Stone 12.12.12 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2012-12-20 in Norristown, PA at Capone's

A - Opaque dark brown with a 1/2-finger tan head and great lacing.

S - Cinammon, rock candy, allspice, roasted malt.

T - Lots of flavors including fig, plum, allspice, dark roasted grain, nutmeg, cinnamon. It's mildly sweet and well-balanced with a touch of roasted and hop bitterenss. Not much alcohol. Great balance. Dries well. Holds all these flavors together nicely. The lingering aftertaste is an equal balance of the above flavors.

M - Medium body and carbontation. Not too thick, not too creamy, not too crisp . . . just right.

O - A very enjoyable, delicious, holiday-inspired brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2012 22:41:37 | More by Tucquan

claspada

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy dark brown color with an off-white tight bubbly head that recedes at a moderate pace to leave some soapy lacing topping.

Aromas begin with spicy cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. This gives way to some dusty cocoa and crusted toasted brown bread maltiness. As it warms you get some light phenolic Belgian yeast spice and some dark and stone fruitiness, mainly fig marmalade and a light orangey citrus.

The tastes follow the nose with bittersweet cocoa, dark fruits, caramelized brown sugar and molasses. The spices join next and combine with the Belgian yeast phenols to balance the sweet toasty brown bread maltiness. There may be some hops in here but they are undistinguishable and hidden by the spice and yeast flavors. As it warms you get some light drying alcohol notes and some more drying roasted malt flavors.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is on the dryer side for the style with some spice and the dark chocolate roastiness.

Overall this is my favorite of the 5 or so releases in this series that I was able to try fresh and maybe the best overall since the 08. Maybe it is the "holiday" style ale flavor profile that I enjoy but it really hits the mark for the season and for the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 14:50:15 | More by claspada

rand

California

3.65/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From tap to snifter

Pours dark brown in color (touching black), forms a foamy coffee-tan head on the pour. Big notes of clove and toasty sugar in the nose. Alcohol and malts step up while hop presence takes a back seat. The flavors are layered and rich, carried by a robust, chewy complexion. Holiday spice and toasted sugar rub elbows with ripe fruit and ground pepper. A little hop astringency dries the palate, ushering in a surprisingly short and balanced finish.

Not the best of the Verticals, but world's better than last year's edition and a nice bookend to an interesting series of brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2012 07:21:02 | More by rand

jpro

South Carolina

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

32oz growler from CBX. Poured into the official Stone Vertical Epic glass...

A: Black-brown... kind of like the color option for the furniture at IKEA; half-finger of almond head builds on the pour, dying down to some wispy retention that leaves no lace on the walls of this fancy glass; this is a dark, opaque brew.

S: Belgian yeast / spice / fruit aroma; ginger; winter spices; candi sugar / syrupiness; has kind of a dark Belgian / winter warmer aroma.

T: Dark bread; molasses; figs; dark fruit; raisins; anise hints; cocoa on finish; a lot of little things going on, taste-wise.

M: Full with moderate carbonation.

O: An interesting sipper with a lot of flavor; gets even tastier as it warms; this makes for a great winter ale.

From notes: 12-15-12

Serving type: growler

12-20-2012 03:26:40 | More by jpro

jjanega08

Minnesota

4.6/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

No freshness dating besides the obvious 12.12.12

A= Pours a deep black color with a nice finger of thick head slowly rising out of it. The head is a nice dark brown color proving this to be a dark beer. The head holds great retention and lacing on the glass.

S= The smell is quite pungent. I've come to notice I have a weak sense of smell but this I have no problem with. It smells strong of nice christmas odors similar to a gingerbread cookie or fruit cake. Cinnamon and allspice dominate the nose with a great gingerbread sort of smell. It smells like christmas.

T= The taste is no exception. There is a ton of all spice and gingerbread taste as well as a dominate cinnamon. It's almost like those red cinnamon candies are used in this. A little bit of the spicy cinnamon ya know. There is also a definite bitterness I didn't get in the nose. It's sort of a hop or roasty bitterness that comes through on the end.

M= This is well carbonated.

O= This in my opinion is a great way to end this series. This is a perfect beer for this time of year. Super well spiced and really well done. If you want to try the end all be all christmas beer. Try this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 04:42:41 | More by jjanega08

flagmantho

Washington

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz bomber into a tulip.

Appearance: rich, very dark brown hue with a thick finger of creamy, frothy tan foam which is leaving a nice lace as it slowly dissipates. Quite pretty indeed.

Smell: lightly sweet malt with a spicy, phenolic character. Smooth and well-balanced; I like it.

