Stone 12.12.12 Vertical Epic Ale

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Rated in Jan. 2013. 12oz bomber pours very dark with a lasting mocha colored head of foam. The aroma seems modest in strength offering up various winter spices as well as to a lesser extent malt and candi sugar like sweetness. Man! The taste is vibrant and bold with various spicy notes and Belgian candi sugar and then it turns into a mix of maybe ginger and cinnamon to midway. The brash spiciness seems like it will be off-putting but the sweetness and candi sugar sensation somehow manage to keep this thing from coming apart at the seams. At times it seems to be pushing me away but then it pulls me right back. I’m liking this.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Sampled (the whole bottle) 12-12-2013. Lightly muddy darker brown pour, tight tannish head, ample lacing. Spices still evident in the initial nose and flavors: orange peel, clove, ginger, then some molasses, Belgianesque yeasts, cocoa. A lot going on in here even after one year.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Pours very dark. Not much of a head even after an aggressive pour. What head there is does last and leaves some lacing. Spicy aroma. Belgium style flavour but the beer is dominated by the spice with a little dark chocolate. Medium smooth mouthfeel. Although it’s a tasty beer I would not buy again even if it was available.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

I don't really care for nutmeg in my beer...especially dark beers. Thinkin that all the spices, peels, etc. was a little too much for this one. Reminds me of a pumpkin stout(imperial). Last bottle of vertical tasting, and sad to say the least favorite. Solid brew nonetheless....grew on me a bit towards the end. Enough malt here so that the spices aren't overwhelming....actually a good balance. Not one that I would am storing in the memory bank though.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

I had the pleasure of enjoying this beer on two special occasions. The second time I drank it I tasted spice that I missed the first time. I enjoyed it more the second time but I believe it had to do with just finishing a huge delicious meal prior to my tasting. My only regret is that this is the last Vertical Epic in the series. Cool idea! Applause Stone Brewing Company!

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Without a doubt, this is the best beer in the VE series. Mind-blowingly good. There was all this rich chocolate and raisins, and then and then the spices. Oh dear Zeus, the spices. Like a enticing chai tea, this beer surpased any expectations of how all these flavors could work together. Almost black pour, with a thick, cocoa colored head. I was not expecting much here, because the otheres that I have had ove rthe years were certainly lackluster. Oh. My. God. This is good. I will have to get more of them.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 9

Strong aroma has malty and yeasty notes and a firm overtone of spices - I get clove, ginger and maybe allspice. Thought I smelled coriander, though that’s not listed as an ingredient. It pours like a stout - a deep, warm sable with a thick, fine-bubbled tan head. Flavor - woooooooo, mouth-filling, strong and herbal; woody, licorice, ginger, roast malt, bitter hoppy, subtle orange and nutty notes. This beer must be sipped slowly! Thick, firm, smooth texture has a strong and persistent tingle. Stones last "triplet date" beer is a winner!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

A pitch black appearance with a beige head. The aroma contains some coffee, cinnamon, ginger, and chocolate. The flavor is somewhat bitter with some strong coffee flavors accompanied by a lot of spices including ginger and cinnamon. The finish is somewhat dry with a bit of alcohol showing through. Overall this is a very nice way to finish out the verticals. And with this rating I’ve had all of them! Yes I’m bragging so what.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

On tap / 22oz bottle -

A very nice beer and a bit different from the past years VE's. Lots of clove and allspice in both the aroma and palate. Light-to-medium sweetness left behind to help some of the dark fruit flavors come forward. Reminded me of some kind of blend of a BSA / Anchor's OSA and Stone's VE (which it is obv). So it's a VEOSABSA...great.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

An intense dark brown to black color with a good two fingers amount of head. The head was of a rich chocolate shake color and it leaves plenty of thick lace. The look of this is very nice.Aroma impression is of holiday spice cookies and does remind me of Christmas. I get cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, roast and interestingly way in the back some tobacco. There is some coffee and chocolate mixed in, as well as some dark fruits. There is a noticeable espresso-cocoa note with a some wonderful sweet dark spices. Now the spices are similar to the nose with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.It finishes quite dry and a touch bitter with a ton of spices still in the aftertaste. This beer is very creamy and smooth and full bodied. The alcohol heat that is present is faint at best and does warm the chest.Overall I enjoyed this beer. I don't think this beer fits any specific category but the mixture of styles is what makes it work for me.