07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone Brewing

07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian Pale Strong Ale
ABV:
8.4%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.77 | pDev: 14.06%
Reviews:
388
Ratings:
584
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 09, 2024
Added:
Jun 19, 2007
Wants:
  47
Gots:
  149
In this year’s edition we took our inspiration from two Belgian styles: Saisons and Golden Triples. As such, the Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic has a deep, deep golden hue and the flavor is spicy, fruity, complex and refreshing. We used four different malts, and a subtle, yet distinct, blend of Glacier and Crystal hops to get just the right balance. Then, for the complexity, we added in some exotic spices --- including ginger, cardamom, grapefruit peel, lemon peel and orange peel (the latter three acknowledging our Southern California home) --- and a special Belgian yeast strain. All in all this is yet another case of us drawing from classic Belgian influences and cavalierly making it our own...San Diego style!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by theopholis:
Photo of theopholis
Reviewed by theopholis from California

4.46/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance- Nice, slightly orange. Nice, white head with some retention and a decent amount of lacing.

Aroma- Wonderful mix of orangy cirtris, Belgian yeast and a hint of earthiness. Just enough hops in there so you know you're not sniffing fruit juice. Smells very inviting.

Taste- Again, quite citrusy. Tastes great. Just a hint of yeastiness. Not much taste on the front of middle of toungue. Nost of it is on the rear as you swallow. Very interesting. A hint of candy sweetenss in there, and you get a feel for the alcohol as you drink it, but it's not over-powering.

Body- Quite slick. Slides down the gullet very nicely. Perfect level of CO 2 for the style. Okay, maybe a hair more would be nice. It's tought to put a finder on it. Body is medium for the style.

Drinkability- It's delicious, but not very sessionable. If you are just getting into Belgian ales, this is a very good starting point.
Dec 21, 2007
More User Ratings:
Photo of brewandbbq
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz bottle from 2007.

Pours clear gold with an inch of white head. Moderate retention with minimal lacing. Spicy and phenolic in the nose. Light bodied with a tacky, slickish mouthfeel. Honey-drizzled spices on the palate with hint of malt. Cardamom, coriander, peppercorns, apples, cloves. Finishes spicy and a bit sweet.
Feb 09, 2024
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

2.83/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Dusty bottle from the cellar. 16 years! Ruddy brown pour, small bubbly head disappears. Musty, malty aroma with faed fruity notes. Taste is dull, and sweet, oxidized, malty. Did not fare so well.
Dec 03, 2023
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

3.79/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottled 7/7/7. Duh

After the fun of drinking the 6/6/6 a few weeks ago, I had to break into this one before it “started” to go bad. I’m pretty sure it’s already oxidized and 100% certain it’s already past its prime, but let’s crack it open and truly find out

Pours an opaque brownish caramel color with just a thin ring of off white bubbles that leaves minimal lacing. Clearly oxidized

Despite this oxidation, the nose is actually quite nice for what it is, even though it isn’t really in line with the original style. I’m picking up on aromas of brown sugar, toasted grain, orange zest, dark bread, honey, apple skin, light floral hops, and clove

It starts to fall apart a bit in taste, but I still don’t hate it. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting raisin, brown sugar, dark toast, black tea, floral hops, molasses, and a touch of black cherry. The swallow brings notes of brown sugar, toasted nuts, honey, black cherry, herbal hops, clove, and dark bread

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes slightly dry and nicely fruity

This aged surprisingly gracefully. Again, definitely past its prime but I still dig it. Drink it if you have it still
Dec 27, 2022
Photo of jtormey1
Reviewed by jtormey1 from Maryland

3.96/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Original 2007 release
Look - dark copper, with some haze
Smell - still get the fruitiness and spice, and a little yeast
Taste - Still pretty tasty; little bit of the sourness and spice
Overall - I enjoyed it. Some of it was probably the novelty of drinking a 14 year old beer, but I'm enjoying this.
Feb 13, 2021
Photo of bminor7
Reviewed by bminor7 from New York

3.66/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This is from the OG VE release. I'm not sure when the best time would have been to have this but I can say that among the older beers I've had recently, this has done a better job of keeping its cardamom and citrus flavor. Not much aroma but mouthfeel is good, almost a hint of pepsi in the aftertaste. Crisp.
Jan 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

Jul 16, 2020
Photo of ReDave
Reviewed by ReDave from California

2.19/5  rDev -41.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2
So, this is a pretty old beer. I was so excited when Stone started these in Y2K. I can't remember when but at some point it turned into a partial decade Belgian fest. Not my favourite style.... I think i bought at least 2 a year..... for while, not sure about the last 2 or 3...
anyway this is a bit like a slightly sour Belgian Strong ale.. the after taste is hmm well, it's not going down the drain..
Mar 28, 2020
 
Rated: 3.75 by GarthDanielson from Virginia

Aug 07, 2017
 
Rated: 3.65 by unclekeith from Alaska

Mar 25, 2017
 
Rated: 3.7 by dag1991 from Ohio

Jul 16, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.2/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Mixture of stuff here, gold and red essentially. Aroma popped off almost wine like, tannins and astringency abound.

Taste was muddled. Saison, wine, tripel = spice rack in wine feel. This is just smacking of DFH kind of beer. Spice rack, wine, yeast, boozy-ness.

Won't be hitting this one up again.
Apr 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.78 by ClePaul from Ohio

Apr 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3.92 by smi69 from New York

Feb 14, 2016
Photo of atigerlife
Reviewed by atigerlife from Hawaii

4.45/5  rDev +18%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I had this one for a LONG time...and finally decided it was time (8.5 years would seem long enough). Glad I waited....

L: Murky brown, like apple cider. No head. No lacing. As it warmed (second pour), was able to get a small light brown head that quickly dissipated but left some lacing.

S: Aroma is sweet. Plums. Prunes.

T: Malt. Prunes. Apples. Pears. Raisins. Citrus. Spices. Delicious and perfect. Somewhat like a Belgian dubble.

M: Medium bodied. LIghtly cleansing.

O: Wow! That's the best beer I've had in a while. My expectations were a little tempered by other reviews, but this was totally delicious!! Obviously, this aged well. Well worth the 8.5 year wait. Since noone has reviewed this in 1.5 years, it seems like many just couldn't wait this long...too bad.
Jan 31, 2016
 
Rated: 3.46 by DangerDawg from Ohio

Dec 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.79 by jaydoc from Kansas

Dec 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Hohnbaum from Kansas

Dec 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.69 by MickeyHops from California

Oct 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.09 by Sweffin from Wisconsin

Sep 27, 2015
07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 584 ratings