Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale | Stone Brewing

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

4.66/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

3.55/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

3.97/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampling a cellar temp bottle poured into a snifter. The beer has been aging since i purchased it many years ago.
The beer opens with a pop and I worry a little about gusher potential, but all is well.
The beer is a clear copper hue with an eggshell white creamy head of 1 cm that fades to a sturdy edge layer soon after the beer is poured into my glass. Several lazy streams of carbonation rise up to the surface.
the aroma is lots of light fruit with melon and white grapes mixing with just a bit of biscuity malt. Any hops have long since faded and I also dont pick up any alcohol scents either.
The first sip reveals an average body and mild rolling carbonation. Smooth texture makes this beer easy to drink.
Flavor is also sweet and fruity with melon and some pear and white grape.
Some bready yeast and a bit of pepper does show some booze on the finish. It is a tasty brew and although it is pitched as an IPA, the hops are faded and I find all fruit and malt throughout.
this one aged well and another bottle would be good to open now in my opinion.

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3.83/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

4.29/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

3.84/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

4.26/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

3.73/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

4.19/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

3.64/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

3.75/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

3.88/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

3.87/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

4.05/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

4.09/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

4.46/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

4.44/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

3.57/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5