Winterfest

I was sitting at the bar at Prime 16 in Orange doing some "groundwork" for a blog post; sniffing, sipping, observing, taking notes, sipping. It's a difficult job, but somebody's got to do it.

I was minding my own business laboring strenuously at the task at hand. When suddenly, from behind me, I hear a voice. "I'm sorry to interrupt your work (he actually said work), are you Brauista?"

Me, "Huh? Wha?"

I turn to face the man.

"Yes, I am!" **giggle**（＾∀＾）

He went on to tell me that he reads my blog regularly and how it was nice to meet me.

**giggle**（＾∀＾）

How flippin' cool is that? I'm famous. Or notorious. Or something.

I have to admit, it is certainly neat to be recognized and it's always great to meet a fellow beer enthusiast!

The subject of my research?

Winterfest (5% ABV) by Back East Brewery served in a 16-oz shaker pint is very dark amber with a small head that leaves behind layers of lacing all the way down to the last sip. Nice!

The aroma is malty with a hint of cocoa.

The taste is roasty malt with a whisper of cocoa. The winning flavor in this beer for me was the cinnamon. It can be tasted from start to finish and perfectly compliments and enhances the subtle sweetness of this beer.

The mouth feel is medium with just the right amount of carbonation. This beer is very drinkable; I knocked back a pint before realizing it had happened. Good thing for the sessionable alcohol content!

Winterfest is, by far, one of my favorite offerings from Back East Brewing. Deep, dark, and delicious!

Overall: very good

Vertical Epic 121212

You know you have a sister who really loves you - I mean, really loves you - when she buys you awesome beer for Christmas.

She totally hooked me up!  

The first beer I tried from this amazing trifecta was the Vertical Epic 121212 by Stone Brewing.  

Vertical Epic 121212 (9% ABV) is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. It pours a rich sable brown verging on black with a thick fluffy taupe head that dissipates into layer after layer of glass grabbing lace.  I said GLass grabbing!

The aroma is interesting.  Typically, I expect to get a whiff of hops or malt or some other such beery smell.  Not in this ale.  121212 was all spice - especially clove and cinnamon - but mostly clove.

The flavors build layer after layer on the tongue starting with a subtle grapefruity, floralness that opens the door to the richness of dark chocolate and coffee entering the realm of stouthood.  But not.  Next comes rolling in a mouthload of beerific spiciness; clove predominates over cinnamon, nutmeg and molasses.  The mellow sweetness of the spice merges with an enticing bitterness that finishes crisp and clean on the palate.

The mouth feel is a smooth, creamy wow.  Very pleasant; much like a milk stout in texture.

I'm not a huge fan of spiced beer.  I find that many are simply spices with an alcohol carrier in the form of beer.  In 121212, however, there are so many other flavors to add contrast and balance that I almost forgot I was drinking a spiced beer.  It all works out quite nicely.


This is my first Vertical Epic and I rue not having experienced any of the others.

Overall - awesomeness!  Good job Stone!


Visit Stone Brewing's website for more information about their many great beers or check them out on Facebook