Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   add pic

This is the first Vertical Epic that I have had the pleasure of tasting and I will say that from the first sip i knew this would be one of my favorite beers. I purchased this beer on a whim one day at my local beer store and could not believe how thick and complex, yet smooth and crisp it was. You are instantly able to taste all different kinds of spice notes in the beer and the pour is a beautiful dark body with an off-white head that sits like a crown at the top of your glass. Although it may resemble a heavy stout in appearance, the Vertical Epic 09’ is much lighter than it seems yet this does not take away at all from the flavor of the beer. This beer has brought me into the cult of the Vertical Epic and I can’t wait for the next one to come out from Stone.

Pours a dark opaque chocolaty brown with a thick, fine-bubbled tan head. Aroma is not strong but tempting, coffee-ish with a tone of unsweetened chocolate. Flavor is richer than the aroma, mainly of roast coffee with an undertone of unsweet chocolate. Each sip seems different - one has a nutty hint, one toffee and one molasses. Tingly, sassy texture leaves a finish of fine roast coffee. Pity this is a once-only offering!

UPDATED: OCT 16, 2010

Rated first on 9/28/2009. 22 oz bottle into a Trappist glass. Aroma is of dark roasted malt, but not overbearing--something I like. Appearance: pitch black, even when held up to the light. Tastes of dark chocolate, black coffee, lots of hops leading to a nice bitter flavor which lingers on the back of the tongue. Tastes much more like an imperial stout than anything Belgian. Another great entry in the Vertical Epic series. I have enough of these to try every year until 12.12.12. I can’t wait to see how it matures. 6, 5, 10, 5, 19

Second rating on 10/15/10. Got a bottle of the 10/10/10, so I want to rerank this one. Not looking at my above review from over a year ago. Aroma is amazing now, full of chocolate (think Whoppers), coffee. Smells very much like a Samuel Smith dark beer (not very Belgian!). It’s a not completely opaque black but it’s close. It’s a dark brown around the edges when held up to the light. Has a thick tan head that dissipates in a few minutes, leaving some nice lacework and a thick collar. Taste is amazing--smoke and tobacco are very noticeable; some anise in the finish. Carbonation is low to medium; way full body; oily; perfect. An amazing beer that has definitely aged well. I’ll be ranking this one again next November. 9, 4, 10, 5, 19

Pours opaque black. Medium, light tan head. Smells rich and malty with caramel, fruit, and roasted overtones. Tastes of roasted coffee and caramel, followed by just a hint of fruitiness. Finishes with a earthy nut flavor and a resonance of hops. Thick creamy texture. Incredible.

Pours a deep black that light can’t penetrate. Smells of caramel, hops, and sadness. Very complex taste of all of the above. Good beer.

A little tiny bit of banana in the aroma. Surprisingly dark-stout-like. Whos. This is smoky, almost like lox. Excellent beer. Very chewy, smoky peaty and amazing.

Stone Brewing Company--Stone 09*09*09 Vertical Epic Ale--Ale Brewed With Spices--2009 Release--22 oz. Bottle. 8.90% ABV--50 IBU’s. (4.5 / 5.0) Porter--Belgian--Imperial- lacy espresso head. Opaque dark obsidian black color. Floral tangerine peel chocolate hop Belgian fruit ester front. Mild creamy smooth tangy sweet tart chocolate citrus vanilla orange banana clove oak coffee complex tasty body. Smooth mild spice end. Sampled 10/4/2009. $7.99 Each.

Great dark ooz color that bubbles in the center like a evil cauldron. And I’m not even talking about a stout. Who knew? Great bitter chocolate notes, oranges, caramel, coffee, with a great roast malt backbone. Awesome

pours deep brown/black with a thick burnt sienna head. nose has spicy notes, some citrus, chocolate, and dough/yeast. a little licorice and wood in there as well. flavor is huge- lots of roasted malt, espresso with lemon, chocolate, licorice, and bread. finish is long, with notes of bitter coffee, roasted malts, and dough. glorious.

Appearance: Pours a midnight brown with a small layer of froth atop. Aroma: Unsweetened cocoa, light rosemary, fresh bread, bit of fruitiness and a new pair of leather shoes. Taste: Roasted malts,burnt malts, chocolate covered fruits (dried pineapple and orange), wood and smoke notes, and melted caramel. I could go on forever. Mouthfeel: Sexy. Overall: Incredible. I try not to buy into the market speak printed on the bottle, but much of it is spot on. It’s a very luxurious beer, that gets even better as it warms up. While some of the lighter Vertical Epic beers don’t seem like they will get “awesomer”, this beer just might be destined for greatness, with a bit of age on it.