06.06.06

~ Ninth Tasting ~
October 6th, 2008 (5 years, 7 months, 3 days)
Click on a photo for Tasting Notes


Arlan Arnsten
Vice President of Sales 
Mitch Steele
Production Manager/Head Brewer

Greg Koch
Chairman & CEO
Chris Cochran
Marketing & Promotions


John Egan
Lead Brewer

( '02 Vertical Epic Ale, '04 Vertical Epic Ale, & '05 Vertical Epic Ale,
also tasted during this session)




Arlan Arnsten
Vice President of Sales
APPEARANCE:
Deep Amber, very clear with quickly diminishing head.
AROMA:
Big malt aroma – Sweetness/molasses. Low to no hop aroma.
FLAVOR:
Molasses and rustic bread – Nice earthiness with the hint of dried cherries.
PALATE:
Think viscous feel but not sticky - low carbonation and dry.
OVERALL:
One of my favorite styles for Belgium. Big dubbels do it for me. ABU not shown but I’m sure it’s high .



Mitch Steele
Production Manager/Head Brewer
APPEARANCE:
Clear, Amber, nice foam
AROMA:
Fruity, cherries, some raisin, some caramel
FLAVOR:
Bananas, fruity, some spiciness, slight caramel, light chocolate, Trace nutty, light woody notes
PALATE:
Medium body, smooth finish
OVERALL:
Very nice. Holding up well. Flavors are blending together great



Greg Koch
Chairman & CEO
APPEARANCE:
Clear, reddish orange
AROMA:
Toffee. Malts. Amazingly similar to Old Guardian (or at least that’s what it’s reminding me of at the moment). Candied orange peel too.
FLAVOR:
Toffee again. Roastiness.
PALATE:
The body comes off a bit thin
OVERALL:
This one is not too impressive in my humble opinion.



Chris Cochran
Marketing & Promotions
APPEARANCE:
Light brown tan head, very clear and bright, but the foam disappeared quickly.
AROMA:
A little clove a bit of the “usual” Belgian-like yeast. Some fruit notes along w/ some bready- dough smells.
FLAVOR:
Kinda “earthy” with some nice dried fruit, some nutty characters, clove, spice, and caramel.
PALATE:
Medium body, with nice lingering flavors – dry on the finish.
OVERALL:
Nice beer. Aging nicely …not as sweet as I was expecting (good), but I was hoping for more of a “punch” with this beer.



John Egan
Lead Brewer
APPEARANCE:
Dark copper, nice head, great clarity.
AROMA:
very similar to some trappist yeast aromatics, spice, clove, some dried fruit.
FLAVOR:
As with the aroma, it reminds me of some of the trappist beers, only in a class of its own. Excellent, some hints of cherry, rich malt.
PALATE:
Effervescent, bubbly, alcoholic, balanced and drinkable.
OVERALL:
Superb.