Stone 12.12.12 Vertical Epic Ale | Stone Brewing
Brewed by:
Stone Brewing
California, United States | website
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.00%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by HalfFull on 12-05-2012
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
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Reviews: 306 | Ratings: 1,582
4.19/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A very nice medium tan two finger head with good retention. The color of the beer is a dark molasses and opaque.
N: Molasses, bittersweet chocolate, oranges, raisins, roasted malt, a burnt note, toffee, dark roasted coffee, some floral, and a earth note.
T: Dark chocolate, oranges, raisins, roasted malt, a burnt note toffee, espresso, earthy, floral, woody, molasses, bready, and yeasty.
M: A very chewy rich beer with some carbonation.
This beer has a lot going on with many flavors, yet so refined but bold. After fours sitting it has aged very nicely and is a sipper for sure. The alcohol is noticeable, but not too strong. All the flavors meld together nicely to create this offering. The nose is so much more richer, than the taste; nonetheless, a good beer to drink .
★ 783 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A very nice medium tan two finger head with good retention. The color of the beer is a dark molasses and opaque.
N: Molasses, bittersweet chocolate, oranges, raisins, roasted malt, a burnt note, toffee, dark roasted coffee, some floral, and a earth note.
T: Dark chocolate, oranges, raisins, roasted malt, a burnt note toffee, espresso, earthy, floral, woody, molasses, bready, and yeasty.
M: A very chewy rich beer with some carbonation.
This beer has a lot going on with many flavors, yet so refined but bold. After fours sitting it has aged very nicely and is a sipper for sure. The alcohol is noticeable, but not too strong. All the flavors meld together nicely to create this offering. The nose is so much more richer, than the taste; nonetheless, a good beer to drink .
★ 783 characters
4.78/5 rDev +22.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Strong aroma has malty and yeasty notes and a firm overtone of spices - I get clove, ginger and maybe allspice. Thought I smelled coriander, though that’s not listed as an ingredient. It pours like a stout - a deep, warm sable with a thick, fine-bubbled tan head. Flavor - woooooooo, mouth-filling, strong and herbal; woody, licorice, ginger, roast malt, bitter hoppy, subtle orange and nutty notes. This beer must be sipped slowly! Thick, firm, smooth texture has a strong and persistent tingle. Stones last "triplet date" beer is a winner!
★ 543 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Strong aroma has malty and yeasty notes and a firm overtone of spices - I get clove, ginger and maybe allspice. Thought I smelled coriander, though that’s not listed as an ingredient. It pours like a stout - a deep, warm sable with a thick, fine-bubbled tan head. Flavor - woooooooo, mouth-filling, strong and herbal; woody, licorice, ginger, roast malt, bitter hoppy, subtle orange and nutty notes. This beer must be sipped slowly! Thick, firm, smooth texture has a strong and persistent tingle. Stones last "triplet date" beer is a winner!
★ 543 characters
3.43/5 rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Despite the claims of being as cellarable as any other beer in the series, my bottle of 12.12.12 was certainly well past its prime. I remember it being a pleasant, though spicy, Belgian when fresh. This bottle was recently acquired at a local bottle shop that found it stored in the back, so I suspect it's been warmer than optimal cellar temp for several years now. That said, it was all nutmeg and wet newspaper, with a sharp bitterness on the finish.
★ 453 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Despite the claims of being as cellarable as any other beer in the series, my bottle of 12.12.12 was certainly well past its prime. I remember it being a pleasant, though spicy, Belgian when fresh. This bottle was recently acquired at a local bottle shop that found it stored in the back, so I suspect it's been warmer than optimal cellar temp for several years now. That said, it was all nutmeg and wet newspaper, with a sharp bitterness on the finish.
★ 453 characters
3.65/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Dark and spicy, lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove. Near black body with beige creamy head. Some chocolate in the aroma and taste, mildly dry finish. Overall very complex, lots of flavors combined.
★ 194 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Dark and spicy, lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove. Near black body with beige creamy head. Some chocolate in the aroma and taste, mildly dry finish. Overall very complex, lots of flavors combined.
★ 194 characters
1.87/5 rDev -52.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1
Great looking beer but sadly not one I could drink. The nose and flavor were complete spice bombs dominated by clove, anise, ginger (?) and other flavors I couldn't hardly get past to enjoy the base beer.
What's interesting is I went into this beer with zero knowledge and was even surprised when I saw a dark stout-like beer (I was expecting a blonde color for whatever reason). I guess my point is I didn't go in intending to dislike this, but unfortunately did. Overly spiced to the point of ruin for me.
