Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

Aromatic Belgian inflected peppery fig and toasted almond sugar aroma, with sweeping medium fruits and light vinous notes. Pour of orange cornered mahogany, with a thin rim of white. Flavor continues on the same plane as the aroma, with a run of lightly charred toast notes and deeper nutty character. Caramel and dried plums and dates run with nice bright malt sugars. Alcohol hides away. Light distant euro hop sneaks in some balance, but the cloyingness runs away in the end.

22 oz. brown bomber bottle. Poured out a deep brown color, with red highlights. Thin, mocha colored head. Aromas are of roasted malts, choholate candy, earthy hops. Flavors are of roasted malts, dried fruit, chocolate, & coffee notes too. Medium mouthfeel, rich & thick body. Finished slightly sweet & roasty.

This bottled brew from a bottle shop poured a small sized head of foamy finely sized tan colored bubbles that were and left behind a opaque dark brown colored body and a good lacing. The nice aroma was vinous toasted malt sweet and dark malt. The crisp mouth feel was tingly at the start with a mellow finish. The flavor contained notes of sweet mildly vinous dark malt and chocolate. Delicious and one I would certainly buy again.

The titillating effect of Stone’s brewing has, to me, worn off considerably, and truthfully the excitement induced seems simply outlandish. This Vertical Epic series only furthers my confusion, partly because of the grotesque zealotry generated by previous installments, but also by the fact that these episodic brews seem decidedly unfit for their purpose: the zenith 2012 is meant to reveal. I am no haruspex, but I will tell you now that this Mephistophelian chapter will be reduced to nothing more than liquid chagrin come the resolution. That said, drink it now and you may be rewarded. In any event, as much as I enjoy the style, I was worried by Stone’s interpretation as an on ne peut plus American brewer. The pour confirmed my suspicions, brooding as it looked, a perfect espresso facsimile, while the nose conjured a spiced stout. Caramel, chocolate-covered cherries, juicy pine hops, soap, cedar and cream, vanilla, black licorice, nutmeg and cinnamon. An interesting array of scents but inelegantly showcased and definitely unbelgian, yet we were off to a better start than I had expected. Nutmeg, gingerbread and cardamom form a spicy base for a deflagration of hops before reducing to a cola and soothing salted caramel aftertaste. Far from a Dubbel, by my taste, but not a bad brew though it won’t cure your hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.

Bottle. Deep brown colour. Hoppy aroma, with some alcohol noticed. The aromas correspond to the palate, very hoppy, with alcohol showing. Doesn’t taste dark at all, even though it is a deep-ish brown colour. I don’t know how these gae and whether age will change it a lot, but it does feel a little raw.

22 oz. bottle. Pours a deep, clear ruby red with a thin off-white head. Very little lacing. Very nice aroma of prunes, raisins and roasted malt. The initial flavor is again very nice with notes of prunes, roasted malt, and cloves. The flavor however lacks depth. The fruits and spices seem to evaporate after the initial taste. Warming alcohol finish with only slight bitterness. Perhaps this beer will develop more body over time, but I was not impressed with this year’s issue.

Poured an effervescent maple mahogany with a small fizzy light tan head. Nice aroma of sweet caramel, grapes, roasty chocolate, and a cinnamon spiciness. Flavor is dry and spicy with notes of cinnamon and clove, a roasty/earthy character, and a dry and bitter grass hop finish with a slight acidity. Alcohol isn’t overpowering but is not hidden either. Decently pleasant and complex, but could be better with a bit more sweetness and smoothness. RERATE: Paired the beer after tasting with a salty stilton which brought out its sweetness, making it slightly more pleasant. Still could stand to be a bit smoother.

Deep mahogany with a huge mocha head. Aroma is malty and faint. Flavor is full with only a mild hoppiness. Notes of clove and coriander. Very rich with decent alcohol warmth in the dry finish.