Stone 11.11.11 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

GlassHalfFull

3.05/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The 2011 Vertical doesn't stand up to offerings such as the 2009. Fiery amber color with a slight yellow tint. Great lacing and perfect foamy head. But, the nose is very banana-ish with an almost floral bite. I admit, I'm not a huge Belgian fan. This beer really reminds me of a lot of the attributes I don't like in Belgian beers. The banana notes give way to a strong chili taste with slight hints of cinnamon. One would think that so many different ingredients would provide a complex, interesting taste. Yet, the beer comes up short and unimpressive. Even the banana quickly fades to a thin, dull, starchy mouthfeel. The carbonation is also a bit much for this beer. I expected a lot after the previous offerings, but this one came up short.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 01:07:52 | More by GlassHalfFull

andysc83

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +12.7%

06-14-2013 20:35:31 | More by andysc83

BKotch

Texas

4/5  rDev +6.1%

06-13-2013 04:50:17 | More by BKotch

schaffer9252

New York

4.25/5  rDev +12.7%

06-12-2013 01:11:59 | More by schaffer9252

ZombiesAteMyDog

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

06-11-2013 02:44:02 | More by ZombiesAteMyDog

jarrgal

North Dakota

3/5  rDev -20.4%

06-10-2013 02:15:31 | More by jarrgal

JLapadura

New York

4/5  rDev +6.1%

06-09-2013 14:55:02 | More by JLapadura

civicm87

New York

4/5  rDev +6.1%

06-09-2013 04:44:20 | More by civicm87

MNPikey

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

06-09-2013 04:04:18 | More by MNPikey

DeutschesBier

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

06-07-2013 14:31:59 | More by DeutschesBier

Pfife7

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

06-07-2013 03:29:56 | More by Pfife7

meghmmm

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +19.4%

06-02-2013 14:30:40 | More by meghmmm

steevbr

Illinois

4/5  rDev +6.1%

06-01-2013 02:04:44 | More by steevbr

craftbeerasian

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +19.4%

05-30-2013 17:26:08 | More by craftbeerasian

raffy313

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

05-27-2013 12:20:58 | More by raffy313

ianjsullivan

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +12.7%

05-25-2013 20:19:02 | More by ianjsullivan

DmouthCaliBrewz

New Hampshire

4.29/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured into a FFF teku a hazy copper with a minimal few millimeters of foam that quickly recedes leaving a minimal amount of lacing - most likely from the wet glass

S: Spices - cinnamon and clove, some chile, tart red wine, and a bit of funk.

T: Tart fruits and red wine at first, immediately giving way to a subtle yet noticeable hint of chile spice and detectable funkiness. After a few moments, the Cinnamon starts to reveal itself, along with a definite peppery zing from the Belgian yeast, and more herbal notes. I also am detecting a buttery sweetness, which is an interesting companion to the tannicity from the red wine barrels. Finishes with a pleasant and crisp hop bitterness that emerges from the peppery and herbal spice, which nicely balances the buttery sweetness present in the middle. After exhaling I get more pepper, cinnamon, spice, andsome medicinal phenol.

M: Oddly buttery and sweet, considering the tart and tannic aspects from the yeast and red wine barrels.

O: A very unique and interesting beer that really pushes the limits of what yeast can do, without overdoing what many brewers chose to push too hard. Perfect level of funk, and I really was intrigued at how it could be so buttery, and yet also have a somewhat tannic as well as tart finish. Truly an interesting blend. Thats why time after time, Stone fails to disappoint…..but maybe thats just homerism

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 03:13:23 | More by DmouthCaliBrewz

Rogorama

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

05-21-2013 13:47:42 | More by Rogorama

CDCNAM

Louisiana

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

05-20-2013 16:17:28 | More by CDCNAM

IP-EH

California

2.75/5  rDev -27.1%

05-19-2013 22:08:46 | More by IP-EH

beernads

Florida

3/5  rDev -20.4%

05-18-2013 06:39:24 | More by beernads

olafphysics

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

05-17-2013 23:36:25 | More by olafphysics

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

05-17-2013 15:10:00 | More by twenty5

jpaulsen

California

4/5  rDev +6.1%

05-17-2013 01:45:27 | More by jpaulsen

lucasj82

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

05-15-2013 03:03:03 | More by lucasj82