★ 509 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1
Great looking beer but sadly not one I could drink. The nose and flavor were complete spice bombs dominated by clove, anise, ginger (?) and other flavors I couldn't hardly get past to enjoy the base beer.
What's interesting is I went into this beer with zero knowledge and was even surprised when I saw a dark stout-like beer (I was expecting a blonde color for whatever reason). I guess my point is I didn't go in intending to dislike this, but unfortunately did. Overly spiced to the point of ruin for me.
★ 509 characters
4.03/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a 13 oz Weyerbacher tulip glass. Pours a very attractive dark brown, with a one inch light brown head that leaves very attractive lace.
Smell chipotle, vanilla, clove, coffee grounds, dark fruit, orange peel, honey, and cocoa.
Taste follows coffee grounds, chipotle vanilla, upfront with clove, honey, orange peel, and cocoa in the fairly dry finish.
Mouthfeel is a little bigger than medium, moderate carbonation, pretty dry, and nice drinkability for its size.
Overall I have to confess I did the rare strait to the cellar without trying it fresh, so I can't say it is better now. I will say it seems to have held up well, tasty and different beer.
★ 668 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a 13 oz Weyerbacher tulip glass. Pours a very attractive dark brown, with a one inch light brown head that leaves very attractive lace.
Smell chipotle, vanilla, clove, coffee grounds, dark fruit, orange peel, honey, and cocoa.
Taste follows coffee grounds, chipotle vanilla, upfront with clove, honey, orange peel, and cocoa in the fairly dry finish.
Mouthfeel is a little bigger than medium, moderate carbonation, pretty dry, and nice drinkability for its size.
Overall I have to confess I did the rare strait to the cellar without trying it fresh, so I can't say it is better now. I will say it seems to have held up well, tasty and different beer.
★ 668 characters
4.26/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Had on tap at the black sheep, looked great out of the tap.definite spice, chocolate and leather, for someone who doesnt rate Stone too highly, this was excellent.
★ 163 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Had on tap at the black sheep, looked great out of the tap.definite spice, chocolate and leather, for someone who doesnt rate Stone too highly, this was excellent.
★ 163 characters
4.27/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3 years aged may be a bit long. Pours very dark into a Chimay glass with tan head. Lots of spice in the nose, as another mentioned similar to a pumpkin beer.
Orange peel shows up in the taste, along with dark chocolate. Slightly thin, but a good beer.
★ 256 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3 years aged may be a bit long. Pours very dark into a Chimay glass with tan head. Lots of spice in the nose, as another mentioned similar to a pumpkin beer.
Orange peel shows up in the taste, along with dark chocolate. Slightly thin, but a good beer.
★ 256 characters
4.34/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 22oz bomber into a speiglau stout glass.
Three years age on it.
Look is jet black, no light coming through with a thick tan head.
Lots of roasted chocolate malt and a slight spice.
Tastes absolutely great. Slight spicing kinda like a light pumpkin beer. Very balanced the age definitely serves it well.
★ 323 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 22oz bomber into a speiglau stout glass.
Three years age on it.
Look is jet black, no light coming through with a thick tan head.
Lots of roasted chocolate malt and a slight spice.
Tastes absolutely great. Slight spicing kinda like a light pumpkin beer. Very balanced the age definitely serves it well.
★ 323 characters
3.93/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Amber color with a small head. Looks the part
Smells of Belgian yeast and light herbal flavors.
Surprisingly carbonated for the style. Otherwise the taste is marvelous. A distinct hop character with floral and grass undertones. This is definitely hoppier than traditional Belgians, which creates a great taste contrast. On one end you got your caramel Belgian styled brew, and on the other you have the hoppiness that Stone brings. Together, they make a delightful and potent brew which I thoroughly enjoyed. Without it being revolutionary in any sense. Definitely satisfying, but I doubt I'll spend $13 on it again.
★ 619 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Amber color with a small head. Looks the part
Smells of Belgian yeast and light herbal flavors.
Surprisingly carbonated for the style. Otherwise the taste is marvelous. A distinct hop character with floral and grass undertones. This is definitely hoppier than traditional Belgians, which creates a great taste contrast. On one end you got your caramel Belgian styled brew, and on the other you have the hoppiness that Stone brings. Together, they make a delightful and potent brew which I thoroughly enjoyed. Without it being revolutionary in any sense. Definitely satisfying, but I doubt I'll spend $13 on it again.
