project Hibiscusicity is a Belgian-style strong ale infused with hibiscus flowers and orange peel.

“On a warm day in San Diego, I was enjoying a glass of a hibiscus-infused beer by Dieu du Ciel! called Rosée d’Hibiscus,” explains Brewmaster Mitch Steele. “I was impressed with its delightfully refreshing qualities and was inspired to create my own recipe utilizing hibiscus. In Stochasticity Project Hibiscusicity, the flower contributes a distinct, naturally tart flavor when added during the brewing process and gives the beer a reddish hue. The addition of orange peel provides a nice burst of citrus that complements the spiciness of the Belgian yeast.”

The recipe for a citrusy, hibiscus-flavored wheat ale that Steele conceived was first brewed on the 10-barrel brewhouse at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station. Originally named “Going Red,” the beer was a special-release offering to promote awareness of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign.

The addition of Magnum and Sterling hops provides a balanced bitterness to the beer’s citrusy, berrylike spiciness, while the malted wheat adds a subtle yet sweet bready flavor to complement the tartness of the hibiscus flowers. Giving the beer tropical fruit and banana characters, the Belgian yeast strain Ardennes was used to complete the unique brew. As a result of this serendipitous combination of ingredients, fans will savor a flavorful beer that is complex, refreshing and easy to drink. Stochasticity Project Hibiscusicity may be enjoyed now or cellared for several months or years. 

Stochasticity Project Hibiscusicity Quick Facts

Name: Stochasticity Project Hibiscusicity
URL: stochasticity.com/beers/hibiscusicity
Stats: 7.4% ABV, 28 IBUs
Availability: Limited 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning September 15
Hops Bill: Magnum and Sterling
Distribution: AK, AL, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, and Puerto Rico