Stone 12.12.12 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

aCharlie

New York

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25

A - Dark, light low head, quickly disappears after pour
S - Avg smell, nothing too pronounced
T - Spices/pepper. Dry on the front, yet pleasant. Delicate roasted malts
M - Alcohol is hidden very well
O - A very unique BSDA. Strong on the peppery spices, the pepper is in the foreground. Subtle malts.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2013 02:59:03 | More by aCharlie

Trifecta1

Illinois

3.99/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Oasis in Rockford, IL on 12/21/12.
A - Dark brown, maybe even dark red. Thick tan head. Looks good, but in hindsight, deceiving of the what the flavor was gonna bring.

S - Nutmeg, clove, gingerbread, orange zest, but not much of that hefty bready yeastiness I enjoy in Belgian-styles. Christmas ale, though, is right on.

T - Nutmeg and clove in your face, spicy pepperiness and gingerbread come in strong too. Alcohol nearly non-existant. Leaves your palate with a gingerbread taste, and the taste of the smell of a pine tree, if that makes any sense. This is probably the first Stone beer I've personally had that has literally no hop taste.

M - Moderate carbonation, thicker like a Belgian quad. Personally I enjoyed it moreso for the latter, but some of my friends disagreed.

O - A great Christmas ale and fitting end to the Epic series. I went to the store prior to drinking this on tap and bought 3 bombers to age. Really looking forward to how those will turn out down the road.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2013 19:03:57 | More by Trifecta1

mdaschaf

Washington

3.61/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at Brouwers on 12/12/12, review from notes.

A: Deep brown color with a small tan head, foamier than most of the VEs that reduces quickly. Thin lacing forms down the sides.

S: A good bit of molasses, some clove and cinnamon along with faint Belgian yeast aromas.

T: Rather heavy on the spices - cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon, sort of a turn off for me. Some darker roasted malt mixed in as well.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Not really my thing, but I can certainly see why some people might like it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2013 00:14:59 | More by mdaschaf

TheSixthRing

California

3.43/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap at Sports Page in Roseville, CA

Appearance - Pours opaque black with a light tan, finger width head. Good retention. Strong lacing with good stick.

Smell - Nutmeg and cinnamon spice. Moderate roast. Gingerbread.

Taste - Follows the nose. strong Christmas spice flavors, nutmeg and cinnamon. Gingerbread. Earthy. Slight bitterness throughout. Bittersweet finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium to full in body with moderate carbonation. Fair smoothness. Finishes dry.

Overall - I suppose it makes sense that a 12.12.12 release would have a Christmas-themed flavor profile, but I'm not a big fan of those flavors being in a beer. Quite comparable to the 2012 Anchor Christmas release.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 03:18:24 | More by TheSixthRing

WissBrauSean

Pennsylvania

3.71/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

I had this beer on a sampler flight last night, made some notes (untappd won't work on my phone for some ungodly reason) and am just reflecting on it now.

It poured black and opaque with a thick creamy brown head and fully sticky lacing with no pattern until minutes later!

The aroma smelled like all the components in a ginger bread cookie including a slight yeasty bready aroma mixed with light hops.

I thought the bittering hops were a bit excessive and pronounced through the entire sip and fades a little at the finish. It's actually balanced pretty well considering the amount of holiday spices in there. The bittering hops had a slight soapy taste that I think would age out of there if cellared for a few more months!

It had a full, creamy and smooth mouthfeel with light to moderate carbonation and a smally dry hoppy finish.

I am not a fan of the holiday spices and don't want to let that get in my way. Ultimately I don't know how this fits into the style as listed. It seems like a winter warmer to me. But all in all, I didn't like something about the bittering. It did resemble soap in a way. I have encountered that with some of my homebrews when using American grown coriander. But after aging 4 months, that soapiness went away and the beer quality took off! I would love to get my hands on a couple bottles to age a year!

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2013 00:01:19 | More by WissBrauSean

magictacosinus

California

3.44/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Winter spiced beer alert! Had this on tap for the VE tasting (beers 07.07.07-12.12.12) at Pacific Coast Brewing Co. during SF Beer Week. All reviews are from my notes.

