Stone 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

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

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.

poured a super brown (almost black) body with red highlights.the head was very tiny but did stick around for a while.lots of belgian yeast in the aroma.followed by some brown sugar,and a hint of zesty spice.flavor was loaded with yeast as well.along with some chocolate,cloves,hay,and bananas.the palte was nice and complex and changed for several seconds.mouthfeel was on the medium side.id like to do a side by side with an 05 to see where they stand.(RE-RATE ON JUNE 20TH 2007)appearance is pretty much the same.althoughi now detect some cinnamon and ginger in the flavor.it seems like its holding up pretty well.

Appears black until held to light. Then you get some nice ruby high lights to go with is slight tan head. The aroma very rum raisin, or bread pudding. Flavors of mulled spices, chocolaty robustness, warm alcohol, and a nice touch of bitterness. Palate is rich and well rounded. I do think I made a mistake by opening this today. With luck, I will be able to purchase another bottle.

Bottle. Clear red brown coloured with a beige head. Aroma of caramel, dried fruits and spices. Flavour of dried fruits, spices, fruits and liquorice.

Poured an effervescent maple mahogany with a small fizzy light tan head. Nice aroma of sweet caramel, grapes, roasty chocolate, and a cinnamon spiciness. Flavor is dry and spicy with notes of cinnamon and clove, a roasty/earthy character, and a dry and bitter grass hop finish with a slight acidity. Alcohol isn’t overpowering but is not hidden either. Decently pleasant and complex, but could be better with a bit more sweetness and smoothness. RERATE: Paired the beer after tasting with a salty stilton which brought out its sweetness, making it slightly more pleasant. Still could stand to be a bit smoother.

Bottle; Aroma of light roasted malt and spice. Moderate swwet aroma also. Black body with good tan ceamy head. Good lacing left on glass. Flavor was mostly a spice, sweet roasted barlet grains, somewhat watery and mild biterness. Smooth easy drinking beer with mild sweet spice and alcohol aftertaste.

Bottle. Pours a dark reddish colour with a small off-white head. Malty yeasty, spicy aroma. Sweet malty flavor with some yeasty hints. Also some spicy hints in the flavor. Malty finish with a bitter aftertaste.