06.06.06

~ Second Tasting ~
September 4th, 2008 (28 days)
Click on a photo for Tasting Notes


Steve Wagner
President & Brewmaster
Mitch Steele
Production Manager/Head Brewer

Greg Koch
Chairman & CEO
Chris Cochran
Marketing & Promotions


John Egan
Lead Brewer

( '08 Stone Imperial Russian Stout, Old Guardian Barley Wine & 12th Anniversary
also tasted during this session)




Steve Wagner
President & Brewmaster
APPEARANCE:
Clear, golden, white head, nice nucleation.
AROMA:
Nice hop aroma with spice and yeast notes, then fruitiness.
FLAVOR:
Hop bitterness, peppery spice, fairly dry with some malt sweetness, lingering bitterness.
PALATE:
well carbonated, medium body, slight chalkiness.
OVERALL:
Cool combo of Belgian characteristics with some West coast hoppiness. Refreshing, give another please!



Mitch Steele
Production Manager/Head Brewer
APPEARANCE:
Clear, golden, creamy foam that dissipates fairly quickly.
AROMA:
Clove, banana, bubblegum yeast notes, with some citrusy, resiny hops in the background.
FLAVOR:
Spicy, cloves, some tropical fruit/citrus from the hops.
PALATE:
Trace alcohol heat, finishes dry and bitter.
OVERALL:
The yeast character really dominates this brew; the hop bitterness on the finish makes the beer very refreshing. The hop aromas and flavors blend nicely with the Belgian yeast character. This will be fun to taste as it ages.



Greg Koch
Chairman & CEO
APPEARANCE:
Clear golden.
AROMA:
Fruity, bubble-gummy (only a little–not over the top gooey level). Hoppy.
FLAVOR:
It's the palate sharper than the nose would suggest. Lingering bitter. Dry finish at first growing sweeter as the glass goes down (I know not from the smaller taste I'm having now, but the bottle I shared with an old friend last eve).
OVERALL:
Curious esactly how this will age. No question if it's in a closet–not well. But fridge or cellar should be quite nice. I believe the initial sharpness I describe above will certainly mellow. I am likinf the sharpness right now.



Chris Cochran
Marketing & Promotions
APPEARANCE:
Very bright, light-light yellow/gold, really good foam & co2
AROMA:
Belgian for sure: Peppery, spice, hint of clove, notes of hops.
FLAVOR:
More spice, yeast character is really nice, very pronounced flavors. They kinda scream at your palate.
PALATE:
Medium body, screams a bit dry, and the major flavors seem to move quickly, but leave a nice aftertaste.
OVERALL:
Refreshing, amazing, young . . . this is a great beer that will only get better with age!



John Egan
Lead Brewer
APPEARANCE:
Golden, creamy head, very bright/clear.
AROMA:
Clove, passion fruit, bubblegum, piney & resinous character, slight touch of banana.
FLAVOR:
Spicy, floral, fresh tropical fruit.
PALATE:
Effervescent, dry, drinkable, warming, bitter.
OVERALL:
Excellent beer. Should hold up well for quite awhile.