Pours a dark, opaque color, much like 09.09.09, except with a little bit more noticeable carbonation and and nice little ring enveloping the top of the glass for the beer's entire consumption. Again, looks a lot like a stout, except with far more bubbles gliding towards the top, and extra thickness that reminds me of various Belgian spiced beers that I had the chance to try during one winter in Europe. Not sure how to rate this to style, but it's definitely a comforting looking beer for sure.

The aroma is filled with all kinds of intense, seasonal spices, ranging from freshly cut ginger, pumpernickel, clove, toasted birch bark, mulled wine spices, and blackcurrant. If a combination of those doesn't sound good to you, steer right away from this... However, for those who do love winter beers, this is a pretty much a match made in heaven. I'm pretty indifferent towards them, but definitely Stone has nailed the style pretty well here. It's still really astringent on the nostrils, often leaving behind a prickly sensation, and the combo of spices do remind me of the holidays - this is especially true as it warms up, as piney and rosemary characteristics reveal itself. But the initial festiveness might be a little too overwhelming for me in the long run.

The best way for me to describe the flavor of this thing is that it reminds me of eating a freshly baked ginger cookie with crushed pepper dunked in molasses. Indeed, there is an enormous molasses backbone going on here, combined with loads of peppermint, baking spice, and pumpkin seed. Molasses and ginger are definitely two flavors I'm pretty hesitant about putting in my beer, and while the other spices and light sweetness from the alcohol do try to settle it, they are very overpowering flavors in their own right and seem to win the battle here. As it warms up, the texture becomes far more astringent, and slightly soapy, creating a difficult drinkable experience for me. Alcohol and yeast are either masked or muted here. Feel is creamy and full bodied, which is good, as any thinness would totally ruin this for me. Quite a daunting task for me to finish even 6oz overall.

Not sure if Stone was trying to make a super festive beer or super challenging festive beer here, but they definitely succeeded at either, depending who you are. However, I did buy a bottle of this when it came out and am glad I didn't open it too soon. This should cellar well for the next holidays, and I will gladly revisit it then. My hope is that the spices will settle down (as will the soapiness) and the yeast will come more towards the front and include more fruity flavors to balance out the spices. Until then!

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 17:36:08 | More by magictacosinus

jucifer1818

Florida

3.89/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

a: very, very, very dark amber with a thick head
4.25/5

s: thick xmas spice. allspice, clove, cinnamon, coriander, etc. A little pit of pumpkin pie spice as well.
Exceptional. 5/5

t: light on the spice (for the smell), but with a heavy hoppy backbone. Slight smokey/earthy flavors in the after taste.
3.5/5

m: Grainy, but heavy mouthfeel 4/5

Overall: I was surprised by the smell of this beer, and It got me excited for the beer, but it ended up being like any other stone brew, hoppy, hoppy, hoppy. To be honest, this may be my opinion, but it does not work here.
This brew would had worked better to work off of its malt and spice character, which is exceptional, but is blighted by its heavy and unnecessary hoppyness

This beer might taste amazing with some decent cellaring to cut down on its hops and bring out the good beer that I know is in here somewhere. but as it is, I just see it as being slightly above average
3.5/5

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2013 04:20:13 | More by jucifer1818

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.48/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Dark beige head, good retention on a black body. Soapy, sticky lacing. Aroma dominated by spices...white pepper, clove, cardamon, mint. Taste includes all of the above, they actually work very well together. Certainly never tasted anything quite like this one. Looking forward to trying this one into the future. Paired well with my shrimp stir fry.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2013 07:56:23 | More by KickbacksSteve

WoodBrew

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The vertical epoch 12-12-12 reminded me of a black Saison. The beer poured a dark opaque black with rich tan head that laced well. The smell had burnt Maise, roasty malts and hops. The taste was much like the smell with a great blend of alcohol. The mouthfeel was full bodied with good carbonation. Overall it was a good beer!

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 22:19:57 | More by WoodBrew

beertunes

Washington

3.38/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Belgian Strong Dark Ale? I had thought this a Stout when I had it. Served in 12oz tulip. Poured a solid black, no translucence, with over a half-inch of medium brown head that had good retention and nice sheets of lacing.

