Stone 05.05.05 Vertical Epic Ale

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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Dark ruby to brown, small head. Definite Belgian yeast flavor, mostly malty but more hops than one would expect for the style (though not for Stone). Kind of a chocolatey taste, but not real strong. Alcohol strength fairly evident. A nice beer, and will probably age well.

This one came with a ton of expectations and didn’t dissappoint. It poured a beautiful near-black, like soft licorice when it’s pulled apart. Nice tan head, full and durable, with good lacing. Aromas were fruit, fruit, fruit. Apricots, cherries, apples, figs, raisins, licorice, cloves, nutmeg, coffee, bread, green peppers. Whew! Taste was WOW! Big hit of smoke morphs to malt heaven then makes room for pear, applequince, even avacado. Lots of fantastic hop bitterness, complimented by the fruit sweetness. The malts were toasty, chocolatety, creamy and smoky -- the best malt presence I’ve tasted. Finish is malt, smoke, peat, earth, and hops. Mouthfeel was perfect -- at no time did it seem too thick or too thin. It was perfectly carbonated. I know all 5s leaves no room for improvement and this ale is meant to be kept until 12-12-2012 and if it’s going to get even better, well I’m going to get more and save it. The Stone Brewing Company made one happy beer drinker today. if you haven’t already, go get yourself 2 -- drink one and save one for 2012!

thanks to secret santa (JPDIPSO i think) pours a deep ruby red with a small slightly brown head. aroma is slightly fruity and spicy despite the fact that they say they used no spice in this beer there is a light malt and yeastieness that is like. taste is much of the same with a bit of roastiness. damn fine beer. it is a shame i will probably never have another.

Another good offereing from Stone. I’m not a big fan of the Belgian Strong Ale style so I’m not a big fan of this one. But it is full bodied, smells of cloves and its really dark for this style.

Quite good, like the 03 version on sterioids. This will probably age very similiar. Deep ruby color, fruity nose malt, grapes and alcohol. Taste is dark fruits, and maty merlot along with liquor. Finish has is a lingering sweet and bitter at the same time thing going on. The flavors are all over the place and aging may do this one some good. That said, this beer is great right now and it remains to be seen if aging will blend the flavors well or take it’s character away ala the ’03 VE.

Dark candied fruit with loads of belgian yeast and malt on the nose. I was surprised that no extra spices were added as spice did come through.

Bottle. Pours dark brown/amber with tan head. Aroma is sweet, dark fruits, banana, clove. Flavor is sweet with clove notes throughout, dark fruit, and molasses. This one has aged well so far.

Aroma of banana overlaying horseblanket. Appears reddish-orange-brown, crystal clear. Flavor is sweet followed by horse. Palate is medium-heavy and appropraite.

What a dissapointment. I was so looking forward to cellaring a bunch of these until 2012. Unfortunately I’m not too optimistic. Virtuallly zero head, though good lacing. Body was clear with an anlmost black color. Not much in the way of aroma. Mostly raisin and dark cherry. Very sweet flavor with a very long finish. Maybe a bit of coffee. Texture was watery and flat carbonation. I was unimpressed. It’s not very good now so I don’t see how it will get any better.

Deep brown color. Richness is exuded from this brew. Dried fruit, yeast and alcohol dominate the nose. Easy-drinking Belgian strong. Definitely could polish off a couple bombers of this. Rich, a little soy saucy at times (in a good way). Nice bitter finish. Really enjoyable. Can’t wait a few weeks for the next release.