City Tap House To Host Stone Vertical Epic Tasting Event 12/22

“Drinking these beers progressively in one seating is a rare opportunity – unless a bottle was bought each year, stored pristinely over those years, and saved for this event, it’d be nearly impossible to pull off a tasting like this and would cost upwards of $500!” says beer steward Andy Farrell, who heads the ambitious 60-tap beer program at City Tap House, the city’s largest. “We know there are a lot of dedicated Stone fans out there that have been waiting for this and for those just learning what the Vertical Epics series is, they’re in for a quite an experience.”

The release of this year’s edition marks the end of more than a decade of anticipation to taste the catalogue of these ultra-small-batch beers. Tickets for City Tap House’s Stone “Vertical Epic” Event are available now and can be purchased from the restaurant’s website. Guests will enjoy paired bites for each beer, an informal Q-and-A with Stone representative Lee Marron and Farrell, and keepsake Vertical Epic glassware from Stone Brewing. Additional non-Epic Stone beers will also be available for purchase on draught throughout the event and after City Tap House opens to the public at 3 p.m. Pairings will feature:

· Lucky Bastard; Fresh Scallop Ceviche in citrus and Serrano chile broth

· 03.03.03 Vertical Epic; Beef Taquitos with pickled onion, cilantro, fresh radish and lime crema

· 04.04.04 Vertical Epic; Wild Mushroom Duxelle on toast with Shaved Asparagus Salad

· Stone-inspired gelato palate cleanser

· 06.06.06 Vertical Epic; Kumamoto Oysters with tarragon mignonette

· 07.07.07 Vertical Epic; Mediterranean Lamb Meatball with harissa aioli

· 08.08.08 Vertical Epic; Agrodolce Onion and Jalapeño Pepper Jack Quesadilla with roasted salsa

· 09.09.09 Vertical Epic; Housemade Pastrami Burger on rye bread with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and dressing

· 10.10.10 Vertical Epic; Grilled Marinated Squid in pomegranate gastrique

· 11.11.11 Vertical Epic; White Bean Cassoulet and Bilbao chorizo shooters with crispy shallots

· 12.12.12 Vertical Epic; Crostini with Manchego cheese and quince paste in black pepper truffle honey

Stone Vertical Epic ales have been bottle-conditioned, aged and released over the course of 11 years, beginning on February 2, 2002 (02.02.02). Since then, a portion of the original batch brewed has been opened one year, one day and one month after its predecessor. The final vintage will be available after December 12, 2012 (12.12.12) while it lasts. For more information about the series, please visit www.stonebrew.com/epic/index.php.htm.

Founded in 1996 by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in San Marcos, CA, Stone Brewing Company was named “All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by Beer Advocate magazine in 2008 and 2009. They are among the fastest-growing breweries in America in the past 15 years, with plans for a Company Store and Hotel in the next 12 to 24 months. Their Arrogant Bastard Ale is among the best-selling and most popular craft beers in America.