Taste: sweet malt with a lightly fruity character and a hint of chocolate. Some cinnamon-like spice is present along with that phenolic character from the aroma. These aren't overpowering, and like the aroma each element is nicely balanced. I'm enjoying this.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and a satisfying creaminess. Good stuff.

Overall: I like this entry in the vertical epic series. Contrary to the name, though, it's balanced and subtle in the right places; this beer isn't at all overwhelming. Quite nice.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 18:02:44 | More by flagmantho

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a rich, opaque mocha brown-black color with a retaining inch of tan head. Looks like a treat. 4.5

Maple, cinnamon, brown sugar, Christmas spices, rum raisin, and bitter dark malts. 4.0

Flavor is much hoppier and spicier with mace, nutmeg, and a chile-like heat that is very mild. Pine, clove, cinnamon, and star anise are also prevalent. Finishes spicy and a little sweet with more lingering piney hops. Nuances of pith and maple and brown bread are notable. Very busy in the mouth, both in flavor and in feel. Happily carbonated with that spicy finish and prickly feel on the tongue. The body is merely a wet medium. Alcohol seems pretty checked-down. 4.0, 3.5

Great beer and a great finish to a fun series. I could see myself drinking this at the end of the world. 4.5

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2012 02:55:27 | More by thecheapies

MeneerBeerSnob

District of Columbia

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into a tulip.

a-Pours a dark chocolate with almost an oily looking thickness and a half finger of dark mocha head.

s-Roasty cinnamon and clove smell invokes the holiday spirit.

t-Clove, nutmeg and a banana sweetness followed by a chocolate allspice finish with a very light Belgian yeast constant in the background.

m-Good carbonation with lighter body than is expected from the look of the pour.

o-Definitely a good brew for this time of year. I could see myself by the fire warming up with this while listening to holiday music. The complexity reminds me of Darklord by 3 Floyds, not in the taste, but in how a different flavor comes out with each drink and it becomes better throughout the beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 02:21:10 | More by MeneerBeerSnob

dfillius

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My 500th review!
Poured into a pint
A: Gentle pour yields 1/2 finger dark tan head with fair retention. Clear dark brown to black liquid. Porter-colored. Better head retention please.
S: Fennel, clove, cinnamon. SLIGHTLY Belgian. A Belgian winter warmer? Some booze on warming. A tad 1-dimensional
T: Clove, something a tad astringent. Bitter finish. Chocolate comes in way late at first as an after-after-taste. Spicy open doesn't jive at first with the bitter hops finish. Chocolate is more pronounced in later sips, shows up earlier too. It serves to unite the spice and hops later on. Much better and more unified at 45-ish degrees. Some booze comes through slightly at 55-ish degrees. It reminds me of Nogne O/Jolly Pumpkin/Stone Special Holiday Ale without juniper.
M: Definitely dry. Bitter. Very dry! A bit too bitter. I appreciate the dryness.
O: A tasty brew that is solid but doesn't wow. Not anti-climactic for the series, but not serving to go out with a bang. Enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 01:32:11 | More by dfillius

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle poured into a snifter

A- Pours almost pitch black like an imperial stout. Very thick. A one finger brown head.

S- Cinnamon, clove, banana, allspice. A big dark fruit and an almost coffee roasted quality. Not much hops but a very light bitterness. An intense christmasy nose.

T- A ton of cinnamon and spice. Allspice, reminds me of a pumpkin beer. Clove and banana peel. A sticky roasted quality on the tongue. somewhat dry. A slight bit of coffee and chocolate. A perfect amount of bitterness. The belgian yeast takes a back seat to the bold flavors. A little of the orange peel comes through at the back half. This is a mix between a porter, an abbey ale and a christmas beer, but its done so well and just works.

M- A good creamy and thick feel. A dry and bitter aftertaste of orange peel and bakers chocolate. Not too hard to drink and at 9% it gives a nice warming.

O- Surprised by this beer. Its great improvement over the other VE's I have tried. It's a mishmash of styles but its done so perfectly. I would like to see this again from stone. A great christmas brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 00:08:00 | More by TwelveOunces

Apellonious

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

1 pt 6 fl oz poured into a snifter glass.

A- Jet syrupy black, one finger of creamy mocha colored head

S - Spices, primarily nutmeg, cinnamon, clove,pumpkin, banana, and faint dark fruit

T - Taste is more of the same (spices) with a toasted chocolate coffee backdrop. It gets slightly sweeter as it warms, but the spices are still predominant. The aftertaste only provides a hint of the alcohol, otherwise it is well masked.

