Stone 11.11.11 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

theboozecruise

Louisiana

4.3/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bomber at Calandro's and poured into an imperial pint.

It's a ruby red color, clear with a finger or so of off white head. There isn't much lacing but some good looking pooling.

The smell is rather malty with some strong cinnamon notes. There's a little Belgian floral hop note in there as well. Pretty appetizing.

The taste is a lot more chile in there with a flavor that closely resembles a Belgian dubbel. I'm a big fan of the interaction.

Very easy to drink with a minimal alcohol note despite a good abv.

Another winner from Stone.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 03:07:03 | More by theboozecruise

ehammond1

California

2.4/5  rDev -36.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

On Tap

Stone Brew Co.
Escondido, CA

A deep auburn bordering on caramel brown with a thin light brown head.

The aroma is a strange combination of tangy Belgian yeast, caramel malts, a bit of banana, and a very mild, earthy chile presence. They don't seem to blend particularly well together, though on paper I know it doesn't sound all that bad. Maybe it's the cinnamon's fault?

The flavor is just as confused as the aroma. The Belgian yeast is dominant along with a sweet banana flavor, some cracked black pepper, and just a hint of chile warming lingers. On paper, it doesn't sound that bad, but it really wasn't at all enjoyable.

Medium to thick bodied with moderate carbonation.

A mess. I struggled through my 8oz. and didn't finish the glass.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 02:54:21 | More by ehammond1

Kranders

Massachusetts

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

This has to be one of the best looking beers I've ever seen. Fantastically ruby and perfectly clear. Subtle hints of spice and cinnamon in the aroma that finds its way into the beer itself. Pretty subtle though with the cinnamon and chile, but there's still a bit of heat. Overall great beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 01:58:25 | More by Kranders

LtCracker20

Connecticut

3.38/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a clear reddish body with a 2-finger off white head that shows good retention and some nice lace.

S- A slight buttery aroma up front, light a pale lager almost. Not too much going on here either way. There's a slight chili burn at the very back end of every whiff along with some banana and clove.

T- Also pretty bland. There's some cinnamon flavor, some banana, and a slight burn which I'm not sure is the ABV or the chilis.

MF- Only a moderate body on this one. Good amount of carbonation keeps it lively, though.

O- Not a bad beer, but not what I think Stone should be putting out. Glad I tried it, but won't again...

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 00:34:02 | More by LtCracker20

flannelman808

California

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Bright ruby copper colored beer and very clear. egg shell white/ light tan head with ok retention.

S: Dark fruit, very ripe raspberry, and a Jalepeno/ Poblano pepper suggestion.

T: Bing cherry comes to mind, then comes mild green chili pepper as well as a mild macerated dark fruit medley. Slightly tart fruit and slightly sweet molasses (albeit faintly flavored) merge. The finish is similar to the start, cherry and a slight hint of anaheim chili.

M: Prickly with a medium long finish.

O: Im enjoying this more as I sip on it and find it's subtleties rewarding. Very unlike stone to produce a beer with so much elegance (even with the chili peppers), perhaps their evolving. Anyway this is a good buy at a better value. -I don't see how this could age for any length of time but I think its worth experimenting.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 09:06:33 | More by flannelman808

grittybrews

Washington

3.83/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a dark ruby amber with excellent clarity and a finger of off-white head. Strong aroma of banana, clove, a hint of cinnamon, and a good dose of Hatch chiles.

Moderate carbonation and a smooth, somewhat light mouthfeel. Flavors of banana, caramel, and clove up front with a trace of cinnamon and a hint of chiles on the tail end. Just a touch of alcohol warmth that becomes more apparent as the beer warms.

I was excited by the aroma but the flavors don't seem to meld. The Belgian components are fairly standard and the chile/cinnamon is interesting but never really integrates. I'm a fan of beers with pepper but this one didn't blow my mind by any means. Worth trying, though.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 05:31:41 | More by grittybrews

ikantspel

California

3.2/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

served into a duvel tulip

pours a deep mahogany with a subtle head. not too much lacing going on

smells kinda fruity with some yeast in there. a tad peppery is the only hint of chile you get

first it kinda hits with a malty flavor. you can get some cinnamon in the middle but nothing way too overpowering. finishes pretty bitter. pretty much a cycle of sweet, spice, bitter.

somehow this works. after a few more sips the chile comes out more. dont know if i would get it again seems like a novelty beer

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 04:52:41 | More by ikantspel

Rhynes2

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I bought this brew today and it was the first beer I have ever had brewed with chilis. I was skeptical at first. On the nose its very wine like me and my buddy said it was almost like a Cabernet Sauvignon with some spice. The taste is caramel malts at first and it quickly fades to the chills. they are strong but well balanced. I'm so impressed with this brew and will be buying it again soon. Stone never lets me down

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 03:16:24 | More by Rhynes2

mithrascruor

California

4.25/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle poured into a chalice.

