Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

glid02

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on-tap at the Brick Store in Atlanta.

Pours a clear golden color with a one-finger white head. The head recedes into a thin pancake on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of equal amounts light fruits - bananas and pears - and herbal, slightly citrus hops. As it warms floral hop aromas join in the mix.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Sweet malt flavors up front are soon joined by fresh banana and pear flavors. Midway through the sip the hop flavors - herbal grapefruit - enter into things and carry through to a mildly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with active carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I had no problem finishing the glass and could easily have a few of these.

Overall this was a tasty beverage and I was surprised at how well the hops held up. Definitely worth a try, even this late in the game.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2009 19:37:29 | More by glid02

HalfFull

California

3.6/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a crystal clear golden in color with a bit of an orange hue. Not much head or retention, or lacing for that matter.

Smell is initially thin(too cold?) but becomes more and more inviting. Hoppy to start, and segueing to a spicy nose. A touch rich and malty and later offering some rather funky yeast notes.

Taste is decent but I sense it needs time, as is the goal of this brew. A simple sweetness is present that will surely mature, coupled with some interesting fruit and vanilla spice notes.

I find that this brew is rather dry on the finish and offers a strong carbonated close. The ABV is relatively hidden without employing a rich malty flavor.

Four years from now???

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2008 06:09:29 | More by HalfFull

opwog

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Now listening to: Jose Feliciano - Chico and the Man

I previously did a review of this in bottle, but the tap was different enough that it is worth noting. The head held up much better from a tap pour than it did when I was pouring from bottle, at home. Also, there were tastes of sour and fruit that were present in the tap version, that I never tasted at all in the bottle, through any stage of the process. All of this made the mouthfeel and drinkability that much better.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2008 08:10:16 | More by opwog

charlzm

California

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

ORIGINAL REVIEW WHEN FRESH (rating numbers reflect this):

Consumed 08/09/08 at Blue Palms, Hollywood, CA.

Clear, light golden pour in a tulip glass with a two finger white head. The head subsides soon into a little layer of foam that provides moderate lacing.

The aroma is hoppy; odd for a Belgian of this style but not surprising considering the source. Muted pine and citrus mingle with cloves in the nostrils.

Flavor is somewhat sweet, dominated by clove. Hoppy notes appear near end as pepper. Only slightly dry on the palate. I'd say it compares favorably with Duvel, but doesn't equal that benchmark.

Took me a while to finish my smallish glass; this beer is heavier than it seems at first.

Very good beer and worth having if you can get it.
___

Consumed on January 20th, 2013 at a private Vertical Epic tasting.

Beer pours a light burnished gold. Slightly cloudy, it exhibits no head and lazy, minimal carbonation.

Aroma is floral and estery: mildly sweet.

Flavor has a marked wheat component and a juicy, melanoidin character. Sweet. Finish is a dash of bitter lemon.

Mouthfeel is still, thin and slightly astringent.

Seems to have held up well, but not gained anything from the aging.

APP - 2.5
SM - 3
T - 2.75
MOUTH - 2.5
OVER - 2.75

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2008 01:06:08 | More by charlzm

cjgator3

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a golden orange color with an off-white head.

S- The aroma is fruity malt (pears, mango and pineapple) with some spices. The belgian yeast is evident in the aroma producing the fruity flavors.

T- The taste like the aroma is sweet and fruity with some spices dancing around on the tongue, along with the yeast and some alcohol warmth in the finish.

M- The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

D- A little boozy, but that is to be expected with a beer of this strength. Very good brew.

Overall, the 08 vertical epic is another fantastic beer from Stone. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2008 18:26:10 | More by cjgator3

illidurit

California

4.3/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Stone Bistro during RBSG 08. Pours gold with a peach hue. Head is rather similar to that of fizzy yellow beers. Poor retention, little lace. Aromas of fresh tropical hops: mango, pineapple. Some banana in there as well, from the wheat. Flavors of Belgian yeast, banana, mango hops. Kind of like if someone made a fresh hop Belgian IPA. Mostly sweet with a touch of bitterness in the finish. Clean on the palate.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2008 21:35:27 | More by illidurit

TheBCrew

New York

4.18/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sampled at BCTC 2008.

