Stone 11.11.11 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

jkanavel

Texas

4.85/5  rDev +28.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Slight haze, orange with a touch of a brown. Soft pillowy head reminiscent of Duvel's.

S: Hops and more hops, spicy, citrusy, grassy, barnyardy, all kinds of hoppy aromas here. A good dose of fruity yeast as well.

T: GRAPEFRUIT BOMB! Amazing delicacy. Soft and sweet, hops on hops, but not bitter. I guess they really dry hopped this one, because the hops are almost all aroma hops.
There is a good back note of candy sugar sweetness and smooth malt.

M: Smooth, full bodied, effervescent, crisp.

O: This is just about perfect to me. That is all.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2011 19:44:13 | More by jkanavel

Tone

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, amber color. 1/3 inch head of an off-tan color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of yeast, sweet malt, slight citrus, hint of hop, and a hint of spice (coriander?). Fits the style of a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp, with a low carbonation level. There is a heaviness associated with this beer. Tastes of alcohol, sweet malt, hint of dry hop, slight yeast, spice (all spice, cardamon?), hint of dark citrus, and a hint of wheat. Overall, good appearance, aroma, feel, and complexity. The blend is a little off; the spice dominates the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2011 17:28:07 | More by Tone

Fadefury

Maryland

3.2/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - 1 1/2 to 2 inch head with a amber/dark brown body

Smell - Very fruity, with hints of cinnamon(I think?)

Taste - The taste is nothing like the smell. Not even close. I had this beer with spicy/hot wings, and I'd imagine it truly helped with this beer. Very strong and I could not taste any of what I thought I could smell, i.e. the banana and cinnamon spice.

Mouthfeel - High carbonation, and very thin

Overall - Would only drink with the right meal in front of me. No way would I drink this by itself again. Too strong, and far to bitter for my taste. The beer smelled and looked great, but ended up being nothing spectacular after that.

Serving type: on-tap

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2011 02:16:03 | More by Fadefury

MsRif

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap at Teresa's Next Door in Wayne, PA. Poured a clear dark brown color with a nice off-white head that receded slowly, leaving thin and spotty lacing. Had an aroma of peppers, spices and earthy hops. Taste followed the nose and ultimately, what I really tasted was peppers. There were undertones of sweet malts, spices and floral/earthy hops...but the peppers were so distracting to my palate that I could not enjoy the complexity of this brew. Not really well-balanced.

Medium in body with moderate carbonation. Crisp, but I wouldn't have a whole glass of it simply because of the pepper profile. Just a preference of taste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2011 01:26:25 | More by MsRif

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Teresa's, Wayne, PA

Served in a stem glass, a dark walnut brown, clear, but so dark as to almost seem opaque; capped with a small layer of wispy, off-white head. Aroma of roasty malts, bready yeast, and only a hint of peppers, that seemed more sweet than hot. I didn't really get any cinnamon in the aroma. Malty taste and very woody, nutty, with subtle cinnamon notes; mid-palate, the taste from the peppers finally revealed itself, but it was very tame, contributing much more flavor than actual heat, blending well with the other flavors, and making this beer overall more robust and less sweet. Biscuity finish with an earthy quality. Medium mouthfeel, and quite enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2011 01:08:40 | More by Rifugium

KTCamm

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at The Little Pub in Ridgefield, CT, in a Sierra Nevada tulip glass.

The pour is dark brown that builds to a 1/4 off white foam at the top. Good stickiness.

Very different smell/taste. From the notes I am looking for the cinammon and the chilis - the former is very faint, and I definitely get the peppery backbone. Theres a dark layer throughout, with that semi-sweetness you'd expect in Belgian style. A stiff but deeper hop awaits the close. The alcohol is noted, but not dominant.

Overall a very interesting beer. Not sure I'd love 22ounces of this bad boy, but the draft tulip made for an interesting dinner accompaniment.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 13:46:19 | More by KTCamm

soju6

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Exit 6 in Cottleville, MO

A: Served a clear mahogany color with a small head with some lacing.

S: Aroma of cinnamon and spice with a trace of sweetness. Very enticing aroma.

T: Nice flavor of cinnamon, bit of spice and trace of fruity sweetness. Very subtle bitterness and a dry finish.

F: Medium body, very smooth and clean. There is no hint of the alcohol, just a pleasant warming feeling. Excellent balance.

O: One of the best beers I have had this year. Can't beat fresh on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 01:19:41 | More by soju6

unclejazz

New York

4.18/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I picked up a quart growler of this and shared it over a dinner of bbq chicken salad w/ cauliflower. I thought the bbq would go well with the chiles and cinnamon.

