Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale (Red Wine Barrel Aged)

Formerly brewed at Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Escondido, California USA

On tap @ Stone, RBSG. Slightly cloudy amber, sparse light white head. Looks thick in the glass. Sweet floral Belgian nose, oak is apparent on the aroma but not overwhelming. Some alcohol presence. Taste is more spicy and tannic (duh) than the regular version, and the alcohol seems to come out more. Nice oak and red wine characters, but they rough up the softer Belgian characters. A nice brew, but kind of mixed up.

On tap at Stone during RBSG. Pours orange with a touch of hazy rust. Minimal wet white head. Aroma is rather winelike, with a vinous woody character that overpowers the traditional fruity esters found in the standard version of this beer. Flavor starts out sweet with banana and sweet spices, but then a thinning, tannic, vinous wine character dominates the finish. Honestly this beer tastes exactly like you’d imagine: part Belgian strong pale, part red wine. Not really a complementary combination. Finish is quite dry from the tannins and the winey astringency. Herbal tannic bitterness lingers. Overall this was an interesting and tasty beer, but it doesn’t all fit together quite right for me.

Tasted on tap at Stone Bistro during the 08 RBSG. This Belgian Strong Ale pours a deep orange color from the tap. Small sized white foamy head. The aroma is fruity and sweet, touch of wine and oak. A medium bodied Belgian Strong Ale. The malts are fruity and sweet. The clove, ginger and citrusy flavors have diminished from the regular version and there are nice notes of red wine and oak. The hops are kind of earthy. Nice dry finish with some oak at the finish. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and dry. Aftertaste is slightly sweet with some tannins.

Sample at BCTC. Very nice brew, poured a hazy red color with white head. Nice wood/red wine aroma. Sweet cherry taste with a very smooth, dry finish. would drink again.

(BCTC, draft) Hazy amber body topped by minimal white head. Aroma is medium sweet, wood, some Cabernet. Taste is medium sweet, some Cabernet, wood, caramel. Medium body, light acidity.

absolutely amazing. like nothing else I have ever tasted. It comes at you smooth, almost like a cider, then finished with a kiss of red wine, drops sliding down your throat. A must-try.

From tap at Stone Bistro. Pours clear orange with a fully gone head. Mild spiced and wineous aroma. Holds a mild initial spice note in the flavour but is otherwise dominated by a smooth and light fruity flavour. Remains this way into a finish that winous fruity.

Pours a mostly clear orange color, with reddish hues, and a small off white head. Smells of sweet cinnamon, some vinuous notes, and nutmeg. Very sweet smelling. The flavor is pretty spicy, with more of that nutmeg showing up and even a little peppery. The red wine notes are quite subtle, but you get them. Maybe not as vinuous as I was hoping for, but still decent and fairly interesting.