Pours somewhat cloudy light amber color with an off-white head and moderate amount of lacing. Aroma is sweet, fruity with some grapefruit and piney. Taste to match with a good hoppy assertiveness followed by a sweet maltiness. The Stone rep said this was a strong tripel; it was quite tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2008 20:35:28 | More by TheBCrew

Nickls

District of Columbia

4.22/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

BCTC 2008 Sample

A - Orange/straw in appearance, with just a tad bit of haze

S - Light touches of fruit (kinda like passion fruit to me) with some hoppiness

T - Wow, this was good stuff. A bit hoppier than perhaps a more traditional Belgian Pale, but holds all the characteristic yeasty flavor, with some fruitiness.

M - Not overly mouth-filling, with an almost creamy texture

D - The alcohol is completely hidden in this, and that makes for a dangerously drinkable brew. I could have kept drinking this all afternoon...

Thought this was a standout beer at the festival, and definitely worth a try when it comes out in bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2008 19:34:42 | More by Nickls

Billolick

New York

4.75/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Sampled several times at BCTC, and then from a small growler and enjoyed 2 days later at home (now)

From the Stone website, "The Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale is a Strong Golden Belgian style ale highly hopped with American hops (Ahtanum, Amarillo and Simcoe)."

The comment heard most often by samplers at the fest was simply "WOW"

Pours clear, medium honey amber, glistening with golden and light orange shimmers, head is off white, tiny bubble and leaving scattered fine lacing.

Nose picked up plenty of mint, pineapple, melon, berries and assorted fresh fruit nuances.

Absolutely delicious creation in brewing, Belgian yeasty notes, banana, citrus, piney hops, more pineapple, a plethora of fruity notes, dry spiced up/ light peppery finish...WOW...yummy...my favorite style...(hoppy Belgian strong pale ale/tripel/whatever you want to call it)

Stone rocks and this is another fine example of their craft

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2008 19:47:42 | More by Billolick

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

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

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

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

nova009

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've been waiting a long time to try this one
Poured from a bomber into a tulip

A- pours a clear and bring orangish-copper color, big fluffy two finger head appears a sticks around leaving lots of good lace along the glass, steady stream of bubbles rises to the surface

S- very floral, nice boquet, fruity belgian yeast, clove, orange peel, a slight hoppiness, a little bubblegum as well

T- creamy, lots of fruity belgian yeast, clove, pepper and the spiciness that comes with it, finishes dry with a little bit of grass, virtually all of the hop presence has dissipated

M- medium body, fairly high carbonation, starts creamy and finishes dry, the flavor hits you right in the middle of the tongue

O- this was a solid beer, I was a little ancy with the prospect of an aged IPA but this was still pretty tasty, the belgian flavors really took over, interested to see how the remaining epic bottles finish

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 23:54:53 | More by nova009

MasterSki

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Yet another Vertical Epic I purchased long ago, probably at Discount Liquor.

A - Golden hazed body is topped by an off-white foam that settles to a collar, wisps, and spotty lacing.

S - Smells like an aged Belgian golden ale, with peppery, phenolic yeast notes, stone fruits, and a bit of lemon. Hops are long gone, but there isn't any overt oxidation either.

T - The taste is a bit more smoothed out, with light caramel, lemon, stone fruits, honey, and a tangy and lightly sour finish.

M - Smooth, medium-full body. Dry finish, lower carbonation, and a bit of residual alcohol heat.

D - This is the first one in the series that seemed even remotely 'Belgian'. The rest could have been confused for old English ales of some sort. Still, nothing exceptional, but at least resembles the advertised description.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 04:55:19 | More by MasterSki

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.91/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

had as part of a big VE tasting at the end of the world party, thanks to Mark for sharing.

Decent fizzy head, light lacing, hazzy carrot orange color.

Nose is nice Belgian again, bright malts, light tropical fruits even, hint guava and pear, malty, sweet, tangerine, etc.

Taste sweetish malts, aged tasting, fluffy, candy malts, light citrus, tangerine and pear, fluffy Belgian malts, light citrus, light esters and hint of booze.

Mouth is med to fuller bodied, decent carb for the age.

Overall OK, again would probably have been much better fresh, but decent.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 02:37:53 | More by jlindros

cbutova

Massachusetts

3.79/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Reviewed from notes on 02/02/2013.

A- Bottle pour to pint glass with a hazy golden body and a foamy white head that is about one finger in size. Decent retention and creamy thick ring leaves good lace rings.

S- Pretty weak strength overall. Mostly just get aged European spicy hops and some aged light caramel.

T- Most affected by age so far out of the VEs we tried. Still some hop character like spicy, fruity herbal Euro hops. Light caramel, lemon, oxidation and coridander.

MF- Slightly creamy feel with low-medium carbonation. Medium bitter finish.

