Stone 10.10.10 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.94/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Served on-tap at Rattle N Hum in New York, NY

A: Pours a lightly hazy deep golden yellow to copper in color with some moderate orange + lemon yellow highlights, moderate amounts of visible carbonation, and just a touch of visible yeast sediment in the bottom of the glass. The beer has a two finger tall dense foamy white head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of lemon citrus along with light aromas of spicy yeast, some spices, and just a hint of tartness.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of pale malts with distinctive Belgian yeast and spices (clove and black pepper). There is a moderate amount of tartness with some light vinous notes almost like it had been aged in white wine barrels.

M: Heavier than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Significant amounts of dryness.

O: Having tried this when it first came out, I think it improved quite a bit with age and was pretty excited to find it on tap (since I was not writing reviews when it came out initially). I found it easy to drink and thought that the tartness really improved this one.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 19:58:34 | More by dbrauneis

hayesjw

California

4.06/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - burnt yet light saffron color.

S - citrus with gentle warm spices found in a California late coastal summertime.

T - tangy golden ripe juice with refreshing grape.

M - rounded full body with a crisp finish.

S - if i were a bee, it might be a luxurious early morning dance between honeysuckle and yuzu flower tasting nectar?

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 23:12:09 | More by hayesjw

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-golden amber color with a nice white head and good lacing

S-sweet malt, yeast, hint of lemon and pepper

T-sweet malt, lemongrass, yeasty bread, pepper, slight bitterness

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp

O-OK but not compelling flavor profile, drinkable but not something I would seek out

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 03:05:56 | More by MDDMD

SeamusDoyle

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

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.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2013 19:59:56 | More by SeamusDoyle

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours with over two years of aging - golden yellow with a small head. Head disappates quickly but left with spotted lacing on the glass and a small amount of carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass. Smells like white wine grapes - sauvignon blanc comes to mind - a bit fruity but yet still dry. Taste is a great weave of wine and beer - the grapes are present from front to back with a sweetner on the end.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2013 00:39:21 | More by Oakenator

RaulMondesi

California

3.18/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sippin on dis bad boy at Downtown Johnny Browns in San Diego, CA

Not to into the bubblicious white wine notes, but Raul is still intrigued. As I sip it, I like it. But at the same time, I'm not too into it. Ya feel me?

Raul says, 'aite,' but also, 'wuteves.'

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2013 00:12:47 | More by RaulMondesi

DoubleJ

California

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

Now on to 2010, aged for two years, and served on-tap at Tustin Brewing. On to the beer:

Dark amber with solid lace that splashes at a few point in the glass. The nose is very sweet, a contrast to 08.08.08. Very fruity, and there's a strong scent of fresh apples. Good aroma, but there's something that's missing from the picture. Caramel would pair well with apples...and that's exactly what comes into play in the taste. Caramel apples galore! To compliment are hints of cocoa and figs. Not cloying, thank goodness. Medium-full bodied with the alcohol hidden well.

As many have said in the past, " a good one".

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2012 23:18:06 | More by DoubleJ

russwbeck

Virginia

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This offering is a nice yellow color with some white head. The both laces as it recedes into the beer and sticks around for long enough to be noted. 4

We're getting pretty late in the night, so my senses aren't quite top notch, but I mostly smell grapes and must. There's some remnants of old hops and sweet Belgian yeast. 4

The grapes come out strong on the taste as well. The must comes back, which I can't tell if I like or not, along with some banana. All of those flavors try to cover up the booze, and do a good job of it, but I still note a little bit sneaking through. 4

The body is light and carbonated very well. I found the various fruit flavors made this a very drinkable beer. 4

I'd say this is aging very well, but wouldn't recommend holding onto it for too much longer. It's a good beer that's currently balanced, but I got the sense it's heading south in terms of booziness and holding onto its flavor. 4

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2012 20:29:43 | More by russwbeck

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Lord Hobo for their Vertical Epic event on 12/12/12. Part of Flight "C" (09, 10, 11, 12). 5oz serving in a flight glass.

A- Translucent light orangish yellow with a decent white head that fades at an average pace. Not overly carbonated.

S- White grapes that provide a sauvignon blanc presence to the beer, definitely a mixture of floral notes and some spices that accentuate it. About average aroma strength.