★ 619 characters
4.33/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had this yesterday at a beer fest. Great to have this again after it's had some time to age!
Pours a deep almost stout like color.
Nose is all spices, clove particularly.
Tastes like what Christmas should - in that the spice is there in a great way but not overpowering like so many winter warmers.
Wonderful treat getting this and it is definitely better than I remember it from when I first tried it a couple years ago.
★ 426 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had this yesterday at a beer fest. Great to have this again after it's had some time to age!
Pours a deep almost stout like color.
Nose is all spices, clove particularly.
Tastes like what Christmas should - in that the spice is there in a great way but not overpowering like so many winter warmers.
Wonderful treat getting this and it is definitely better than I remember it from when I first tried it a couple years ago.
★ 426 characters
4.35/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Beautiful look and sticky lacing. Flavor is full of sweet spice (allspice, clove) with a toasty, dark malt backbone. Feel is spot-on Belgian strong ale with fine but persistent carbonation. Truly a great beer experience.
★ 220 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Beautiful look and sticky lacing. Flavor is full of sweet spice (allspice, clove) with a toasty, dark malt backbone. Feel is spot-on Belgian strong ale with fine but persistent carbonation. Truly a great beer experience.
★ 220 characters
4.99/5 rDev +27.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Wow. Most amazing thing I've tried! Bought 4-19-15, drinking 4-20-15. Must have been a huge batch if only brewed once and am still able to buy. Really wish I could have tried all of them. This will for ever be my all time favorite beer.
★ 236 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Wow. Most amazing thing I've tried! Bought 4-19-15, drinking 4-20-15. Must have been a huge batch if only brewed once and am still able to buy. Really wish I could have tried all of them. This will for ever be my all time favorite beer.
★ 236 characters
3.67/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A strong clove note on the nose along with some sweet fruit, lots of cinammon & nutmeg in the body with some lasting dark molasses. Lots of hefty winter flavor, but a little strong on the spice.
★ 195 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A strong clove note on the nose along with some sweet fruit, lots of cinammon & nutmeg in the body with some lasting dark molasses. Lots of hefty winter flavor, but a little strong on the spice.
★ 195 characters
4.09/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this sometime at the end of 2012, as part of a 03.03.03 - 12.12.12 tasting. I had meant to enter these a while ago while they were fresh and add a few extra details, but that didn't happen. Review from notes. Anyway, here we go.
3.5 A: Black color. Small frothy light brown head.
4.5 S: Wonderfully spicy. Loads of cinnamon, allspice, clove, and nutmeg. Smooth chocolatety base with caramel, peel, and light malty backbone. Light roast.
4.0 T: Same as nose.
4.0 M: Lighter medium body. Good spritzy carbonation. Lightly creamy.
4.0 D: Very tasty. Best of the night.
★ 591 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this sometime at the end of 2012, as part of a 03.03.03 - 12.12.12 tasting. I had meant to enter these a while ago while they were fresh and add a few extra details, but that didn't happen. Review from notes. Anyway, here we go.
3.5 A: Black color. Small frothy light brown head.
4.5 S: Wonderfully spicy. Loads of cinnamon, allspice, clove, and nutmeg. Smooth chocolatety base with caramel, peel, and light malty backbone. Light roast.
4.0 T: Same as nose.
4.0 M: Lighter medium body. Good spritzy carbonation. Lightly creamy.
4.0 D: Very tasty. Best of the night.
★ 591 characters
4.42/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Stone Vertical Epic 12.12.12
22 oz. bottle, no apparent freshness dating
$8.49 @ Total Wine & More # 901, Tampa, FL
Stone has gone out strong with their Vertical Epic 12.12.12. It looks like an Imperial stout, but tastes kind of like a gingerbread cookie with raisins in it. It's got one of the most tenacious and lace-giving dark tan heads I've ever seen, yet its almost opaque brown-black body is actually medium, or even medium-light in body. And although it's got a strong roastiness to it, it's also loaded with fruit and spice.
The aroma is clearly not Imperial stout like (perhaps Belgian stout like), giving off bright notes of spice including ginger, ... uh, ahhh, I see they're listed on the bottle so I might as well just list them here: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, sweet orange peel, clove and rose hips... and yet I see there's no ginger but I smell it. I also get a little bit of bubblegum, but all you need for that really is just sugar and clove. Needless to say, it's complicated - and that's all you need to know as I'd rather not write a book detailing the changes you'll encounter as it warms and so forth. For you the imbiber, you can enjoy the malts, the yeast, and the spice as much or as little as you want because although it's quite complex, it's really not overwhelming.
