-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone Brewing
- 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:
- 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 sfoley333:
Reviewed by sfoley333 from Brazil
3.23/5 rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.23/5 rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Duvel Snifter.
The color is a wonderful golden orange with a nice lacy head that retains for a few minutes. The citrus hoppy aroma is mixed with a hint of spice but followed by strong presence of alcohol ( even though some stone beers have a higher alcohol content this one is more apparent). Taste at first overpowering citrus peel esters, with a warm alcohol aftertaste. Very bitter but not because of the hop flavor, needs more malt and hop flavor to support the flavored bitter effect of the oils of the citrus peel. Dont get me wrong this beer is meant to age, and out of all of the vertical epics I believe this one will benefit the most and might be mind blowing in 2012.
Sep 11, 2007The color is a wonderful golden orange with a nice lacy head that retains for a few minutes. The citrus hoppy aroma is mixed with a hint of spice but followed by strong presence of alcohol ( even though some stone beers have a higher alcohol content this one is more apparent). Taste at first overpowering citrus peel esters, with a warm alcohol aftertaste. Very bitter but not because of the hop flavor, needs more malt and hop flavor to support the flavored bitter effect of the oils of the citrus peel. Dont get me wrong this beer is meant to age, and out of all of the vertical epics I believe this one will benefit the most and might be mind blowing in 2012.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire
4/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2024Pours 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.
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
2.83/5 rDev -24.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
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, 2023Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
3.79/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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, 2022After 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
Reviewed by jtormey1 from Maryland
3.96/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2021Look - 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.
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
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, 2021Reviewed by ReDave from California
2.19/5 rDev -41.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2
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, 2020anyway this is a bit like a slightly sour Belgian Strong ale.. the after taste is hmm well, it's not going down the drain..
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.2/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
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, 2016Taste 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.
Reviewed by atigerlife from Hawaii
4.45/5 rDev +18%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
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, 2016L: 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.
07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale from Stone Brewing
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
584 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!