Stone 10.10.10 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a Dogfish snifter

A- pours a cloudy shade of light yellow with a half finger offwhite head that fades quickly. Eh, whatever

S- the grapes come through mainly in the forefront with some hints of the chamomile slipping in near the back. Solid enough, not overly vinous

T- there is a definite sweetness from the grapes in the finish. The chamomile opens very subtlely, and I feel that the beer is rather dry as well. Comparing to to Dogfish's Noble Rot, I prefer DFH's take on a vinous beer

M- for a 9.5% beer, the body on this one is really light, and it's very drinkable as well

O- this isn't bad by any means, but I can definitely see why people wouldn't like it. Personally, I do enjoy when beers are made with grapes in the style of a wine, and this one is no exception

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 23:53:41 | More by bigfnjoe

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a crystal clear deep golden color with a huge fluffy white head that slowly recedes but leaves a fair amount of sticky lace on the sides on the way down. The aroma is filled with light brown sugar, sweet candy sugar and malts along with prunes, grapes, raisins, and a non descript floral smell. The flavor is much like the aroma promised. Sweet malts and dark sugars alongside dark pitted fruit. The flavor is quite vinous, but the caramel from the malt counters that quite nicely. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet light syrupy mouthfeel. This is the second time I've tried this beer, and honestly when fresh I really didn't like it, it was too winey for my tastes. That being said, age seems to have done wonders for this brew and all of the ingredients seem to have melded quite nicely.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 03:05:25 | More by johnnnniee

BuckyFresh

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes. Thanks to TCHopCraver for supplying this treat!

Appearance: Poured from a 22oz bomber into a large tulip glass. Color is a slightly hazy straw yellow with a white one-finger head. The head itself is big-bubbled and has decent staying power. Lacing is good as well. Little carbonation is visible in the glass, but there are some little floaties making their way about the glass.

Smell: The aroma is grassy, with some citrus and a Belgian mineral/yeasty influence. Also present is an undercurrent of white wine aroma.

Taste: Not really what I expected. Taste like a semi-dry white wine. Very minerally and not much bite. After taste is like that of a white wine, but maybe a bit sweeter. That presence lingers on quite a while after swallowing as well.

Mouthfeel: A little on the full side of medium-bodied and sweet. Aftertaste has staying power and is like that of a sweet white wine.

Overall: A unique beer, but a bit one-dimensional. It really tastes more like a glass of wine than a beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 14:41:46 | More by BuckyFresh

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.8/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Original review from 2010: Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a medium orange amber. Thin head and minimal lacing. Sweet malt spice and citrus aroma. Vinous. Sweet malt, sweet wine. Odd spicy and sour finish. Probably the chamomile Light to medium bodied. Not too tasty right now. My least favorite of the Vertical Epics so far.
Rereviewed with a properly cellared bottle in 2012:
Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a medium golden amber. Very active half finger white head on pouring dissipated instantly to a thin ring around the glass; carbonated like a soda. Mild aroma of fresh apple juice with a hint of Belgian spicing and white wine. Flavor of sweet malt, apple and grape juice, finishes with light hops and chamomile, which leaves a slightly earthy, herbal bitterness. Light to medium bodied. Flavors have developed nicely over two years and this tastes much more like a classic tripel with chamomile replacing the coriander for sharp spicing. Interesting that the vinous quality has changed to a distinct apple quality. I liked this quite a bit and clearly better than I did in the original review.
Original rating: 3.5,3,3,3.5,3.5
Replaced with my current rating.
The appearance got a lower rating because it was boring and lack a head in the glass. Flavor and overall rating were raised. I think this is a fair assessment of improvement in aging, but I have also become more in tune with the tripel style, which I like a lot better than I did several years ago.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 04:00:35 | More by LiquidAmber

DonDirkA

Arizona

4.25/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

20 month old bottle, poured into a Belgian tulip glass.