M - Carbonation is good. Not as syrupy as it looks on the pour. A dry, crisp finish with some lingering spice.

O - Spice beers are a mood beer for me, and can be hit or miss. This one is definitely recommended, as you can tell it is a high quality brew. A little less spice "womp" would have raised my rating. May pick up another to cellar to see if it mellows the spice presence.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 21:54:18 | More by Apellonious

gtermi

Texas

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer pours a dark brown body with a thick head that quickly fads.

S: I am getting a good amount of cinnamon, some sweetness and some spice.

T: I am getting a little bit of cinnamon, some sweet malt and a decent amount of dark malt.

M: The beer has a good amount of carbonation and a sort of thin body.

O: This is a pretty solid beer, but really was hoping for more. Really didnt hit the spot as I was expecting.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 06:09:19 | More by gtermi

JackieTH

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown opaque pour with a nice mocha foam cap. Smells of oranges, cloves and allspice. Prominent cloves in the nose. Taste is chocolate, clove, orange and pumpkin pie spices. None of the spices are predominate, but it's quite complex, maybe a bit too complex of a spice-fest..wait no it isn't. This 12.12.12 is done right. Complex, flavorful and really quite unique. Very nice and it continues to grow on me with every sip.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 05:52:25 | More by JackieTH

DavidST

Texas

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

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a goblet. This pours a pitch black color with a finger thick mocha colored head which has okay retention which dissipates to a thin film. The smells are very holiday like, perfect for the end of the year. You get a load of pumpkin, cloves, spice, cinnamon, slight amount of dark roasted malts. The feel is thick and creamy, thicker than I was expecting, mid level carbonination which tingles on your mouth. The taste is pretty good, a little bit of bitterness, lots of spices, pumpkin, cloves, spice, dark malts, great for the holiday.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 05:12:51 | More by DavidST

rtig

Florida

4.23/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was my first (apparently last) Epic. Purchased it as it was 12/12/12 and it seemed similar to Stone Sublimely righteous ale.

Poured a dark chocolate color with a light brown lace

Spicy aroma with coffee and chocolate

Taste was very complex as each sip yielded a slightly different flavor. Lots of different spices; cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice with malty chocolate.

Mouthfeel was relatively heavy but with a good finish

Overall Stone produces another winner which I feel very fortunate to have tried.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 00:58:25 | More by rtig

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown, basically opaque, with modest tawny edges and a thin skim of mocha bubbles. Lingering collar with fine bubbles clinging to the glass. Aromas of banana and bread, figs and spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg), almost like pumpkin pie. Burnt sugar and alcohol, quite nice. Solid bitterness throughout, perhaps a bit too much (hopefully this mellows over time), with a spice cake sweetness. Fruity notes of bananas and figs, alcohol and molasses. Lingering burnt and bitter character. Full bodied with fine carbonation, slight astringency and slickness, mild warmth. Overall, pretty enjoyable and a fitting conclusion to the series. It seems like it should age well too.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 00:20:37 | More by DrJay

lordofthewiens

Maine

4.38/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've looked forward to this series every year. This one was exceptional. In a snifter it was near black in color with a small tan head.

Cocoa and chocolate aroma. Roasted malts. Charcoal.

Cocoa/chocolate taste. Some coffee and vanilla.

This was a very dry beer, and just a joy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2012 21:27:57 | More by lordofthewiens

harrymel

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled 29NOV12

Pours opaque dark brown with a sheet of mocha foam. Smells really, really spicy. Nutmeg and allspice, cinnamon, cloves (stronger than I had anticipated), some floral notes and it all comes together to smell like tee tree oil. Tastes sweet and spiced - the aforementioned collage comes into play, the malts are charred, sweet and accented with a classical belgian yeast character. Medium to full bodied with lighter carb, the beer has a really fine feel. This is an interesting beer, I think it falls into a well done example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 06:41:00 | More by harrymel

JMad

Texas

4.48/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours an opaque pitch black color with a brown head that quickly dissipated into a very thin layer. The smell is bursting with nutmeg, cinnamon and chocolate with a hint of clove and banana. It tastes of dark chocolate with a hint of coffee, ther is lots of nutmeg and some clove with a slightly bitter herbal hop finish. This beer is extremely smooth and almost silky, it has low carbonation and a nice dry finish. I thought this was an awesome Belgian dark ale, the extra hop character and dryness was very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 00:22:47 | More by JMad

daledeee

Iowa

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

Thought I would try the new one in the series although I don't think I ever had the others.

Got this in a 16 oz glass. First thought was wow a dark one. Lots of dark tan head and really dark body.

