Stone - 10.10.10 Vertical Epic Ale (2010)

This ninth edition of our Stone Vertical Epic Ale series which started 02.02.02 and takes two interesting left turns. A Belgian-style golden triple is the starting point of this beer, but the first left turn is nearly immediate with the addition of dried chamomile flowers, triticale, and Belgian amber candy sugar. The second, and rather unusual left turn takes us half an hour up the road from Stone to Temecula courtesy of the addition of just-pressed Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc grapes from our friends at South Coast Winery. As the Stone Vertical Epic Ale series has moved through the calendar, we found that the brewing schedule for a 10.10.10 release coincided nicely with the grape harvest, neatly providing an interesting twist in this epic ale.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, Stone Vertical Epic Ales are designed to be consumed in, well, an epic vertical tasting on 12.12.2012.  Well I missed the date on this bottle review by a month and a half.  However one of the brewpubs a frequent (Capone's in Norristown) did have a vertical tasting spread over a few weeks in December 2012.  I was able to sample most of the series.

The ABV is 9.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Strong Pale Ale
Glass to use- Pint glass or Snifter, Tulip, or Oversized Wine Glass.
Delivery 22oz bottle.

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a hazy golden amber color with a nice white head that vanishes are about 5 minutes.  No lacing.  
Aroma - Grapes, citrus fruits., sweet and some spices.
Taste - Grapes and hints of orange, sweet and a bit tart.
Mouth Feel - Low carbonation.  Medium body. Mild bitter after taste. Clean and somewhat crisp.
Drinkable - Nice and refreshing.  I wish I had open this during the warmer months, I think it's an excellent summer brew.  Try to find some bottles from the Stone Vertical Epic series and enjoy.  

This beer pairs with salads, chicken or pork.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-
BeerAdvocate Rating =85
Ratebeer Rating =93