Stone and Bruins!

Had a beer leftover from the weekend that a friend brought for me!

Vertical Epic '11!  Already had a mini review about this from my trip to the Stone Brewery.. but that was quick and also on draught.  This has had a few months to age in the bottle, and honestly, it's better than a fresh pour from the brewery itself!  a 9.4% ABV 65 IBU Belgian-style Amber brewed with cinnamon sticks and Anaheim chilies.  Definitely a sweetly malty nose, hints of the cinnamon and other spice.  Some of the Belgian yeast pokes through, but is surprisingly subtle.  A nice departure from the usual Stone (as all the Epics are), much more malt-forward than you'd expect, especially for 65 IBUs.  Sticky sweet, but light caramel malts, some hints of chocolate here too.  Spice plays a prominent role, but more cinnamon than chilies..  not much heat coming from these, more of a sweet spice.  Slightest hint of an alcohol burn.. or is that the Anaheims?  It leaves an oily slick sweet coating with a bready yeast taste.  Can't wait to see what this is like in a year!