roder60 (1030), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Nov 3, 2009 Pours a jet black color with small layer of bubbly tan film that dissapates quickly. Aroma is roasty, licorice, some sweet chocolate and light cola scents. Flavor is very dry and bitter, roasty and coffee like, bitter baking chocolate, nice smokiness. Very dry bitter finish. Don’t recognize any belgiany yeast that the description syas. The oak character is definitely there though. This is very interesting and different, definitely my favorite of the epics ive had so far.
BeerBaron617 (312), Novi, Michigan, USA
| 3.6 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 5/10 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Dec 26, 2009 Had this bomber with my Christmas dinner last night. This stuff, as it’s properly named, is EPIC! lol. Very dark pour, with creamy head. It was sweet, and malty, but also with some slight hop character. It reminded me of the Hibernation Ale I had from Great Divide the other day. Really great stuff to have with an incredible meal. Cheers! omhper (12298), Stockholm, Sweden
| 3.7 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 14/20 | Dec 26, 2009 Bottled. Very dark brown, minimal head. Aroma of raspberry and chocolate. Drier and slimmer than anticipated wit notes of marzipan. Red berries comes to dominate coffee and chocolate with vanilla on a distance. Marked cocoa bitterness. The best Vertical Epic I can remember! drewbeerme (2306), Chicago, Illinois, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Dec 25, 2009 22oz bottle, pours dark Brien with creamy tan head. Nose of plums, chocolate, and spicy yeast notes. Flavors of chocolate, raisins coffee, with earthy spicy finish. Med body, sturdy carbonation. Possibly the best epic in the series. xmarcnolanx (806), Kirkwood, Missouri, USA
| 3.6 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 15/20 | Dec 24, 2009 Aroma is sweet chocolate, fruity, estery, vanilla.
Taste is oatmeal, fruity citrus, chocolate, vanilla, carbonation, more sourness and yeastiness. Strange.
Good, but I feel like the hyper-carbonation really obstructs the taste of this.
Finish is slightly sour, a bit bitter, and some sweetness.
Decent. durhambeer (1226), Durham, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Dec 23, 2009 From some of my friends’ reactions, I was sort of putting this one off, thinking it would be a disappointment. And with the first sniff and few sips, I thought it was. But once it warmed, it was a different story. This is a fine beer; unique and lovely -- and with a surprisingly degree of subtlety for Stone. Pours nearly black with a generous light brown head. Nose first reveals bitter, even ashy cocoa and overripe fruits. Weird, and it takes some getting used to. Tastes similar but with more hop bitterness and citric notes as well as some wood. In some ways much of the flavor reminds me of Angostura bitters. I’ve been on a Manhattan kick, which is perhaps why I’m into this beer. Some of the oak and mild vanilla qualities hint at bourbon as well. Nice dry finish. Tasty. Strykzone (1496), Wood River, Illinois, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Dec 22, 2009 Thanks Hayduke! This beer looks much like a porter when poured. It is very dark with a small tan head. Aroma is chocolate, over ripe fruit and wood. There is a lot going on in the flavor. Chocolate and fruit again. This is also a well hopped beer and those hops provide bitterness, dryness, and tartness. There is plenty of malt and it gives a sweetness that nicely balances the hops and that balance leans towards sweet but with a dry aftertaste. Vanilla, wood, and spice. There is a bit of ash that is the only negative here for me. Alcohol is not noticed. Maybe my favorite of Stone’s Verticals to date. bu11zeye (5621), Frisco, Texas, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 | Dec 22, 2009 ( 22oz bottle ) Pours a near black body with a medium beige head. Aroma of anise, roasted malt, cocoa, and Belgian yeast. Flavor of roasted malt, anise, Belgian yeast, vanilla, and chocolate with a dry, bitter finish. yespr (12407), Copenhagen O, Denmark
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 | Dec 22, 2009 22 fl oz bottle. POurs dark brown with a thick, creamy and chocolate brown head. Aroma is roasted, light fruity and vague yeasty spiced. Solid roasted and breadish malt flavoured, dry liqourice note and mild hardroasted acidity from the malt. Minor to vague metallic note. Lingering roasted and mild fruity finish. Solid roasted brew.
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