Stone 11.11.11 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Mora2000

Texas

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

On tap at Square Burger in McKinney.

The beer pours a clear amber color with a large white head. The aroma has quite a bit of caramel and toffee, as well as a lot of green peppers and some assorted spices such as nutmeg.

The flavor is has a lot of cinnamon, peppers, toffee and Belgian yeast. All of the spices and peppers surprisingly work well together and make the beer enjoyable. There is also a touch of alcohol, but not as much as I expected.

Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2012 21:35:59 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.13/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a clear, burgundy color with a two-finger, off-white head of bubbly, thick foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of Anaheim peppers with a touch of heat. There was a nice malty aroma, too.

T - It had a nice spicy taste with a mild taste of hot peppers. It had a nice biscuity malt flavor with a touch of fruitiness

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is yet another great Vertical Epic beer. Love the peppery twist on a Belgian-styled ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 02:19:16 | More by zeff80

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

MasterSki

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

Another bottle shared by Chris (spycow). Served in a tulip.

A - White foam settles to a thick collar, wisps, and a few specks of lace. Transparent amber body.

S - Extremely vegetal - you can smell the chiles alright. Hint of cinnamon, and some sweet caramel malt. Not much Belgian character - Stone's yeast strain seems pretty mild in the phenol department.

T - The taste has more brown sugar and caramel malt flavor, with less of the chile and cinnamon I noticed in the aroma. Some unexpected citrus notes, perhaps from the yeast? Odd bitterness in the finish, not sure if it's from the chiles or some residual hops.

M - Smooth texture, medium-full body, well-hidden alcohol. Lower carbonation, and some chile heat the grows over time.

D - I'm not convinced the Belgian yeast and the chiles work quite well together. Might have been more interested fresh, but I'd skip it at this point. A disappointment seeing how much I like chile beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 02:55:31 | More by MasterSki

Gueuzedude

Arizona

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

Sampled November 2011
A solid pour into my Lost Abbey Teku glass produces a three finger thick, pale amber tinged, tan colored head. The beer isa a dark, concentrated amber color that shows a brilliantly clear, cranberry tinged, amber hue when held up to the light. The beer smells of caramelized cotton candy, bubblegum, lots of clove and ample pear and apple like fruit notes. This is backed by some toasted, whole grain, a touch of sweet tea like character (but only just a touch) . The beer is a bit unbalanced towards bubblegum, fruitiness and clove notes from the Belgian yeast, though not so much so that this is bad. Hmm, there it is in the far finish, the green chile comes through with a distinct vegetal, green chile like note as well as a some spiciness that smells of green and pepper.

The beer tastes extremely sweet, but most of this is perceived sweetness due to huge fruit, bubblegum and clove flavors that plays such a big role in the flavor. I don’t notice any of the green chile in my first sip. This definitely tastes a bit like bubblegum flavored cotton candy and there is a huge, slightly tongue numbing, phenolic clove note in the finish. There is an apple cider note (slightly oxidized cider tasting, though this is not actually oxidized), perhaps a touch of caramelized pear. The phenolic character contributes some cured plastic like notes that can be a bit much when combined with the clove character. The malt contributes a sharp, sort of roasted, spicy toasted, whole grain character. The green-chile character from the nose is a lot more subtle in the flavor; there is perhaps a hint of pepper in the finish, but this could almost be attributable to the spiciness from the yeast character. The chile, during a sip, is more noticeable as an oral nasal note rather than a flavor. The texture is not overly heavy, but it is definitely has a certain chewiness to it.

