Stone 04.04.04 Vertical Epic Ale

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

Not as enjoyable as the 03 by any means. Similiar color, but the nose is very perfumy, like that of a grandmas bathroom. Very sweet flavor, but a little bit watery on the mouthfeel. The beer has a tripel like sweetness that fit it, but the hop balance is not really there. I am overly hard on this beer due to the anticipation of trying it, and although the 03 was better, it still was very nice.

Poured from a 22 oz. In comparison to the version of a year past, it’s less refined to be blunt. Lavender, wheaty spice and caramel in the aroma lead into a macha green tea flavor that brings to mind the 03, in excess of black tea flavors and a strongly bitter acidic finish with a touch of fruity sourness. Syrupy. It seems it will only get worse. Thanks for sharing, Dan!

Pours a clear and effervescent bright copper color, with an inch or so of white foam. The head disappears quickly to just a ring and a small, thin clump of suds. Decent lacing. Mild malt in the aroma with a whiff of something like Canada Dry or Vernor’s Ginger Ale. Very crisp and dry beer, though just a little bittersweet around the edges. There is a subdued saison-like tartness and a citrus charachter that I suppose comes from the lime leaves. The beer is briefly bitter in the finish, almost like quinine water. On top of all that is a banana-bread, yeasty, clove sensation. Not quite medium bodied, lots of fizz. The carbonation, combined with that citrus and quinine finish, provide a uniqe and interesting bite.

Courtesy boboski. Slightly cloudy orange with a thin white head. Aroma had a soft complexity to them - some yeasy banana, sweet malt, a subtly spicy lime character. The tasty was vaguely sweet to start and finished a bit tart. The lime was there in the finish provided a good foil for the yeast presence. I just wish I would’ve had this fresh - I love the ideas floating around in the bottle.

Courtesy boboski. Pours a light orange with a very light white head. It looked its age. Alittle malty in the smell, with hints of orange peel and funky fruit. Nice sharp taste, cinnamon, caramle, malts. Pretty sweet actually. Very smooth but still fresh tasting. Nice finish that stays with you. Get some grain and sugar as well. Pretty nice still.

On tap @ the brewery. Wow, what a beautiful pour. Golden, straw color w/ a mild alcohol bite. Very smooth.

22oz - Thanks Sick_boy282 - Aroma of alcohol, orange, wheat and clove. Pours orange with a quickly fading head and good lacing. Flavor is malty with clove, bread dough, subtle hop tartness and a bit of orange peel. Palate is sticky and thin which doesn’t bode well for it’s part of the Vertical. Not a bad beer but probably not a good choice for one so early in the lineup.

Pours brilliant clear golden with a snowy white head. Very lemony aroma. Dusty yeast. Sort of soapy. Faint banana. Very clean tasting. All the flavors are very well blended. Citrus and yeast. Pleasant bitterness. Slight lingering finish. Really a damn fine beer. If you are sitting on a bottle, you should drink it now.