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Cool Springs Wines & Spirits' Featured Beer


Stone Vertical Epic 11-11-11

This week the attention is all on Stone Brewing Company and this year's Vertical Epic release. As most beer lovers know, Stone releases a new Vertical Epic brew every year on the date one year, one month, and one day from the previous year's edition. Starting in 2002 Stone released the first one in the series on 2-2-02 with the next being 3-3-03 and so on until it hits 12-12-12. These brews are built to age and the whole idea is to have one of each vintage on 12-12-12 to do a Vertical EPIC tasting of the series. Every year the recipe changes so this year's 11-11-11 is brewed with Anaheim Chilies and Cinnamon. This isn't your typical chili brew I can assure you. Belgian yeast is added with a nice selection of hops as well. The aroma is complex with Banana, cloves, toffee malts, with a hint of cinnamon and mild green chili. The flavor seems to evolve as the brew is being consumed from the fruity notes of the yeast to the spiciness you would expect. Surprisingly 11-11-11 isn't as hot as I thought it would be but that isn't a bad thing. Above all 11-11-11 is balanced and the flavors are integrated nicely. At 9.4% ABV and 65 IBU this beer is meant to age until 12-12-12 but I understand if you can't wait that long.