02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone Brewing

02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
Witbier
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.66 | pDev: 16.94%
Reviews:
25
Ratings:
90
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 jcalabre:
Photo of jcalabre
Reviewed by jcalabre from California

4.47/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Originally sampled 8 December 2002
As Stone's description indicates, it is sort of Trippel-ish, sort of Wit-ish. Whatever style you want to categorize it in, it is a very well done beer. It's honey colored w/ a nose reminding you of it's Belgian roots.
May 21, 2003
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by Velivolus1 from Vermont

Aug 09, 2020
 
Rated: 2.7 by clager from Michigan

Nov 02, 2019
 
Rated: 4.14 by Dentist666 from Russian Federation

Sep 10, 2019
 
Rated: 4.25 by baklo from North Carolina

Aug 28, 2019
 
Rated: 3.81 by Cpmitchno1 from Virginia

Jul 14, 2019
Photo of chinchill
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
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, 2019
 
Rated: 5 by Kwright from North Carolina

Jan 23, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by Velivolus from Vermont

Sep 16, 2018
Photo of monkist
Reviewed by monkist from Hungary

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, 2018
 
Rated: 4.39 by RandyBoBandy from Florida

Feb 15, 2018
 
Rated: 4.2 by RickS95 from Indiana

Jan 21, 2018
 
Rated: 3.56 by bb-magic from Florida

Jul 15, 2017
 
Rated: 3 by ejimhof from Pennsylvania

Jul 05, 2017
 
Rated: 3.81 by joemcgrath27 from Canada (AB)

Apr 23, 2017
 
Rated: 3.56 by unclekeith from Alaska

Mar 25, 2017
 
Rated: 3.25 by kvgomps from New Jersey

Feb 16, 2017
 
Rated: 3.81 by Bf_89 from Canada (ON)

Feb 11, 2017
 
Rated: 3.69 by probert from New York

Feb 11, 2017
 
Rated: 4.32 by vheissu15 from North Dakota

Jan 23, 2017
02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 90 ratings