UPDATED: APR 26, 2021 Well, this is the last Vertical Epic I haven't rated and it's my last bottle. And wouldn't you know, it appears to be the best of the bunch especially after waiting far too long to open it. Notes of cloves, cinnamon and allspice mixed with cocoa in the aroma. The body was very dark so I put it in front of a very strong light I use for checking beer color and I didn't see any light coming through at all! Unbelievably dark and opaque black with only a little bit of dark brown showing at the thinnest edge. Topped with a thin but persistent and tightly laced brown head. The clove jumps out first in the taste but not in a way that's overpowering. This is following by a bit of cinnamon and then loads of dark chocolate and cocoa. There's a good amount of bitterness underlying the chocolate sweetness, but it's hard to tell if it's from hops or charred malt, and it gets clobbered by the spice and chocolate. Surprisingly, the body isn't as heavy as I'd expect which makes this dangerously drinkable. Finishes with a lasting cocoa and dark chocolate flavor and faint hints of alcohol (which BTW this doesn't feel like 9%). This is just an amazingly good beer that I wish I could get around Christmas and the holidays. So long Vertical Epic. It was quite the adventure.

UPDATED: AUG 29, 2020 22 ounce bottle purchased at Total Wine Pembroke Pines, FL. 8 years and still very good!

UPDATED: APR 30, 2020 650 ml bottle Lurking in the back of the cellar, this Vertical Epic release calls back to the days of being able to get a top notch bomber for $7.99. Eight years might not have done much for it as you can feel the core slipping away however. Even so it was nice to finally be able to wrap up the series. If this comes back around again perhaps I'll pick up a fresh one for comparison. AROMA / APPEARANCE Licorice, strong smoke, and spice imbue the nose with a ghostly pepper bite. The profile, despite being a bit weak, still has a unique twist. The deep black base and thin beige head accent the dark nature of this potent one off. FLAVOR / PALATE Licorice, smoked oak, and pepper skate across the tongue. The mouthfeel feels thin around the edges as if the core parts have begun to break down. Even so it remains mostly drinkable with a creamy finish. If for some reason you're still sitting on a bottle in the cellar don't wait much longer as it is well on its way to decline.

UPDATED: OCT 6, 2019 Original series bottle. The spice held up, maybe even too much, the yeast has fled, usually a good thing.

UPDATED: AUG 9, 2019 ImpyBlackCreamyBSA💆🏿‍♀️🤷‍♀️🧞‍♂️ ...Fassware beim zweiten STONE Birthday in Berlin.

UPDATED: MAR 15, 2019 22 oz bottle pours a brown color with a small white head. Aromas of roasted malt, spice, nutmeg. Full bodied, very nice beer.

UPDATED: MAR 15, 2019 I don't really care for nutmeg in my beer...especially dark beers. Thinking that all the spices, peels, etc. was a little too much for this one. Reminds me of a pumpkin stout(imperial). Last bottle of vertical tasting, and sad to say the least favorite. Solid brew nonetheless....grew on me a bit towards the end. Enough malt here so that the spices aren't overwhelming....actually a good balance. Not one that I would am storing in the memory bank though.

UPDATED: JAN 19, 2019 Bottle sampled at Peter Högström domesday sampling. No head and dark color. Big spicy aroma from cinnamon, dry finger and all spice. The taste is very spicy like a finger cockey.

22 oz bottle shared by a friend, thanks Kevin! Dark brownish black with light tan head. Aromas of roasty notes, licorice, spice. Tastes of licorice, spice, roasty notes. Medium body with a dry finish.

Like the conclusion of any great novel or the cliff hanger of things yet to come, the 2012 delivered as a dramatic and satisfying ending to an epic journey. This Belgium Dark Ale starts with a noticeable nose of rose hips...a complex malty flavor gives way to a sharp clove and allspice finish. The rose hips linger on your memory and remind your taste buds that they’re still in there. This is an Amazing Beer! (And 5 yrs old at tasting)