Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale (Two Years Later)

From Stone Brewing Co. –  In this year’s edition we took our inspiration from two Belgian styles: Saisons and Golden Triples. As such, the Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic has a deep, deep golden hue and the flavor is spicy, fruity, complex and refreshing. We used four different malts, and a subtle, yet distinct, blend of Glacier and Crystal hops to get just the right balance. Then, for the complexity, we added in some exotic spices — including ginger, cardamom, grapefruit peel, lemon peel and orange peel (the latter three acknowledging our Southern California home) — and a special Belgian yeast strain. All in all this is yet another case of us drawing from classic Belgian influences and cavalierly making it our own…San Diego style!

Stone Brewing Co. – Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale – 22 oz. bottle poured into a goblet. 8.4% abv. Purchased and A&J Wines and Spirts in Covina, CA. (Click image to see entire label)

Appearance: Pours a bright, semi translucent orange. Upon a very close look, I see very tiny particles.  Starts with a big white fluffy head that subsides to a 1/8 inch stripe of white.

Aroma: Heavy whiffs of clove and cinnamon, as well as Belgian tripel yeast, which reminds my nose of pencil shavings. A little bit of orange and lemon mixed in with the spices. Dry malt and a little bit of hop spice can be smelled as well.

Taste: Starts off very bitter and clove-y.  Dry malts, fruity yeast, a little bit of that pencil shaving yeast flavor as well.  Spicy would be a word to describe the taste experience.

Mouthfeel: Very thin and aggressively carbonated.

Overall: This beer seemed a bit crisper and better balanced when it was fresh.  I feel like all the parts that made it one solid beer are going in their own direction.  Still have one or more saved for after 12.12.12.