This really is just a bit too unbalanced; somehow the yeast character runs rampant in this beer in a bit of a simplistic manner with its focus on bubblegum, clove, plastic and too expressive fruit character. There is a chance that this will mellow out a bit, so if you have the patience I would recommend that you let this beer sit for 6 months or perhaps better a year. If the green chile character was a bit more prominent in the flavor and the yeast character was toned down just a bit this would be quite a bit better.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 03:28:43 | More by Gueuzedude

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured out as a clear looking amber color with a white soapy looking head on top. The smell of the beer was malty and a little sweet smelling with some caramel on the nose. The taste was interesting, it seemed a little herbal to me or like some Christmasy spices were added to this one. The mouthfeel was medium bodied, moderate carbonation and smooth. Overall this beer was pretty interesting I think. I wasn't really able to get much of the Belgian qualities out of it. Regardless a good brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2012 23:37:33 | More by Knapp85

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

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

Poured from a 22oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is a light brown color, with a short dense off-white head that fades very slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, Belgian yeast, cinnamon and chilies as advertised and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out with the odd but complementary combination of the cinnamon and chilies with a mild sweetness. Then a hearty malt character and Belgian yeast breadiness comes in. the hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly bready and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Flavorful, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good variation of style, it’s a good beer to drink for a while if you’re looking for something different.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 03:24:14 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ours crimson with 3 fingers of tan head. Great head retention with nice lacing

S: Orchard fruit, some pineapple

T: Green apples, dark candi sugar, a touch of cinnamon & grapefruit up front. Figgy notes as this warms, plus grapefruit & pineapple, dryness, a kiss of caramel as well, pepper spicyness sneaks into the party as well. Finishes with a grapefruitty hop flourish, a kiss of pineapple & just a smidge of green apple skin& some ancho chile spice & green banana that all blend together fairly well

MF: Medium bodied, creamy fairly nice balance

MF: Medium bodied, slick, good balance

Nice Americanized take on the style with twists. It says to wait until 12/12 to drink this. My doomsday calendar dictates otherwise:P

Perhaps if I come across another bottle I will save up. I think it's drinking fairly well as it is

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 04:10:33 | More by russpowell

Halcyondays

California

4.15/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle, the last Vertical Epic release before the big day, the last one to have any aging on it,

A: Pours a deep amber to red with a full off-white head, with good retention and lace.

S: Clear chile nose, reminds me of fajitas.

T: Nice malt flavour, noticable cinnamon, but the chiles come in early and take over. They work well with the base beer and allow some fruitiness to come in at the finish.

M: Full-bodied, creamy, nice long aftertaste with a bit of heat. Not the hottest beer I've had for sure, capsaicin-wise.

O: Another quality Vertical Epic, I will certainly be interested in seeing how much heat is left when I open this exactly 13 months to the day today.

December 2012 Edit - Still has a lot of chiles in the nose. Much more subtle overall in it's flavour. Very soft and delicate. A nice drink, but I believe it was better fresh.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 05:30:58 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a dark amber color with a short wispy head.

Smell: spicy yeast, cinnamon, and some malt sweetness comes through to the nose.

Taste: nice malty brew with loads of cinammon, a bit of spicy peppers, black pepper spice, belgian yeast, a hint of chocolate, and a decent bitterness. Alcohol is mildly noticeable.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Lightly crsip throughout. Aftertaste is long lasting.

Overall: easy to drink, but slow sipping with the spiciness of it all. Should be nice in a year from now when it mellows a bit.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 21:59:28 | More by Gavage

akorsak

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A bomber bottle. Game on.

A: The ale is hardly pale, more of a lighter dubbel with rich wooden brown hues amongst ruddy red ones. The result is opaque; no head to be seen though. All I have is a thin band, lacing limited to a mere sliver above the beer.

S: Candi sugar sweetness has an unusual partner here, a fresh-chopped chile pepper zest. The heat isn't overpowering but that vegetal aspect can't be denied. Spices and dark fruits (raisins and brown sugar) mute the heat, a yeasty gift.

T: The peppers come through in force, the scovilles noticeable but not mouth-scalding. The heat pairs nicely with the Belgian spice profile, melding into and absorbing the heat. Cinnamon and candi sugars are there, running smack into the heat. Reflecting on this one is tough, the bell pepper with some heat scenario is, to put it mildly, unpleasant. Stone's recent Belgo-experimentation just hasn't been working for me.