The aroma was very malt heavy, and had some light roast notes and a touch of fruitiness as well (perhaps from a Belgian yeast?). Whoa!! There's a lot going on across the tastebuds. Some fruit, some definite alcohol, some grain, some yeast, some roast. This is certainly a multiple personality brew.

The body was solid but a bit thin (remember, I thought that this was a stout when I took my notes) but still enjoyable. The beer did have sharp, harsh finish that I didn't care for. Drinkability was OK, but this is a "one & done" type of beer for me. Maybe if I stumble across a bottle in a couple of years, I'd try again, otherwise I won't miss it. Overall, an OK brew that's worth trying if you see it. I didn't particularly care for it but, YMMV.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2013 01:20:49 | More by beertunes

CuteZombieDoll

New Jersey

4.09/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A- Pours black with a good head, and good lacing on the side of the glass

S- Very spicy, like cloves or ginger.

T- Almost completely spice, with just a little bit of an alcohol flavor on the finish. Not hoppy at all, and fairly sweet.

M- Thick and heavy, which is good for this kind of beer.

O- Definitely worth having once, if not a few times. Although, probably more so due to it's rarity. If you have this in a bottle, and you're letting this age as many on this page suggest, please share how it tastes after a few years of aging. I would like to know if the spice flavors become more mellowed and the beer becomes more complex.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 05:30:12 | More by CuteZombieDoll

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-dark brown color with a light tan head and some lacing

S-malty, molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon

T-dark fruit, molasses, malt, nutmeg, cinnamon, hints of nuttiness, slight bitterness in the finish

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth ABV not that noticeable

O-a pretty solid belgian ale, definitely a stronger beer from this series

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 02:54:07 | More by MDDMD

abaer123

California

3.69/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - rich dark (black?) color. beautiful lacing left on the glass.

S - slighrly strong alcohol - but doesn't taste it.

T - smooth and rich. yummy!

M - full and good body.

O - Overall a good ale. I have enjoyed Stone's vertifcal offerings every year, and this one does not disappoint. I can pretty much rely on Stone's offerings. I would not mind visiting the tap room to have each of the vertical epics poured side by side to compare and contrast. I think they are always pushing the envelope a little and usually with great success!

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2013 23:42:34 | More by abaer123

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a dark brown with some red highlights, small cap of off-white head. Scent brings notes of caramel, molasses, pecan, fig, dates, cinnamon, allspice, clove, nutmeg, anise, a splash of vanilla, burnt rum cake - lots going on here. Taste manages to focus some of the notes from the scent, but some sips seemed messy and unorganized. Full of flavor and complexity, but a touch more care needed to ensure all the components either blend or stand out further. Fuller side of medium - warm, sticky. Glad i had a chance to try, but a touch to aggressive for my palate on some fronts.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2013 21:19:26 | More by rfgetz

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Smokin Joe's the other day.

The beer pours the expected blackish brown color with very good head retention and considerable lacing. The nose is exotic and impressive, though I'm not sure about the use of all these spices. In any event, this beer reminds of holiday eggnog, with considerable vanilla, ginger, allspice, nutmeg and mint, but with some interesting coffee and chocolate as well. The combination just seems a bit odd, especially with the huge presence of all these spices. The flavor profile replicates the nose, though the spices aren't quite as prominent on the palate as they were on the nose. I really like the soft, creamy mouthfeel I'm getting in this beer, as I think it helps to soften the impact of all the spices. Otherwise, there's plenty of vanilla, coffee and chocolate in this well made beer. Mouthfeel is otherwise long and spice filled, and the alcohol is pretty well integrated into the flavor profile. Also, while the beer is on the sweet side, the spices and some underlying hoppy bitterness seem to buoy that sweetness quite well.

An interesting and well made beer, though it's hard to imagine drinking a whole lot of this.

Edit from 3/15/13. Sampled this on tap again during a Vertical Epic event at Pacific Coast brewing. The spice component still seems a bit over the top, though the mouthfeel was softer and creamier. Score at the pub was virtually identical to what I found previously.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2013 14:02:10 | More by johnmichaelsen

Homebrew35

Connecticut

4.44/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Served in a tulip/snifter like glass. Half finger of a khaki head, dark brownish black body. Some head retention and good lacing.