Appearance: Pours a clear, darker amber color, but is ruby through the light. Minimal filmy off-white head and very little visible carbonation.

Smell: Good malt aroma with some fruit-like sweetness, and a hint of yeast. I think I can get a slight whiff of the peppers.

Taste: Pleasant malt flavor (carramel) up front, which gradually gives way to some cinnamon and mild yeast flavors towards the finish. There's a bit of bitterness in the aftertaste. It takes a few sips for the chilies to register, but they add a nice, additional dimension to the taste, and gives it a mildly spicy aftertaste as well.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and quite smooth; very mild carbonation.

Drinkability: Strong ABV but little to no alcohol present in the taste.

I quite enjoyed this one - the yeast was quite mild, and the chilies were a nice touch.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 02:46:03 | More by mithrascruor

SawDog505

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into 20 oz Duvel tulip glass. Pours a wonderful ruby red, with a 3 inch off white head, not much lacing. Different color than I would have expected. Smell in banana, clove, coriander, a little spice from the peppers, and some carmel. Not a huge Belgian fan, but this is really nice. Taste has much more spice, than the smell would lead on. I feel like the nose and taste really match, except the burst of spice in the finish. Makes it seem a little hoppy. I like hot foods, so it doesn't bother me. The booze hides well. Body is on the larger side, but not giant. Good amount of life and approachable for it's abv. This is very interesting, so much tastier than 10/10/10, but just as unique. I expected very little because it isn't my favorite style, it delivered.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 02:16:56 | More by SawDog505

DeanMoriarty

California

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

A: Pours a fairly clean dark amber, slightly cherry hue with a good fluffy tan head that dissipates quickly leaving good amounts of lacing.

S: Sweet bready yeast, banana esters and grainy malt - very Belgian smelling, cinnamon sticks, light hop and just a hint of chile and booze.

T: Ah there's the chile - though detectable in the nose, I was hoping for more of a showcase in the flavor and I was not let down. Sweet toasted malt, the banana is there too, midway the booze is detectable but not at all offensive, then the chile lays on thick, balanced perfectly with a more earthy than spicy cinnamon (not at all what I expected when I read this one had cinnamon added) - very subtle and earthy and really compliments the chile well. These guys know what they're doing!

M: On the bigger side of medium-bodied, the carbonation is light and lends perfectly to the style and creaminess of this brew. Someone complained about an oily quality in the mouthfeel, and I agree on the lingering oiliness - which is from the chile, but I really like this aspect. Stone often accomplishes this with oiliness from the hop, but here they've achieved this quality with oil from the chiles added - super bomb!

Overall far from a session beer, but I don't think that was Stone's intention by any means, but as a quality sipper to enjoy from time to time, this one is up there with some of the best.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 02:13:56 | More by DeanMoriarty

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Served on tap at Fish Bar in a mason jar.

Appearance: The beer has a medium brown color with amber and ruby edges. Quite a large eggshell head sits on top when the beer comes out. I suspect this may have been an overly aggressive pour. The head retains fairly well and leaves a bit of lace down the glass.

Smell: The aroma is kind of strange. I notice cinnamon first, with toasted bread, banana esters, and a fair amount of booze. From the aroma I don't even get a hint of chiles.

Taste: The flavor starts with slightly sweet toasted grains tinged with a bit of caramel. Then it starts to go a bit crazy. Cinnamon is really the dominating flavor here, but it somehow does not mix with the other spices. Cloves and banana notes clash with the malt and cinnamon flavors, and I only get a light sense of the chiles at the end, after the beer has turned into a medicinal ethyl alcohol bomb. I wonder if some time (like a year, a month, and a day?) would heal the distracted flavor.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is the real victim of the brewing process. After seemingly half a sip, my tongue feels covered in some immutable oily coating that is fairly unpleasant. Like most other Stone beers, it is properly carbonated and has a heftiness to the body, which I appreciate. Just a very soft burn in the back of my throat from the chile.

Overall: This is the second beer from Stone I have had recently that has stunned me with how bad it is. I will continue to try everything they make, but I won't be coming back to this beer anytime soon. Overall this is just too much of a disjointed mess.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 23:54:20 | More by KickInTheChalice

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

2.4/5  rDev -36.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

22oz into Deschutes pint glass.

A- Nice orangey amber on the pour, a sandy tan, almost eggnog head builds and leaves some rather nice lacing on the glass. Foam is dense.

S- The yeast in this one is crazy. Lots of bubblegum, bananas, and all around spicy yeast goodness. You get a nice whiff of the cinnamon and the faintest hint of the peppers.