A-a nice dark amber color with a thick 2 finger head.

S-heavy odor or roasted malt, I cane barely make out the chilis. There are some undertones of cinnamon and nutmeg

T-so the chili finally decides to show up and along with clear malty notes and spices with some honey too. Pretty tasty stuff.

M-right on here, rich to a point, crisp when it needs to be and a clean finish that was not to hoppy. Solid carbonation after sitting in the growler for 3 days.

O-another good beer from Stone. These guy care about the beer they make and it comes through in the flavors they whip up.

Serving type: growler

12-16-2011 04:52:19 | More by unclejazz

Gehrig

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at Seven Saints in downtown Champaign.

One thin finger of tan froth tops a mostly clear mahogany body with clear ruby trim. Nice lacing and duration for an overall fine-looking beer. The aromas are hard to detect, but I primarily detect dried fruit such as raisin and fig, and caramel malt.

The taste reveals an active yeast that provides considerable heat, combined with a flavor of ample spices such as cinnamon and anise, caramel malt, apple, plum, and raisin. The heat is rather noticeable in the finish. Smooth mouthfeel, but the texture is a bit thin, lacking a heartier malt backbone.

Stone has made a nice but not very complex or compelling BSPA. It could use a larger dose of spice and malt, for both the smell and especially the flavor. Nice offering, if rather understated, from Stone.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2011 00:36:53 | More by Gehrig

litheum94

California

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Whole Foods.

Copper body with some darker edges. A tan head sits on top and settles out to a thin cover. Leaves some nice lacing.

Strong, pepperchini aromas, slightly briny. Some cinnamon spice and a little chocolate. Earthy Belgian yeast.

Lots of sweet chili, with some lemon tones. More salty, briny flavors. Light spicing. Earthy and sweet with some Belgian candi.

Very interesting, and not as vile as it sounds. A unique beer, and enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2011 20:10:49 | More by litheum94

BerlinBomber

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have now had this on tap an in the bottle and regardless of how it is served I think it is a great beer

I love anything spicy the hotter the better so it only seemed natural to combine my love for spicy with my love for beer

This is certainly not a beer for the mainstream, but for those out there who like to try new things you certainly need to try this

Obviuosly not your standard Belgian Pale Ale so if that is what you crave have a Blue Moon otherwise sit back pop the top off a 22 oz. bomber of this and enjoy

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 18:56:19 | More by BerlinBomber

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Stone just can't leave "well enough" alone; pushing the strongest of strong Belgian Pale Ales past 9% abv. and challenging the natural yeasty spice with both chili peppers and cinnamon.

Vertical Epic 11 delivers with a sturdy bronze or deep copper pour that exceeds amber hues and with the added visual weight of moderate yeast haze. Well headed, the lightly tanned foam caps the beer with a thick blanket of creamy foam that retains and laces reasonably well, even for Belgian standards. A heavy looking, but appetizing beer to the eye.

Fruity esters and spicy phenols, both from yeast relese a balanced scent of apples and mulled berries with the tinge of peppercorn, all aside from the obvious scent of chili peppers and cinnamon. Somewhat supple and muted, the fruity/peppery blend plays more delicately on the olfactory sense than expected. Underlying caramel, nut, light toast, and toffee sweet aromas provide support for the yeast character and spicy additions with minimal influence over the nose.

Flavors however, favor malty sweetness garnered from highly kilned caramel malts, light toast, toffee, and nutty grains. A delicate balance of fruity apples and berries provide a tart taste to offset sweetness, as well do the peppery and tannic drynesss of alcohol and phenols. Additions of chili peppers and cinnamon provide complexity and variety of flavor but are very careful not to dominate the flavor profile or to throw the already well balanced beer out of whack. Yeast character however are mild and lack the pungent earthy and fully characterful flavor of many authentic Belgian Strong Ales. Though somewhat cleaner in stature, it's just more simplified than most.

Full bodied from caramel malt sweetness and early creaminess, but the full texture is aided in dryness by growing alcoholic heat, developing spice (both from natural yeast flavor and pepper additions), and fleeting malt sweetness. Finishing malty-dry and semi-sweet, the beer carries a long linger of malt and spice deep into aftertaste.

VE 11 is an inquisitive ale that breaks the norm of traditional Belgian brewing flavors but does so with an aggressive American brewing attitude with recipe formulation and recipe. Designed for the long haul, I'm excited to see how this beer develops in the cellar- but for now its simple and muddled combination of ingredients leave it limited.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2011 16:02:12 | More by BEERchitect

9InchNails

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Cloverleaf, Stone Tap Takeover

Off white head that fades quite quickly leaving lacing on the glass. Copper color body, almost like that of Apple Juice.

