Stone 04.04.04 Vertical Epic Ale

Formerly brewed at Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Escondido, California USA

Not quite clear yellow look. Spritzy carbonation and a thin white head. Aroma of yeast, bubblegum, salt water and citrus. Strong candy lime flavor supported by a good malt body and moderate sweetness. Finishes with a lime starburst flavor and mild bitterness. Very interesting and well executed ale.

Pours golden yellow with a small fizzy head that dissipates leaving a lacing on the glass and a thin film on top of the beer. Aroma is prevalent and very refreshing, smelling of a combination of spice, hops, and malt. Original taste is a balanced sweet and spicy, similar to a belgian ale, but has a more bitter hoppy finish. Body is good, but not especially thick. Overall very unique, but not as smooth as it could be. However, still has the bold palatable taste one would expect from Stone.

Damn good. I liked the previous two years well enough, but this one is just the right style for me. Anything that tastes a little Belgian (the yeast strain was obvious at first smell and taste) and finishes like a German Hefe is fine by me. They are among my favorite styles. Add just the right amount of hops (but not over-the top) and you’ve got a winner. Mmm... Wheat, clove, banana, and citrus. Bottle conditioned too! Stone should make this one a regular! Very surprising twist from Stone, and very different than the previous two years. I like! If this is just an experiment, then I hope they keep it up!

Gorgeous pale orange coloration, slight haze, under a firm cap of creamy froth. Nose is smoothly citric, just-so spicy, crammed with yeast, a fresh-cracked new loaf of lemon bread, right from the oven. Herbal and even a touch minty, with fruit aplenty stirring about, this is a complex and abundantly pleasant aroma. Has the character of a wit, mixed with a saison, wrapped in the guise of a tripel. Masterful mouthfeel, commands the palate at once, spills pleasure all along the senses, with a nearly sharp citric twang, then cool and mellow fading out. Rings in again with each new encounter on the tongue, oozes enchantement, drips with delight. Body is medium, finish long and fruit-astic, with the alcohol content, average for the style, never stinging or standing at attention. That said, it’s my kind of tripel all right, exquisite, and tasty to say the least. Another class act from Stone, and I’m doubly glad I have another to sit still for the journey to 2012! Actually, I ought to procure another pallet-ful, I’m liking this so much!

Pours a transparent golden/orange color with a fine white head and light fine carbonation. Head retention is low and the lace is fine and sticky. Aroma is subtle but deep; fruity esters, malt a slightly grassy background with a hint of those lime leaves. Palate is full bodied with a light (syrupy) sweet start and a biting, slightly tart, finish. Flavor has an interesting contrast of sweet and lingering bitter finish. Interesting but does not display much of the complex characteristics I had encountered the first time I had this beer closer to its bottling.

4/17/04: Bottle.
Full yeast nose with hints of coriander. Golden sunshine body with a white head, which quickly subsides. To taste there is plenty of Belgium yeast accompanied by coriander, lemon and banana.

Cloudy gold with little head. Esthery aroma, sugary and notes of oak. Body is tripel like with a sharp carbonation. Flavor shows a bit of alcohol along with suagr and light fruit notes. Finishes slightly bitter. Similar to a Belgian Tripel. An ok brew.

Man this was good!! I wish I would have bought more!! Bottle poured a nice golden color with a big fruity bannana aroma. and an easy bitter finish. Medium-bodied, great drinking beer