03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale
Stone Brewing

03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.9 | pDev: 14.1%
Reviews:
196
Ratings:
290
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 29, 2023
Added:
Mar 03, 2003
Wants:
  91
Gots:
  45
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. With Vertical Epic 03/03/03, we used some pretty interesting ingredients...coriander (a "Belgian-style" beer favorite!), alligator pepper (wow, bite into these little gems and you get a bigtime spicy rush of flavor), and a bit of both unmalted wheat and dark roasted wheat. And a blend of Belgian yeast and American ale yeast. And a nice selection of high alpha hops (a decidedly non-Belgian style twist). All told it makes for a dubble-ish taken-to-San-Diego-pushed-to-the-edge-and-slapped-around-a-bit beer. So, treat it gently. It's been abused enough already. Store it upright, cool and in the dark. It would enjoy a nice long rest. It will have plenty of patience. Now let's see about you ... In addition, we are pleased to provide the homebrewing recipe: http://stonebrew.com/timeline/030303
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by RoyalT:
Photo of RoyalT
Reviewed by RoyalT from Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance – This one gave off a monster head that almost raged out of control. The body is sugary brown and the head a triple “L” (long, lasting, and lacing), creating a shaving cream-like cover to the body and pitting like volcanic lava.

Smell – The lightly-toasted malt aroma makes itself known. The traditional Stone hops come out as well, creating quite the balance. The sweet raw and table sugar smells blend perfectly with this concoction.

Taste – The aggressive aroma gives way to a nicely balanced ale. The molasses and sugar sweetened malts lead the way, followed by balancing Stone hops and a sugary finish. The traditional BSDA spices are present as well, making this an extraordinary brew.

Mouthfeel – Well-carbonated with a sweet, malty start and a dry, almost bitter hop finish. This one is full and chewy.

Drinkability – You don’t have to wait until 2012 to enjoy this offering.

Comments – BigDog (xlperro) gave me the bottle to take home when I was in town on business (as if he hadn’t extended himself enough already). This was an excellent and thoughtful gift and well appreciated. I popped this for my 300th review. Cheers to the BAs of SoCal!
Oct 20, 2003
More User Ratings:
Photo of brewandbbq
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottle cellared on its side for 20+ years.

Pours clear mahogany with a half-inch head of tan. Raisins, clove, caramel apples in the nose. Medium bodied with a slickish mouthfeel. Light carbonation. Light spices and phenolics on the palate with dark rum. Finishes a bit sweet and limp.
Nov 29, 2023
 
Rated: 3.6 by MutuelsMark from Kentucky

Mar 17, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by brittanylicious from Indiana

Jan 26, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by heysuz from Indiana

Jan 26, 2019
 
Rated: 3.77 by Hohnbaum from Kansas

Dec 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.22 by MickeyHops from California

Oct 04, 2015
Photo of Stinkypuss
Reviewed by Stinkypuss from Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Pours a dark brown, nearly black color with amber highlights. No sediment. Aroma is belgian like but with a bigger malt note than usually found in the style. Elements of caramel, toffee and cocoa come to mind. Some sherry also.

The taste has more dark fruit, Berry wine, cocoa, soy and coffee elements. A bit of wood type flavor not sure if it's hop, wood, or oxidation playing tricks on me. Still holding onto a low carbonation.

Interesting beer, like an old Belgian, but lacks the finer qualities it once had fresh. Similar to port wine. Held for 12 years in honor of 12 Vertical epics, and this just appeared in my fridge for a tasting.
May 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by Poupae from Thailand

Mar 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by NickMunford from Wyoming

Mar 07, 2015
Photo of GRG1313
Rated by GRG1313 from California

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is not a 2015 review. This review is from found notes from tasting this beer shortly after it was released.
Mar 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.46 by fox227 from California

Feb 05, 2015
Photo of DavoleBomb
Reviewed by DavoleBomb from Pennsylvania

1.83/5  rDev -53.1%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5
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.

2.0 A: Muddy shit. Small head that falls almost instantly.

1.5 S: Smells like old homebrew and not homebrew that started out good. Rancid spicy caramel. Instead of alligator pepper, it smells like alligator hide.

2.0 T: Tastes better than it smells, but just barely. Rancid chocolate and caramel. Moldy old wheat. A bit of roast and a light, out of place, spice.

2.5 M: Heavier medium body. Sludgy mouthfeel. The only thing that impresses is that a decent amount of carbonation is still present.

1.5 D: Mostly ass beer at this point. Enough said.
Jan 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.45 by tikk from Canada (YT)

Dec 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by nathanmiller from New York

Dec 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by SoCalBeerIdiot from California

Oct 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4.2 by vma from California

Sep 22, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by BcOneSeven from Michigan

Sep 21, 2014
 
Rated: 2.76 by shoegueuze from California

Sep 17, 2014
03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 290 ratings