Stone Vertical Epic Day! If you haven't heard of the Vertical Epic's, well tough titties! They've come and gone.. from the 2.2.02 through the 12.12.12, this was years in the making! Sadly, Lord Hobo didn't have the 2.2.02.. almost NO ONE does at this point.. but they had the 3.3.03 through the 12.12.12 as well as barrel-aged versions of 8.8.08, 9.9.09 and 10.10.10. Let's just say I racked up quite the bar tab!
Flight A - 3.3.03 & 4.4.04 & 5.5.05
Gorgeous, isn't it?
If you can't get the 2.2.02, the next best thing is '03! Called a Belgian Strong Dark - this clocks in at 9.0% ABV and brewed with coriander and 'alligator pepper' - a close relative of Grains of Paradise. Nice spice, roasty caramel, citrus and fruit notes.. the taste mirrors this well with a mild warming burn that shows itself after a few minutes... solid for being almost 10 years old!
the '04 is considered a Belgian Strong Pale Ale at 8.5% ABV. I get citrus and stone fruit on the nose with a wonderful funk aroma. Rather crisp citrus fruits.. yeasty and with a white wine acidity to it. The tartness shines here.. I'd be willing it bet it wasn't intentional, but it comes out beautifully.
'05 was called a Spiceless Dark Belgian Dark Ale at 8.6% Tons of richness to the nose - molasses, caramel, raisins, plums.. straight up smells thick. Surprisingly smooth for such a rich nose.. malty, roasty and fairly sweet for such a big, old beer.
'06 is a Belgian Dark aged on oak chips at 8.66% ABV. The dark fruit is expected, but nice coffee, smoke and woody tones come through on the nose. The taste follows suit with a nice phenolic burn.. having the coffee and smoke in a Belgian Dark is a great touch, intentional or not!
'07 is the first real deviation in the VE series.. a hybrid Saison/Trippel at 8.4% ABV. One word - FLORAL. There's a ton of yeast and funk on the nose and in the taste, smooth and crisply sweet. Touches of citrusy lemon and a mild ginger spice. The floral comes though in all aspects.. jasmine? lavender? Can't place the floral, but holy marmosets, this works SO well! Again, might be attributed to the age, but this is simply beautiful!
'08 is a Belgian IPA clocking in at 8.6% ABV (sensing a trend here?) Malty and nutty on the nose, the hops are incredibly muted. Hell after 6 months IPA can lose the bitterness.. this is 4+ yrs old. Sweet-ish caramel malts and nuttiness balances out a still slightly present piney/floral hop profile. Wish I had this fresh.. the balance is slightly askew.
Next up - Flight E - the barrel-aged versions
'08 aged in Bourbon and American hop dry-hopped. Straight-up bourbon! Alcohol burn on the nose, sticky-sweet bourbon taste.. this would be like a 7.5 hop beer.. and my least favorite of the night. But when the 'worst' is a 7.5 outta 10, you're having a great night! Had others tell me it was great and only mildly bourbon, but when you dislike bourbon, anything is going to be overpowering.
'09 aged in red wine barrely. The '09 normal is upcoming,. but I snagged a bottle of my own, hence getting the BA version first. The sweetness cuts through the chocolate, scotch and nutty notes amazingly well. Vanilla, tannins and oak shine through here.. not at thick as the color would indicate. Lightly sweet and roasty.. one of the best standouts of the night!
'10 aged in French oak. Highly similar to the non-BA version with a slightly dryer finish. One of my favorites in it's original version just due to how unique it is. Still pretty cool to have aged!
So there you have it, folks! 12.12.12! Stone Vertical Epic Day! Wednesday! However you cut the salami, it was a damned cool day!
(oh..and those of you NOT in the know Westvleteren 12 was also released today! Keep ya panties on for that review!)
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