T- Grapes, sauvignon, light spices, and a light floral presence. Grapes definitely dominate the most giving a very sauvignon wine presence that's balanced with a light floral spice presence.

M- Light, easy drinking, decent carbonation.

O- This was a nice beer that was very easy to drink but wasn't anything special. If you like sauvignon blanc wine then I would definitely recommend trying this beer out. This was very similar to the barrel-aged version except maybe a little bit less flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2012 20:38:29 | More by jaasen64

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +26%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Draft serving into a tulip for $6. Sampled 10/26/10.

A: Pours with a finger and a half of foamy off-white head with decent retention. The body is light orange - about 90% transparent - with cranberry tints which disappear when backlit. A few active streamers keep the thin film alive. No lacing.

S: Light lactic qualities on the tip of the nose, followed by a heavily spicy component. Herbal (suggestions of rosemary and parsley) leading into the fresh scent of lemon. Alcohol has a presence but, in the form of white wine, its not offensive. Instead it comes off as a favorable quality.

T: This is a bold brew with a wide spectrum of flavors that work EXTREMELY well together. Alcohol is noticeable but not to the detriment of the beer. Light bitterness and moderate sweetness. The chamomile inclusion is understated but noticeable; the blend of white wines is sublime.

M: Appearance aside, the mouthfeel appears to be the only drawback of 10.10.10. It comes across a touch thin, perhaps due to a less-than-perfect level of carbonation. My opinion changed after the first sip from my second glass, however, as each aspect of the mouthfeel not only improved, but also began to make sense to the beer as a whole. The body gets fuller and the effervescence becomes prickly. Now there is almost nothing to complain about here.

D: [DRINKABILITY] The next sip is always an anticipation. As I've said above, I ordered a second glass as soon as I finished the first. I almost never do that. The ABV is the only thing keeping the drinkability rating from being a '5'.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 19:46:42 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

yesferro

Mississippi

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

On tap at Flying Saucer in Cordova TN, on 11.12.11

Poured a beautiful gold color, fizzy, barely any head, didn't last long. Hard to judge on the head since I didn't pour it myself and have no idea how the taps are set. Every single beer other then the nitro beers I saw being tapped last night had no head.

Smells great, crispy belgian yeast smell, small hint of lemon.

Tastes like a dry triple, that's the easiest way to explain it, the added wine grapes come through real subtle, very intersting. I'm glad we have a bottle of this left to age some more. Really wish this wasn't a special release!

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 18:11:46 | More by yesferro

Stagandhound

West Virginia

3.45/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is the first beer that I have rated, so take it for what its worth. I am drinking this beer on tap out of a tulip glass at theStag and Hound (what I call my home patio, with it's kegerator and loyal hound). I got this 1/6 keg per the advice of Ben Peirson at Cavalier Distributors in Blue Ash, Ohio. He is a great guy who gives solid advice freely.
The Vertical Epic has a very nice golden color with a light, small bubble, quarter inch head. It has a subtle flowery/citrus nose. Though it has a high alcohol level, I taste very minimal alcohol. It is hard to believe that this beer is 9.5 ABV. It has a nice light bite on front of the tongue. It is very clean and has very little aftertaste. The mouth feel is unremarkable. Though I admit to struggling with this part of the rating, it has a very slightly oily feel.
This beer easily pairs with food. I could drink this beer all day.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2011 18:52:39 | More by Stagandhound

richcwilliamson

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Golden, no head, no lacing. White wine meets czech pilsner. Smells like white wine. Nice sweet wet pilsner flavor. I would have again ex it is very high alc.

Golden, no head, no lacing. White wine meets czech pilsner. Smells like white wine. Nice sweet wet pilsner flavor. I would have again ex it is very high alc.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2011 22:18:06 | More by richcwilliamson

BretSikkink

Mexico

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

Golden color with an alabaster head of fluffy foam. Good lacing though. Nose is light, fruity and floral. Hints of phenols and menthol. The yeast is quite prominent and enticing.

The body holds this one back: quite balanced flavor with a lot going on, but the overall thin nature isn't terribly exciting. Up front, there is a slightly tart malt pale malt with a wheat lightness. Fruitiness follows, with some mango and tangelo before tobacco and grape in the finish.

