ALERAISERS

The Beer Of the Week for the week of 10/21/10 is:

Stone’s Vertical Epic 10-10-10

This weeks BOW is maybe a little bit of a boo-boo on my part.  Since I didn’t read the label or know anything about the Vertical Epic Series by Stone Brewing, I popped this bad boy open and went to reviewing before I read the point of the Vertical Epics.  SO…for the rest of you who dont know…Stone began the series of beers on February 2, 2002(2-2-2) to showcase the concept of cellaring beer.  The idea is that you will, sometime after December 12, 2012(12-12-12) try them all in an “epic vertical tasting” during which “Those conscientious enough to cellar the complete Stone Vertical Epic Ale series under proper conditions (55 degrees or less and dark), will be treated to a rare liquid education on the effects of age on beer…”.

From the Label:  ”The ninth edition of our stone Vertical Epic series takes two interesting left turns.  A Belgian-style golden triple is the starting point of this beer, but the first left turn is nearly immediate with the addition of dried chamomile flowers, triticale and Belgian amber candi sugar.  The second, and rather unusual left turn takes us half an hour up the road from Stone to Temecula courtesy of the addition of just-pressed Muscat, Gewürztraminer, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes from our friends at South Coast Winery.”

The 10-10-10, a Belgian strong ale, pours an aesthetically  pleasing crisp, clear golden color with a small, quickly dissipating foamy white head.  It has a funky, bready Belgian yeast aroma with strong grape notes and hints of clove, chamomile, and candi sugar.  The tastes is quite interesting…up front it tastes like most Belgian strong ale–bready.  That quickly is overpowered by a dry, grape, almost white wine tartness which melts into an appley, bitter finish.  The mouthfeel is similar to a white wine and it has good carbonation.  For a beer meant to be aged, this beer is off to a good start.  I advise buying two, one to cellar, and one to drink now and one to look back on.

Since, Ive only today learned of this intriguing beer voyage, I will have to start collecting the backlogs or searching out a venue to experience the vertical tasting myself.  But for now, consider this a preview of things to come.

3.8/5.0

Purchased at Twenty-nine Package on Lawrenceville Hwy in Lilburn, GA

The Beer Of the Week for 7/1/2010 is:

Victory’s Golden Monkey Tripel Ale

Victory's Golden Monkey

This weeks BOW is the Golden Monkey Tripel by Victory Brewing Company.  In honor of Independence Day I chose the Golden Monkey, since Victory Brewing is located in Downingtown, PA just a few miles from the birthplace of freedom as we know it and where the Declaration of Independence was signed, Philadelphia, PA.

This beer pours a clear lemon-yellow with fizzy head that dissipates quickly.  It smells of fruit and cloves with a slight hint of alcohol.  It has a spicy clove and coriander flavor that finishes with a relaxing alcohol burn, almost like a good scotch.  It had pretty good body with decent carbonation and a crisp finish.  This is an excellent American rendition of a Belgian Tripel.  This beer has great flavor and is easy to drink.  A note of caution though…at 9.5% it will sneak up on you towards the end of your glass.

3.9/5

Purchased at Twenty-Nine Package on Lawrenceville Hwy