Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

mmmbeer

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle, sampled January '09. Brewed with pale, wheat, Munich and Vienna malts, blonde candi sugar, Glacier and Crystal hops, powdered ginger and cardamom, dried grapefruit, orange and lemon peel, and fermented with a blend of White Labs 550, 565 and 566 yeasts. The beer pours a glowing, bright topaz (think orange Triaminic), with a bit of sediment that punctuates the nice clarity, and is topped with a half inch of near white head that has almost no staying power. Ginger and cardamom start off the nose, followed by a light maltiness, lemon/orange, a phenolic edge, and a big backing of yeast. Some alcohol is noticeable later on. On the palate, it's a mix of spices and Belgian yeast, but the yeast plays second fiddle. Fruity and tropical, citric, a bit medicinal, with a medium bitterness and some sweetness in the back. Thick and chewy, it has a crisp and numbing tingle that makes way for a dry finish. This one comes across more as a saison or a spicy tripel, and tastes pretty good, but the spices can be a bit too much. Would be interested in trying this after it has aged to a year or two.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2009 17:17:11 | More by mmmbeer

Kendo

New York

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from the bomber into a Chimay chalice. First pour is clear; some sediment floaties from second half of the bottle. Body is glowing dark golden/amber-coppery with a small cream-colored head that settles fast. No lacing at all.

S: Wow -- strong nose of candied sugar, spices and some yeasty-ness. At times this reminds me of a white wine (I was thinking chardonnay), at other times I'm thinking peach licquor (if there is such a thing), as I get some sort of apricot or peach-like fruit. Waft of alcohol noted as it warms a bit.

T: First impression: candied orange slices and light ginger. Heat is felt down the gulley and then in the belly. Overall impression is of sweetness: candied sugar and lingering ginger spice. Hint of citrus (orange and lemon), but otherwise no real hop presence. Wondering if maybe there was more when this beer was fresh. . . .

M: Smooth in feel -- slightly syrupy, actually, though that is offset by a nice, fine carbonation. I'd call it medium in weight.

D: Good. A sipper due to the sweetness and slightly thick feel, but the heat is moderate and it's tasty enough to want to take that next sip.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2009 01:57:33 | More by Kendo

GilGarp

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Several bottles were sitting in the basement already when I came across one at my local beer-selling establishment and decided to see how it was aging.

Served cool into a goblet. It has a ton of chunky sediment at the bottom of the bottle which I try not to disturb. It pours a hazy golden orange color with thin white head that settles quickly.

Aroma is really enjoyable with lemon citrus, wonderful spiciness, and some yeast funk. The spices are floral in nature, maybe some corriander.

Flavor is also very citrusy, almost tart, with lemon zest, orange pith, and grapefruit. The spices liven it up making it like a holiday spiced beer. Hops are basically nonexistant but it's possible they are totally overwhelmed by the tart/sour citrus fruit. It's pleasant overall but stragely challenging at times.

Mouthfeel is medium in body and moderate carbonation. Drinkability is alright but I wonder how much better (or worse) this will be in 3 or 4 years.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2009 00:25:50 | More by GilGarp

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep gold color with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of ginger spice, citrus, light caramelized malts, some Belgian yeast and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts with a strong bite of ginger that is followed by flavors of citrus, Belgian yeast and caramel. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy and there's a mild hops presence, but I didn't find the type of balance that you normally find in a Stone product. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: A little tasty if you like the spicy bite, goes down ok, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, Stone doesn't disappoint me very often, but this is one of those rare times.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2009 03:19:21 | More by TheManiacalOne

SirSketch

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Part of an '07, '08, '09 vertical

A - Cloudy orange with bright yellow highlights. Very thin head with thick legs.

S - I couldn't stop sniffing this beer. The primary aromas are dark fruits, mainly rum raisin and plums, possibly from crystal malt. Some biscuity malt in the background.

T - Delicious melody of fruits, with slight acidity similar to white wine. Seems at first it will end heavy but is surprisingly crisp. Barely detectable hop presence.

M/D - Finishes sticky and dry. Drinkable enough that it makes me want to gulp it, but it is worth appreciation.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2009 02:44:52 | More by SirSketch

eyeamthewind

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured on october 17th '9 from a 22 oz bottled on 7/7/'7.

Pours a creamy gold with white head. Effervescent bubbles remain at least 20 min.