Again, very complex start to finish, but too thin and "light" to keep me interested. Drinkability is pretty good, as it only mildly sweet, bitterness is moderated, and body is attenuated.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2011 03:38:51 | More by BretSikkink

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Common Table in Dallas.

The beer pours an orange color with a white head. The aroma is a nice mix of white wine grapes, Belgian yeast, biscuit malt and a lot of sugary sweetness. The flavor is more of the same. I get a lot of notes that remind me of a tripel - candy sugar, citrus, biscuit malt and alcohol - along with a lot of white wine notes. There is a strong grape presence to the flavor which is expected in this beer. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2011 07:07:33 | More by Mora2000

EgadBananas

Louisiana

2.7/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pale, clear, bubbly, with a light half finger of head that produces no lacing.

Aroma is sweet, with a hint of caramel, grapes and tart citrus.

Taste is slightly malty, slightly tart and sour, with a bit of funk to it. Hops are spicy, with a touch of zesty citrus.

Feel is crisp, and light, though upper light in body. High effervescent carbonation.

Fair drink. It's unique and I will finish my pour, but it is not my bag..not even close. Shouldn't be a problem holding onto my bottle for a few years; we'll see what happens.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2011 02:40:05 | More by EgadBananas

cosmicevan

New York

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

Had on tap at Good Time's pub with a steak sandwhich. Brew arrived in a long stemmed tulip. Color was a straw yellow with mild to light bubbling and carbonation with no head. Smelled nice with all of the usual suspects in the nose and taste. The one thing that stood out to me was the dessert wine quality of the brew (must be the muscat grapes?). Mostly soft and subtle and a bit on the sweet/white wine side. Glad I got to try it, but not something I will be looking for. Mouth was light and it's an easy drinker, just a BPA on the sweeter end of the spectrum.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 21:05:58 | More by cosmicevan

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got to try this in a 5oz sample at D's.

A - Golden straw yellow with a mild bit of foam that clears rather quickly leaving no lace.

S - Smells like a typical Belgium strong ale. Notes of mild caked yeast and a bit of citrus. Very little hops.

T - Taste pretty balanced. The yeast isn't as overbearing as some Belgium's giving way to a citrus zest, mild apple and pear. Not bad.

M - I drank it pretty slow. Was the odd beer out left to be drank last in the sampler.

D - I got to hand it to stone they sure can make a Belgium beer tolerable. I actually got more flavors than most natural Belgium's but the yeast was still pretty strong in this one. Wouldn't seek out again but glad to try for 2 bucks.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2011 22:50:27 | More by DrDemento456

plaid75

New York

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a light copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured a wine grapes, a champagne yeast elect and some esters.

The taste consisted of bright sharp esters and a crisp noble hop. Some residual sugars apparent as well.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a decent ale. Better ones out there though.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2010 22:06:29 | More by plaid75

ThePorterSorter

New York

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Saw it on tap, debated between a few belgians, but knew they all could afford to wait a few days.

Appearance:
This beer was poured into a 5oz tulip with a dense, white head of about one inch. The beer was a golden yellow with light brushes of orange against the midday sun. It's a well carbonated beverage, but the beer's head still disappeared as soon as the grease from my lips hit the rim.

Smell:
I am surprised by this beer at this point because I thought it was going to be a typical Stone strong IPA, but it was instead a Belgian! WIN. I would recognize that distinct funk anywhere. Aside from the yeast, I noticed nice notes of fruity sweetness accompanied by a little spice.

Taste:
The taste is that of a Belgian strong ale, if you're experimenting with this beer as your first of its class, try the real thing because although Stone did a nice job, it's still no Chimey or Saison Dupont (although...I don't think there is a pale ale to come from Belgium yet...).
Looking at the website I am noticing that there were 3 different grape varieties added along with chamomile, it would help to explain the beers capacity for complexity. I wouldn't mind trying the beer again now knowing that the sweetness comes partially from this tri-grape infusion. Little of the chamomile came through, but I felt quite relaxed after drinking!

Mouthfeel:
Dense, mysterious, yet bubbly, and summery like all Belgians seem to do. I wasn't getting bitter as much as I was the sweet or funk. The beer went down smooth, light, and refreshing. I was forced to sip (given the generous abv and weak man's glass size), but easily could have gulped this beer down.

