Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale

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

22 oz bottle. Poured a clear orange color with a white head. Alluring aroma of citrus fruits, ginger, and white wine. Spicy and dry on the tongue with plenty of clove and citrus, especially orange. There were also vinous alcohol undertones. I really liked this one.

Bottle: This one pours a nice amber color, with a small white head. Smell is incredibly yeasty, with citrus and orange smell in it. I also smell just a hint of banana. Taste is a little thicker on the banana side, but I also notice a nice maltiness to it. As I continue to drink, you can taste a bit of yeastiness. The alcohol is a tad hot, but should mellow out in time.

22 oz. .. copper pour with lots of particles. lt white/tan head. .. Fruity aromas - belgiany w/ plum, peach, apricot. Some hops in there but not much.. .. Carmelly malty flavors with sour and spicy (cardamom?) notes. .. Medium body, med carbonation. .. Very interesting and tasty beer. I’d definitely rate this as one of the better Belgian style beers I’ve tried.

Ok pours out a golden yellow with a white head that is thick but dissapears quickly. The aroma on this beer is amazing and a whole lot is going on. First I pick up that typical yeasty smell that all belgain ales give off then the slight funk of the saison kicks in. Next I’m met by the overall sweetness of the brew as well as spices and light fruit such as apricot or peach. Taste is yeasty at first the sweet with honey, a slight pepper-like taste, and then some citrus notes. All of this ends with the funky saison note that we all know and love! Man, this is my first experience with Vertical Epic ales and I must say its is a good one, don’t know if this will last until 2012 but I sure am pleased with it now.

THOUGHTS: Alc. was a little too noticeable. After trying 06.06.06 I didn’t buy another to put away, but I think I will with this one. Great beer. TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a sparkling, medium oraney amber with beautiful carbonation and an average, off-white head that mostly diminished. The aroma was lightly malty, with some floral hops, ginger, alcohol, more spices and a citrus mix. The initial flavor was lightly sweet and acidic, while the finish was moderately sweet and acidic, lightly bitter and sour with a rather short duration, that I wished was longer. There is a really nice balance of the some type of flavors as I mentioned in the aromas. The citrus was a really nice touch. It was really different. The medium to full body was syrupy with soft carbonation and a lightly astringent and lightly alcoholic finish.

a hazy gold orange with a thin head and light lace. smells of sour fruity yeast with a light floral caramel scent to it. creamy body with crisp medium light carbonation. tastes of malty bread, coriander and spice, and pit fruit with a light orange honey flavor. beautifully balanced and so full flavored while being so mellow

Great beer ! Pours out blonde farmhouse ale style. Citrius, fruity with a little heat. Sweet malt, nice finish.

Sampled at BevMo with a 22oz. Had a very nice pour with a frothy head that lingers. Has a dark amber hue and palate is very smooth. lots of spice and a real essense of fruit peels. Very very good.