Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This brew was served on draft at the Tap and Mallet Vertical Epic tasting event. It arrived in a tasting glass, showing a solid golden yellow coloring. No real head was noted, but rings of white lacing punctuated the bare glass. No haze or sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared active. The aroma gave strong Belgian yeast, citric hoppy bite, and bright phenolic plastics. With warmth came more floral and soapy hop varietals, light mustard seed, faint medicinals, and fusel booziness. Our first impression was that this beer was excellent for the style, and very soothing and mellow. As we sipped, the flavoring opened with nectary citric hops, fusel boozy bite, and juicy citric pop against toasted and chalky pale grain. The middle peaked with the bite of Belgian yeast, toasted Belgian pales, metallics and soured mash grain, and the continued background undertones of citric and lightly floral hop bitterness. The balance is superb. The finish mellows things completely, with citric rind and flesh, nectary and citric hops, pale toasty malts, and that same smooth Belgian yeast. The aftertaste breathes of a plastic phenolic bite to balance the citric and nectary hops, a sweet flash of peach and apple sugars, and the final metallic twang of yeastiness. The body was light to medium, and the carbonation was medium. There was nice froth and cream to each sip, with decent slurp and finish pop. There was no real coating or overt dryness noted. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank very nicely.

Overall, what we liked most about this brew was the flavoring. This beer is terrific for the style, with a nice bite of phenolic plastics and medicinals to hold against the bright, yet mellowed, hoppy smoothness, and malty sweetness. Things remained equally as calm through the nose and the mouthfeel. Some might find the beer light to this point, but we interpreted all this as balance and smoothness, rather than a letting up of strength.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2012 14:25:22 | More by TheBrewo

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

robbrandes

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

04-03-2013 06:06:42 | More by robbrandes

DavidRose

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

03-24-2013 22:08:41 | More by DavidRose

m0unds

New Mexico

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%

03-20-2013 03:57:56 | More by m0unds

DruRho

Maryland

4/5  rDev -0.2%

03-18-2013 23:57:27 | More by DruRho

chippo33

Vermont

3.25/5  rDev -19%

03-13-2013 23:15:14 | More by chippo33

obywan59

Virginia

3.4/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours a golden to orangey copper in color with a pure white 1 1/2 finger head that leaves a bit of nice sticky lacing. First glass was perfectly clear, but the second was rather cloudy with large sediment particles suspended throughout, but more thickly towards the top.

A little Belgian funk. Spicy citrus or faint mulled cider with honey. Spice is mainly clove. An occasional whiff of bubblegum and alcohol.

Faintly sweet but fairly dry. Cloves seem more distinct here. Some light tart citrus and a bit over balanced by a somewhat harsh bitterness in the first glass. In the second glass, the bitterness was less obtrusive.

Faint prickle from the light carbonation. Medium-full bodied. Drying to the point of astringency. Decent burn of alcohol.

The taste was the worst aspect for me, the bitterness was a detraction. The carbonation was weak, but the alcohol still seemed potent. Maybe it suffered for being in the fridge for 4 1/2 years?? I first drank this before I started doing reviews, but I'm pretty certain it was a lot better back then. It's not without merit, but If were still made, I wouldn't buy it again at this stage.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 02:09:34 | More by obywan59

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

03-09-2013 22:57:16 | More by spycow