Name: Vertical Epic 07/07/07

Brewer: Stone

Style: Belgian Abbey Ale (Tripel)

Vintage: 2007

Cellared On: August 3rd, 2007

Original Tasting: August 9th, 2007

The latest in Stone’s Vertical Epic series of brews (see my post here), the 07/07/07 is a light, flavorful, and waayyy too easy to drink take on a Belgian-style tripel. As it goes into the glass, I’m hit by an aromatic, fruity smell. It seems very carbonated, and leaves a nice bubbly head. It pours a beautiful cloudy lightish-orange color.

When tasting, the lightness of this brew really strikes me. Just so easy on the lips. It has a very smooth mouthfeel, especially for something so carbonated. Taking a sip (or more like a gulp), the typical Belgian yeasty flavor twang hits me first, but not too aggressively. As the beer finishes, I get a burst of citrus fruit (grapefruit and lemon) followed by a lingering spiciness. A perfect beer for a hot summer night.

Six Month Tasting: February 22nd, 2008

Six months in, and this brew is holding up beautifully. Not very much change in color, taste, or flavor. Lots of citrus goodness, some up front sugar and spice, a biscuity malt presence, and a finish that’s dry, tart, and over fast.

One Year Tasting: September 4th, 2008

The ‘07 Epic has a scrumptious creamy body, definitely much thicker then it was a year ago. It’s full flavored, with a host of lemon and orange flavor providing a nice counter to the light biscuity malts. A zippy spiciness comes in mid-palette (ginger and some other rather hard to pick out spices) and stays through the semi-sweet finish. There’s a very subtle hoppy bitterness, it might be lending a touch of a background earthy flavor. I would be a happy man if I could drink this every day.

One year down four to go!

Cellar Outlook: The brewers at Stone crafted this beer to be able to last until after 12/12/12, so I think it’s going to do pretty well in the cellar. Whether or not it can actually make it all the way to 2012 while still in its prime is another matter all together.

Six Month Outlook: I don’t have any reason to change my original predictions now. I don’t think the spice flavors will make it for too much longer, but there’s so much else going on in here that it won’t be missed too much.

One Year Outlook: The biggest change so far has been the development of that creamy body, I wonder if it can go any further? I still expect those spice flavors to die off, but I have a bit more hope now about its ability to make it to 2012.

Next Tasting: September 2009