Stone 07.07.07 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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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.

650 mL bottle. Hazy golden amber with a fluffy white head. Aroma of grapefruit, lemon, and yeast. Sticky sweet palate. Sweet citrus taste followed with a big spicyness transitioning to an orange taste in the finish. It reminds me of bright summer days playing in the neighbor’s orange groves as a child.

22oz bottle. Deep, thick, amber-orange color. This one is heavily spiced, with lots of citrus and ginger flavors coming through. Also maintains a good farmhouse funk and rich Belgian yeast taste. A real quality beer. Strong pungent aftertaste. Reminiscent of great beers such as Stille Nacht in it’s quality sour and tangy notes. Great beer, one to stash in the cellar for sure.

The first Vertical Epic I’ve had, I was most impressed with this brew. Complexity is the watchword with cinnamon, botanical notes and all manner of spiciness dancing about. An odd aromatic quality makes it seem like it was blended with a dry white wine -- obviously impossible but that’s certainly the impression it gave.

The hell with the amll head. Nice aroma, well balanced. This ale went well with Jamaican beans, rice and curry. The Harder They Come of ales.