Aged IPA feel but somewhat solid still. Herbal and floral with that aged light caramel feel.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 04:13:00 | More by cbutova

Treebs

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle served in a CCB snifter.

A: Pours a light amber color with a frothy white head forming on the pour. Recedes slowly leaving some sticky splotches of lace down the glass.

S: Fruity and flowery hop notes some mild citrus as well. A little honey sweetness with some bready malts. Light background yeasty spice.

T: Stone fruits, fruity esters and some spicy. Light paper with some sweet malts.

M: Medium bodied with a medium carbonation level. Light level of bitterness on the finish.

O: The hops were still around as well as the light spiciness from the yeast. The hops just weren't as potent, obviously, but it definitely wasn't bad.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 02:47:37 | More by Treebs

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

Beejay

Virginia

4.14/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed: 2-3-13

A: Pale amber brown, a bit of white head, but not a huge amount. Slightly hazy.

S: Caramel and sweet, some light citrus fruit with some pine scents.

T: Nice sweetness, good caramel with a nice spice and citrus flavor. Some good yeasty character, and a touch of hot alcohol. All in all pretty good.

M: Medium light in body. Very active carbonation, and a dry finish.

O: Overall very nice. The flavor and mouthfeel are really nice. Even 5 years after it was brewed, this beer is pretty solid. Surprised it is still a little hot, but great.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 22:58:42 | More by Beejay

Philousa

California

2.8/5  rDev -30.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5

Purchased this from Lone Hill Liquor a year ago. I wouldn't have purchased something that someone else aged, but I know that Lone Hill takes good care of their product so I'm assuming it was aged properly.

Pours a very pale gold, clear with a wispy bone colored head. Tiny bubbles form with a swirl and pack in tightly until it mostly dissipates. Aroma starts with green apple, pear, white grape, and clove. Lots of sweet Belgian notes up front, almost sickeningly so. I also get a slightly papery aroma. There isn't as much carbonation as expected. I don't get much in the way of hops because of the age, I presume. So far this is turning out to be a Belgian Golden Strong. Flavor has caramel, biscuit, and honey with sweet, flowery nectar. Some allspice goes up the noes and brings out a bitter candied sugar flavor. Bitter hops are woody and earthy. Feel is appropriate for the style, finish is very dry.

This gets better as it warms. The caramel comes out and the spicy phenols calm down. I really want to try this when it's young. I think that if anyone can duplicate Houblon Chouffe's success it could be Stone. I have to dock points for saying that this should be aged, though. This is a novelty by now and a poor marketing trick. If only I knew this before I started buying the series.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 04:49:00 | More by Philousa

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.76/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I was fortunate to try this last night at an epic tasting held by my good friend Mike, thanks for the opportunity MrBarleywine!
Pours a slightly hazy light golden color with a smallish off white head that sticks for a bit. The aroma is lemony with a touch of hop still evident and a nice spicy and fruity aroma to balance the sweetness of a bready and sweet maltiness. The flavor is sweet and spicy with light sugar with a touch of lemon and citrus Light hop flavor still evident, but certainly faded. Moderate level of carbonation with a light body and a sweet mouthfeel. Decent brew that may have held up better than expected. Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 03:17:20 | More by johnnnniee

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.74/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

the last of my vertical series, so unless i get lucky and come across one of the real old ones, this will be it. i never had it fresh, so i cant comment on how its changed over time, although i imagine that the hop intensity and carbonation have both taken hits over the last 5 years. the pour is a slightly cloudy bright golden color with less than an inch of white head. when the heads gone, it looks about flat. the nose is hop oils and light cerealy malt, with a huge dose of belgian yeast. the hops dont have as much taste as they probably did, not very bitter at all, but theres still some citrus notes in here, and the yeast is as flavorful as ever, with some moderate spice quality to it, and a hint of banana. lacking bubbles from its age i think, that really hurts its cause, but the medium body is just right for the subtle flavors, and the finish is long and complex. overall i wasnt blown away by this, and i think its lost some of its mojo compared to the others in the series that got so much better with age, but it was still an enjoyable brew in every sense.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 20:35:08 | More by StonedTrippin

Doppelbockulus

Florida

4.01/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into the Vertical Epic glass. Omitted the yeast for the first pour.

Clear, very yellow gold with a thin film of white foam.

Smells like light grapefruit peel and yeast. The hop character is fading.

Taste is clean and semisweet with a touch of grapefruit peel.

Mouthfeel is almost flat and slightly tannic.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 19:32:10 | More by Doppelbockulus