The flavor, now that's a different story. It's spicy, and it's 'Belgian', and it's malty - let's start with that. Dark malts abound, yet it's not overly roasty or chocolatey or darkly caramelish - all of those are present, both standing on their own and working together, but it's not a "malty" beer. In the end it's simply medium bodied so you can't pack that much malt flavor in like you can with a barley wine or what not. And rather than being bitter, it's got a nice sweet note to it that's reminiscent of rock candy - it's sugar, but it's not super sweet sugar - and with the bitterness that IS there, and all of the spice, it remains balanced. What this beer is not, is rounded. No, it's all over the spider web flavor chart with spikes in overall intensity, sweetness, fruitiness, roasted cereal, and alcohol (even at just 9%). It's a roller coaster in that sense. In fact I'm not sure I've ever experienced a beer that's so intense in so many ways, and yet overall not a "punch in the face".
So how to rate it? How to describe it overall? I don't think there's really a beer category to put it in, but if I was forced to choose one I'd go with "Belgian-style stout", which is not really recognized, and as such, rating it can only be done in a hedonistic way. Michael Jackson once told me when I asked him about rating beers hedonistically or "not to style", that "you have to just take what you know and assign it", so I'll do that.
When I go to sleep tonight I might dream of a cinnamon roll with raisins that have been soaked in dark rum and served alongside cold dark coffee and a hot cup of floral and herbal tea with a slice of orange on the side.
My overall impression to pass on to you, then, is buy it, try it, and if you like it go back for more (as I will, at least in part because I think it will age beautifully). To a certain extent this is history in the making! It's the last of the Vertical Epic series (until the next time... ?), and it might be the first of a new style.
Kudos, and thanks to everyone at Stone!
★ 3,347 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Stone Vertical Epic 12.12.12
22 oz. bottle, no apparent freshness dating
$8.49 @ Total Wine & More # 901, Tampa, FL
Stone has gone out strong with their Vertical Epic 12.12.12. It looks like an Imperial stout, but tastes kind of like a gingerbread cookie with raisins in it. It's got one of the most tenacious and lace-giving dark tan heads I've ever seen, yet its almost opaque brown-black body is actually medium, or even medium-light in body. And although it's got a strong roastiness to it, it's also loaded with fruit and spice.
The aroma is clearly not Imperial stout like (perhaps Belgian stout like), giving off bright notes of spice including ginger, ... uh, ahhh, I see they're listed on the bottle so I might as well just list them here: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, sweet orange peel, clove and rose hips... and yet I see there's no ginger but I smell it. I also get a little bit of bubblegum, but all you need for that really is just sugar and clove. Needless to say, it's complicated - and that's all you need to know as I'd rather not write a book detailing the changes you'll encounter as it warms and so forth. For you the imbiber, you can enjoy the malts, the yeast, and the spice as much or as little as you want because although it's quite complex, it's really not overwhelming.
The flavor, now that's a different story. It's spicy, and it's 'Belgian', and it's malty - let's start with that. Dark malts abound, yet it's not overly roasty or chocolatey or darkly caramelish - all of those are present, both standing on their own and working together, but it's not a "malty" beer. In the end it's simply medium bodied so you can't pack that much malt flavor in like you can with a barley wine or what not. And rather than being bitter, it's got a nice sweet note to it that's reminiscent of rock candy - it's sugar, but it's not super sweet sugar - and with the bitterness that IS there, and all of the spice, it remains balanced. What this beer is not, is rounded. No, it's all over the spider web flavor chart with spikes in overall intensity, sweetness, fruitiness, roasted cereal, and alcohol (even at just 9%). It's a roller coaster in that sense. In fact I'm not sure I've ever experienced a beer that's so intense in so many ways, and yet overall not a "punch in the face".
So how to rate it? How to describe it overall? I don't think there's really a beer category to put it in, but if I was forced to choose one I'd go with "Belgian-style stout", which is not really recognized, and as such, rating it can only be done in a hedonistic way. Michael Jackson once told me when I asked him about rating beers hedonistically or "not to style", that "you have to just take what you know and assign it", so I'll do that.
When I go to sleep tonight I might dream of a cinnamon roll with raisins that have been soaked in dark rum and served alongside cold dark coffee and a hot cup of floral and herbal tea with a slice of orange on the side.