M: Half a bomber, no more. I just can't handle it.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 02:09:25 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Showed up at my local last week, not as bad as I was thinking considering the cinnamon and Anaheim chilies additions. Not very pale, more of a deep russet ruby like color going on with tan head forming thick, body slightly clouded with minimal yeast suspension floating. Head forms nice full intricate layered lacing levels. Really nice beer poured into my Stone RIS chalice that has somehow survived almost ten years of beer drinking. The cap reads a malt advocate magazine quote..."Stone Brewing defines the American craft brewing spirit", I'll agree with this since they have been one of the early trendsetters and continue to release things that break trends like their West Coast mild. I'm amazed that the Anaheim chilies don't flame me out either in my nares or the palate. Aroma has a great spectrum of fruit layers (apple/raisins) heavily ripened with natural sugars, like an earthy dubbel glazed with cinnamon spice and a full peppery finish. The first sip provides a wave of juicy caramelized malts and ripened fruit (prunes/dates/cherry)...with some spicy/hatch chilie pepper/spicy cinnamon stick ground bitterness in the finish. Not much heat as I mention spicy it really is well blended and doesn't kill the palate. A bit of astringency creeps in as a nutty/earthiness possibly from the yeast or the pepper seeds that really sets the smooth malt ride off it's path of glory. Complex interesting ale with sturdy smooth creamy carbonation and medium bodied ale with enough texture and dry finish to make it approachable with each sip. Overall Stone continues to make a more balanced chilie beer than I've tasted thus far, that's comparing a handful of experiences from Left Hand, Wynkoop, Rogue, Crazy Ed, and Great divide.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 19:13:01 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

When I moved to first pour this one, I resisted the temptation to check the bottle to see what all was put in the beer to see if I could figure out what was in here. But after trying it, the beer seems crazy muddled with too much going on to be able to pick out individual characteristics. It's a decent enough drinker, but it seems clogged. Some more finesse would have been nice. A lot more at that.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 05:58:23 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

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

A: Poured an amber color color with good carbonation and a nice white cap

S: Chili upfront with candy, cinnamon and allspice following

T: Cinnamon, allspice, Belgian yeast, a hint at candy, a little booze sting. The chile is light and only appears at the end

M: Medium body, well carbonated

O: Good for the style

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2011 14:16:15 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Full off white head. This settles to single layer but it leaves some streaky lace. The color is deep, dark amber.

Rich caramel aroma with some cinnamon, all spice and cardamom. Belgian yeast Plenty of warming alcohol as well.

Spicy, almost peppery, with a strong kick of alcohol in the swallow. The body is on the thin side. The carbonation is also a little low. The flavor is of dark malts and orange zest. Good hop presence in the aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 01:22:32 | More by smcolw

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

Drank 2/2/13
(Served in a tulip glass)
A- This beer pours a slightly dense dark caramel body with a sticky light tan head and a few random bubbles popping out of the body.

S- The rich caramel aroma has some dried chilies to follow with a soft chili vegetable note that lingered.

T- The nice chili flavor blends with a more full caramel flavor that has some woody cinnamon flavor that pokes through as the beer warms. There is gentle chili warmth that lingers. As the beer opens there is some green herbal chili flavor that comes through softly.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with no alcohol heat and a gentle fizz in the finish

O- This beer has a nice caramel malt flavor that is supported by chili and cinnamon. It has just a touch of sweetness making it a nice barleywine with chili and cinnamon. I don’t get any yeast character that would be “Belgian inspired”.

---
Drank 2/12/2012
(Served in a tulip glass)

A- This beer pours a deep slightly dense auburn hue with a bubbly creamy light tan head that last a good bit.

S- The aroma of abbey yeast esters and some dark toasted malt takes on a vegital aroma that turns into poblano chillies as it opens up. There are some nice dark candy notes in the finish that remind me of a nice Dubble.

