Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

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

22oz bottle consumed on 8/6/08. I bought a case when it came out and drink one every six months. It’s been getting better with age. Sweet malty spicy aroma. Dark brown color with a small head. Taste is very complex, roasted malty with lots of different spicy accents. Very unique brew from Stone, try it if you get the chance.

I did something unprecedented and aged this for 2 days before trying it. I heard this needs to mature, so I figured what the heck. Well, actually, the liquor store aged it for me for 2 days. All kidding aside, I can see why this would improve with age. Tastes amazingly fresh and light for a dubbel. But I’m not complaining, eh. I knew this was going to be the case. That said, what I’m drinking is pretty good. I’m not the biggest dubbel fan (much prefer a golden/tripel), so the lightness and prevalent hops make this taste AOK right now. I’m almost inclined to take my virtual whipping and say this tastes like a Belgian Bastard in it’s current state. Good stuff. I’ll have to give a couple to my mom and let her hide them from me because, let’s face it, shelf life in my house is a matter of hours, not years.

Dark brown color with a light tan head atop of it, lacing was lacking. Smell was a bit light, bready, and even a bit smoky. Taste is smoky as well, was more like a rauchbier to me. I won’t detract just because it isn’t necessarily Belgian Styled, because Belgian style is hard to define as it is. I will however, detract from the fact that I just don’t like it. Medium bodied with high carbonation. I’m glad I shared the bottle and didn’t pick up two of them, won’t be buying this again.

Purs dark brown with a slight reddish hue when held up to the light. Very thin light brown head. Initial aroma of yeast, clove, chocolate and raisins. Taste is more of the same with chocolate and raisins, mostly raisins and then finishes with yeast and some roasted coffee bitterness. Very sweet and sugary. Could use a few months of mellowing out. Medium body and some alcohol warming.

alcohol and other esthers leaping from the snifter. almost gray thin head. smooth in the mouth, expansive in aroma, softly sulphur, fizz of hops. why am I drinking this on a hot day? sour cherries. saving one for 7/7/7

This was an impulse buy. It looked interesting in the display at the local beer retailer. Nice black body, big foamy tan head. Very malty aroma, maybe a little on the sweet side. That is a good beer, not too much carbonation. Very malty flavor. There is some carmal present. Very good.

Dark brown pour with a tan head. Malty sweetness, hops, alcohol, fizzy and a little bit of spice. I think this one needs some time, was all over the place with no clear defined flavor. Alcohol comes through a bit strong for less than 9%. Will rerate this one after 6 months. Not impressed right now

Stone does it again! I enjoyed the 05-05 Epic (have 1 left), so I had to buy a case of the 06-06. Seems to be a little darker than 05, and a little more fig/vanilla aroma and aftertaste. Seems to have a nice chewy thick aftertaste and it’s balanced and not bitter. I wish I had more refrig space to store this case!