Stone 05.05.05 Vertical Epic Ale

(RETIRED)

	Percentile
	97
	overall

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

bottled
available

on tap
unknown

Regional Distribution
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Ratings	Average	Score	Seasonal	ABV	Style Pctl	Serve in
361	3.78/5.0	3.76/5.0	Special	8.5%	91.5	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. This time around, we used no spices in the brewing of this beer. If you've tasted the beer before reading this, that may surprise you. The special Belgian yeast we used adds a distinctively spicy aroma and flavor. Roastiness, clove, hops, fruitiness, and those other great and funky phenols abound in the nose. What's in the flavor? You certainly get some dark roasted malts and alcohol overtones. What else? Hints of earthiness, chocolate/cocoa, hop spiciness, maybe even anise, and ... the incredible variety of complexities from the classic brewing ingredients of barley malt, hops, yeast and water, when applied with an artistic brewer's talent never ceases to amaze.

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SpudClampDawg (1027), Jasper, Indiana, USA

4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4	6/10	4/5	9/10	4/5	17/20

Dec 18, 2005

Deep brown with mahogany highlight. The aroma is choclatey with a slight burnt note and some plum sweetness. A nice balance of fruity sweetness and chocolate malts work great in the body. Smooth mouthfeel and slightly bitter finish. The yeast plays such a backseat roll, this comes off more like a Doppelbock than a Belgian. Good stuff anyways.

pineypower (1090), Pine Barrens, New Jersey, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	8/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	17/20

Dec 7, 2005

Had this a few times, but I figured give it six months or so to age. Pours out a light brown color with a very small head. The aroma is fruity and spicy, with some notes of hop. The taste is well balanced with notes of spice most obvious are clove and brown sugar. Also a few earthy notes reminiciant of a fine cigar. The end is slightly bitter with an obvious alcohol content. Good overall beer...will have it again in 7 years, hahah

goldtwins (4079), Nesconset, New York, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	15/20

Nov 29, 2005

Poured a clear brown color with a red tint. Sweet malty aroma with plenty of dark fruits. Fruity flavor continues with the dark fruits dominated by prune. Bitter finish. Medium bodied.

hayden1215 (305), Ohio, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	8/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	15/20

Nov 28, 2005

Somewhat clear dark-brown with tan head. Spicy, fruity, & yeasty aroma with notes of banana and clove. Highly spicy, slightly sweet with caramel. Strong finish with some of the alcohol coming through.

AlchemistZ (493), Richmond, Virginia, USA

3.5	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.5	6/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	14/20

Nov 28, 2005

Color of mahogony wood with a thin, but well-sustained, off-white head. Aroma of crystallized sugar, american cheese, and North African spice. Flavor is herbaceous, chocolatey, dried elder berries, sugar, and spicy alcohol in a complex flavor profile.

bigrond (1044), factoryville, Pennsylvania, USA

3.4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.4	5/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	17/20

Nov 26, 2005

this was my first sampling of the ’series’. It’s not readily availible in my area, so it might be the last. BUt it was very smoth with a nice dark caramel color - a very good belgian style beer

SpringsLicker (2042), Tennessee, USA

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

Nov 19, 2005

Starts out looking proper for a Strong Belgian Ale. Deep, clear, ruby color with a small, somewhat fleeting Mocha colored head. Dates, raisins and brown sugar int he aroma. Dark fruit and caramel follow int he flavor. Full and satisfying palate make this an enjoyable Belgian style brew.

beerbill (1943), Laurel, New York, USA

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

Nov 15, 2005

Bottle. Pours a deep mahogany with a thick, creamy tan head. Lots of plums and spices in the aroma. The flavor does not disappoint. Plums and bananas combined with cloves and caramel. The alcohol is definitely present but not overpowering. Really terrific, I just wish I bought more than one last June.

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