Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled in Summer 2008. Pours lightly hazy golden orange color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of orange zest, lemon, apple, pear, honey, bread, pepper, light pine, light clove, floral, grass, herbal, floral earthiness, and light yeast esters. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of hop notes and yeast esters. Taste of lemon, orange zest, apple, pear, honey, bread, light pine, pepper, clove, floral, grass, and floral earthiness. Slight floral bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, light fruits, honey, bread, floral, grass, light pepper, light pine, herbal, and floral earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice complexity and balance of hop flavors with yeast esters; with zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a fairly slick and lightly crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming present after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice Belgian strong ale! Very nice balance and complexity of hop flavor and yeast esters; and very smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 04:54:29 | More by superspak

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