Stone Vertical Epic

[kahall1]

Stopped by my local beer store tonight to replenish the fridge and was surprised to find a shelf full of Stone Vertical Epic 04.04.04 and 05.05.05. I was under the impression that this was a very hard beer to find...was I wrong? I grabbed a few of each and plan on trying them this weekend. Any previews of what I can expect?? Thanks.

[Goban]

Yes they are relatively hard to find, especially the 04.04.04 (good find IMO). I do know where to find 05.05.05 around where I live though. They still have plenty in stock. But that’s the only place ‘round here that has them :)

[mookow]

Originally posted by kahall1
Stopped by my local beer store tonight to replenish the fridge and was surprised to find a shelf full of Stone Vertical Epic 04.04.04 and 05.05.05. I was under the impression that this was a very hard beer to find...was I wrong? I grabbed a few of each and plan on trying them this weekend. Any previews of what I can expect?? Thanks.

I've liked the Stone VE's that I have had, and I have at least one of each in the beer cellar, but I dont see the earlier ones lasting till the scheduled time of the vertical tasting.

[HarkJohnny]

i have three each of 03, 04 and 05 (06 coming up!) and plan to do a vertical maybe end of year with one bottle of each and some friends.

BTW, there's a case of 02 on eBay for $2500 if anyone is interested :D
(finder's fee for me is one bottle!)

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by mookow
but I dont see the earlier ones lasting till the scheduled time of the vertical tasting.

Yes, That seems to be the consensus. Most folks feel that some will be past prime on 12/12/12.

[newportstorm]

Plenty of 03.03.03 still around in MA. I think many beer stores overbought on that release and bought smaller (more moveable) quantities of the last 2.

The 03 is still drinking very well, though I doubt I'll save any of mine for the duration (2012). And I don't understand how tasting these could ever be considered a "vertical tasting". They are all different recipes for different beer styles. There is little to nothing in common with them. Tasting different vintages of say...Sierra Nevada Bigfoot (even with the hop change) is more of a "vertical" tasting to me.

Cheers!

[fretlessman71]

Agreed. It's not really a "vertical" in my mind unless you're comparing apples to apples. Kind of puts me off the whole Stone VE thing. I'd love to hear them explain how this isn't a "gimmick" to sell more beer; it doesn't seem like the kind of thing that Stone would have to do, but it's kind of looking that way...

[HarkJohnny]

sure does the more i think about it... it's just a gimmick. but a darn good one i must say

[kahall1]

$2500 a case?? On that logic, I should run back and buy all that they had.

[chazwicke]

Did you find the 02? While I don't believe it to be worth anything near 2500 a case, I'd pay a fair sum for a bottle just to keep the series going. You know, be able to say I've sampled them all. Well, I've not had the 01 either if there was such a bird.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by chazwicke
You know, be able to say I've sampled them all. Well, I've not had the 01 either if there was such a bird.

There was no 01.01.01 - series started in 2002. And from what I've read and heard, 02.02.02 is not what it once was. Drinkable? Sure. Great beer? Hardly. I've never seen one and would probably pass on any I came across.

Cheers!

[kahall1]

They had the 2004 and 2005, but no 2002. They did have a few of the 9th Anniversary left, so I had an excucse to go back today so I could get one of those to try...after all, there is only one ninth anniversary.

[Goban]

I can’t help but wonder if in DEC of 2012 Stone will releases a 02-12 variety pack. I recon the cost would be extraordinarily high! Also, it’s kinda funny that they picked 2012 to end their VE brews. The same time frame that the Mayan calendar ends (12-21-12) and what some people fear to be the end of the world….. Mwaa ha ha!

[HarkJohnny]

Stone does offer the homebrew recipe for 02 however.

get it from their site www.stonebrew.com

once i become a little more accomplished I plan to attempt it. music and all :) you'll see.