Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

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

Dark brown body with light brown head. Plummy aroma with milk chocolate, raisins and lots of sugars. Sweet flavour shows raisins, dates and plums. Full-bodied, very sweet finish with lots of brown sugar character. Definitely built for the cellar, this isn’t bad now but it’s definitely too sweet for my tastes.

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.

Big thanks to Beerdrenched for picking this up for me. Pours very dark brown with a light tan head. Aroma has dark fruits (figs & cherries), earthiness, brown sugar, anise and dark coffee. The body is lighter than expected for the style with light carbonation. Flavor starts out with some roasted malt, spice and the dark fruit aspected from the aroma. The finish is somewhat earthy and fairly astringent. This is an okay beer, but not up to what the hype is. I don’t know if I want to try this beer as a vertical is 2012, this doesn’t seem like it will age to well.

Bottle. Dark brown beer with a tan head. Roasty, yeasty (mostly spice) aroma. Dark malt and roast flavor with banana, caramel, coffee, spice, yeast and some background hops. A lot of flavors, but nice balance. Fuller bodied - a bit chewy. Will age nicely.

bottle-well well, i have to say that this one was a little better than the god awful 10th aniv. pours deep mahogony red with a nice fizzy brown head . lots of dusty esters and dark fruit on the nose with a boatload of brown sugar and allspice. flavors are toasty, lightly roasted, light caramel with a lot of coca and clove. some salty flavor on the finish. very complex and interesting and may develop over time. body is lush with ample carbonation but true to the style. not bad and a decent american version of a dubbel.

Dark brown, yeasty, nutty, clove aroma, taste of clove and banana, light on the palate. Finally got around to rating it.

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.

Thanks to kmweaver for sharing. Seemingly clear purple-bronze body with a medium, grayish tan head. Aroma is of cloves, mild rubber, and sweet dark caramelization. Flavor adds additional elements of sweet cocoa and dates with some balancing acidity, plus medium bitterness. Decent, lingering aftertaste. This is a unique and enjoyable entry into the Vertical Epic series.