06.06.06

~ Initial Tasting ~
May 25th, 2006
Click on a photo for Tasting Notes


Steve Wagner
President & Brewmaster
Mitch Steele
Head Brewer

Greg Koch
Chairman & CEO
Chris Cochran
Marketing & Promotions

Bill Sherwood
Brewing Facilities Manager


( '05 Vertical Epic Ale & '05 Double Bastard Ale also tasted during this session)




Steve Wagner
President & Brewmaster
APPEARANCE:
Dark brown to black with a tan head.
AROMA:
Fruity, phenolic yeast notes with dark malt roastiness.
FLAVOR:
Clove, smooth roasted malt, mild spiciness, and some hop bitterness. A dry finish with apparent alcohol.
PALATE:
Medium to full-bodied, good carbonation…no astringency.
OVERALL:
Very full and complex…not sure how it will develop.



Mitch Steele
Head Brewer
APPEARANCE:
Deep brown-black with a light tan head.
AROMA:
 Very Complex. Nice clove yeast note, light herbal hops, undertones of dried fruit, hint of anise, and light chocolate.
FLAVOR:
Spicy, strong Belgian yeast character, lightly roasted, chocolate notes, with hints of fruit/cherries.
PALATE:
Very smooth! Rich and silky…a little sweet on the finish with a touch of bitterness too.
OVERALL:
The Belgian & Trappist yeast character is strong in this beer, and the flavors are textures from the dark malts…add a lot of smoothness and richness.



Greg Koch
Chairman & CEO
APPEARANCE:
Deep black, but transluscent at the edges. Almost reminds me of the look of a coffee liquor.
AROMA:
Slight hint of licorice, lightly spicy…and yeast.
FLAVOR:
Chocolate malts - meets hops - meets the need for a little more aging.
PALATE:
A little rough around the edges still. In time this will no doubt be a beauty.
OVERALL:
I think that this will probably peak a little after 12.12.12, but should be mighty tasty delicious round that time too.



Chris Cochran
Marketing & Promotions
APPEARANCE:
Deep, deep mahogany and bright (before the yeast).
AROMA:
Belgian yeast with a malt base. Cloves? Smoke? Meat?
FLAVOR:
Malty and sweet, licorice, sarsaparilla-esque
PALATE:
Medium body, good CO2, the sweet malt character lingers…with that “smoke” hinting in the aftertaste.
OVERALL:
Young, of course, so wait and see…but some to try now and to age…it’s good!



Bill Sherwood
Brewing Facilities Manager
APPEARANCE:
Dark, dark amber – nearly black and a thin fine head.
AROMA:
Complex fruity aroma --- plum and bubble gum!
FLAVOR:
Fruit and chocolate, lively and sweet with nice balancing between the toasty malt and hop complexity.
PALATE:
Light effervescence rolls to a dens malt finish, with a nice hop aftertaste.
OVERALL:
Delicious and very complex…layers of flavors.