This one goes in one of those style categories that is somewhat of a catch all, but also one that I should be using a bit more to categorize beers.  I often just throw everything that does not fit into a style in the Specialty Beer category, but I need to remember that the non-conforming Belgian-style beers really belong in this one.

A big beer to keep the week moving . . .

Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co. (Easton, PA)

Name: Quad

Style: Belgian Specialty Ale

ABV: 11.80% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and pulled slightly early to warm some before serving in a stemmed goblet/chalice.

Aroma: A really full, malty sweetness to the aroma with prominent notes of dark fruit (like cherries).  Also a softer spiciness with some alcohol noticeable. – 9/12

Appearance: Deep, rich, coppery amber color.  A slight off-white head that is pretty thin, dissipates quickly, and leaves some legs on the glass.  Mostly clear with some haze and rising bubbles visible when held to light. – 2/3

Flavor: Smooth malty sweetness both up front and throughout.  A low spice character from middle to finish that combines nicely with the dark fruit notes of fig, raisin, etc.  Also some slight (and much needed) bitterness near the finish.  A bit of dryness to the finish, but still with a strong lingering sweetness. – 14.5/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body (maybe toward full) with a fairly high level of carbonation consisting of tiny bubbles.  Quite smooth and slightly creamy with some noticeable warmth. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: I very much enjoyed the level of carbonation that helps balance out the otherwise very prominent sweetness.  Certainly balanced to the malty sweet side but the spice, bitterness, etc. are enough to stop it from being cloying.  I like it and enjoyed the one I had, but did not love it.  One at a time (enjoyed slowly) is just fine for this one. – 7.5/10

Overall: B+ (37/50)

Weyerbacher Brewing Co. - Quad

After pulling a bottle from the pile a few days ago, it seems that the week will be a Stone beer week and that is the way I will close the year of beer reviews.  Still today writing this I think that I had this beer on draft at some point, but I cannot find any notes on it to prove that I did.  Also I have never noticed the other version of this bottle that has the beer named “Cali-België IPA” as my bottle said it was a 50/50 split of the two types of bottle hitting the market.  I am sure that the product in the two different bottles tastes the same though.

Closing out the year . . .

Brewery: Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, CA)

Name: Cali-Belgique IPA

Style: Specialty Beer (as a Belgian-style IPA)

ABV: 6.90% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge before being served in an oversized wine glass.

Aroma: An even balance of fruity and floral in the hop profile with an underlying sweetness that is a bit honey-like.  Soft overall in that there are no hard/harsh edges to the aroma.  – 8.5/12

Appearance: Brilliant golden orange in color.  One finger off-white head that is frothy and holds for just a bit before leaving nice lacing on the glass.  Quite bright and clear with lots of tiny rising bubbles visible. – 3/3

Flavor: A light sweetness at first with a hint of floral character that is quickly followed by a pretty sharp bitterness.  Maybe a bit of spiciness in there as well.  Finishes a bit dry with the bitterness lingering for a little while. – 11/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a moderate to high level of carbonation.  Somewhat smooth but finishing with some astringency and also the carbonation adding some bite. – 3.5/5

Overall Impressions: The aroma is more pleasant that the flavor (almost as if aroma belongs to another beer).  The bitterness dominates though it does balance out some and become more smooth as it warms.  I tried to get more out of the flavor for a description, but after two sips the bitterness overwhelmed my palate.  Not as good as I was hoping it would be and I don’t feel a great need to have it again. – 6.5/10

Overall: B- (32.5/50)

Stone Brewing Co. - Cali-Belgique IPA

As I made mention of yesterday I really don’t know why I have held onto some of the beer that has accumulated in my office.  It is not as if I had a plan going in or that I have been looking for rare beers to keep and age for a while.  So over the weekend I grabbed a few from that collection to throw in the fridge and I hope to keep doing the same to make some room other things.  Maybe even some new beers.

This was one from that pile . . .

Brewery: Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, CA)

Name: Vertical Epic 10-10-10

Style: Specialty Beer (via a Belgian Tripel)

ABV: 9.50% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge (after hanging out on the floor of my office for many, many months) before being served in a stemmed goblet.

