Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

RandyBoBandy

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +6%

01-31-2013 01:38:12 | More by RandyBoBandy

SocalKicks

California

3.5/5  rDev -12.7%

06-19-2013 11:34:00 | More by SocalKicks

vfgccp

New York

3.93/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Opened June 2013

A - Bright gold body with a light haze. Nice, fine white head pours about a finger high. Ok retention and nice lace.

S - Unusual amount of dark dried fruits more typically found in dark belgian strong ales. Raisin, dried pear, dill, rosemary, muscat, amaretto. Little to no hop character - possibly due to age.

T - Herbal opening with thyme and rosemary. Pear and grape center with warm white booze. Touch of dry wood and a twang of cider-like acidity on the backend.

M - Silky smooth, light frame. Low carbonation, but it isn't much of a distraction.

O - More belgian light strong ale than belgian IPA, but the brew shines with a nice, well balanced flavor profile and a solid mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 02:04:54 | More by vfgccp

JohnnyMc

Ohio

3.86/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

Another one in the VE series! Just bought too!

Pours out a pretty hazy golden orange with a generous amount of a fluffy white head.

The aroma has some fruity yeast esters, a bit of spice, some clove, a bit of an orange peel, lemon zest, floral notes and a bit of bready malt.

The flavor has a decent amount of the floral and fruity esters, their is a very subtle amount of banana, clove and there is a decent white pepper type of spice. There are some faded hop type of notes, some orange rind and a bit of bready notes at the end. There is a touch of that lemon zest as well.

The body is medium and the mouthfeel is slightly creamy. The ABV is decently hidden, but I do get some warmth as it goes down. Decently bitter, but not over the top.

A Belgian Style IPA doesn't really suit this beer anymore. (I never had it fresh, but I assume it was a lot more hoppy) I would call this more along the lines of a Belgian Style Golden Ale now. It's good, but I feel like something is probably missing where the hops used to be.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 03:14:01 | More by JohnnyMc

RBassSFHOPit2ME

California

4/5  rDev -0.2%

06-05-2013 03:52:15 | More by RBassSFHOPit2ME

carteravebrew

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

06-04-2013 16:11:21 | More by carteravebrew

hiphopj5

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +6%

06-03-2013 16:25:41 | More by hiphopj5

n2185

North Carolina

3.36/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A: Pours a slightly murky gold with a finger of white head that fades into a frothy ring with little lacing.

S: Light spice notes at first followed by lots of candy sugar, caramel malts, and pear aromas. There are also some bubblegum and bread aromas mixed in.

T: Belgian spices here as well before candy sugar, sweet breads, caramel, and a light oxidation flavor kick in. The finish is yeasty with a surprising, though light, bitterness.

M: Medium body and carbonation, this beer isn't as light and crisp as I'd like, but avoids being too thick or sticky sweet.

O: Considering that this beer is 4.5 years old, it's not as bad as I was expecting. It's a little oxidized, but not enough so to ruin it.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 11:51:26 | More by n2185

SpdKilz

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

05-21-2013 02:20:13 | More by SpdKilz

ajzy

Wisconsin

2.75/5  rDev -31.4%

05-18-2013 13:16:58 | More by ajzy

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -19%

05-13-2013 22:27:45 | More by mikeincharleston

vrbulldog22

Ohio

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-13-2013 01:50:18 | More by vrbulldog22

koopa

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-12-2013 02:35:01 | More by koopa

DarthKostrizer

California

3.5/5  rDev -12.7%

05-10-2013 01:46:41 | More by DarthKostrizer

cadaugherty

Illinois

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-07-2013 23:15:24 | More by cadaugherty

beertardis

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev +6%

05-07-2013 09:43:42 | More by beertardis

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -0.2%

04-29-2013 01:45:46 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

beergoot

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

The beer appears a nice golden color with a small bubble, foamy white head. Floury aroma with hints of pear and apricot and a mild peppery spiciness. Nifty booze, malt, hop flavors come out with every sip; fruity esters combine with a rich malt flavors. Medium bodied, crisp and dry finish.

Bold and sharp beer with lots of interesting flavors. The hop aroma isn't very strong, but perhaps that's due to the age of the beer. Still, the grain/hop/ABV components make for an intense yet pleasurable tasting experience.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 22:39:36 | More by beergoot

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

04-27-2013 09:17:58 | More by Kelp

AlphaKingKegger

Ohio

4/5  rDev -0.2%

04-16-2013 03:50:54 | More by AlphaKingKegger

david131

Michigan

4/5  rDev -0.2%

04-13-2013 19:34:50 | More by david131

mdaschaf

Washington

3.96/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Brouwers on 12/12/12. Review from notes.

A: Lighter golden color, crystal clear with a small off-white head that reduces quickly. Small bits of lacing.

S: Tons of lemons right away. A bit of orange and vanilla with a good bit of grass.

T: Again, lots of citrus - mostly lemon and orange. A bit of caramel and grainy malt.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, slightly bitter finish.

O: Quite good, definitely surprised at how citrus forward and hoppy this beer still was. Could be my favorite of the group.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2013 23:50:39 | More by mdaschaf

ShemRahBoo

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

04-08-2013 16:27:11 | More by ShemRahBoo

jvillefan

California

4/5  rDev -0.2%

04-06-2013 23:52:31 | More by jvillefan

leedorham

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%

04-06-2013 15:01:58 | More by leedorham