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Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale

Percentile
95
overall

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
3643.71/5.03.7/5.0Special8.5%88.8Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler
Commercial Description:
This is quite a complex and layered beer. Bold and smooth chocolate malt flavors combine with a Belgian yeast lending tropical fruit/banana flavors and hints of spiciness, all complemented by citrus notes from an addition of tangerine peel. Rich vanilla beans add a nice counter to the chocolate malt - actually enhancing the chocolatiness. The finish is smooth, with additional traces of vanilla and toasted characters from French Oak. The goal for this edition of the Stone Vertical Epic Ale series is to be reminiscent of artisanal chocolates accentuated with orange.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 doubleo (1104), San Diego, California, USA
3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/55/103/512/20

Oct 18, 2009  
22oz bottle. I can’t believe this beer has such a high score. Pours dark brown with a medium sized, creamy, light brown head with good lace. Smells very smokey with a hint of burnt rubber and a touch of malt sweetness. Tastes roasty and burned and slightly sour. Some roasty and sweet malts through the middle and more burning on the finish. Medium body, good carbonation.

 drseusszb200 (199), Florida, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/517/20
Dec 9, 2009  
tried at beer tasting at the ice house but poured dar with a small head that faded quicly. smell is coffee chocolate alcohol and slight freitiness. taste is very about the same and very good with a nice aftertaste.


mastabass666 (30), California, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/105/515/20
Dec 8, 2009  
citrus zest is initial element, followed by solid porter backbone, and vanilla bean in the finish. not picking up the belgian yeast. overall, very nice and complex.


 Marsiblursi (1646), Göteborg, Sweden
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/57/104/514/20
Dec 7, 2009  
(Bottle) Pours dark brown, almost black in the glass. Light brown head. The aroma is smooth with lots of creamy yeast, caramel/chocolate malt and fruity esters. Oranges, banana and mango. Mild spicy undertones of vanilla - both from the oak and the spices. Hints of (wood) tannins. Tones of caramel and (brown) sugar alongside a mild coconut note from the oak remind me of coconut milk. A whisper of black malt provides the nose with coffee. Roasted nuts. Laid back malt, the yeast is mild yet fairly complex but the hops (grassy/herbal and resinous) are maybe a bit too raw fore my liking. Almost no phenols = I like. The flavour is light sweet, medium bitter, and light acidic. Tones of chocolate, coffee, dark bread, citrus, light fruits, wood,earth, resin and subtle spices. Hops are high alpha but typical European in style. The mouthfeel is smooth, soft and round. The finish is to citric and alpha-aggressive. Medium to full bodied. I am not always a big fan of Stone, but the aroma is fantastic, as well as the malt recipe.


 ekstedt (2440), Göteborg, Sweden
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/56/104/512/20
Dec 6, 2009  
Bottle (bomber) from Systembolaget. Black with medium beige head. Fruity, caramelly, and sugary with some roasted notes of salmiak and gunpowder. Very little belgian character. Medium bodied and smooth. Dry with bitter and a bit salty finish. Quite mediocre.


 hirigalzkar (578), Stockholm, Sweden
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/514/20
Dec 5, 2009  
Bottle. Seriously bitter beer. Lots of coffee and pine. Huge bitterness in aftertaste.Can’t really see what’s belgian about this strong ale.


 jbye4334 (710), Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
3.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/513/20
Dec 4, 2009  
(bottle). Black color. Medium tan head. Strong malt aroma with light alcohol. Strong roasted malt flavor. Avg duration. Light alcohol finish with lasting roasted flavor. Slick texture. Soft carbonation.


 finol (504), Nacka (Stockholm), Sweden
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/57/103/515/20
Dec 4, 2009  
Bottle. Pours black with a firm and long lasting head of rather big bubbles. Lots of coffe, some rosted malts and pine. A bit to light bodied to carry all the flavours.


 Boliv (195), New York, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Dec 3, 2009  
Bomber. Pours deep, deep brown, nearly black, with a one-finger tan head that diminishes quickly. Aromas of milk chocolate, vanilla, coffee, some hops, roasty notes, raisins and berries, and a little smoke. Belgian yeast and pepper as it warms. Roasty and smoky flavor, cocoa, caramel, bitter espresso notes, and a bit of oak. A touch of alcohol in the finish. Ah, the slightest hint of orange rind is present in the finish as well. Rich, creamy, and smooth, with medium carbonation. Some spidery lacing is present. I’m not getting much citrus here, however. I would not have pegged this as a Belgian strong ale; it’s more like a porter, or a milk stout. I like this beer very much.



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