Stone 05.05.05 Vertical Epic Ale

Reddish brown body, thin tan head that clears. Seems like belgian cherry juice with lightly smoked malt. Cherry, raisins, and dark malt. Not bad, but uniquely Stone.

Black with a mahogany sheen. Frothy vanilla head films the glass with sticky cream. Port, nougat, and fresh prunes makeup the aroma. Deeply buried rum, melon, and black licorice scents. Dense and soft, but with an edge of fuzz. Opens sharply sweet and medicinal, reminiscent of liquefied black licorice and meaty port, but chased by dazzlingly interlocked airy phenols and peppery tobacco. Chalky snap of deeply kilned malt offers a flash of dryness and negates the body’s softness. Bittersweet at the center, with fluffy nougat hints coupled with an elegant clove and bubblegum tingle. Sweetness comes and goes, due to the subdued bright fruitiness. Drastically improves as it goes from cellar to room temperature, though, as the malt takes on a thickset cakey richness, which blankets the alcohol and medicinal astringency. Finishes with an alcohol induced dryness over a feathery foundation of malt sweetness, as clove-infused baked pears, black licorice, bubblegum, and cocoa dusted malt hulls override the lingering medicinal viscosity. Overall, the alcohol is overbearingly hot at times. And more yeast-derived bright fruitiness would lessen the prominent sweetness. Otherwise, this is easily the best in the series, thus far, and a complete turnaround from years past.

Pours dark brown with medium tan head. Aroma of roast caramel malt, dark fruit, hops, tons of spices such as coriander, cinnamon, and black pepper. I cannot believe that this beer is not spiced. The finish is smooth, with more dark fruit, hops, and spices. Nice complexity and great balance.

Appearance is deep mahagoney, almost a reddish purple hue. Very large white head, sustained. Nice. Aroma is full of yeast and sweetness. Flavour is deep and complex, with hints of figs, nuts, toffee and yeasty loveliness.

Nice opulent mahogany color with some web cast tan markings for the head. Plums and prunes come out in the aroma as if they’ve been basking in wood lacquered bowls in a mixture of honey water, cinnamon and nutmeg. Whomph! Flavor rolls in with plump raisins and a heavy cinnamon and brown sugar marinade. Something about this reminds me of morning surprise bran muffins or Raisin Bran itself. Unique and quite tasty, all thanks to JPDIPSO for sharing another winner!

pours a deep color w/ a well laced tan head. Big hop aroma some malt and spices i couldn’t identify. Palate was smooth and well carbonated but didn’t feel full. Flavor is a sweet malt and an odd hop.. hints of oak and spice along w/ the belgian yeast. A pretty good brew. Thanks to ?? for sharing

Dark, clear ruby with a good initial head that dissipates, but can be easily summoned with a little agitation. When chilled, the first aroma is somewhat metallic ... my bad! It shouldn’t be chilled. Very resinous, vinous and musty (almost dirty) aromas with a slight hint of hops and dark chocolate. As it warms, a great spiciness takes over and invites some dark fruits (mostly plum and raisin). Very full and satisfying mouthfeel. Like the aroma, the flavor is very vinous and winelike. This is very reminiscent of an abt. With warmth comes a surge of baker’s chocolate, spices and brown sugar. It finishes dry and bitter with an astringency (pretty much like all Stone brews)

I had read a few luke warm reviews of this brew shortly after it came out, and therefore perhaps my expectations were low. But boy, does this renew my respect for Greg Koch as a brewer! This is perhaps the best Belgian Strong brew I have ever had, and I didn’t have to travel to Belgium or shop the import aisle to get it. (I did have to travel to California, however) Not a real strong aroma. Belgian yeast notes are evident, however, as is some roasted malt. Dark ruby red body with lots of visible carbonation. Thick consistency visually. Large, tight bubble, tan head. Tart, sour and salty with dark raosted malt flavors. Alcohol profile is subdued making this brew imminently drinkable to the point of being session-like. Wonderful. No flaws.