~ Fourth Tasting ~
November 19th, 2004 (1 Year, 8 Months, 16 days)
Click on a photo for Tasting Notes

Steve Wagner President & Brewmaster	Lee Chase Head Brewer	Greg Koch Chairman & CEO

Arlan Arnsten Vice President of Sales	Chris Cochran Marketing & Promotions	John Egan Guest Taster Packaging Supervisor

('04 Vertical Epic and '04 Double Bastard also tasted during this session)

Steve Wagner President & Brewmaster Appearance: Dark copper color, clear, nice white head and lace. Aroma: Spices and malt aroma are prominent. Flavor: Spice still prominent, nice tart dryness, but the spices overshadow the malt and yeast flavors. Palate: Medium body with excellent carbonation to keep it from being too heavily spiced. Overall: Less than 8 years to go!

Lee Chase Head Brewer Appearance: Light brown/dark amber color, nice foam, and tight bubble nucleation (small, fine carbonation). Aroma: Light yeastiness, some characteristic Belgian esters, and a fair amount of balanced spiciness --- like sweet bread. Flavor: Bright, flavorful, alcoholic. Long finish with some roastiness, the toasted malt shows through. Palate: Pleasantly light and lively, nice CO2 and spice/malt playfulness. Overall: Tasty and easy to drink (strange for a dark, strong beer), except there isn't too much around.

Greg Koch Chairman & CEO Appearance: Deep amber/brown with a slight haze. Aroma: Modest alcohol, spicy with Belgian-esque burgundian malt aromas. Flavor: Holding up strong and could still call this “young.” Round burgundian-roasty flavors combined with crisp light hoppiness. Palate: Delicious. Lingering bitterness is modest and very pleasing. Overall: Amazing how hoppy it still is. Still also quite crisp and bright --- will no doubt be rounding in coming years, but not for a while yet at this rate.

Arlan Arnsten Vice President of Sales Appearance: Deep caramel color…chestnut-like and slightly hazy. Aroma: Phenolic, Earthy, and spicy. Flavor: Crisp with malt and sweet-like flavors…earthy and spicy…little hop flavor and bitterness. Palate: Carbonation is holding well. Has a full mouthfeel with a warm alcohol dry finish. Overall: Deceivingly easy --- watch out, it'll get you with the alcohol. Still my personal favorite Epic and perhaps my favorite of all our beers!

Chris Cochran Marketing & Promotions Appearance: Medium brown (like a pale rootbeer) with nice CO2, bright and good head retention. Aroma: Typical spices seem to dominate, but also has a earthy, grainy, bread-like aroma. The malty, sweet character seems to come out as it warms. Flavor: The spices speak loudest, but there is noticeable alcohol, yeastiness, and a malt presence that is nice. Palate: Clean and medium-bodied. The CO2 dances on the tongue nicely which I think helps balance the beer. Overall: Deceivingly easy --- watch out, it'll get you with the alcohol. Still my personal favorite Epic and perhaps my favorite of all our beers!