The smell of the bottle upon opening is like a dry white wine with mint on top and caramel beneath. When poured the hops open up and present a huge array of citrus and herbal scents with the slight mint still present. Nice dusty hop aroma as it warms up.

Tastes deliciously chewy and complex; really grips the mouth.
Definite pine and mint notes with light citrus hints, mostly grapefruit.

This is a pleasure in the mouth. The alcohol feels suspended in the round body. Coats the back of the throat in a tingly dryness.

Pretty drinkable; strong with the alcohol well covered but there was a heavy mintiness for me that may have been unique to this bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2009 04:11:36 | More by eyeamthewind

JRhode

California

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle with jhamel poured into a Palm tulip.

Nice glowing amber color with a pillowy head. No lacing. Suspended sediment.

Citrusy sweet malt smell with a tinge of alcohol. Smells more like a saison than a triple.

Soon after pouring tasted very saison like with a nice dry finish. After warming, alcohol astringency/bitterness became more apparent. Possible that citrus peel also contributes to bitter finish.

Full bodied with lively carbonation.

Very drinkable for 8.4% abv.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2009 03:36:47 | More by JRhode

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On cask at Stone World Bistro & Gardens on 7/10/09.

A - Hazy amber/orange body with thin off-white head that receded to a patchy film, then finally nothing, leaving behind only thin strands of lacing on the glass.

S - Caramel malts and aged citrusy and hemp-like hops combine to create a very mellow, subtle nose. Hints of toffee, sugar and orange also emerge, followed by a waft of alcohol.

T - Sweet malty flavor with caramel and toffee at the forefront. Hop character is muted, suggesting hints of citrus fruit. The brew possesses a subtle boozy alcohol warmth, though it is not harsh at all. Flavor is very mellow overall.

M - Very smooth, mellow mouthfeel with a syrupy texture. Finishes with a mild alcohol warmth and scant hop bitterness on the palate.

D - This Vertical Epic transformed into a very subtle, mellow brew due to a bit of aging and cask conditioning. Quite tasty overall.

Serving type: cask

07-20-2009 03:43:16 | More by ffejherb

MrRetardedMonkey

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes taken a few nights ago.

Pours a deep amber with orange highlights and a two-finger pillowy off-white head that fades slowly to a thin cap and sticky ring. Spotty lacing.

Smell is great: lots of orange peel and grapefruit rind, ginger, Belgian yeast, and a touch of caramel.

Taste starts off spicy with some ginger, along with some bitter orange peel and grapefruit rind. The Belgian yeast kicks in with a faint mustiness. There is an underlying sweetness, but is largely overshadowed by the spice. Finishes very dry with more ginger flavor.

Medium-bodied, extremely carbonated mouthfeel.

Nose is awesome and the taste is great, but the carbonation is a bit distracting and the spice is a bit much at times.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2009 20:04:53 | More by MrRetardedMonkey

womencantsail

California

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Got one of the first pours off the cask. Beautiful yellow/pale golden color, very little head.

S: Very floral, spice, some fruits (but not as much as many other Belgian ales), and that familiar yeasty character.

T: This is quite sweet and fruity (particularly oranges) with a mild spice and yeast flavor to it. Not too much in the way of hops.

M: Medium body, not a ton of carbonation (obviously, being on cask).

D: Would have enjoyed drinking from the cask all afternoon, but I was driving.

Serving type: cask

07-12-2009 03:11:31 | More by womencantsail

wampahoofus

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer pours light amber with very little head. A good deal of cabonation is present.

The aroma is a bit floral and fruity. The alcohol is present in the aroma as well.

The taste is a crisp, malty, sweetness with a the belgian yeast sitting in the background.

The sweetness lingers nicely on the roof of the mouth.

This is a very pleasent sipper.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2009 01:29:43 | More by wampahoofus

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A 22 ounce bomber bottle poured into my trust Duvel tulip. The ale appears a hazed crimson tinged amber color with at least two fingers of creamy bone white foam. I can smell this beer from at least an arms length away. I'm smelling and tasting notes of apricots, ginger, citrus such a oranges, lemons and grapefruit essence, ripe peach, subtly spicy peppery yeast, sweet candied apples. Dry finish with still a bit of alcohol coming through. This ale is about medium bodied with more than ample carbonation. Can't wait to see how this one develops even further.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2009 03:47:02 | More by ClockworkOrange

thirtysixbelow

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a - a hazy light golden brown color with very minimal head

s - yeast, lemon, and ginger seem to be the main aroma components

t - sweet up front with a lot of ginger and a hint of lemon, the yeast holds out all the way though the aftertaste. There is a decent amount of hops to balance out the flavor that kicks in towards the end

m - surprising amount of carbonation given the lack of head, medium light body

d - overall above average brew. it is light and something different, but it seems to miss something spectacular.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2009 05:17:22 | More by thirtysixbelow

OlieIPA

California

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The second of our "epic" night...lol...I kill myself.