Smells like a Christmas cookie mixed with fruit cake. Big cinnamon, brown sugar, anise, light Belgian yeast fruitiness.

Mega spice flavor here. Big cinnamon and dark chocolate. Some roast, coffee, licorice and coco powder. The base beer is so far buried and the Belgian character is muted.

Medium full bodied, medium to low carbonation.

Overall I enjoyed this beer. I don't think I could handle a full glass of this but none the less this is incredible. So heavily spiced yet fairly drinkable. The base beer is well made as usual from Stone, but is so muted. I enjoyed how in your face the spices are and how hidden the 9% is.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2013 19:04:03 | More by Homebrew35

Lawl3ss

Texas

2.83/5  rDev -28%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

(from notes 12.20.12.)
Served in a 16 oz tulip.

Look- Deep coffee brown with half a finger of tan foam that falls to a filmy ring. Decent lace.

Smell- Heavily spiced, cinnamon, cocoa, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, a hint of ginger. Rich, dark. Belgian? Not so sure. Faint esters, char and spice dominate.

Taste- Coffee, cardamom, mace, dusty prune, leathered fig, mocha, mild char. Vanilla bean. Finishes with dark roast, spiced espresso, not as sweet as expected.

Mouthfeel- Full body, medium-high carbonation. Prickly on the sip, smooths out. A sipper, but lightened by the carb. 16 oz. is plenty.

Overall- Perhaps I've been spoiled by the other excellent spiced ales I've had recently (Yogi, Krampus, La Grivoise de Noel), but this one's a bit lackluster. Perhaps it's the yeast or perhaps Stone dumped a chaotic bucket of spices into the brew, but it comes off as a bit heavy-handed. Flavorful, but ultimately not as subtle or complex as I was hoping for. It's not bad by any means, but there are quite a few Belgian Dark Ales I'd pick over this one, spiced or otherwise.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2013 06:08:19 | More by Lawl3ss

russwbeck

Virginia

2.4/5  rDev -38.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

On-tap at Churchkey.

The final beer of the evening has a dark pour with a brown head. It smells of roast, clove, and orange. There's a base of chocolate and spice. The base of the taste is very sweet; with chocolate with anise all over the place. Very disjointed. I can't place the various spices that bombard my palate. The finish is awful and I think this really needs age. There's a medium body and is carbonated well. The aftertaste is awful. Seriously the worst of the night. I can't figure out why they didn't make a beer that was ready to drink right now for the last in the series.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2013 23:20:42 | More by russwbeck

champ103

Texas

3.8/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Hay Merchant in Houston, TX

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly opaque. A two finger tan head forms with excellent retention. Plenty of lace is left behind. The foam gently recedes to a ring that sticks throughout, and is easily rejuvenated.
S: Toasted malts, baked bread, toffee sweetness. Some dark fruits. Cinnamon and nutmeg. A clove like spice. Lots on the nose that is very nice.
T: Follows the nose. Lots of toasted malt flavors. Baked bread and lots of sweetness. At first that toffee sweetness works well. Though eventually the sweetness becomes cloying. Plenty of spices as well. Cinnamon, clove, and even dark fruits. So much going on here.
M/D: A medium to full body. Moderate carbonation. Though smooth and creamy at the same time. Easy to drink. Plenty of alcohol mixed with the big sweetness makes this a slow sipper. Though still enjoyable.

Man, there is a lot going on here. The sweetness is a bit much, and this is a very busy beer. Though that is most offerings from Stone. It is good to see them not doing an over hopped style, or another crappy "Black IPA." Something I enjoyed, and a nice end to the Vertical Epic Series.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2013 22:37:10 | More by champ103

adamette

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Review from notes taken a few hours ago. Poured from tap into clean, clear glass at Melt Bar & Grilled in Mentor, Ohio at a cost of $5.50.

