Vertical order

My view is that your tongue veins to numb as you drink, so whatever subtitle nuances in flavor you want to pick up should be done first and foremost. I've done very tastings both ways (old/new new/old) and I prefer the older beers first, as when I drink the newer ones first it feels like the flavors of the older ones get washed out, and it just comes out as bland or "smooth". Of course there will be other opinions on this, so it really comes down to this: what do you want? Do you want to travel back in time from the newest, or do you want to see the evolution from oldest? Hell, start from the middle and flip a coin for what goes next! That's the beauty of beer- there is no right way, only preferred ways.

 

I've never done one but I like the idea of blind tastings so you aren't influenced by what year they are.

 

Why did my phone turn "turns" into "veins"?

*and another edit, I meant "tends" instead of "turns". Damn you iPhone! Read my mind and know what I want!!!!

 

I was always under the impression it was always new to old in a Vertical but what was said above also makes sense so as with most things this falls into however you want especially if ABV varies year to year and in the case of Stone Vertical Epic everything changes year to year.

 

Opposite.

Go old to new. Flavors will be bigger and brasher with young beers (and wines) that will do more to damage your palate. Always, always start with the old and work towards the new.