Is Stone Vertical Epic 8.8.8 worth picking up?

That's a rip off at $30. These sold for $12 retail. Place down the street from me is selling them for $15 in their vintage room.

 

I want to say they were like $7-8 when they were available in 08. Doesn't mean it is a ripoff at $30 now. I wouldn't gamble with the storage conditions at that price, but don't think that will be an easy find elsewhere. I did see 10, 11, and 12 on the shelves just a couple weekends ago though.

 

There is virtually no respectable established practice of retailers aging beer like there is for wine, and therefore the prices for aged beers carry considerable risk. Pass. Pass. Unless, of course, you know of the rare exception to what I said above.

 

While I am not your conscience, take into consideration of Stone actually nailing a Belgian Style anything. That would determine my purchasing.

 

That's a bogus price and he's most likely trying to make a quick buck. Tell him straight up you'll give him 16 for it and see if he bites, I bet he would.

 

Have to disagree. Quadrotriticale was pretty bad IMO. So was 12.12.12

 

*remembers Stone Saison*

*also remembers Cali-Belgique and VE12.12.12*

*shudders*

Yeah, Stone's about as good at making Belgian-style beer as I am at making a sculpture. PROTIP: I've never made a sculpture in my life and would have no idea where to start.

If I were you OP, I'd buy it for $3, and not a penny more.

 

$30 bucks is criminal. i happened not to like the Black Butte XXVI to much so i personally would pass on that but i'm sure there are better ways to spend that money in the beer store.

 

I can say that I have found a few, very few shops that can handle aging beers properly, but the few that I've found don't charge that big of a markup. I recently saw the 7.7.7 for 15 in a bottle shop. Never saw a distributor with the ability to age beer. I actually wish I could see it.
If I saw a markup like that, red flags would go off. They are just looking to sell a beer for too much that they found hiding in a corner.

 

I like the way people think on this forum. Listen ask yourself how many times you've seen something at the liquor store over 2 years old that wasn't skunked when you drank it? Furthermore, how many of those VEs actually stood the test of time in anyone's hands?

 

I believe he was saying the same thing - that the chances of them nailing anything Belgian is low.

 

@jmdrpi You're correct. I have yet to try a Belgian Style brew from Stone that I feel is worthy. I love my Belgian Ales!

 

I would go back in a week if it's still there offer $10...then only go up to maybe $12-15 at most (pending what you have to spend) otherwise pass

 

@Tylertut - I think I have all of the SVE bottles except '02. If you wanted to try any of them let me know. Happy to trade with ya.

 

Thought I'd wake up this old thread with a similar SVE question. I have SVEs for '07, '08, and '11. They have been properly cellared and unbothered for years. What are the odds that the '07 and '08 haven't gone to hell? Do they age that well? I know I'll just have to open them to really find out, but I'd just like to be somewhat mentally prepared for the results.

 

From my experiences, 07 and 08 were not good candidates for long term aging. I didn't enjoy the bottles I had picked up and had a few tastes from a vertical share in '12 and they were both way past prime.

09 though was fabulous a year ago.

 

Thanks for the input. Hopefully the '11 will still have some good qualities.