T- The roasted poblano chilies has a soft warmth that mixes with dry cinnamon and some dark malt hints that are a touch on the sweet side. The finish has a hearty pepper heat and hops bitterness that linger gently after each sip.

M- The medium mouthfeel has a full fizz and a warm somewhat hided alcohol heat due to the chile heat.

O- The full chili flavor is more vegital with a soft capsican warmth and is very well balanced with a very soft cinnamon quality that I wouldn't have picked up on if it wasn't on the bottle. This beer has a lot of nice qualities of a Dubble with a chili warmth for support. It paired really nice with winter squash and pot roast. Good balance of flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 15:51:19 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz brown bomber with an obvious vintage date.

LOOK: Garnet amber color, healthy looking head.

SMELL: Cinnamon stick, Anaheim chilies, golden raisins, candied fruit, toasted grain, boozy alcohol.

TASTE: Cinnamon, mild chili pepper, toasted bread, dusty powdered clove, banana taffy, medicinal phenols, clean alcohol, hop bitterness, treacle, chaotic finish.

Nearly a palate overload, thankfully I prepared for this beer and I guess I am a pro more or less so I can roll with the punches. Flavors come in waves, cinnamon and chili then the Belgo-yeast character and of course the generous handful of hops all surrounded by a well balanced malt backbone. The heat, its from the alcohol ... not the chili. Possibly the most enjoyable Vertical Epic from Stone I have had that was not cellared.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 03:14:34 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

4.22/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Typical Stone Epic bomber.

Pours medium murky auburn, under a dense darker tan head, that stays a while, before going to a film, collar and low lying sheeting and fine lace.

Cinnamon bounces out of the glass and upon the nostrils, with a hint of mild chili also making itself heard.

Bold and over the top flavorful and complex brew, more cinnamon, Belgian yeasty phenols glaring, chili present but remaining on the calm side. The expected Stone hop load unmistakable in the finish. Smooth on the tongue and coating the entire mouth. I enjoyed every sip especially as it warmed.

Definitely will be picking up more bottles, it will be interesting to see what some time in the bottle adds to the mix.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 01:26:56 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From 11/15/11 notes. Had on tap at Fireworks in Arlington, VA at their Stone steal the pint night event. Poured in a 10 oz. tulip.

a - Pours a dark amber color with two inches of off white head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks pretty good.

s - Smells of cinnamon, bready malts, nutmeg, Belgian yeast, spices, bananas, and cloves. Quite Belgian-ale like, with cinnamon at the forefront. Pretty nice, no chiles to be had here though.

t - Tastes of chili peppers, spices, cinnamon, bready malts, toasted malts, burnt malts, and light fruit. Peppers are definitely present in the taste and aftertaste. I didn't think it was bad at all, though a step down from the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Doesn't feel like 9.4$ ABV, though a sipper due to the chili and spices in the aftertaste.

o - Overall an interesting beer. I didn't think it was bad at all, though a 10 oz. glass was enough for me, so couldn't see putting down a bomber of this. Nose is very Belgian ale like fused with cinnamon, while the taste has the chile peppers, so guess they got what they were going for. I'll pick one up for the vertical.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 18:35:01 | More by mdfb79

jlindros

Massachusetts

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

Nice creamy big head fades semi slowly with nice lacing, clear but small sediment ruby reddish brown color.

Nose light booze and esters, reddish malts, quite malty, sweet candy and caramel, toffee, lots of sweetness, hint of a chili and cinnamon like spice, and a definite pepper.

Taste a light pepper comes out first, light heat with chili pepper, sweet malts, lots of reddish malts, caramel, candy syrup, fairly sweet which balances the light spice well. Light cinnamon in there as well. Light esters and fruit with a hint of booze. Later towards the finish is a slight earthy herbal like hop kick with some light bitterness. Finishes with a bit more light heat and touch spicy pepper flavor, touch of heat on the back of the throat, quite sticky and bit sweet, more caramel and light cinnamon all linger.

Mouth is a bit heavier bodied, lower but decent enough carb, bit syrupy.

