Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale

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

Poured a golden color, weak initial head, ample carbonation. The aroma is strong cinnamon and ginger. The flavor was like a stinkin’ imperial pumpkin ale, lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, sweet malts, honey, slight wheat, not really appealing. Mouthfeel was moderate for the style. Not a winner Stone brew for me, although the verticals from 04 on up haven’t done wonders for me as a whole.

Light copper or dark amber. Thin white head. Aroma is herbal and hoppy with green tea. Flavour is an apricot and peach assault. Interesting but a bit of a battle. Orange and tangerine notes at the end as well.

bottle. Pours golden-orange, with a moderate sized off-white head. Spice is the predominant aroma, with cardamom, orange peel, ginger, herbs and some yeast in the background. Flavor is overly sweet at first, then the yeast and spice hit the tongue. finishes with an odd spice flavor, and some warming alcohol. I enjoyed the previous VE’s more. I’ll have to revisit this one later to see if it improves with time.

Poured into a tulip glass, the result was a clear effervescent pretty bronze gold with amber edges and a white head made of fine bubbles, very sweet candy nose with pepper and wood fragrances, faint hickory smoke, charred wood, and floral spices mixed in the background (phenols?), different but not off, poured into a Gouden Carolus chalice brought a sweet citrus-fruit apple fragrance with light malt and faint smoke, sip is smooth with bourbon or whiskey alcohol in the background, taste of dried fruit, light malt, pepper and spices on the palate, medium mouth feel, finishes mostly dry with some bitterness that hangs around, I thought the beer fell short in the taste area, the nose was good, I think the sweetness overwhelms a bit, also, the spices appear have given this beer a Fall touch, the aroma and taste remind of the Pumpkin beers I tried last year, there was a faint vegetal taste, I have some extra bottles aging to see if a few years adds to the taste.

Pours a clear, golden orange. Light tan, short lived head with lots of lacing. The aroma is grain, malt, banana, clove, candy, and orange. The taste is smooth, with a nice hops, citrus, and spice blend. I rather enjoyed this one. I’m going to have to make sure to buy a few extra to age the next five years.

This one pours a deep orange with a clean white head that fades fast. The nose comes across as a typical beligian with cloves, candy sugar, and some noticeable spices such as coriander. and maybe some orange peel. I was expecting something else, so this is kind of a shock. It’s not bad, but I can get a kasteel somewhere anytime and I think the Kasteel would be better. It’s very good, and nothing to be ashamed of, but I’m not sure if this one will age as well as the 6-6-06, but we will see

Cloudy orange marmalade with a very Belgian head. Aromas are yeasty, distinctly Belgian, and full of citrus fruit. Suprisingly malty on the palate: raisins, plum, apricot, peach, light caramel , floral -- very flavorful. Hides its alcohol well, with a honeyed finish.

I love you Stone! Maybe the flavor will get better over the years, but it’s fantastic now. Too bad I can’t wait that long.