My overall impression to pass on to you, then, is buy it, try it, and if you like it go back for more (as I will, at least in part because I think it will age beautifully). To a certain extent this is history in the making! It's the last of the Vertical Epic series (until the next time... ?), and it might be the first of a new style.
Kudos, and thanks to everyone at Stone!
★ 3,347 characters
3.71/5 rDev -4.9%
Strong ginger and nutmeg in aroma, along with plums and muted cherry. Light smoke and cinnamon add complexity. Didn't expect the spice character, as I'm having this on draft and didn't read the bottle description. It's dark as a stout. Flavor reveals strong cherry and citrus underpinnings, with a roasty, bitter finish. Medicinal notes abound. Certainly not your typical Belgian dark strong. The cherry character dominates, along with cinnamon, nutmeg, and roast malt. Spices are stronger than I'd prefer.
★ 507 characters
Strong ginger and nutmeg in aroma, along with plums and muted cherry. Light smoke and cinnamon add complexity. Didn't expect the spice character, as I'm having this on draft and didn't read the bottle description. It's dark as a stout. Flavor reveals strong cherry and citrus underpinnings, with a roasty, bitter finish. Medicinal notes abound. Certainly not your typical Belgian dark strong. The cherry character dominates, along with cinnamon, nutmeg, and roast malt. Spices are stronger than I'd prefer.
★ 507 characters
4.4/5 rDev +12.8%
The 2012 Vertical Epic release was, appropriately, a winter seasonal, and it was excellent. Everything you'd want in a winter warmer, plus some bonus alcohol just because. Very well done, and I hope I can find some of this next winter somehow.
★ 245 characters
The 2012 Vertical Epic release was, appropriately, a winter seasonal, and it was excellent. Everything you'd want in a winter warmer, plus some bonus alcohol just because. Very well done, and I hope I can find some of this next winter somehow.
★ 245 characters
3.98/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Tons of dry spice in this brew! Nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice make themselves significantly known, riding atop a Belgian yeast sweetness. Peculiar roasty finish.
★ 162 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Tons of dry spice in this brew! Nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice make themselves significantly known, riding atop a Belgian yeast sweetness. Peculiar roasty finish.
★ 162 characters
4.41/5 rDev +13.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance - The beer was a murky brown color, perhaps leaning toward blackness.
Smell - The malts in the aroma gave the impression of sweet and sour fruits. Without knowing, it would difficult to pinpoint the style based on the aroma.
Taste - My initial thought was that this is a lot like chai tea. There was malty goodness laying in the background, but the spiciness jumps out. There is a measure of chocolate in the aftertaste which leans slightly dry.
Mouthfeel - There is a degree of thickness as this one coats the tongue and lingers. One is really able to appreciate the spices as it lingers.
Overall - I am not sure about the bag reputation this one has, but I enjoyed it.
★ 685 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance - The beer was a murky brown color, perhaps leaning toward blackness.
Smell - The malts in the aroma gave the impression of sweet and sour fruits. Without knowing, it would difficult to pinpoint the style based on the aroma.
Taste - My initial thought was that this is a lot like chai tea. There was malty goodness laying in the background, but the spiciness jumps out. There is a measure of chocolate in the aftertaste which leans slightly dry.
Mouthfeel - There is a degree of thickness as this one coats the tongue and lingers. One is really able to appreciate the spices as it lingers.
Overall - I am not sure about the bag reputation this one has, but I enjoyed it.
★ 685 characters
5/5 rDev +28.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I had the privilege of drinking this AMAZING beer last night at a friends going away party. To make a long story short, this beer IS CHRISTMAS in a bottle. Smells of eggnog, gingerbread, cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg. The taste is rich, thick, and tastes of the previously stated scents. TL;DR I would buy this beer if I come across it again.
★ 344 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I had the privilege of drinking this AMAZING beer last night at a friends going away party. To make a long story short, this beer IS CHRISTMAS in a bottle. Smells of eggnog, gingerbread, cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg. The taste is rich, thick, and tastes of the previously stated scents. TL;DR I would buy this beer if I come across it again.
★ 344 characters
3.95/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a near black with dense dark brown head, a spray of lace on the glass. Smell: a lot of baking spices, fig, date bread, cooked pear note, double sweet stout level of sweetness. Taste: tons of caramel, some chocolate syrup, roast note, prune, nutmeg and allspice. It's like chocolate spiced eggnog poured over date bread splashed with orange liquor. It's a dessert at this point and a nice holiday beer. For the style, even for a "noel" take on the style, it's way over the top.