You can definitely smell the white wine tones in there. Lemons, grapes, orange zest and various fresh citrus scents. Grassy, herbal tea notes wind throughout. I feel like I'm picking up some vanilla in there too. Overall, it smells fantastic. Bitter, slightly boozey grape, lemon and tart tangerine flavors up front. The chamomile comes in and tones down the acidic flavors, smoothing it out a bit. Its very effervescent and a bit boozey. The heat, although it gets smoothed out a bit, definitely sticks around and warms you up a lot inside. When this one first came out I wasn't a fan and most of my friends didn't like it much either. Either my tastes have changed or it has just matured to a great point. I can't wait for my 07-12 vertical later this year.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 08:02:26 | More by DonDirkA

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

3.78/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Stone Old Guardian glass
20 month old bottle

A- Pours a nice hazy golden with a one finger white head. The head dissipated quickly. A classic looking beer.

S- Smells like lemons, oranges and grapefruits. Some dark fruit and sugary light caramel smells. Some spices and a Belgian yeastyness. A very pleasing citrus smelling beer.

T- Odd is my first impression, though that's not a bad thing. A lot of lemon zest and grassy notes. A bit of peppery spice. Belgian yeast and grassy floral notes. A mix between a tripel and a pale ale in my opinion.

M- This beer is slightly warming. It has a nice bolt aftertase just like the taste of this beer. Goes down pretty easily, a nice body, well carbonated.

O- I think this is a bit better then 11.11.11 but not quite up to most of other stones in my opinion. An interesting beer for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 01:29:32 | More by TwelveOunces

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

bomber (22oz) served in an oversized wineglass.

pours a clear, bright golden tone with a quickly receding finger of off-white head; spotty lacing. great color but docked points on the lack of head retention.

nose is a nice and interesting potpourri of white grapes, a big florally presence, spices, and some belgian yeast.

hmm, unique and rather tasty flavor profile. vinous with grapes leading the way, accompanied by clove, chamomile, a very subtle note of funk, and a sweet, candied sugar presence. a touch of warming alcohol in the finish... enjoying this quite a bit.

medium-bodied/carbed mouthfeel and for my money very drinkable.

originally reviewed: 10-26-2010

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 22:50:10 | More by BostonHops

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.1/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

From 22oz bomber to Bruges hybrid glass on 4/4/12
*From notes

A: Slightly cloudy tangerine in color. A big pour yields a .5 finger head that fades fast, leaving a minor white collar and no lacing.

S: Dandelion and honey comb.

T: The Gewürztraminer has overwhelmed the rest of the beer. It's a juicy, off-dry wine-like bomb. Lots of honey, sugar and lees.

M: Nice carbonation, yet not enough density.

O: I preferred this better fresh. 10.10.10 isn't bad, it's just a bit one note at the moment. Here's to hoping eight more months will aide in adding balance, but I doubt it.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 21:32:48 | More by Rhettroactive

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.23/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a Duvel tulip. The beer is crystal clear and dark gold in color with nice effervescence and a small fluffy white head. The nose has a champagne-like floweriness and some apple and pear notes.

Interesting flavor. Kind of like Duvel, except not nearly as dry. There is a fruity sweetness up front with flavors of grapes, apples, and pears. At mid-palate, a slight dryness kicks in. The finish is nice and lingering, leaving flavors of appleskins in the mouth. The beer is medium-bodied, but a bit undercarbonated in my opinion. It's very wine-like and drinks like a German Riesling. It becomes drier as it warms.

This is a very interesting take on a Belgian Tripel. It strikes a nice balance between sweet, dry, and acidic. I'm not sure if other beer drinkers will appreciate this interpretation, but I really enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 22:09:20 | More by deadonhisfeet

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

22 ounce bomber, shared with my buddy Matt, poured into a couple of Stone RIS tulips.

A: Pours a bright orange color with a thin bone-white head that didn't stick around for long.

S: Lots of lemon zest, a moderate amount of banana, and hint of clove. Yeastiness shines through from the background.

T: Taste follows the nose. Lots of bright lemon. Some citrus spice that I didn't notice in the nose. Banana present but underlying. Almost as if someone squeezed an orange into a tall glass of lemonade and then pureed in just a bit of breadiness.