T- Eh, Wow. I taste the banana-y yeast, it jumps out from the start. The cinnamon is muted, and the chiles provide a mild green note. Alcohol is very present... Spices intermingle, but not really to the benefit of anything. The spicy and the sweet flavors do not mesh, my tongue is confused.

M- What is that? I don't think it's the chile. Cinnamon? Something's leaving a weird feeling in my mouth. OK, the chile shows up in the end too, with a bit of heat. It's got to be the alcohol? I think this one's a bit too boozy for its own good.

O- Did not finish- not even my first glass. Really unappealing flavors. Sorry, Greg, I thought I was going to seriously groove on this one, but it's a head-scratcher.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 23:13:20 | More by ShogoKawada

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

yesferro

Mississippi

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap on 11.12.11 at Flying Saucer in Cordova TN

Poured with barely any head, might have been the way the taps were set up, other then the nitro brews I didn't see any beers with a head on them leaving the bar. Dark red/brown in color.
Smells spicy sweet, not overwhelming but very good.
First sip was awesome, banana and peppers, with a nice burn at the end. I really didn't get any hints of cinnamon at all but the pepper came through nicely. Sadly, I took my time with this brew and about halfway through the glass it became a drag, as it warms up, it loses the heat and becomes too yeasty sweet for me.

We hope to find a bottle of this to age, the store we stopped at was already sold out, I think this beer will age nicely, it's already nicely balanced but I'd love to see what happens when the peppers mellow out.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 18:18:58 | More by yesferro

Eriktheipaman

California

3.05/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a brownish Belgian cooler.

The smell was the worst part of the beer. ALL I could pick up was a kind of green bell pepper smell which was a little off putting.

The taste was a little better. I didn't pick up any cinnamon but a good amount of pepper (no heat just flavor), slight spice, and some banana from the yeast.

This beer paired pretty damn well with the eggplant and potato pizzas I had with it so I will give it credit for having amazing pairing potential. But on it's own it didn't hit the spot for me. Maybe a year or two on it so the flavors can blend but I'm not sure I'll give it a second chance.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 18:14:12 | More by Eriktheipaman

cbutova

Massachusetts

3.99/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Red ale poured into a pint glass. Small foamy white head forms but doesn't have great retention. Fine ring stays alive and some spots of lace form on the glass.

S- Unique aroma with a smoky, spicy, earthy cinnamon and hot pepper feel. Definitely a bit of caramelized sugar. Some Belgian spice and dark fruit.

T- Belgian yeast becomes way too strong here and gives off a medicinal dark fruit and spice feel. The peppers and cinnamon are very nice, earthy and flavorful.

MF- Creamy moderately thick body with nice smooth carbonation. Not all that spicy and somewhat warm and bitter.

Hard to drink a ton of this due to the extreme strong flavors. The Belgian yeast really hurts this one because the peppers are fresh and nicely done. Will re-review in another 1yr1mo1day.

UPDATE: 02/02/2013.

T- Chili pepper stands out nicely still, really like fresh cut vegetables. Herbal, spicy, dark fruit, cinnamon and some clove banana.

Scored: 3.75, 4, 4, 4, 4

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 05:44:25 | More by cbutova

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

match1112

Illinois

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

pours a clear reddish brown with a four finger head that leaves ring after ring of big clumpy lacing in it's wake. nose is made up of cinnamon, chilies, yeast, some banannas, bread and malts. taste is pretty much the same as the nose. this beer has a lot going on. mouthfeel is that of a full bodied beer with a creamy texture and great carbonation. overall this is very busy and i'm more a fan of the k.i.s.s. method. worth the try and will probably throw one in the cellar to try again down the road.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 02:47:58 | More by match1112

ocelot2500

Arizona

4.43/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a maple syrup color with a tight, off-white head that leaves a ring of lacing.

Smells of roasted chiles, banana, and yeast spice.

Tastes of Belgian fruit notes and spice with the chiles running throughout. Banana with some sweetness comes through first along with a bit of apple. Chiles come in next and add a bit of meatiness and nice roasted notes. Spice comes on the end with clove and cinnamon notes combining with a small amount of heat from the chiles. As it warms, a bit of a phenolic character comes through.

Mouthfeel is medium-full with a smooth amount of carbonation.

