Stone 03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Stone 03.03.03 Vertical Epic AleStone 03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale

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BA SCORE
89
good
-
237 Ratings
THE BROS
92
exceptional
-
read more »
rAvg: 3.96
pDev: 12.88%
Reviews: 188
Hads: 49

Ratings Help


Brewed by:
Stone Brewing Co. visit their website
California, United States

Style | ABV
Belgian Strong Dark Ale |  8.50% ABV

Availability: Limited (brewed once). bottle (174), on-tap (14)

Notes:
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.

A new Vertical Epic will be released every year, with the goal being to collect them all and have a Vertical Epic tasting once the final Epic is released on 12/12/12. Each new Stone Vertical Epic Ale will be release one YEAR, one MONTH and one DAY apart. With Vertical Epic 03/03/03, we used some pretty interesting ingredients...coriander (a "Belgian-style" beer favorite!), alligator pepper (wow, bite into these little gems and you get a bigtime spicy rush of flavor), and a bit of both unmalted wheat and dark roasted wheat. And a blend of Belgian yeast and American ale yeast. And a nice selection of high alpha hops (a decidedly non-Belgian style twist). All told it makes for a dubble-ish taken-to-San-Diego-pushed-to-the-edge-and-slapped-around-a-bit beer. So, treat it gently. It's been abused enough already. Store it upright, cool and in the dark. It would enjoy a nice long rest. It will have plenty of patience. Now let's see about you ... In addition, we are pleased to provide the homebrewing recipe:  http://stonebrew.com/timeline/030303 
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Reviews

Sort by:  Latest | High | Low | Top Reviewers | Read the Alström Bros Beer Reviews and Beer Ratings of Stone 03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale Alström Bros  | Show Hads:
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Reviews by drabmuh:
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drabmuh

Maryland

4/5  rDev +1%

01-16-2013 19:03:42 | More by drabmuh
More User Reviews:
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SpdKilz

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%

05-21-2013 02:19:13 | More by SpdKilz
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ajzy

Wisconsin

2.25/5  rDev -43.2%

05-18-2013 00:21:58 | More by ajzy
Photo of mikeincharleston
mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -17.9%

05-13-2013 22:26:06 | More by mikeincharleston
Photo of koopa
koopa

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1%

05-12-2013 02:32:19 | More by koopa
Photo of cadaugherty
cadaugherty

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%

05-07-2013 23:12:48 | More by cadaugherty
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TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%

04-29-2013 01:43:40 | More by TheBeerAlmanac
Photo of mdaschaf
mdaschaf

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Had on tap at Brouwers on 12/12/12. Review from notes.

A: Hazy red/purple with no head or lacing.

S: Very bready with some dark fruit, caramel and a little spice. It is a little phenolic.

T: Light citrus, slightly bitter with a little caramel, raisin, and bread.

M: Low to medium bodied with no carbonation.

O: Not awful considering age, but didn't exactly hold up well either.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2013 22:41:10 | More by mdaschaf
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robbrandes

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%

04-03-2013 06:03:06 | More by robbrandes
Photo of chippo33
chippo33

Vermont

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%

03-13-2013 23:14:20 | More by chippo33
Photo of sweemzander
sweemzander

Illinois

3.01/5  rDev -24%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22oz. bottle poured into a taster. Major thanks to Chris for sharing!

(A)- Pours a tawny port-like mahogany caramel color. Some minimal tan froth and lacing.

(S)- Some leathery oxidation leads to a figgy raisin and caramel sweetness.

(T)- Fairly high oxidation levels lead to plenty of leathery prune characters in front of very subtle and subdued caramel.

(M)- Very mellow carbonation level. Due to its level of oxidation, this feels to be a bit thin; flavors starting to fall off.

(O)- I think this is definitely showing its age at this point, but still has some enjoyable qualities at this stage, but if you have any, I would start drinking them now because they are not going to get any better.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 15:39:14 | More by sweemzander
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spycow

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -36.9%

03-09-2013 22:54:29 | More by spycow
Photo of MasterSki
MasterSki

Illinois

2.89/5  rDev -27%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Bottle I got in a trade many years ago - think it was from KAME. Served in a tulip.

A - Tan foam quickly settles to a thin collar and wisps, leaving behind minimal lacework. Hazy dark brown body.

S - Oxidized, with a mix of cardboard, caramel, toffee, and an unexpected floral note.

T - The taste is similar, albeit a tad better. Nebulous sweetness, with notes of honey and caramel. A tad bitter in the finish.

M - Medium-full body, active carbonation, chewy texture, and a dry finish. Not much alcohol present after 10 years.

D - Not good, but not terrible either. Didn't hold up as well as the 02.02.02, but I didn't want to drainpour it either.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 03:59:57 | More by MasterSki
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quetzal013

California

3.75/5  rDev -5.3%

03-05-2013 05:34:09 | More by quetzal013
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bca115

California

3.25/5  rDev -17.9%

03-04-2013 21:53:15 | More by bca115
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BigLittleHokis

California

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%

02-25-2013 03:52:02 | More by BigLittleHokis
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drummermattie02

Texas

4/5  rDev +1%

02-19-2013 03:54:12 | More by drummermattie02
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MaseFace

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +1%

02-16-2013 17:44:40 | More by MaseFace
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HopsMatt

Kentucky

2.5/5  rDev -36.9%

02-16-2013 17:34:47 | More by HopsMatt
Photo of Treebs
Treebs

Illinois

2.58/5  rDev -34.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5

22 oz. bottle served in a CCB snifter.

A: Pours a hazy dark amber color with some brown in the body. A thin, light tan head forms on the pour and recedes at a normal pace.

S: Dark fruit with a light over-cooked caramel. Some artificial chocolate notes, almost like a Tootsie Roll.

T: The taste really shows the oxidation, it wasn't that prevalent in the nose. Light paper, stale saltine crackers, medium sweetness and light Tootsie Roll.

M: Medium bodied with a medium carbonation level. The carbonation saves this one form being a complete drain pour.

O: This one didn't stand up as well as the 02.02.02. It was alright, but it had an old artificial flavor to it that didn't sit well with me.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 03:31:12 | More by Treebs
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DRTBrewster

Arizona

4/5  rDev +1%

02-07-2013 22:39:25 | More by DRTBrewster
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WesM63

Ohio

4/5  rDev +1%

01-25-2013 02:24:43 | More by WesM63
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SPRichard

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1%

01-23-2013 22:27:10 | More by SPRichard
Photo of charlzm
charlzm

California

2.79/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

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

Beer pours a clear, light caramel. No head forms but there is some carbonation visible in the glass.

The aroma is sweet: honey and cider notes.

Flavor is slightly oxidized with notes of tea, coriander and caramel. Moderately bitter on the finish.

Mouthfeel is thin and slightly astringent.

This beer probably peaked a while before the tasting: not surprising, given its age.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 18:36:41 | More by charlzm
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orangesol

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -30.6%

01-20-2013 18:59:16 | More by orangesol
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Stone 03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale from Stone Brewing Co.
89 out of 100 based on 237 user ratings.