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. Pours with a hazy orange body and a tan head that fades. Aroma of red wine, cherry, spice, candi sugar, mint and an odd stickiness. Taste is red wine, oak, mint and belgian yeast. Medium bubbles and a dry finish. Very odd beer.

On tap at Beachwood BBQ, Seal Beach. Lovely looking beer with amber color and slight head with good lacing. Aroma has faint traces of the red wine barrel aging, but more of malts and spices. Taste is awesome with good balance between the original 07.07.07 Vertical epic and the red wine aging. Very easy to drink and very tasty. A lovely blend of two worlds and as the description says, it truly "helps demonstrate the aging capability of the beer."

On tap at Stone Bistro. Pours hazy amber with a thin tan head. The nose is grapes, oak, spicy yeast. The taste is red wine, oaky vanilla, spice and light hops. You can really taste the wine influence in this. Medium creamy mouthfeel. Very nice.

On tap at Stone Bistro and World Gardens. Pours a hazy reddish brown with a small white head. Aroma is malt, spices, yeasts, sourness, wine, wood. Flavor is belgian yeasts, wine, oak, fruit, very smooth and easy to drink. Liked this better than the original.

On tap at Stone Bistro & World Gardens. Clear reddish-copper color with a small white head. Aroma is red wine, pale malt, spices, and a mild tartness. Flavor is pale malt, red wine, and some juniper/anise gruit-like herbal notes. Somewhat tart. Body is medium and carbonation is soft. Good overall but not quite what I expected.

Growler special thanks to danielcurtis81. Tasted side by side with the regular 07. This pours similar in cloudiness and color, a reddish orange, but slightly darker due to the aging. Nose is spices, fruit and a little sour. Taste is same spices (cinnamon, clove, coriander), fresh fruit (peaches, lemons, citrus) and an added red fruit character as well as the hints of red wine barrel again. This drinks just slightly smoother than the regular version and a little more pleasing palate. Glad I got to try this version.

Serving: Draft. Appearance: Light amber with touches of yellow and a foamy, white head. Decent head retention and great lacing. Aroma: Oak, red wine, almost a note of whisky, alcohol, light cola notes. Unusual but nice. Flavor: Light, tart fruit note, oak, big alcohol notes, floral and a little soap as well. Light lemon notes emerge as the beer warms. I am surprised the ABV is that low. I would have guessed much higher. Palate: Medium-low carbonation with a medium mouthfeel and a big, boozy finish. Overall: This is a huge beer that manages great balance despite a higher alcohol content. Still, the alcohol could be hidden a little better. It is deceptively drinkable. Seek this one out. It is definitely worth trying.

I will go ahead and admit that this will be one of my worst ratings to date because I was absolutely trashed by the time I got around to this beer. I will just keep it simple. I can tell you one thing about this beer... It was F***ing amazing.