Overall, I really like this beer, and feel that the base beer would most likely be good on its own, but the chiles make it even better. However, I should qualify this with the fact that I like to add roasted green chiles to almost everything I cook, so it may only appeal to those like me.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 02:46:41 | More by ocelot2500

perrymarcus

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle served in a snifter.
drinking on 11.12.11... so close.

pours a coppery, deep amber tone with ruby highlights while yielding a relatively short lived finger and a half beige head. the head leaves a little to be desired but still a beautiful looking beer.

nice, aromatic nose offers clear notes of cinnamon and chiles along with a strong belgian yeast presence. secondary notes of banana and clove.

flavor is interesting. my first impulse is that i don't think it's for me, but after a few sips i seem to warm up to it more. more or less follows the aroma: chilies, cinnamon, banana, Belgian yeast... definitely a lot going on. a bit medicinal. medium-bodied on the palate with average carbonation.

overall i think it's a unique and relatively tasty beer. not out-of-this-world delicious but a nice change of pace.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 02:40:58 | More by perrymarcus

sommersb

Tennessee

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

Tasted On: 11-11-2011
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 22 oz. brown bottle
Glassware: Globe glass
Purchased: Single from Frugal MacDoogal, Nashville

Picked up a couple of these; one to share on 11-11-11 and one to taste and review in more detail.

Color is a dark, reddish-brown, clear in the glass. The tan head of 1 finger has a fair amount of retention. Lacing is good.

Very interesting nose, with lots of spices - cinnamon especially. There is a light chili pepper aroma, as well as a sweetness of light fruits. Did not really pick up any hop aroma.

Taste features chili heat and flavors, but is not overpowering. Malty and spicy, with red and black pepper and cinnamon. Nicely balanced, I wouldn't have guessed this has 65 IBUs. I didn't really pick up much in the way of Belgian yeast flavors. Beer tastes more flavorful as it approaches room temperature.

Mouthfeel is crisp with a medium carbonation level. I get a good warming from the alcohol. The finish is dry with more of the chilies in the aftertaste.

A different and intriguing beer. I'd drink it again, but if I bought one I'd probably want to wait and try it after a year of cellaring.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 00:54:18 | More by sommersb

ezperkins2

California

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Stone – 11.11.11
Poured into a 12oz tulip on 11.11.11

A: Poured a surprisingly clear deep reddish copper with good carbonation. Thin off white foamy head with noticeable carbonation.

S: Not a lot going on with the nose on this one. Everything seemed very thin and I had to search for anything other than light raisins and a bit of alcohol

T: This was a very interesting and complex tasting beer. It started with a very raisony sweetness and then quickly transformed into a white wine dry almost tart taste. After a few seconds the slightest hint of the peppers appear (the taste but not the heat) and then is quickly surprised by an almost powdery dry cinnamon tingle. With a sharp and dry after taste reminiscent of white wine seems to last forever.

M: The lively carbonation helps give this beer a nice mouth feel but with a very dry finish.

O: I had to pick this one up and drink it tonight since it was 11.11.11 and I had so so expectations. Overall I think it was a very interesting creation and I am glad I got a bottle to try. The finish was a complex roller coaster but the dry tartness got old after a while. All in all it was an OK beer but nothing that I am going to stock up on. I think that the base beer for this concoction could improve with age but I am not sure what that would do the touch on spice on the finish. I may have to pick up another bottle or two just to find out.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 08:15:15 | More by ezperkins2

DarthKostrizer

California

2.6/5  rDev -31%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Look: Pours a medium brown color with traces of red throughout. 1 inch tan head with good retention. Leaves behind a spot or two of lace

Smell: The nose carries a fair amount of cinnamon and banana which reminds me of a banana flavored laffy taffy and definitely some belgian yeast

Taste: The flavor is not very good at all. It's a combination of flavors that honeslty do not go together at all. The cinnamon is too sweet for the chili's and the banana just feels out of place and artificial. As the beer warms it becomes chalky. Not good

Mouthfeel: Medium body and medium to high carbonation and a bit of a sting from the chilis

Overall: The flavor of this beer is a train wreck and ruins the beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 06:41:24 | More by DarthKostrizer

suncrust

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber poured to a tulip glass, sipped on 11.11.11.

A- Ruby strawberry and dark brown in color. Very light, toasted marshmallow head with medium carbonation.

S- Dominant belgian yeast with cinnamon buried beneath the bread-like belgian tones. Dried banana, and a slight sourness at first, some raisin and darker fruits.

T- Tasty dark belgian notes, with hints of dark fruits and dark breads. Rye and a slight spice on the tongue, maybe a little clove. Cinnamon is there just enough to balance the sweetness of the dark fruit characteristics. Almost has a light cinnamon toast sort of taste and texture as it gets warmer. Chilies are modestly blended back, but can be felt in the throat on the aftertaste, adding flavor and interesting drinkability. Very minimal heat, but a really nice balance to the other flavors overall.

MF- I get a spicy (cinnamon) bubblegum sort of mouthfeel and sweetness. Coats the mouth nicely with some activity on the tongue. At times, reminds me of a really sour piece of sourdough toast….

O- Enjoyable, with engaging complexities and an interesting flavor profile. Really just more of an intriguing beer that offers a lot to the palate with each sip and as the temperature changes. Stone did a nice job of balancing the ingredients to make this compelling.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 05:16:48 | More by suncrust