Stone Symposium Ale

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

When I tasted this, I really thought it was supposed to be something light. I’m a bit surprised to find out that its a Belgian Strong ale. Odd. Kind of like a wheat wine, but not that big. Vanilla, caramel, nice clean malt. The vanilla is real enough that I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had actually used vanilla. Light flavor and body are quite tasty, actually.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Bottle: Poured an hazy golden color ale with small head with minimal retention. Aroma of coriander is clearly evident. Taste is very Belgian-lie with lots of coriander, Belgian yeast and some distinctive Stone hops. Body is way too thin for my liking and maybe is a bit oxidized. OK, but I’m sure those three brewers have produced better things in the past.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

A very special limited-edition beer, to coincide with the 2004 National Craft Brewer's Trade Show and Conference being held here in San Diego this week, that was only available at O'Brien's. It's a shame, too, since who knows when (if?) it will ever be released in a more common/easy-to-obtain format.

Puublican Tom Nickles quietly ushered this into the pub around 6:30 last night, but everybody at our ussual table watched with keen interest as the keg was setup. Finally, after two of the guys went up there to scout it out, goblets of this were produced. :)

Like most other Belgian-esqe offerings from Stone, the appearence isn't spectacular -- perhaps someday they'll figure out the proper protein-mix to get that "just-right" billowy head of foam, eh?

But where the appearence could use some improvement, it's all "thumbs-up" from there on-out, IMO. Hints of spice and the rumored lemon-grass in the aroma -- all quite nice.

But where this beer comes into it's own is also where the "rubber' meets the road", so to speak. That is to say, the flavor profile.

Nice and quite firm in the front-end, letting the malt and spicey twang shine. A nice alcohol bite in the middle, and fairly clean in the finish. The lemongrass addition was also an interesting change-of-pace for the style, that gave this beer some interesting dimensions to an otherwise solid Duvel clone.

Very much a distant relative to Stone's other Belgian offerings (esp. the so-so VE02, and the slightly more interesting VE04), but with a bit more "Stone-like boldness" than those two beers put-together.

Along those same lines, I wish that this recipe would be resurrected some time in the future, as either a standard offering (unlikely), or maybe as one of the Vertical Epic beers. Either way, this is a winner in my book, that I hope is still on-tap when I stop by OB's this Saturday after volunteering at the Craft Brewer's Trade Show and Conference... ;^)
//TB

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Orange gold color. Slightly hazy. Medium white thick foamy head. Aroma is yeasty, fruity and sweet. A medium bodied Belgian Ale. Malts are fruity, with orange, peaches and lemons being the most prevalent flavors. Bright yeasts and lots of them, the lemon grass really compliments the yeasts. Very smooth taste. This would make a good session beer, but at 7.5% alcohol, it makes it a little dangerous for that purpose. Very nice beer. I hope that we will see more collaboration between the Big Three San Diego Brewers. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

(bottle from Stone). Pours a perfectly clear, beautiful golden color with a frothy white head. Lots of champagne like bubbles. The appearance of this beer is excellent. Yes, it does look a bit like a pilsener. The flavors are slightly complex: it starts of feeling thick, sticky & sweet on the tongue but finishes dry and smooth. The taste reminds me of the Celis (TX) Grand Cru that used to be made. This is an excellent beer.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 6

Was expecting a Belgian Strong Ale...really? Anyways, this is a good beer -- golden, citrusy, lightly hopped -- but was not what I was expecting at all after all the hype. Stone DOES make much better!

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Is this really Stone that made this? This is simply the worst beer they make! Yellow appearance with a moderate head. Some honey and citrus flavor is present. Very watery and bland.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Poured a golden color with a nice off white head and lacing as well. Aroma of yeast, citrus, and light sweet malt. Taste of banana and citrus fruits, yeast, and some alcohol on the way down.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

This belgian ale pours iwth a light orange gold body topped by a medium thick white head with some lacing. The aroma is slightly sweet yet mostly bitter, salty and yeasty with slight banana notes, a touch of nutmeg, a slight grassiness and a hint of lemon. The flavor is slightly sweet but mostly salty with a slight maltiness, a touch of banana, a bitter grassiness, a touch of nutmeg and a hint of lemon. Light bodied, crisp and dry.