I don't get much of a aroma, maybe some fruits like grapes, hints of cloves, wheat and some slight alcohol.

Definitely cloves in the taste, banana, dark fruits, some wheat and coriandor characteristics as well.

Light Carbonation, light dry body, slight alcohol warmth. Feels nice and quite the sipper due to the alcohol and the taste.

I was going to give the taste a lower rating but as I consume and the beer sits and warms more complex flavors emerge.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2011 19:56:09 | More by 9InchNails

mactrail

California

3.3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Nice foam-up on an amber brew. Spices are flavorful but don't shout out what they are. Very sharp flavor with the tang of alcohol. Acidic fruit flavors on top of a rich maltiness. Very fragrant. After a few sips tastes slightly hot on the tongue; more like ginger than peppers to my palate. Ends with black pepper and pencil shavings and a long winey flavor. Aftertaste has quite a bitter, medicinal taste.

They seem to have struck a balance between assertiveness and intrigue. More thought-provoking than the typical Stone powerhouse beers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2011 06:00:50 | More by mactrail

metter98

New York

3.78/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Mugs Alehouse, Brooklyn, NY

A: The beer is clear very dark reddish amber in color. It poured with a thin off white head that eventually completely faded away.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of pickled peppers in the nose.
T: The taste is very complex and has notes of spicy peppers along with hints of bananas, cloves and dark fruits as well as a light amount of bitterness. No flavors of cinnamon are detectable. The peppery flavors particularly stand out in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied and smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is very interesting, particularly if you like lots of spicy flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2011 00:36:50 | More by metter98

GallowsThief

Florida

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at The House of Brews in Jensen Beach.

A – Poured a hazy tannish red with nice light tan head.

S – Cinnamon, dark fruit and spice. Alcohol booziness.

T - Initially it gives off a bit of a spicy pepper flavor. Not overpowering but gives it a twinge. Brown sugar lends a bit of sweetness along with caramel. Bit of the Belgian yeast. Nutmeg and cinnamon. Warming at the end.

M – Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Fairly creamy.

O – Not a huge fan of Stone in general but I liked this one. Easy drinker and very tasty. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 19:24:20 | More by GallowsThief

OStrungT

California

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a light borwn colow with a thin tan head. The head fades slowly, leaving a decent ammount of lace.

This beer has mild cinnimon aroma, with a slight chile aroms as well. I can detect some spice. Coriander, and allspice. It has an earthy yeast aroma as well.

This beer tastes just like it smells. Some cinnimon and chile. Also some spices. It is all rather mild.

This beer is crisp and well carbonated. It leaves a cinnimon like aftertaste. The alcohol is well hidden in both the aroma and the flavor of this beer.

The beer might not make a decent session beer. It is too high in alcohol. The flavor is good though.

Overall: This beer is pretty good. I like that there have been more chile beers that taste good.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2011 23:06:38 | More by OStrungT

olfolxholme

California

3.45/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

21

On tap at Mill Valley Beerworks. Served in a unibroue hurricane glass

A - poured with a nice light tan head, about 2 fingers. Crazy good lacing. Beer is a pleasant dark red amber with some haze. Nice looking. Head retention is ok.

S - some dark malt, hint of chiles, not much cinnamon.

T - taste is like a nice dubbel up front, with chiles lingering in the aftertaste. Not overpowering though... And the cinnamon is even further behind. I could imagine a better flavor profile but it's definitely not bad.

M - smooth and creamy. Nice.

O - definitely not a pale... But I get the "Belgian strong" part... I'm happy that this isn't overpowering. Worth trying. Not a must have, but not bad at all.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2011 21:35:53 | More by olfolxholme

Brenden

Ohio

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from the Stone event at The Attic last night...

