Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

Formerly brewed at Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Escondido, California USA

Dark brown, yeasty, nutty, clove aroma, taste of clove and banana, light on the palate. Finally got around to rating it.

Clear dark mahogany in colour, long lasting off-white coloured head, good lacing. The aroma is malty, earthy, some gingerbread, molasses, moderate caramel sweetness. The flavour has some spice, dark malts, moderate sweetness, cookies, pepper, yeasty, some light chocolate. Moderately sweet mouthfeel, medium body, medium carbonation. Finishes sweet, some alcohol makes an appearance, lingering. The best of the Vertical Epics to date. I can see this one lasting.

650ml bottle obtained in a trade with <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/ViewUser.asp?U target=blank>OldGrowth, thanks Tom.
Opened on April 21, 2007.

22 oz bomber. Pours a very dark brown cola with a medium beige head. Aroma of banana nut, toffee and soda. Taste is malty with a banana nut flavor and hints of mild spice and light pepper. Not bad but not spectacular.

Bomber via Lubiere, served at cellar temp in a tulip glass. JN12/07.

App.: Deep cola with deep ruby hues, clear, nice tan head. Aroma: Nutty and sweet, caramel and dark dried fruits; herbs and vanilla – like rootbeer; milk chocolate. Palate: Medium body and fairly soft carbonation. Smooth. Flav.: Dark dried fruits, chocolate and vanilla, a touch nutty; semi-sweet, a little alcohol and restrained bitterness.

OK, so I couldn’t wait another 5+ years. Would the beer last that long anyway?

I thought this was only fitting for my 500th beer rated. Poured to an opaque jet black color, with thick tan head that lingered throughout most of the drink and left good lacing. Aroma was a malty dark fruit (grapes and figs) with a hint of alcohol. As the beer warmed, the alcohol became more prominent, but not enough to obverwhelm the fruit. Mouthfeel was tingly and sweet, and the taste was a pleasant continuation of the same malty dark fruit as was found in the aroma. This blend led nicely to a nice, long warming finish. The bottle said it was best to wait until 12-12-2012 to enjoy this; howver, it was just fine now. Beware....Quite a buzz just from this bomber, so be careful if you let it sit 5 more years!!!

Pours a clear dark brown color with a thin light brown head. The aroma is sweet and smoky. The flavor is also sweet and smoky with dark malts, chocolate and a bitter finish. The body is light to medium with soft carbonation.

I believe this was courtesy of DragonStout. Pours a deep brown with amber hues and tan head. The aroma is sweet and fruity with added tartness. I think I smell wood too. The flavor starts off with dried figs and plums without being too barleywine like. I also get some hotness and caramelized malt sweetness. Nice. Could use more aging.

on tap @ BCTC 2007. Dark brown opaque brew. Chocolate & coffee, roasty. medium to full bodied. very smooth. dark fruit some spice. well done