★ 482 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a near black with dense dark brown head, a spray of lace on the glass. Smell: a lot of baking spices, fig, date bread, cooked pear note, double sweet stout level of sweetness. Taste: tons of caramel, some chocolate syrup, roast note, prune, nutmeg and allspice. It's like chocolate spiced eggnog poured over date bread splashed with orange liquor. It's a dessert at this point and a nice holiday beer. For the style, even for a "noel" take on the style, it's way over the top.
★ 482 characters
4.48/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottled on 12/6/12, poured into stone snifter
A- pours a dark brown, nearly black color with a small creamy khaki colored head that has good retention long after the pour, leaving some lace behind
S- big dose of clove and nutmeg, with hints of cinnamon, allspice, gingerbread, floral sweetness, fruitcake, burnt dark sugar and fig. Spices are still pronounced.
T- first impression is that the spices are still pronounced, big flavors of clove, cinnamon, gingerbread cookie, nutmeg, allspice, tastes like Christmas in a glass. The finish lingers charred malt, candied orange and sweet figs, awesome
M- medium body with low carbonation leads to a slightly foamy mouthfeel and a smooth finish, just a touch of abv warmth
O- this was a home run for me. One of the best "Christmas" spiced beers that I've ever had and the spices are still alive and kicking. Very good start to a 7 year vertical
★ 897 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottled on 12/6/12, poured into stone snifter
A- pours a dark brown, nearly black color with a small creamy khaki colored head that has good retention long after the pour, leaving some lace behind
S- big dose of clove and nutmeg, with hints of cinnamon, allspice, gingerbread, floral sweetness, fruitcake, burnt dark sugar and fig. Spices are still pronounced.
T- first impression is that the spices are still pronounced, big flavors of clove, cinnamon, gingerbread cookie, nutmeg, allspice, tastes like Christmas in a glass. The finish lingers charred malt, candied orange and sweet figs, awesome
M- medium body with low carbonation leads to a slightly foamy mouthfeel and a smooth finish, just a touch of abv warmth
O- this was a home run for me. One of the best "Christmas" spiced beers that I've ever had and the spices are still alive and kicking. Very good start to a 7 year vertical
★ 897 characters
4.25/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
I saw this in a local tobacco and beer place called "Habits" in Salem OR and thought I would take a chance since it was in the fridge. Cost? $3.99 Pours a dark dark brown almost blackcurrant look..nice thick tan head. Nice moderate spicy coriander aspects along with small "barnyard and blackberries in the aroma..very pleasing to the nose. Taste is all of the above with a touch of bitters and very smooth and well melded. Some dark roasted coffee in the end but in balance with the whole. Mouth feel on this is spectacular, smooth oh so silky smooth yet kicks in with some refreshing surprises. Excellent drink..the age seems to have been good for this beer. There is one left..i plan to get it tomorrow.
★ 706 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
I saw this in a local tobacco and beer place called "Habits" in Salem OR and thought I would take a chance since it was in the fridge. Cost? $3.99 Pours a dark dark brown almost blackcurrant look..nice thick tan head. Nice moderate spicy coriander aspects along with small "barnyard and blackberries in the aroma..very pleasing to the nose. Taste is all of the above with a touch of bitters and very smooth and well melded. Some dark roasted coffee in the end but in balance with the whole. Mouth feel on this is spectacular, smooth oh so silky smooth yet kicks in with some refreshing surprises. Excellent drink..the age seems to have been good for this beer. There is one left..i plan to get it tomorrow.
★ 706 characters
Stone 12.12.12 Vertical Epic Ale from Stone Brewing
3.9
out of 5
based on 1,582 ratings.
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had this one at The Mint in Bethlehem, PA. As part of their 5th anniversary, they are serving up some aged beers from their cellar. This offering was about 3.5 years old when consumed in the heat of mid-summer 2016.
Pours a deep dark brown to black color with a finger of beige head - almost porter-like. There is a hint of burnt wood in the nose. I do not recall if this beer was barrel-aged but the essence is definitely there. The dominant flavor is that of raisin bread with Christmas spices. There is also more than a trace of bittersweet chocolate. The finish is quite dry.
The kicker here is that there is no hint of the alcohol - this is definitely a BIG sipper but the booze does not even poke its head through.
June 28th is pretty damn close to "half-way to Christmas" and this offering put me in the spirit of the season early. This was a real treat in the dead of summer but it would make for a total holiday classic after coming in from building a snow man.
★ 978 characters