A Pitch black body...I see no light coming through...under a medium brown head. Nice lacing left on the inside of the glass after repeated sips. 4.5

S Very interesting smell. I get a subtle dark roast malt in the background. In the foreground is a cinnamon or clove spice smell that might be actually sweet. Not the sweetness of a malt, like a heavy syrupy sweetness but more of a powdered sugar gentle sweetness. I smelled repeatedly before tasting to be sure to get an unbiased SMELL rating. Very intriguing. I don't know how it could be improved. 5.0

T Dark roast malt makes a huge comeback in the taste from its back seat in the smell. Interestingly, it is in the second half of the taste and it is a deep, burnt roast malt taste. The first half of the taste features that welcomed somewhat sweet cinnamon or clove spiciness. This is a very good tasting beer. 4.5

M Interest persists into the feel of this beer. Initially I perceived the "bigness" of a Stout with its Dark Roast Malt. Later I was able to appreciate the long , smooth beginning feel of this beer. Repeated sips confirmed that there is a nice, long smooth feel as long as the beer remains in your mouth. Upon swallowing you get the dark roast malt bigness. This is proving to be a hell of an artisan beer! 5.0

D/O Drinkability is not that high. It is a huge beer, demands your attention and has an elevated ABV that you have to respect. Overall, this is a great beer that is appropriately big (celebrating the end of the Vertical Epic series) but also approachable with plenty to keep the drinker entertained and interested in what it has to offer. I will miss the Vertical Epic Series. 4.0

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2013 21:16:15 | More by adamette

Retta123

Florida

3.7/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

appearance: Dark dark brown, with little head.

mouthfeel: smooth, low carbonation.

taste: Clove, sweet, pecan, dark spices,

overall: I liked this, but couldn't have too many due to the strong clove flavor and sweetness. It would be good for an after dinner/special beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2013 04:21:37 | More by Retta123

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance is dark, w/ semi beige cap and tight bead w/ opaque clarity

S Smell is strong and spicy w/ ginger and some festive Christmas spice like nutmeg
The malt odor ballasts w/ strong roast And fruity juniper berry tinged

M -thick bitter yet balanced with moderate sweetness and relatively low bitterness w/ mild roastiness and semi dry warming finish

T is spicy, tropical roasted nutty and bitter w/ hoppy pine and pepper w/ light cocoa and ginger notes w/ a hint of coffee and dark cherry

Overall an intense ride might be a good candidate for cellaring but is full of flavor and very drinkable as- is

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2013 11:03:03 | More by Slatetank

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a 10 oz tulip glass

Appearance – Served a pitch black color with a one finger tan head. The head fades relatively quickly to leave a great level of lacing on the side of the glass.

Smell- The aroma is heaviest of a roasted malt smell and aromas of clove and cinnamon. Mixed with this there is a light sweetness of some chocolate as well as a light citrus hop aroma.

Taste – The taste begins with a roasted malt flavor. As the taste advances further some sweet chocolate flavors come to the tongue. A coffee flavor and spice flavors of cinnamon and clove spice then develops in the taste, quickly following the fruit flavors. More toward the end, as the coffee and roast intensify some, a bitter hop flavor of a earthy and citrus nature comes to the tongue. These flavors, with a light alcohol flavor, create an odd bitter and roasted flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer was on the average to slightly lower side for a 9% abv brew with a carbonation level that was rather average. The carbonation was good for keeping and making an easy drinking brew, although a slightly thicker body may have been nicer for the darker flavors.

Overall – Not really what I was expected in something that is labeled as a Belgian strong dark. It is roastier and hoppier then I would expect. It wasn't bad though as it did have quite nice transitions between a more initial roast, followed by a light sweet and spice and then finished with a hoppy flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2013 01:15:46 | More by Darkmagus82

RaulMondesi

California

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Keeping it cool at Downtown Johnny Browns in San Diego, CA

Let this thang sit out for a good 20 minutes off the tap and hot damn! Luscious dark texterious flavors that for some reason I cannot explain! A bit chile, a bit cinnamon... Get dis! Get dis now!

Raul approves!

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2013 00:44:01 | More by RaulMondesi

searsclone

Arizona

4.4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

had on tap in a snifter.

dark brown color with a good tan head and really good lacing

smell and taste are very similar. nutmeg, pumpkin, and spice. smells and tastes like a pumpkin beer, but doesn't drink like one. I don't particularly care for pumpkin beers, but this one was very easy to drink. Creamy mouthfeel, nice balance, smooth, smooth, smooth.

I was lucky to find this on tap and am really glad I got to try it. I liked this more than the 11, which is the only other that I have tried.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2012 04:42:26 | More by searsclone