The lemon just explodes out of the glass here. It's strong and full of flavor, but not balanced, either.

M: Carbonation is low. Not surprising, considering this was brewed on 10.10.10 and today is 3.16.12. But lots of sticky lemon flavors on the back end, and a good dry finish.

D/O: The lack of balance with this beer made it somewhat undrinkable. I look forward to trying this again as part of the "big flight" when the epic series concludes, but I don't feel much desire to have another one today.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 19:17:16 | More by psuKinger

Jason

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz brown bottle with a vintage date on the label.

LOOK: Bright golden and clear, crackling froth leaves a decent lacing.

SMELL: Vinous, musk, bready, estery, earthy, tart fruit, mint, faint phenols, grape skin

TASTE: Smooth, creamy, warming esters, grape skin tannin, biscuity grain, spicy, sleepy time, walnuts, kiwi, star fruit, tart, herbal hop, mildly bitter, peppery

Complex is the least I can say. Deft hand with the grapes in this brew and a big brew at that. A solid VE, hoping to run into this one again.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 04:17:22 | More by Jason

alexgash

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle.

Pours a mostly clear honey orange. Finger of moderately thick, off-white head. Some lacing. Honeyed fruits, pear, fruit cocktail, grape juice, and light spice and yeast on the nose.

Toasted malts up front. Herbal bitterness follows. Floral, fruity, sweetish malts fill in, while the herbal bitterness becomes a little more vegetal and stays in the background. Definite wine presence here (I especially get some Sauvignon Blanc tart fruitiness and grassy, almost cat-pee notes). Throughout it all there is a slightly detracting herbal spice note (chamomile?). Finish dries out a little, with hints of yeast funk. Lingering fruit juice and wine flavors. Medium-full body with gentle carbonation. Not bad.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 00:46:33 | More by alexgash

TaySuth

California

4.23/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: A glowing light amber in color. Large white bubbles make up a two finger head that slowly recedes into a ring. Nice lacing.

Smell: Grapes hit the nose first followed by belgian yeast aroma. Hops add a hint of citrus and there is a distinct flower scent as well.

Taste: Lots of wine flavor from the grapes. Nice bitterness. Nice twist from those belgian yeast. Citrusy hops hit strong on the finish. This is a great tasting beer. Very balanced on the palate. I feel that the extra six months of aging has paid off.

Mouthfeel: Very nice body is slightly on the heavy side but in a great way. Great carbonation. Very good mouthfeel overall.

Overall: Stone just doesn't seem to put out a bad beer. I am very stoked that I found this bottle of 10.10.10 in 3.1.12. Can't wait to see what 11.11.11. has in store for my tastebuds.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 07:33:59 | More by TaySuth

engagechad

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a DFH snifter

Pourse a golden yellow, good clarity with decent head and not much lacing.

Smells very much of grapes, good winey aromas going on, very nice.

Taste follows, booze isn't too prevalent. Great body, the grapeyness is there and it's really interesting.

Overall this was a great beer, great idea. I had 666 777 888 999 101010 and 111 at a tasting and this stood out to me with 777 as the better ones.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 16:13:57 | More by engagechad

pmarlowe

California

3.08/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Tulip glass.

A: Pours an opaque straw color with a little fizzy white head which almost completely disappears pretty quickly. No retention or lacing to speak of.

S: White wine layered over chamomile, orange, and pale malt. Something in the savory-ness of the wine clashes with the malt, and isn't quite working. There's almost a ketchup flavor here. Yep, it's ketchup.

T: Floral notes dominate at first, transitioning into some malt, with the grapes lending mouthwatering acidity at the end. The long finish features malt again. Pretty dry.

M: The grapes lend body to the mouthfeel. Medium-full body and medium-light carbonation.

O: Once I got the smell of ketchup, it was hard to let it go. It tasted fine, and was otherwise a pretty interesting interpretation.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 07:07:44 | More by pmarlowe

aranheaney

New York

2.98/5  rDev -21%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Here it goes review #100-

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber that has been cellared since October 2010 into a 3 Heads Brewing pint glass, wanted to do something big and noteworthy for this one...

