Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

Dark clear brown with little head. Very aromatic with fig, plum, cocoa, vanilla. Sweet and spicy and mildly alcoholic. A bit thin in body. Decent dark fruit flavor. I get some astringency in the finish. Not bad but not exactly delicate.

Licorice black with a medium cap of dirty frappuccino brown frothy foam. Intricate lacing in inky stretched and straggly strings. Aroma is a bit light at first but agreeably grows and becomes nice to partake in the nose as its a bit like a fresh poppyseed muffin and some black malt mixed with black licorice, anise, cinnamon, dark sugary sweetness and some dark, herbal, spicy yeast. Taste is one complex, tender display of leveled tastes and mixtures of dark spicy fun stuff. A ride of intricate little nuances of spices, dark, dryish malt, and sweet dark sugars really balance out and make for a pleasureable, palateable treat. The flavors aren’t overly intense here, it all seems very well placed and perfectly displayed as it tugs here, pulls there; leaves here, enters there. A fun dance of flavors that are bready, sweet, dark, yeasty, and spicy. I find it to be quite nice. Perhaps not as bold or in your face as other Stone brews, but definately well crafted in the nature of what has become the growth of Stone’s own brewing palate. As in the smell, many alluring complexities await the spicy realm of dark yeasty breads with anise, clove, cinnamon, black licorice, dry black malt, rye, poppyseed, and pale woodyness. A wonderful palate full of dark spicey fun, and balanced in with with a uniquely tender little undertow of dark sugary sweetness. Oh my... A treat to behold, no doubt; yes, sure, it’s not quite the brute you’d think it would be, but in a way it has it’s edge. Edge enough for me to absolutely drink the hell out of this beer. The medium, low set carbonation and smoother, dark malten body ooze an easy goin’ flow. Yet the active spice and yeasty parts pep it up to the point of total balance and control. Plus the finish has some great little blackened banana, coffee, black malt dryness that is remarkably satisfying to the palate as it finishes slightly dry and powdery. 06.06.06 is one to savor in, even given it’s impressively easy drinkability. 8.6%? I’m sure it’s there somewhere waiting...but undetectable in most regards until the first bomber is nearly emptied. A very finely crafted brew by Stone. A true treat that I may need to seek more of...

Dark, pitch black hue. Layer of tan head. Quickly dissipating into a trace rim with spots. Coffe and plum nose. Full and sweet. Good caramel and coffee flavors. Spicy and bittersweet chocolate. Lively with a tingling sensation. Nice burn but still smooth. Cookie chocolate malt. Slight nutty, vanilla oaky nuances. Second glass holds the same hue. Fat clinging head. More of a musty woody nose. Still full. Fruity, slight raspberry maple flavor. This is great now, and can only wonder what the future will hold.

Bottle. Poured black color with a large off-white head that lasted with good lacing. Moderate caramel malty and tart citrus aroma. Medium bodywith soft carbonation. Medium balanced flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of moderate duration. This is another Stone standout beer.

Pours very dark brown with a thin tan head. Roasted malt aroma with some fruitiness in the nose. Smooth, malty, mild spiciness and carbonation with a light bitter finish. Real nice brew. I want to get another and let it age for a long time and give it another try.

26.09.06 Bomber. I have to admit that I’m more than a little distracted from rating since I’m listening to the Phillies game right now and they’re in the thick of the wild card race. In fact, they are leading the wild card race, tied with the Dodgers who are leading their game tonight while the Phils struggle to cross the plate in theirs. And, by the way, a special thanks to the baseball gods for sending up Phillis fans Ryan Howard.<!-- p --> This beer is attractive with a deep mahoganey brown color and lasting, creamy tan head.<!-- br -->Baseball is much more attention demanding when you’re listening on the radio than when you have it on TV.<!-- br --> The aromas are lovely and phenolic with nice yeasty spice and rotten banana. There is also a fair amount of roasty goodness coming through and resinous hints as this beer really asserts itself as a Stone version of a Belgian style. The flavor is very spicy, maybe dominated by spice, but with long and lingering rich, dark malts. Sweetish stuff at first sip but bitterness attacks big-time towards the end with a serious astringency that does cut through the sweetness and even truncates the beers attempt at lingering with its phenolic perfumes retronasally.<!-- br -->Now, see, that kind of long and rambling sentence is just what is bound to happen when you’re listening to the radio, the Phils are desperate for wins, and Chase Utley is booting a crucial ball in the infield.<!-- br --> I guess this stuff is going to really fill out and the astringency will mellow over time as it does seem to be coming from the hops. Either way, I’m digging the stuff and do not mind the big driness for a switch (even though the description claims "no astringency") -- it compliments the massive spicy yeasts.

Dark brown with a short lasting tan head. Fruity aroma with belgian yeast, cloves roasted malts, chocolate, mollases, figs and plum. Taste has a unique roasted malts presense along with chocolate and plum. Terrific palate with a strong spicyness. Sour aftertaste which I was into. Great beer. I loved the use of cloves in this one. You kind of get a Weizenbock with Belgian characteristics.

Bottle at Pier 32. Poured a small tan fizzy head that ended up mostly diminishing, no lacing, opaque, no visible carbonation, and a dark brown hue. Roasted malt, spicy, licorice nose. The flavor was toasty, malty, caramel, roasty, and spicy. Nicely done. Tingly mouthfeel. Medium body. Good brew and one I think will only get even better with time.