Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

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

22 ounce bottle from Table and Vine in Northampton, MA (September 2006) consumed at cellar temperature from a Dieu du Ciel! tulip. A nice hiss as the bottle is popped, this too has at least kept its carbonation as the three previous years had.....the appearance is quite similar to that of the 05, quite dark though this is a bit clearer with less obvious cloudy yeast; the head is full and medium-tan in color though it fades rather quickly, leaving impressive sheets of lace.....quite fruity (strawberries, apples), dark toasted/caramelized malts, but the most prominent element I note in the aroma is vanilla, not so much oaky/barrel vanilla as vanilla syrup or candy; light yeast and alcohol apparent....body is, interestingly, fairly dry and tart, easily the least-sweet of the four VEs I’ve tried, rather more robust, roasty, with muted bake fruits (apples again) and just a trace of that fine vanilla, strong cobwebby yeast, and harsher alcohol than I expected....quite full, not a trace of oxidizing/thinning, moderate to heavy carbonation, fairly dry and bitter at the finish. Probably my least-favorite of the VEs thus far, though this one is probably closest to being at the perfect moment of aging. Still pretty tasty as all in the series have been, and quite reasonably priced when new unlike so many "special" and "anniversary" beers.

Thanks to foureyedgeek for sharing this one! Nice port wine nose, raisins, bit of oak, heavy on brown sugar and molasses. Very sweet, with fruity hoppy nose that is very fragrant but not overpowering like some of the other hoppy Stone offerings. Vinuous with soy maltiness, bit of chocolate. Dark dark brown, clear, with medium foamy lacing light-tan head. Heavy watery body with medium carbonation and some alcoholic warming. Starts sweet with a lot of maltiness, plum, red wine, oak, malt vinegar, sweet. Molasses, malty like a doppelbock. Hearty. Very little bitterness, fruity and malty. Nice dry carbonic bitterness at finish. Sweet after on the tongue. Rich and malty overall with just a bit of nutty molasses tang. Alcoholic warming.

The flavor here seems the best of the epics yet. The yeast is better incorporated with the alchohol and I think this is a bit sweeter. Nutty and bready, not as much perfume.

Dark mahogany pour with no head. Smoky, fruity, malt aroma. Very smooth mouth feel. The taste on this followed the path of the aroma but with a more pronounced malt flavor than anything else. The alcohol definitely came through as it warmed.

22 oz bottle. Dark brown with lighter head. Complex spiced aroma. Medium body with a complex flavor. Some hops, but well balanced. Overall one of my favorite brews.

Pours black with a small off white head. Smells of sweet candy sugar, dark fruits, grapes, and heavy malts. The taste is also sweet but more of a dark fruity sweet with some sugar and raisins. Nice and thick on the palate. Very good representation of a dubbel from an American brewer. Very rich and thick taste and the aftertaste leaves a sweet resin on the lips and in the back of the mouth. Good job here.

Dark brown/black with dark ruby/brown edges and 2.5cm of frothy, tan head. Nose of roasty, bittersweet chocolate chip cookies with raisins. Some bready yeast, also. Flavor is the same with some earthiness and subtle, dark, berry-like tartness. Full/medium body, well carbonated yet soft. Excellent. Much better after a year than it was fresh.

my #805 rating.... poured a deep, opaque brown hue with a thin tan head. It was slightly fizzy, but not enough to make it over carbonated. Some fruits on the aroma, mostly dried. The aroma also had notes of chocolate, yeast and nuts. Flavor was malty with some fruit notes, a little spice and a nice chocolate finish. Alcohol was mild but warming. Good beer, glad i waited the year to drink.