Overall very interesting, they hit the heat level almost right with maybe just a touch more of a kick would make it perfect, not a huge pepper bomb, and nice sweet balance with touch of hops. Lots of interesting flavors, and fairly drinkable. The only qualms I have are that its a bit syrupy and a bit light on carb.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 12:53:52 | More by jlindros

ppoitras

Massachusetts

2.9/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

22oz bottle purchased as a single at Spirit Haus, Amherst, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" tan head over the clear orangey copper brew. Head dwindles rather quickly, with heavy legs and reasonably lasting lace. Aroma is dominated by cinnamon.

Taste is sweet to start, the middle finds the cinnamon and pepper balancing nicely, but the close is just the alcohol and cinnamon. Mouthfeel is slickery smooth, and drinkability is okay for what it is. The flavors don't work much for me at all.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 00:27:57 | More by ppoitras

Zorro

California

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Belgian Strong Pale Ale? This beer is BROWN. It is a stretch to call it a red colored ale but that is as close to pale it gets. Small yellowish colored head.

Smells strongly of Chile pepper! Cinnamon is in there and a small amount of coriander but not much. Not much more than that, a little cardamom would have gone great in this.

Starts out spicy with a strong Chile and cinnamon taste. Bitterness is in here, but this does taste really young. At the moment this tastes like a Chile Beer.

Mouthfeel is good.

Overall this is really a little to young to drink. Bottle says enjoy after December 12, 2012. I will have to review again after this has aged a bit.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 03:23:56 | More by Zorro

Bighuge

Minnesota

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

Glowing scarlet red body. Good clarity. Thin bubbly beige head leaves sparse lace. Wonderful aroma. Thick dubbel like aroma with a nice peppery touch. Nice bready yeastiness and brown sugar as well. The bready yeastiness and cakiness carries over to the palate nicely. The pepper presence is stronger on the tongue than the nose, but it's not too overbearing...to me anyway. Brings a nice little sting to the equation. Candied malt presence as well with just a hint of alchol. Medium bodied and lightly carbonated. This pretty good. Quite unique and flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 05:50:45 | More by Bighuge

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.08/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured out a color that I usually don't associate with a pale ale of any nationality: auburn and brown? A little cloudy looking for a pale ale too. Nice offwhite head on the top, about 3/4" deep. Aroma had me going into the belgian wit place. We're already two qualities in, and neither one makes me think belgian pale ale. Coriander and cardamom have no place in any pale ale.

Taste has some spice flavors, toffee, caramel, cinnamon and a little booze with a hint of citrus throughout. I wasn't the biggest fan of it, but it was seemingly a tad complex. And I've had worse vertical epics to be sure. Couldn't really pick up any chile pepper addition.
Clove keeps coming out more and more as it warmed. Complex stuff, but not really up my alley.

Thanks to Sebastian for bringing this one to the March Madness bottle share. Unfortunately David Hurley, beverage peon at the El Dorado Casino decided to renege on the word of the El Dorado and shut down our bottle share a day early, because it offended his BMC reps that we were having a good time not drinking the $40 to drink all day Bud Light deal. Screw that guy and establishment that supposedly supports craft beer. But thanks to Sebastian for bringing this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 20:43:18 | More by Beerandraiderfan

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.04/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Was surprised to see I hadn't reviewed this previously. In any event, I had it on tap at Pacific Coast Brewing during their Vertical Epic event in 2/13.

The beer pours a reddish amber color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is somewhat unusual, as I pick up honey, cinnamon, sandlewood and vanilla. The flavor profile replicates the nose in this fairly sweet beer, with the cinnamon and vanilla seeming to dominate. There's a hint of bitterness and heat from the alcohol in the finish, which helps to counter the sweetness somewhat. The beer is otherwise medium bodied, with a fairly long, spice, heat and bitter infused finish. Alcohol is noticeable, but not overly so.

Definitely an interesting beer at this stage of its life.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2013 19:21:45 | More by johnmichaelsen