A: The same style as the 08 VE, this beer possess more carbonation, along with a darker appearance...resembling a color more similar to a dark amber than a golden hue. Lacing is less impressive than the previous beer, but head retention is greater.

S: I told my friends I got a minty-like aroma...Mauerhan said more medicinal....so I guess it's something inbetween the two. Hop profile has disappeared since the first time I devoured this beverage, and the malt presence has taken over.

T: Again, a mint/medicinal flavor profile that is enhanced a bit by the alcohol...I know, that sounds weird. There also seems to be a nice balance of sweet malts and spearmint taste, which might be contributed to the Belgian spices.

M: More than enough carbonation, a beefy body, and nice lingering taste.

D: Easy to drink, better than the 07', but on the other hand...nothing spectacular!

Overall: A good beer...nothing crazy. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2009 04:13:06 | More by OlieIPA

webmanspidey

Michigan

3.43/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber I picked up a few days ago poured into Duvel tulip glass.

Golden amber color... very fizzy with lots of head.

The smell of this one is really funky... apples, pears, grapes, Vernors ginger ale, lemon.

Initial flavor is very sweet and "fresh", some kind of spearmint with pears and maybe rosemary or thyme. Finish is strong alcoholic flavors and a hint of metallic influences. Very strange and unique, but I don't know if its something I really enjoy. Despite the strength, it isn't that overpowering but the odd flavor takes some getting used to. Mouthfeel is very fizzy.

A strange colleciton of spices for a beer but not terrible. Worth trying, but I probably won't seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2009 00:35:26 | More by webmanspidey

deanhead

Vermont

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Golden hazy and highly effervescent. Voluminous head disappated into a small lace of bubbles clinging to my goblet .
Aroma is of pears, ginger, rum and quince.
Tastes of coriander and spice
Light bodied and crisp. Very clean tasting beer.
While I did enjoy this beer, it certainly wasn't my favorite vertical beers from stone.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2009 23:57:09 | More by deanhead

FtownThrowDown

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a yellow golden color with little to no head, but with plenty of carbonation racing from the bottom of the glass. This beer is completely see-thru, no sediment floating around. Smell is viny, and saison like. I get coriander, lemon zest, and some spice coming through as well. The mouthfeel is bubbly and it is very easy drinking. The cellaring potential on this one is huge. Can't wait to taste this gem at 1 year intervals.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2009 01:04:05 | More by FtownThrowDown

jjanega08

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A= pours a beautiful hazy prange color with a nice thhree finger head and sticky lacing
S= yeast spice, with some apples and cherry odors as well
T= very nice yeast that's balanced with a strong malt character. Tasty notes of apple and cherry as expected. Aged very well.
M= crisp and stightly smooth that you can tell is from time
D= pretty good, one of the best of my least favorite styles but it's growing on me a lot and this beer is helping. Thanks to johngailt for this one of course.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2009 01:53:33 | More by jjanega08

jujubeast6000

Texas

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed 11/28/2007 (bottle):

Pours a dark amber-reddish color, not cloudy at all. Small head, whitish, diminishing. Spicy floral aroma, some hops, but very spicy. Fruity, dark and a little musky. Spicy floral, sweet aftertase. White grapes, some muskiness. Hoppy floral taste. Very clean aftertaste. Very tasty light taste, but kind of watery.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2009 23:35:46 | More by jujubeast6000

Trappissed

California

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Kind of sweet with dark fruit flavors and a pleasant lingering aftertaste. Some yeast traces in the nose as well as the taste. Impressive neverending head and sticky lacing. Lots of carbonation in appearance, but not so much in the taste thankfully. Nice clear amber hue. Semi-chewy mouthfeel. Touch of grapes in the nose as well as the flavor.

