The Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale is a Strong Golden Belgian style ale highly hopped with American hops (Ahtanum, Amarillo and Simcoe). The beer pours pale golden with a thick and creamy white head of foam. The aroma is full of depth: nuances of pepper, clove, and banana from the Belgian yeast strain, and the resiny citrus notes from the American hops blend together nicely to provide a complex aromatic character. The taste is spicy, hoppy and fruity, with a very dry and a pleasant bitter end. The bitterness lingers nicely, and provides a refreshing finish!
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by slowrunner77 from Reno, NV, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (12/18/2008 5:25:28 PM)
"this one's almost the bastard child of an ipa and a belgian. HUGE hops on the nose, and the finish. WAY complex beer, as the belgian yeast duels with the hops to see who'll survive. Unique, and definitely recommended."
Aroma:
10/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $5 Unit Cost: $3.64 per Pint
[2] Review by eaglefan538 from DE, USA who has tried this beer once. (12/14/2008 5:43:31 AM)
"Bottle from StateLine, a great purchase. The pour was with a full head, hazy golden color, nice lacing. The aroma was floral hops, light fruits of peach and pears, bread/yeast. The flavor followed suite, and well, this one impressed me (I was already not anticipating greatness because I don't love the Stone VE series all that much, and don't buy into the Am Hopped up Belgian Strongs). A nice and drinkable concoction from one of my more favorite brewers in the country. Good stuffs, somewhat dry finish. Thanks, Stone!"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $6.99 Unit Cost: $5.08 per Pint
[3] Review by philbertgodphry from Tupelo, MS, USA who has tried this beer once. (12/3/2008 10:07:13 PM)
"Pours golden orange with very little head. Smells of hops, alcohol and an off putting citrus aroma that reminded me of the stuff they used to mop the floor with in high school. The taste was quite bitter at first but after quickly becoming acclimated to it, other flavors began to show themselves. Not a bad beer. I look forward drinking another one in 2012."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.8)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $8.99 Unit Cost: $6.54 per Pint
[4] Review by quaternio from Tupelo, MS, USA who has tried this beer once. (11/30/2008 9:14:34 PM)
"The bottle describes it as a Belgian trippel with American hops. It has a slightly hazy golden body and a tiny head that quickly disappeared. Aroma is of hop resins, cidar, and nice, vibrant Belgain yeast. I think the bottle's description is appropriate; it seems like a trippel or a Belgian Strong Ale that has been vigorously hopped, like an IPA (Cascade hops, maybe?). However, everything doesn't seem to mesh all that well quite yet, though I can definitely see how it could be quite nice eventually. I'll be sitting on my other bottle until after 2012, as is, of course, intended...."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
5/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $8.99 Unit Cost: $6.54 per Pint
[5] Review by Clash from Chattanooga, TN, USA who has tried this beer once. (11/18/2008 1:52:54 AM)
"This poured a golden color with a white head. The aroma is quite spicy with some perfume, citrus mainly lemons, and bananas. The flavor has some hops to it with some citrus and pine showing through. I also get some bananas, cloves, and more spices. This beer seems confused as to what it wants to be. Overall it was interesting but nothing I have much desire to return to though. "
Aroma:
6/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $6 Unit Cost: $4.36 per Pint
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(4.4)
