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02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone Brewing
- From:
- Stone Brewing
- California, United States
- Style:
- Witbier
- ABV:
- 7.5%
- Score:
- 83
- Avg:
- 3.66 | pDev: 16.94%
- Reviews:
- 25
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Aug 09, 2020
- Added:
- Apr 22, 2002
- Wants:
- 137
- Gots:
- 22
A new Vertical Epic will be released every year, with the goal being to collect them all and have a Vertical Epic tasting once the final Epic is released on 12/12/12. Each new Stone Vertical Epic Ale will be release one YEAR, one MONTH and one DAY apart. Vertical Epic 02/02/02 was not brewed "to style". Instead, we tried to create something new. It's triple-ish in nature, with wit character, coriander and orange peel, and has way more hops than either a Belgian triple or a Wit would. Belgian yeast was used. Belgian Strong Ale is the closest category that fits -- Greg Koch, Stone Brewing CEO. In addition, we are pleased to provide the homebrewing recipe: http://stonebrew.com/timeline/020202
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by MasterSki:
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)
3.47/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.47/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Bottle acquired by Sean9689. Served in a tulip glass.
A - Surprisingly ample carbonation that settles to a thin white cap and thicker collar, leaving behind a few spots of lace. Hazed orange-yellow body.
S - It smells like 'old' beer, but not in the bad sense of the word. Very fruity, with a hand lotion-esque note to it, peaches and pears, a touch of vanilla. There's oxidation, but thankfully it isn't of the cardboard variety.
T - The taste is quite similar, with fruity flavors and a dab of caramel, as well as sherry-like oxidation. Not great, but not terrible either.
M - Surprisingly zesty carbonation, a bit grainy in texture, medium in body, and no perceptible alcohol.
D - For an 11-year-old Wit it's surprisingly decent. That being said, I certainly wouldn't buy or trade for this. Went down pretty easy, and unfortunately this far surpassed some of the subsequent VEs.
Mar 06, 2013A - Surprisingly ample carbonation that settles to a thin white cap and thicker collar, leaving behind a few spots of lace. Hazed orange-yellow body.
S - It smells like 'old' beer, but not in the bad sense of the word. Very fruity, with a hand lotion-esque note to it, peaches and pears, a touch of vanilla. There's oxidation, but thankfully it isn't of the cardboard variety.
T - The taste is quite similar, with fruity flavors and a dab of caramel, as well as sherry-like oxidation. Not great, but not terrible either.
M - Surprisingly zesty carbonation, a bit grainy in texture, medium in body, and no perceptible alcohol.
D - For an 11-year-old Wit it's surprisingly decent. That being said, I certainly wouldn't buy or trade for this. Went down pretty easy, and unfortunately this far surpassed some of the subsequent VEs.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina
3.55/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
3.55/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
22 oz bottle.
Pours clear but lightly hazy with an excellent white head.
Funky and spicy aroma with a less funky and more spicy flavor.
Fine mouthfeel.
Overall: clearly does not live up to historic hype.
Mar 07, 2019Pours clear but lightly hazy with an excellent white head.
Funky and spicy aroma with a less funky and more spicy flavor.
Fine mouthfeel.
Overall: clearly does not live up to historic hype.
Reviewed by monkist from Hungary
4.41/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
4.41/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This is the great thing about Stone: that they can make even a Belgian Ale that I hate taste great and enjoyable. Maybe this should be the last word but I think I had rather lay the cards on the table and start off with this, as it sets the mood and hints at the overall quality of the beer.
But apart from that, it is quite similar to your regualr yeasty Belgian witbeer but then you start paying attention to this semi-sweet fruitiness in the taste and you recognize hints of orange peel and spices this ale was brewed with. Smells also quite fruity which is awesome. Smells like some autumn early morning frost from the Eighties where you would watch f****in white ninja movies and stuff. Insane. And this deep this beer is! Come on...
Actually having read the story on the bottle amazed me how rare and sought-after this beer is/was, having earned $1200 bids on ebay? I guess then it's the reissue that I'm drinking because I didn't have to go that far to get a hold of it! Okay, I won't like Belgian any better due to it but at least Stone helps me with its beer-brewing mastery to have an amazong time, no matter what.
So once again, hail Stone, hail their talent of being able to brew beer like this, beers that you will remember.
May 19, 2018But apart from that, it is quite similar to your regualr yeasty Belgian witbeer but then you start paying attention to this semi-sweet fruitiness in the taste and you recognize hints of orange peel and spices this ale was brewed with. Smells also quite fruity which is awesome. Smells like some autumn early morning frost from the Eighties where you would watch f****in white ninja movies and stuff. Insane. And this deep this beer is! Come on...
Actually having read the story on the bottle amazed me how rare and sought-after this beer is/was, having earned $1200 bids on ebay? I guess then it's the reissue that I'm drinking because I didn't have to go that far to get a hold of it! Okay, I won't like Belgian any better due to it but at least Stone helps me with its beer-brewing mastery to have an amazong time, no matter what.
So once again, hail Stone, hail their talent of being able to brew beer like this, beers that you will remember.
02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale from Stone Brewing
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
90 ratings
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