Stone 03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale

(RETIRED)

	Percentile
	96
	overall

Formerly brewed at Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Escondido, California USA

bottled
available

on tap
unknown

Local Distribution
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Ratings	Average	Score	Seasonal	ABV	Style Pctl	Serve in
317	3.74/5.0	3.73/5.0	Special	9%	89.7	Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Commercial Description:
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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bigbeersrule (58), USA

4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4	9/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	15/20

Oct 1, 2003

Rather dark and still young. Would benefit from a year or two of aging as most Belgians do. A surprising Pepper flavor that I didnt like to much. A big beer that will age well though. I stashed a couple of bottles away and will drink them years down the road.

Sham (1846), Seattle, Washington, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	7/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	16/20

Sep 27, 2003

Pleasing brown pour with little head. Sweet, candy-like nose. Sweet malt in the taste, slightly bitter finish. This could be a lot better with aging. Next bottle purchased will be thrown in the closet for some time.

Kinz (2207), Glen Allen, Virginia, USA

3.1	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.1	5/10	4/5	6/10	4/5	12/20

Sep 25, 2003

Nice ruby brown. Good, but fading, head. Not much aroma, just faintly of malt. Good malty flavor, fades into bitterness, followed by a refreshing burst of peppery spiciness. Interesting, but I couldn't get into it. I'll probably get another bottle to put aside for the epic.

TChrome (1299), Bedford, Texas, USA

3.7	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.7	7/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	15/20

Sep 23, 2003

Beer pours much darker than the 020202 with big fluffy head that mostly dissipates. There is heavy lacing. The aroma is as advertised dubble-ish with more emphasis on malt along with nice yeastiness. Both in the flavor and aroma there is no hint of the 9% ABV. Where did they hid the stuff? Anyway, this is a nice belgian style, not up to the standard set by the 020202.

Wrath (362), Valparaiso, Indiana, USA

4.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.2	8/10	4/5	9/10	4/5	17/20

Sep 22, 2003

Love this ale.Have one in the cellar for a later date to be determined.Dark amber color with a small bubbly head. Nice complexity of flavors(plum,raisin,grape and caramel)all are tasted on the mouth.Rather smooth for the ABV.Flavors get better as it warms.Finishes with a long warming feel.

brownaler (379), Topsail Beach, North Carolina, USA

4.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.2	9/10	4/5	9/10	4/5	16/20

Sep 21, 2003

Ok, so this is my first Stone brew, so I'm not familiar with what else they have. It has a dark amber appearence and a nutty taste, similar to a brown ale.

harlequinn (2745), Tacoma, Washington, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	16/20

Sep 5, 2003

I would like to try this one again when I can get a little more appreciation for the taste. I just had a sample of a friends, but what I had I really enjoyed. I could get a small feeling for the complexities this one has, very doughy, biscuity, with some corriander, figs, plums and grapes, that all turn out to be very spicy. This one is definitely better to drink when it is warm.

hotstuff (3175), Indiana, USA

4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4	8/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	16/20

Sep 5, 2003

This is a sipping beer due to the high ABV, and what a way to start off the weekend!!This beer had a medium sized tan head that consisted of medium sized bubbles that fully diminished.The body was cloudy and carbonated with a brown hue.The nose consisted of malts, hops and alcohol.It had an alcohol flavor and was a bit acidic as well.The mouthfeel was tingly, bubbly, smooth, light bodied with a watery texture to it.It had a fair amount of lacing to it.An enjoyable drink for sure.

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