Drinkability:
Excellent beer to drink mid winter, heavy and complex, yet light like a summer's treat. It broke up the porter-trippel-stout loop that I'd been in. I'm definitely glad I went out on a limb in trying it, I would definitely get again knowing that it's also bottled. For the price ($7.50 at the blue tusk in syr, ny) it's steep and there are other beers I'd probably get instead (ie. the same size ye' olde barley wine by dfh on tap for $5.50). However, I would definitely try this beer bottled, possibly let one sit until summer rolls around.

Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2010 20:13:09 | More by ThePorterSorter

confer

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Spinnerstown. Served in a wine type glass. Overall this is a a solid Trippel like beer. I think the grapes give it a softer sweeter finish. The big alcohol content is not obvious at all. Definitely the same as last year but overall a relly good job.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2010 22:56:04 | More by confer

rfgetz

New Jersey

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

Pours a hazed golden straw, cap of dense yet frothy white head, decent lacing. Scent is big on Belgian yeasts with underlying notes of tart and vinous fruit. Taste starts off with a strong yeasty profile and moves into a wine like presence very quickly. Medium bodied, slightly spritzy, dry finish. Interesting combination that doesn't do much wrong, but doesnt work fantastically together.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2010 14:47:50 | More by rfgetz

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On-tap, served in an 8 oz wine glass

Pours a somewhat clear orange/bronze color with little to no head. Loads of bubbles forcing their way to the surface.

The nose is of white grapes, spice, herbs, flowers and even some pears. The bed of cracker-like pale malt allows all of these aromas to dance and play. The wine element seems to detract from this beer rather than enhance it.

Belgian spices are first and foremost with a hearty dose of biscuit/cracker-like malt. The fruits and flowery herbs come in through the middle before fading into a crisp, bitter, dry finish.

This guy has a light body and is highly carbonated, which works well with the style, but to me is a little too aggressive.

I found it to be drinkable considering the lighter nature of the beer as well as the pleasing fruity nature.

I honestly think the sample size was a little too small. I am looking forward to purchasing a bottle and taking my time with it at home. The 8oz glass at the bar didn't quite cut it for me.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2010 16:35:12 | More by ColForbinBC

CrellMoset

Virginia

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at BSP, Decatur, GA. Served in a nonic.

Appearance: A clear crystalline golden copper, capped by one finger of fuzzy, soapy head, lightly tanned though mostly a dull white. The retention isn't fantastic, though, but there are occasional dollops and blotches of glittery runny side lace left in its wake. Carbonation rising to a speckled, mottled surface is sparse and minimal, though a soapy, sudsy collar does persist through, large-bubbled and oddly disuniform.

Aroma: Tart grape notes are large, as are a bunch of simply sweet, slightly crackery pale malt notes. Belgian spice isn't far behind, with the obligatory clove and coriander providing the necessary one-two to back up the grapes and tropical fruits, almost all above the range of peach. Fairly complex, if not expertly made.

Taste: Crisp pale golden malts and biscuity, wheat-like, and dry honey overtones mix with a slew of Belgian spices, cloves, coriander, and star anise. Tropical fruits are also estery and strong, a little syrupy but not overwhelmingly so - orange, nectarine and tangerine, peach, and persimmon (not to mention a classic banana note) all mingle well with a tart, quenching white grape note. The whole thing is a little tart, a little sweet, a little spicy, a little wholesome ... and a lot well-made.

Mouthfeel: Crisp, light, and even initially, though it becomes eruptive with even mild in-mouth agitation, it comes close at points to approximating that envious Belgian pillow-esque feel, and though it never quite gets there, its nice on the whole.

Drinkability: I'm less harsh on this beer than it seems many people are. Are people expecting more as we move along? I found this one crisp, refreshing, and enjoyable, and though it was nothing groundbreaking - and the 9.5% is gettin' up there - it was solid nonetheless. Tentative recommendation.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2010 23:07:48 | More by CrellMoset

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a clear, light golden color with minor lacing on top of a light, appley pear smell as well as some orange and a yeast twang and hop bitterness. A very flavorful if not dry citric hop taste w/ clove and a sweet fruit tart flavor like apple, grape and there's some orange. A residual sticky caramel malt passes over my tongue as well and has a nice dry finish. W/ the ABV kept down on the tongue this beer balances well and is quite enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2010 17:42:35 | More by clayrock81