I've been on a Belgian kick lately. Maybe I just follow the fads. I had Vertical Epic at the Stone Brewery a couple of years ago (I can't remember the vintage), and I was hooked. It was sooooo good. When my local store (used to be called Baron's now, it's Eli's) started carrying Vertical Epic as they came out, I was stoked. I couldn't wait for the 08. I loved the 07.

I loaded up with about 4 of them plus some others to change it up a bit. When I got to the checkout, the girl said she didn't like it cuz she doesn't like hoppy beers. I replied with furrowed brow "Belgians tend to be maltier". She says "yeah, but this one they made hoppy." I took what she said with a grain of salt, cuz for one, she looks like she's 19, and she's told me before she's "aging" an 06 Vertical Epic in the bottle.

Anyway, I just cracked one open. I gave it a sniff. Hey, that smells hoppy. Sure 'nough it's hoppy. It barely tastes Belgian. It's a beer with an identity crisis not unlike their 11th anniversary. It starts as a Belgian and finishes like an IPA.

I think Stone has jumped the shark. The Arrogant Bastard series has been such a runaway hit, they've missed the mark. They think all there is to making good beer is an overabundance of hops apparently. So much so that all of their beers are IPAs basically.

I just took another sip. Ok, it tastes alright. It's definitely drinkable -- more so than the 11th anniversary edition.

Taste: 3.5 out of 5
Execution: 3 out of 5

Overall, I'd say skip it. Go get yerself a Reverend or, if you're set on Stone, get the Ruination.

Beer is best judged/critiqued after at least 24 oz on an empty stomach after a ride along the side of the road

Thanks for the info dood. Hope to meet you someday.

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

Have you had the 12th Anniversary?

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There's a lot of shame on a road bike. -- evdog

maybe I meant 12th. or, is the new stout the 12th? it was ok.

Yeah the 12th is the Stout. It wasn't just me who that it was OK.

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There's a lot of shame on a road bike. -- evdog