Probably the best take I've had so far on an American version of this style. I'm not sure how much different this would have tasted fresh, but it seems that a couple of years has done some good to this. I would seek this out again. The fruit definitely outweighs the yeasty taste, which leaves a good impression. For $6.50, I feel that I got a great deal on this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2009 04:03:03 | More by Trappissed

armock

New York

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured an orangish copper color with a white head that leaves lacing

S - Is of fruit yeast and spice notes

T - Follows the smell citrus fruit with yeast and spice

M - This beer has a medium body with high carbonation to it

D - This was a good Belgian style beer thats pretty easy to drink wish I had more than the one bottle to save for a vertical

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2009 22:56:22 | More by armock

jdubjacket

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cracked a bottle of this open last night. Pours a copper orange with almost no head. Smell is primarily citrus with a mixture of spices blended in. Taste starts off very similar to a witte beer and finishes with a complex number including grapefruit, spices, and malt. I was hoping for a little more carbonation in the beer, but it suffices. Overall, another fantastic offering from Stone.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2009 22:09:22 | More by jdubjacket

colts9016

Idaho

4.58/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a brandy snifter and let decant for about 20 minutes at 45 degrees.

Appearance: A beautiful orange color with a nice amber hue. The clarity of the beer is hazy and there is particles in the bottom of the snifter. The head is a nice rocky foamy white and is two finger and slowly dissipated down to a nice ring around the brandy snifter.

Nose: A nice ripe pear, and orange with a nice fruity ester. There is a nice toasted malt that is nice biscuit aroma.

Taste: There is wonder balance between hops and malt. There a very smooth malt character with an orange and pear flavors. A nice subtle spiciness that is blended well in the beer. There is a biscuit and a toasty hints and a nice sweetness at the end.

Overall: Wow. is all I could say for the first sip. The mouth feel is creamy and slightly carbonated. The finish is slightly acidic and bitter leaving a pleasant finish on the palate. This is why I am Stone Brewery fan. The beer is awesome. The Alcohol is well hidden within the make up of the beer. The beer is well made and I think I found a new favorite style of beer beside Imperials. The balance is so delicate and fine.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2009 23:21:53 | More by colts9016

thekevlarkid

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Off the tap at Stone Night in Burlington this beer was a bright orange-amber color in my goblet. The head was short lived but as a thin cream-colored collar it left scattered lacing and stuck around quite a while. The aroma was surprisingly light, floral and citrus hops, light spiciness and hints of honey. The flavors, however, were monstrous compared to the bouquet. The flavors were a nice arc that started with a semi-sweet note that then went spicy before going to a bitter finish. Bright hops added lemon and grapefruit, tangy orange peel, and white grapes. The alcohol nip was present and Belgian yeast added complexity and a 'twang' at the finish that I had mixed feelings about. The mouthfeel was semi-creamy, the body full and the carbonation still quite active.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2009 01:35:17 | More by thekevlarkid

everetends

Alabama

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bomber thanks to my first trade with Redwood21. Served this puppy up in a snifter and I hope it hasn't experienced any negative effects since I forgot it was there.

A: Pours a pretty nice orange honey color. Held to light it has a lot more orange character to it. The intial pour yielded a nice cream colored finger of head. The head diminishes rather quickly to a thin ring that rests on top. The ring does produce some decent lacing.

S: Whoa. At first smell I get a ton of brandy type smells coming out. Really knock you on your ass, brandy. As it warms, this smell subtles out. Some really nice pickled ginger comes out later along with some anise seed? Very interesting. There is also a nice malt presence that has a touch of orange sweetness mingling in there.

T: Wow we put some ginger in here did we Stone? Lots of crazy ginger flavor coming out here. Then comes some nice orange and grapefruit flavors that I imagine are the hops presence. Still nicely sweet and enjoyable. The malt is thick and just the right amount of sweetness coming from there. There is also just a spice rack of spices going on here and it seems that a different flavor comes out from each sip. Other notable tastes are clove, yeast, and mint. Nice.

M: Pretty nice medium bodied brew on the heavy side. This brew has some decent sticky qualities to it. ABV is light in the feel, lighter than the nose would lea you to believe. The aftertaste is mostly some nice citrus fruit and sweet malty goodness. Carbonation is medium but this is not exactly crisp.

D: This brew is pretty nice. It has its high points and low points in each category. Overall, I would say this was enjoyable but it wasn't all that easy of drinker. Not bad and sure as hell solid.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2009 06:35:35 | More by everetends