Vertical Epic 12-12-12

I have 2 each of 07-11 (and 3 10's). I tried an 08 last year some time and I remember liking it. The '10 is tasting pretty awesome right now (I disliked it a lot when it first came out). 07 will be the oldest beer I have ever tasted of anything so I'm excited. I just wish I had known about this stuff earlier so I could have some from 02-06.

 

I like Stone, and I've liked the VE series, overall. And - I don't care to start another bitchfest about these beers. But in my opinion, '07 and '08, and to a lesser extent (interestingly) '04 are past their prime. I've never had '02, but objectively, I see no way a 7.5% ABV witbeer can last this long.

Last time I opened an '05 and '06, they were sublime.

 

Yeah a lot of people on here hate this series so much its kinda crazy. There are a lot of fairly new craft beer people (like myself, I have only been into it since around 06-07) who were first introduced to the idea of cellaring beer by this series. I had never heard of the concept before VE. Most people I know, even craft beer people, still haven't heard of cellaring as it pertains to beer, people just think of wine. So these beers at least deserve some credit for introducing a lot of people to cellaring. I know other beers (like The Bruery's 12 Beer of Xmas) are using the same concept but with better beers, however Stone is one of the most widely available craft breweries so they can influence a greater part of the market. And a lot of people (at least that I know) start their adventures in craft with a Stone beer, usually Arrogant Bastard or Ruination.