A-Hazy honey orange with a bit of head and no lace

S-apricots, sweetness and a hint of wine

T-super sweet, almost like grape juice or wicked sweet wine

M-carbonated well, not much else to say

O-first stone product that has not delivered, can I get a mulligan for #100?

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 02:46:50 | More by aranheaney

ummswimmin

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Later this year I plan to vertical 09 through 12. I wish I got on this train earlier. I only just found out about the annual Stone offering in 2009.

I used a snifter to savor this beer. I can get more of the belgian yeast and wine-like presence off the top. It smells really good. I like the various white grapes that have a very nice presence. The belgian yeast creates a very good sour presence.

The taste is equal to the very good bouquet. I really enjoy the balance of venous quality, the belgian flavor, and I even get some chamomille. This is a great mix of complex flavors... are you really shocked that Stone would make a complex beer?

The aging has provided a very easily drinkable experience. There is a little bit of heat from the alcohol. It was very easy to drink.

This was a great beer. You should pick up a bottle, or not. This has no longer been brewed, but maybe Stone will re-brew this in 2013 after the end of the Vertical Epic series.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 00:43:31 | More by ummswimmin

Vec2267

Florida

3.58/5  rDev -5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

To be fair to the beer and brewery, I do not have the facilities to properly store beers for the long term. This beer was stored in a box in a closet at 75-80 degrees.

A - pale orange, a vigorous poor gives a 1 inch head that dissolves quickly

S - sweet, floral, fruity, slight spice

T - grapes front and center, a sweet/sour tango adds complexity, very little in the way of hops or malt - more grapes/wine than beer

M - the tartness of the grapes makes it crisp

O - certainly an experience, I like it more as a whole than as any one component, but still, this is way out there - there is nothing bad or offensive about this beer - but nothing compelling either

If I did not know that this was a Stone beer, I would have guessed this came from Dogfish. It has that strange blend of tastes that struggle to work. It is a finely crafted beer, but not something I would care to repeat.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 23:56:40 | More by Vec2267

Clowerweb

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured aggressively from a 22oz. bomber into a pint glass. It's a 10.10.10, so no other dates needed - it's about a year and a half old, purchased yesterday.

A: Cloudy golden, nearly opaque, probably 5% opacity. About 2 fingers of white head, average retention, not great, no lacing to speak of.

S: I pick up a light grape juice scent - white grapes, and some booze, but this is a pretty high ABV so it's not surprising.

T: Tastes a lot like white wine, very much like white grapes, no depth or complexity at all. Hits you first with a lot of sour grape and bitterness, very in-your-face with the sour grape. Starts and finishes about the same with that fermented white grape, but it does start sour and finish sweeter. The booze isn't very well hidden in this one, it's very alcoholic, and tastes more like carbonated white wine than anything else. Not bad, not great, but I rated it above average because it's unique and has character.

M: Lighter bodied mouthfeel, quite watery, very dry on the finish. Kind of feels like drinking sparking grape juice or champagne. Starts with a prickly carbonation that quickly tames to very light.

D: Definitely drinkable, goes down pretty easy, but the alcohol is prevalent.

O: Eh. Stone makes some very fine brews, but they can be very hit or miss. This is certainly different for the style, and an interesting change from the norm, but I'm going to go ahead and call it a miss. It's not great, nor is it bad. There isn't anything that's really offensive about it, so the drinkability is up there, but it has zero depth and reminds me of sparkling grape juice and vodka. Doesn't live up to the "epic" name IMO. Overall, it's just above average because of it's uniqueness.

Probably wouldn't pick up another VE for the price, but I also don't regret buying it. I'd drink it again if it were cheaper, or if someone offered me one free.

