20th Anniversary Encore Series: Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale
STYLE
Belgian-Style India Pale Ale
ABV
8.9%
IBUs
45
In 2008, Stone Brewmasters Steve Wagner and Mitch Steele traveled to Belgium, where they enjoyed a number of hop-forward Belgian tripels, pale ales and IPAs—beers that had taken a cue from the U.S. craft brewing movement and inspired us in return. It’s a big reason 2008’s summer season came to be known at Stone as our “Summer of the Triple.” Upon their return, they crafted Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale, the seventh beer in the 11-beer Stone Vertical Epic Ale series. Packed with floral, spicy essence from Belgian yeast plus plenty of hoppy New World character, it’s our West Coast take on hop-driven Belgian beers.
Our West Coast take on hop-driven Belgian beers.
ABOUT THIS BEER
Release Date
September 21, 2015
FEATURED HOPS
Simcoe
Amarillo & Ahtanum
Image
No single day can contain something as momentous as our 20th anniversary here at Stone Brewing. So we’re celebrating this milestone over the course of an entire year by releasing some fan-favorite beers from our 20-year history, using their original recipes and bottle art, and looking back on some highlights from the past on our way into a future filled with continued creativity, passion and a helluva lot of fun. Join us!
NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION
AVAILABLE
NOT AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
NOT AVAILABLE
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Golden with a cream-colored head.
Aroma
Clove, banana, very fruity, some tropical fruit and a hint of pine.
Taste
Banana, citrusy hop flavors, floral and a touch of alcohol heat.
Palate
Medium light body, crisp and refreshing. Very bitter finish.
Overall
The Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale is a strong Belgian-style IPA highly hopped with American hops (Ahtanum, Amarillo and Simcoe). The beer pours pale golden with a thick and creamy white head of foam. The aroma is full of depth: nuances of pepper, clove, and banana from the Belgian yeast strain, and the resiny citrus notes from the American hops blend together nicely to provide a complex aromatic character. The taste is spicy, hoppy and fruity, with a very dry and a pleasant bitter end. The bitterness lingers nicely and provides a refreshing finish!
Provided by
Mitch Steele
,
Brewmaster
Pairing Notes
Appetizers
Shrimp cocktail, ceviche, crab cakes
Soups
Chicken noodle, posole, summer squash
Entrées
Lobster risotto, Alaskan crab legs, quail, fish tacos
Cheeses
Brunet, Champlain Valley Triple, Nettle Meadow Kunik
