Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

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

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.

Black Lager? Thats what it tasted like to me. Maybe I shoulda aged it. Either way, I was unimpressed. Bottle, pours a gentle black with amber hues. Little head and lace. Aroma of raisens and roasted malts. Dark amlt fills the flavor and a gentle alcohol finish. Not a bad brew, just tasted like some Black Lagers I’ve had, including Heavyweights Black Ocean. Not something I plan to have in the near future.

Aroma of bread, banana, yeast, cloves, and dried fruit. Appears a deep dark claret brown with a creamy tan head that mostly dissipates. Flavor is of burnt chocolate, with heavy cloves, and with an unpleasant bitter aftertaste - some rubbing alcohol. Palate is medium. Overall, I found this beer to be quite unpleasant. The flavor did not agree with me and it was quite a bit less than the sum of its parts.

Oh why did I try to drink this by myself. Dark. Heavy. Instanly sweet yet still very palatable. Sits in your mouth like a load of bricks. I liked it.

22 oz bottle: Deep mohogany brown w/a lasting light beige head. Very hefe weizen like in the aroma at first. Clove spice w/ light vanilla and banana esters. Hints of roast and chocolate. Light wheat malt aroma. Well balanced @ first but bitter in the finish. Chocolatey w/a light roasted flavor, some floral hop, and peppery yeast. Wheat malt flavored finish, dry, and light herbal hop, but the aftertaste is peppery yeast and roasty. Low esters for the most part in the flavor. Some light banana, but that’s about it. Higher medium carbonation, smooth, well hidden alcohol. Not quite sure what this is supposed to be, I know what the label says, but it’s more dunkel hefeweizen like than Belgian. Still a decent enough beer, but I think it’s having an identity crisis! Bitterness is also a bit high for my liking.

Pours a brown color with a light tan head. Very spotty lacing. Aroma has lots of fruity esters. Flavor is also fruity with some malt in the background. Smooth dry finish. Should be pretty nice in a year or so. Worth a try.