Stone 05.05.05 Vertical Epic Ale

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

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.

Had in a vertical with the 030303 and 040404. Coffee was apparent to me in both the aroma and flavor. Light head. Alcohol was apparent but not overwhelming. Ruby hue. Made me think of a dubbel.

22 oz. bottle courtesy of santoslhalper shared with Exec Board. Pours brown with khaki head, one finter. Good lacing. Some cherry hues. Fruit and chocolate, sweet caramel with apple cherry and grape. Taste is lots of caramel adn sweet fruit, some mild chocolate, grapes and cherry. Good bitterness with no real hop flavor. Nice alcohol flavor and warmth well into the after. This was a great beer. It was like a Belgian-y, slightly wheat-esque barley wine type thing. Tasty. Thanks so much for sharing this, Jon.

I have been anxiously waiting for this one all year. I was a bit disapointed because I loved the past Verticals so much, but that’s not to say it’s bad at all. This steps away a bit from the Belgian style of the past Verticals. This has an undeniable stout undertone. Tastes of coffee and bitter chocolate and alcohol dominated for me. This should really settle down into a great beer with age though. I look forward to it.

Bottle. ( Thanks rickgordon ! ) Dark brown with a small tan head. Roasted with fruity notes. Full body with a acidic finish.

Bottle. Poured ruby brown with decent tan head. Carmel malty, with some decent citrusy hop aromas and flavors, and a touch of roast. Some yeast too - but it didn’t strike me as very ’belgian’ - more ’belgian-like’. Still very tasty.

What an amazing color this brew has. Almost cranberry in color with nothing of a head which can be common with some Belgian styles. Aroma is interesting. Some berries and cinnamon, weird yeast aroma, sulfur. Kind of like a Dubbel gone wrong. Overhopped maybe because it’s got a nasty bitter aftertaste. A bit medicinal.Body is smooth with a good carbonation fizz to it. Flavor is a major dissapointment in my opinion. The finish is like Vicks 44 cough syrup. I don’t know what to make of this. I don’t know why I get sucked into the seasonal Stone releases because for the most part they’ve been a dissapointment. When reading DaSilky1’s review I thought this guy was perhaps a bit harsh but after drinking this I can see his point. Stick to the styles you’ve mastered. The Impy Stout and IPA’s are what you brew best. RE-Rate 9/7/05Brilliantly clear cranberry color with a small dense head which diminishes quickly leaving a slight disorganized layer of film and some light lacing.. Aroma, slightly alcoholic, some dark fruit, caramel, dark malt and less prominently, yeast. Malt is really forthcoming with a lightly burnt caramel sensation. Second pour reveals a doughy yeasty bread aroma which is soon overtaken by the caramel like malt once again. Decidedly, this has improved in 3 months. Flavor is malt forward yet hops lace the walls of my mouth with bitterness. Dark fruit also contribute some flavor. The body is soft and full with a syrup like slickness which coats my mouth. Overall this has improved since I first tried it when released 3 months ago. I only wish they used a better yeast to give it that Belgian quality we all look for in this style.

Bottle. Great coffee color with a white head. Aroma has notes of toffee, prunes, and alcohol. Flavor is bitter all the way with a strong finish - has a smoky, burnt, bittersweet chocolate flavor. Mouthfeel is a tad watery and lightly carbonated.