Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale

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

Bottle: The aroma consists of moderate banana, orange peel, citrus hops, and clove. It pours a transparent gold with a half inch, somewhat fizzy, white head that diminishes fairly quick to a thick ring around the edges of the glass. The flavor starts with some light banana. There is some moderate citrus flavors in the middle. The finish hits you with orange peel, pepper, and some alcoholic medicinal notes. It’s medium bodied with mild carbonation and a somewhat soft mouthfeel. I know I had this fresh before and must not have rated it. While I don’t remember the specifics, I do remember liking it better than I do in its current form.

On tap during the annual Boston/Salem/Marble head tour. Sampled at the Sunset grill. Sampled side by side with 09. Beautiful cloudy pour with hints of pine, clove and greatness. Nice orange peel finish. We agreed 3-1 that this was the better of the two.

Forgot that this was the IPA version, Pours a nice golden slightly amber color. champagney like bubbles, that simmer down like champagne. Aroma much like expected, spicy fruity. Taste, always a wow with these Belgian IPA’s, very complex, interesting spices, with the nice hop bitterness. Tasted great with a barbecued wild caught salmon for dinner, nice. Kinda like a dry champagne with some hops.

Exquisite bouquet of pine needle and thistle within a funky apple and clove base, moderate strength. Clear golden, medium head. Initial taste of funk and clove, takes on a fruity apple/pear and strawberry character at midpalate and finishes with a bit of bitter grass. Lovely transitions, delightful complexity. Great beer. Blind taste this to a friend and s/he’ll swear it’s from Belgium.

Warm golden color with a very small white head and great lacing. Aroma is spicy with hints of anise, all spice and cloves. Flavor is fairly well balanced between hops and spices. I found there to be a slightly unpleasant hop astringency. Slight lactic after taste as well. Moderately carbonated mouthfeel and overall enjoyable on the palate.

22 oz bottle into a Trappist glass. I tried this last year shortly after it was released. I remember loving it then, and my reaction is the same today. Excellent beer! I had to buy it and compare it to the 9.9.09 which I just bought. Aroma is bursting with pepper, clove; smells Belgian definitely. Pours a hazy orange with not much head. Very spicy brew. I taste pepper and that somewhat indescribable distinctive aftertaste that beers which have been cellared seem to always have. Next up: 9.9.09. Can’t wait til 2012!

Bottle. Poured golden with a creamy off-white head that left light lace. Aromas of licorice, spice, light alcohol, and hints of fruits. The flavor found subdued malts, fruit, clove, and light pepper. Medium body, spiced aftertaste, and a slight alcohol warming.

Pours a cloudy light haze with a thing. Some interesting notes of yeast and spice through in the nose. Flavor has tastey notes of tangy citrus, a bit of funk. The finish is rather dry and tangy. Overall, very enjoyable.