Aroma: A bold floral sweetness that has a wine-like quality to it as well as a bit of an herbal note and a slight sharpness.  Not very strong, but quite enjoyable.  – 10/12

Appearance: Honey-like golden orange color.  Very slight off-white head that dissipates very quickly without leaving a trail on the glass.  Clear with a few rising bubbles visible. – 2/3

Flavor: A good sweetness up front with a floral/herbal character then a very enjoyable bitterness from middle to finish.  Nicely balanced with a smooth grapey fruit profile throughout.  The finish has some dryness with a nicely lingering fruity sweetness. – 16.5/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a fairly high level of carbonation.  Very smooth on the palate with a lot of sugary sweetness. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: Offhand I cannot compare it to a specific variety of white wine, but it certainly has a white wine-like character.  A nicely complex beer and perhaps now even more so than when it was fresh.  Maybe I could have held onto it for longer, but I didn’t see any need without having the others along with it.  A very nice and enjoyable beer (even if it does not taste very beer like in many ways). – 8/10

Overall: A- (40.5/50)

Stone Brewing Co. - Vertical Epic 10-10-10

Though the weather has not cooled enough to have me wanting stouts on a regular basis I simply could not pass this one up when seeing it a little while back.  I am not one to keep black licorice around the house, but I really was interested to see (or rather taste) how that flavor worked with a big, bold stout.  The answer is that I think it works well and certainly much more so than I thought roasted buckwheat did.

Easing into the weekend . . .

Brewery: Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, CA)

Name: Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout

Style: Russian Imperial Stout (or maybe Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer)

ABV: 10.50% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and pulled a little early to warm a bit before being served in a snifter.

Aroma: A full, smooth, chocolately roasted malt character with a more subtle licorice aroma underneath. Well balanced and quite pleasant overall with maybe a bit of alcohol there.  – 9/12

Appearance: Dark, dark, dark brown (black) in color.  One finger light brown head that is pretty thick, holds fairly well, and leaves some legs on the glass.  Opaque and even so at the edges when held to light. – 3/3

Flavor: A deep roasted malt flavor with notes of bittersweet chocolate and a light molasses-like sweetness.  The licorice flavor comes through middle to finish with some bitterness and a bit of astringency (from roasted malt profile) coming out near the finish.  Otherwise finishes fairly smooth with some lingering chocolate and anise. – 15/20

Mouthfeel: Full body with a moderate to low level of carbonation.  Smooth and pretty creamy on the palate with a bit of warmth noticeable. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: First significantly sized glass of stout in a long time.  I actually prefer this one not as warm as I usually do a big stout as the licorice gets to be a little too prominent and out of balance.  The aftertaste and astringency are like that after eating some very dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage.  I could see this one pairing really well with the appropriate desserts. – 8/10

Overall: B+ (39/50)

Stone Brewing Co. - Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout

Forbidden you say?  Well I had to see what this beer was all about with a name like that on the label.  Of course being a Belgian Pale Ale that I had yet to try also did not hurt when deciding whether or not to throw this one in the cart.  That is about it as far as my decision making process goes for picking out new beers for me to try.

A different style of Pale Ale to end the week . . .

Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co. (Easton, PA)

Name: Verboten

Style: Belgian Pale Ale

ABV: 5.90% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge before being served in an oversized wine glass.

Aroma: Light toasty malt character with a bit of (apple-like?) fruity aroma and some underlying spiciness.  Maybe a hint of floral in there as well.  Pretty mild overall, but pretty nice. – 8/12

Appearance: Medium coppery orange color.  One finger cream color head that is quite frothy and holds fairly well before leaving some lacing on the glass.  Very clear with a good amount of rising bubbles visible. – 3/3

Flavor: A toasty almost nutty malt flavor up front with a moderate hop bitterness from middle to finish that has a bit of a spicy/peppery quality to it.  Some subtle fruity/floral notes more so toward the finish.  A nice dryness on the finish with just a hit of sweetness then some lingering hop bitterness after. – 14.5/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a moderate (maybe to low) level of carbonation.  Smooth despite the bitterness and just a bit of creaminess on the palate. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: Found myself wanting a little more carbonation.  A fruity/floral character comes out much more as it warms some and provides better balance to the bitterness.  Maybe a bit of warmth in the nose as it warms a bit.  Not great to me at first but it grew on me as I approached the end of the glass.  Fairly well balanced overall, but the bitterness does take the lead. – 7.5/10

Overall: B+ (37/50)

Weyerbacher Brewing Co. - Verboten