Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

Pours a dark dark brown approaching black with decent clarity and a sparse light tan head. The nose dominated by strong flavors like juicy fruit and roasted malt. A hint of alcohol and a little spice are there too. The palate is smooth and creamy with appropriate CO2 and a bit of stickiness. A touch of alcohol warming. The flavors are really very nice in this brew. Big sweet malt with some roast, alcohol up front, and juicy fruit again. Creamy, with slight hints of acid and chocolate. There’s even a bit of spice and floral elements. The alcohol really enhances this brew. This completely lacks any of the sourness I’ve encountered in some Belgians and I really enjoy this one. I’ll be sure to go out and grab a couple more!

In appearnace, this beer is dark brown with a very thin brown head. The aroma is of sweet alcohol, malt, something like peppermint, and some fruit (both citrus and non-citrus). The flavor is similar, overall I’d describe it as both sweet and sour, roasty, hoppy, lightly fruity, with alcohol. Lingering sour flavor. Smooth palate with low/medium carbonation.

Thanks to kmweaver. Dark, brown body with small tan head. The aroma is clove, bubblegum and roast. The flavor is clove, banana, bubblegum, roast, candi sugar, slightly burnt. The mouthfeel is thin, dry and rough with a warm, astringent finish.

22oz - 400th rating - Aroma of bubblegum, spice, and alcohol. Pours deep deep red with a small head and decent lacing. Flavor matches aroma with some chocolate tossed in. Palate is sticky and sweet. Very tasty and I bet once the alcohol mellows, it will be even better.

Pours a stout-like dark brown, with a tan colored head. Fruity yeast aroma. Flavors are really complex- dark fruits, huge roasted malts, subtle coffee and chocolate. Finish is surprisingly bitter.

So far, I like this one the least of the series (haven’t had no.2 though). Smells pretty wheaty, but in a good way. Heavyish with some chocolate. First impression is that the alcohol really comes through too much. That’s not good if this is supposed to age. Maybe it’ll get better.

Aroma is smokey and fruity. Flavor is extremely comforting- sweet (banana?)and spicy with sort of a roasted anise flavor. What I would imagine a Belgian Abbey Stout to taste like. Finish is nicely bitter and slightly funky, and they are right... no astringency at all. One of my favorite Stone brews so far.

I about had a conniption when I realized last week that I had forgotten (after much anticipation prior to the magic day) about the release of this year’s epic. Thanks to the fine folks at Andy’s Carryout on High St. I was able to secure a few bottles (after what was beginning to look like a fruitless search). Exceptional nose of dried fruit, berries, brown sugar, anise, wheat, and some smoke. The brew pours with a lovely cascade that resolves itself into a mostly lasting stiff, creamy tan head. The brew is dark brown with ruby highlights. Kaboom! One of a kind flavor. What else would you expect from the twisted monkeys at Stone? The brew is mostly malty with a typical Belgian presence however, a slight hops zing unveils itself in time for the meandering finish of bitter flowers. The medium body is soft & creamy.