Recommended? Don't pay $6 - $8 a bomber to try it, but do try it if you can get it cheaper and/or you like white wine, or if vodka flavored sparking sour white grape juice sounds appealing to you.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 06:58:08 | More by Clowerweb

warnerry

Michigan

3.53/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a hazy golden brown with very little head and no pacing to speak of. Some sediment in the glass.

S - White grape aroma with big floral chamomile notes. Some lemon and Belgian yeast, with a faint funk.

T - Starts with a bit of tart grape, followed by chamomile, lemon, Belgian yeast that adds a slight funk, and some faint sweet notes.

M - Medium mouthfeel is pretty crisp and finishes with a nice earthy funk.

O - Definitely not something I would want every day, but I enjoyed this more than I thought I might after reading the description. The taste didn't live up to the aroma, however.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 01:34:14 | More by warnerry

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Repost of review from hacked account "jmkratt" :(

A - Poured from brown bomber to NBB Globe glass. The beer pours a hazy golden color with little head. A bit of sediment towards the end of the bottle. Some lacing.

S - A unique nose that is dominated by the light and crisp grape tone. The chamomile played second fiddle to the fruity character of citrus and the earthen hop character.

T - Reminds me a lot of wine in character and flavor, which struck me a bit as odd. Just like the nose the grape character dominates. The fruity flavors meld well with the chamomile and earthy, almost spicey, hop character. The yeast provides a further dynamic that reminds me I'm drinking a Belgian Strong rather than white wine and rounds the palette out well. Hides the alcohol fairly well though it comes through as it warms.

M - Surprisingly light bodied with good carbonation. A light mouthfeel.

O - Good beer. I'd like to pick up another if possible to cellar and enjoy in a couple years.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 07-07-2011 21:20:55

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 19:25:40 | More by hopfacebrew

negroobserver

New York

3.3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Golden color with hues of pink and orange. Pours with about a quarter inch of white head. Smells of wheat, fruit and prominentt sour notes.

Tastes of wheat mostly. Light sour taste at the back end with a bit of hoppy bitterness. Slight residue on the tongue, but it's flavorless.

Nicely carbonated. Could be a cleaner finish. A bit of the alcohol comes through. Not overwhelming, but noticeable.

Overall a nice and easy to drink brew, but it's not the best in class.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 04:16:58 | More by negroobserver

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.55/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a hazy gold with a thin wisp of white mousse that quickly disappears.

S: Strong, fruity aromas reminiscent of wine grapes are present on the nose. As the beer settles and warms, aromas of spicy yeast, candy sugar, chamomile, and grain emerge.

T: A crisp entry is immediately chased by notes of candy sugar, herbs, lemon, chamomile, grain, wine grapes, and spicy, pungent Belgian yeast. The finish is extremely clipped, crisp, and dry with flavors reminiscent of a white wine.

M: Medium to full in body, though a bit closer to the former than to the latter. Carbonation is crisp and prickly. Very dry and very drinkable for the style.

O: This is a decent Belgian-style ale that does not quite pull everything together. Though every aspect of this beer is interesting, it still comes off as being a bit out of whack. I'm happy to see Stone experiment like this, though.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 13:22:27 | More by mrfrancis

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.55/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours apricot with a pinky of cream colored head. Some lacing & head retention

S: Pears, funk, white grapes

T: Pears, white grapes, s touch of juicyfruit & dryness up front. Some muscadine sweetness as this warms, dirty funkyness mixes in as well, a little bit of leafy & lemony hops as well, a bit of booze warmth. Finishes with much fruittyness, a touch of pineapple & more juicy fruit gum

MF: Medium bodied, semi-firm carbonation, decent balance

This was an alright/interesting take on the style, but nothing special

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 03:35:44 | More by russpowell

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Duvel tulip.

A- dark gold with 2 finger white head, no lacing.

S- lemon and citrus, vinous aroma, slight funkiness in there.

T- lemons, spices, almost some sour white grape juice to.

M- medium body, slight acidity, little thin.

O- forgot to review this last year, but I don't remember this having the acidity. Interested to see if this beer gets funkier in a year or so.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 23:14:05 | More by kawilliams81