Nose is charcoal, malt

Taste: Well the first sip may me say "NOT". I immediately wondered what I spent my $5 on. As it aired out and warmed up I began to enjoy this beer. However, it reminded me of a rather dry stout. First impression was overwhelming spice and a bitter malty mess. Later, it mellowed with less spice, a little more sweetness and a smoothness. It had plenty of coffee.

Mouth feel was pretty carbonated and heavy bodied.

This is a pretty good winter beer. Not quite balanced enough but I would like to try another.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2012 00:08:15 | More by daledeee

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark brown with a slight tan head. No true lace.

Big nutmeg and dark maltiness in the nose. You get the spice up front.

Boozy, cinnamon and nutmeg, brown bread crust, dark carmelized fruit, some burnt sugars, some palate clearing bitterness. Warming alcohol at the end. This has it all, and in great balance.

Full bodied, just right carbonation.

Terrific brew. Drinkable, lightly spicy, not overwhelming. Great cold-weather beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 00:07:13 | More by OtherShoe2

CA_Infidel2o9

4.9/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bomber to a Tulip

A- jet black, 1/4" brown head

S- egg nog, figs, time, clove, mint, earthy, bark, herbal, roasted malts, peppered & sweet jerky

T- herbs & spices, sweet smoked wood, pepper, hint of chocolate

M- medium body, low carbonation, belly warming alcohol

O- caught me completely off guard when i poured this and a jet black oily elixer emerged. Stunned me when i took my first sniff! Like opening up a spice cabinet, so many herbs and spices attack the senses and burn tbe nose. It's so earthy and spicy in both aroma/flavor. I have never tasted anything like it. I bought another to age but i think i might have to buy another, just to drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 17:08:30 | More by CA_Infidel2o9

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Stone Brewing Co.
12-12-12 Vertical Epic Ale

LOOK: Pours an opaque dark brown color with a creamy off white foam topping.

SMELL: Dark, roasted malts, dark fruits, cinnamon, clove and anise in the aroma. Sweet malt, estery Belgian yeast and light floral notes are prevalent.

TASTE: Roasted malt base with cocoa and char notes. There is a big presence of anise and cinnamon. Dry hopped flavor of resinous, sappy pine and carries a solid balancing bitterness. Could perhaps be described as a Spiced Belgian-style Stout.

FEEL: Full bodied, smooth, creamy feel with a prickly carbonation.

OVERALL: An interesting ale that will surely evolve and develop in time. It's also drinking just fine right now. Certainly not hot, this drinks smooth and easy. Not the best in the series but a nice brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 04:18:44 | More by Stinkypuss

ElSid

California

3.74/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

The Beers of California

#34

Bottled Date: None

A: Pitch black and opaque with an ephemeral milky espresso head which fades to trace lace and a faint blanket of foam.

S: Big spice aroma with raisins, dark grains with a hint of espresso, cocoa, and citrus zest. Some alcohol warmth is detected along with faint phenolic medicinal qualities which build as the beer warms.

T: An interesting melange of flavors with spice upfront consistent of nutmeg, allspice and a hint of peppery cloves on a foundation of mostly grainy, huskiness with a reserved sugary sweetness. The spice is paired with phenolic, band-aid like notes. There are also raisins, plum, espresso and chocolate topped off with citrus zest which attempts to balance the spice characteristics. Alcohol builds to the end beginning in the middle of this brew adding a nice warmth to the palate.

M: Medium bodied, powdery, with good linger and carbonation. There is also a synergistic spicy mouthfeel to the brew.

O: The last of the 10 Vertical Epic ales from Stone. The brew is not lacking in overall strength with a great complex spice flavors but overall the palate and component characteristics lack agreement with each other. Great effort from Stone.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 02:27:57 | More by ElSid

katan

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz into a pint

A - Pours very black, thick. Mocha head formation, moderate, frothy and long lasting. Just a little lacing.

S - Dark fruits and candy, lightly sweet with a solid hopping background. Dark cherries into a black IPA perhaps?

T- Starts off lightly sweet, more fruity than malty. Spicy, cinnamon. Mid-stream more spiciness, reminds me of christmas. Finishes with some stronger forming bitterness. In the aftertaste i get more cinnamon and spice (perhaps everything nice).

M - Moderate to almost thin body. A little bit of alcohol warmth. A sticky clingy aftertaste.

D - A hefty winter warmer ale - has the all around potency of the season. The dark fruits, dark more roasted type flavors make this more of a combination beer. Seems pretty filling.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 01:11:48 | More by katan