Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

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

Dark brown ale with a thin off white head. A bit sweeter in aroma than 05. In mouth, more malty with definite chocolate notes, less licorice and less alcohol in mouth, still a very smooth ale. Enjoyed on tap at BCTC 2006.

Bottle. Head is initially small, frothy, light brown, mostly diminishing. Body is dark brown. Aroma is lightly to moderately malty (toasted bread, caramel, roasted grain), lightly yeasty (cobwebs), with notes of clove and alcohol. Flavor is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly acidic, lightly to moderately bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly to moderately bitter. Medium to full body, watery texture, lively carbonation, lightly to moderately alcoholic. Nice enough but pretty unremarkable and simple.

22 ounce bottle from Table and Vine in Northampton, MA (September 2006) consumed at cellar temperature from a Dieu du Ciel! tulip. A nice hiss as the bottle is popped, this too has at least kept its carbonation as the three previous years had.....the appearance is quite similar to that of the 05, quite dark though this is a bit clearer with less obvious cloudy yeast; the head is full and medium-tan in color though it fades rather quickly, leaving impressive sheets of lace.....quite fruity (strawberries, apples), dark toasted/caramelized malts, but the most prominent element I note in the aroma is vanilla, not so much oaky/barrel vanilla as vanilla syrup or candy; light yeast and alcohol apparent....body is, interestingly, fairly dry and tart, easily the least-sweet of the four VEs I’ve tried, rather more robust, roasty, with muted bake fruits (apples again) and just a trace of that fine vanilla, strong cobwebby yeast, and harsher alcohol than I expected....quite full, not a trace of oxidizing/thinning, moderate to heavy carbonation, fairly dry and bitter at the finish. Probably my least-favorite of the VEs thus far, though this one is probably closest to being at the perfect moment of aging. Still pretty tasty as all in the series have been, and quite reasonably priced when new unlike so many "special" and "anniversary" beers.

Rerate, 1 yr+ old and served in my NB worthy glass: The nose is still the same except for a slight oxidition. Displays fruity, smoky, grassy, and spicy vapours. No change for Apperance or Aroma. The flavor profile again has not changed much with a spicy frontend joined by some fruit and overall malty sweetness. The finish is getting even more dry but the alcohol and carbonation has seemed to die down a bit. I increased the Flavor +1, Palate +1 and overall score +1. This could be at peak right now. I can’t imagine how dry this will be by 2012! (3.8)<P> Bottle and served in my Stone IRS snifter: Displays a deep brown hue topped by a large frothy beige head and moderate lacing. The aroma is quite fruity with notes of fig, prune, and currant. Additionally I discovered some smoky and chocolate malts, clove, grassy and earthy estery character. Finally a tip of the hat to some Belgian sugar components.

The flavor profile is initially spicy (clove, anise and pepper) touched by a healthy dose of bitter fruit. Depth is added by a smoked and toasty malt background, even a bit of developing yeast tone rounds out the palate. The finish is part woody dryness and moderate alcoholic astringent feel (despite what the description states). Quite lively and somewhat aggressive at this stage of development, a warming beer but never overly dominate.

The overall dryness added a complexity but I think it could end up becoming to much with aging. I gather it will peak at about one year old, will re-rate in six months, seems like a perfect beer for around Christmas time. (3.5)

Sampled at MN Ratebeer Winter Gathering in Maplewood, MN and supplied by Nuffield. From a 22-oz bottle pours a semi-hazy dark brownish amber brew with a thin off-white head that quickly dissipates clean. Aroma of roasted dark malt, some fruity character with additional scents of herbal spice, dark pitted fruit and a little chocolate. Taste is medium bodied, light carbonated with flavors of dark chocolate, ripe dark pitted fruit with some cotton candy. Finish is smooth, creamy with a chocolate and caramel aftertaste. Aging has done this beer some good.

Bomber. Poured rich cola brown with a good lookin’ cap of tan head. The aroma picked up toasted molasses, toffee, and darker fruit topped by a dry, peppery yeast driven by alcohol warmth.. quite inviting. The flavor was centered around the molasses and dark fruit from the nose.. cocoa and a touch of charred smoke eminated outward.. dusty banana-like influence from the yeast on the edges.. finished warm, again with the molasses and fruit playing against the yeast. Medium-plus bodied and well-balanced on the palate.. spicy and engaging with very complementary yeast. Good stuff!

Tap @ Stone Winter Storm ’08: Poured a clear dark brown color with an off-white head. Semi-sweet fruity and roasty aroma and flavor. Dry clean finish. Not bad but nothing real special going on.

Bottle (650ml). Shared with blankboy, GregClow, jerc and tupalev, my bottle via trade with IrishBoy. Poured deep cloudy opaque slightly reddish brown with a smallish off-white head - extra point for looking so thick. Very appealing sweet yeasty/spicy aroma, caramel malt and vanilla. Taste is surprisingly bitter, particularly the finish - bitterness from alcohol and pungent herbal hops - but it still has a solid sweet roat malt backbone, with plenty of soft spice and sweetness ... it seems quite oaky, plenty of vanilla, almost a bit bourbony. While the body is a tad weak, the mouthfeel is nicely bitter and spicy, decently carbonated - I think I enjoyed this more than the 04 or the 05 - and I suspect the second bottle I’m storing away will age nicely, at least for a year or so.