This one's coming off the tap. The color is an amber-red with a tannish-red head that displays good retention trailing some nice lacing well down the glass.
This aroma offfers a bit of heat, some from aldohol and some from something else, with a bit of a (not oddly) vegetal element. There's a sweetness to it with some Belgian character, though it's not terribly obvious or outright. I shared this with someone who doesn't like Belgians and they didn't mind this. The candied sugars and light bubble gum are vaguely present but, again, not obvious. I had the smoked chipotle porter after I had this, but I swear there was a little bit of wood/smoke to it. Also, I know they're different styles, but my wife and I were sharing this one and a Double Bastard together and this beer, with a few distinctions, is almost DB Jr. They share characteristics (and, as I said, a few distinctions), but it's almost like Double Bastard is a more aromatic and flavorful version of this beer (which itself is very good).
Very similar can be said of the flavor, with a malts backbone supporting a light Belgian character and sweetness along with a bit of heat, some wood/smoke, and, of course, a healthy dose of hops that offer a gentle bitterness that balances well.
The body is medium with a moderate carbonation offering both a light crispness and a creamy smooth feel.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2011 15:38:25 | More by Brenden

TroopScoop

Indiana

3.38/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: clear deep brown/dark red. The white head quickly fades & so much that none clings the glass. (No lacing!)

S: just great. Warm cinnamon and chile spice invites the palate.

T: Bummer! Cloves and yummy belgian qualities up front, some cinnamon/spice & bitter tones to finish. You really need to search for the chile.

M: carbonated, flavorful, & smooth to boot.

O: I've had the bottled, and it easily takes the cake. Weird, I was so excited to have it on tap. In the bottle, I easily could've given it 4's across the board. My bottle had very noticiable chile notes & made the beer very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2011 03:07:51 | More by TroopScoop

Auracom

Illinois

2.6/5  rDev -31%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On-tap at Poor Phil's on November 22nd, 2011, served in a tulip.

A - Deep dark red coloring with brown tones around the edges of the glass. Poor retention and lacing of an offwhite head.

S - It's muted, but light cherry, strawberry, banana, clove, and some other spices. Really don't detect much chili here.

T - Initial light sugar and vanilla-like sweetness recedes into a ton (and I mean a ton) of spices/cinnamon. Backend is astringent cherry and light fruits with contrasting dark fruit sweetness and chili characters.

M - Huge carbonation at the front of the drink. Medium body.

D - A bit weird and underdeveloped. Chilis could have been integrated much better. Probably won't revisit this one... just can't imagine it improving with age.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 19:07:00 | More by Auracom

dlello2

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Dark dark cherry/chestnut color. Good milky head and carbonation.

S - Subtle spiciness. Alcohol, chili, hops hit next. Good smell, relatively fresh!

T - Hmmm. Mouthfeel is biting! Getting maltiness/thickness/spice (pepper?) at the beginning. Alcohol in the middle. Chili and bitter hops to finish. Not unpleasant, not perfect. Cinnamon/bitterness stick around for a while.

O - Thanks to SmallBar for pouring too many glasses and giving us one to try! A decent brew. Wouldn't try to get it in a bottle as balance is unimpressive and it doesn't come together all that well. Wish it had identified itself more, but I guess that's the point with the vertical epic series!

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 17:52:03 | More by dlello2

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 2011-11-25 in Pittsburgh, PA at Smokin' Joes

A - Fairly clear mahogany with a short head and light lacing.

S - Fruity/Belgian yeast, green chilies, rasin and cinnamon.

T - Similar to the smell with green chilies, sour cherry, banana, earthy cinnamon, roasted grain. There's just a touch of residual heat from alcohol and the chilies and a dollop of moderate bitterness. Quite a complex smorgasboard of tastes

M - Medium body and carbonation. Surprisingly smooth yet crisp.

O - Never had anything like this beer. I'm glad to have tried it but wouldn't seek it out again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 12:46:24 | More by Tucquan

pleasewearpants

California

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Lovely dark amber color with slight beige head. Aroma is interesting - light chile kinda darts around a more present alcohol/caramel smell. Taste is really fun. Chile hits first but not at all in a spicy way. Vegetal and fresh. Backed by a nice caramel malt body yet never overpoweringly sweet. Transitions then to a bitter/cinnamon finish. Alcohol is concealed very well - really easy to drink. Prickly mouthfeel from bright carbonation. Really looking forward to 12-12-12 and the impending message board war about the guy selling his vertical collection for $10000. It's just beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 01:35:13 | More by pleasewearpants

dtivp

West Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this brew at Stone's World Bistro on the release date, the review is from my notes.

Poured a hazy, murky amber brown with a one finger light beige head that faded quickly with light lacing.

Aroma of yeast, malt and some spice.

Taste started slightly sweet with caramel followed by clove and ending with some warmth from the chilli peppers.

Mouth Feel was medium body, medium carbonation, creamy smooth yet slightly sticky.

Overall chilli peppers work well with this beer, they were present yet not over whelming. This is a very nice pale ale.

I also had the opportunity to have a glass drawn from the cask, the chiles were more dominate, making it slightly warmer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2011 02:56:43 | More by dtivp