Double Bastard Ale

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Escondido, California USA

Dark murky copper with a hint of red. No visible carbonation. Thick one finger head. Aromas is heavy malt, spices and fruit. Smooth mouth feel which gets bubbly and bitter, followed by a pleasant taste of alcohol. After a few sips the taste gets sweeter and fruitier.

Pours thickly into glass with a rich dark amber color, thin off-white head. Heavy blast of alcohol and peppery hops, sweet malts hinted at. Real sweet malty caramel taste, a lot of aggressive citric hops. The alcohol is certainly there, but doesn’t come out as much as the aroma lets on.

A true freak of a beer and easily the best thing I’ve tasted out of the states. At first it was a bit much for me, but the balance between the malts and the hops is otherworldly...one for the ages

Thanks to Rustychiles for this one. Pours super-dark brown with no head whatsoever. Nose is all malt sweetness, very reminiscent of a Barleywine. First taste reflects that impression. Lots of dark fruit phenolics. Hop aroma is surprisingly restrained, especially for a Stone beer. Fairly balanced, could use a lot more aging. I think this sample was too young for my palate.

2007 vintage
Many thanks to scthaden on BA for this extra. Pours a dark Hazy amber with little head after an aggressive pour and some spotty lacing. Smell is butter, oranges, rum soaked figs and raisins, and alcohol. Taste is much the same with a huge piney sharp bitternes and a buttery creamy rum-raisin flavor. Lots of toffee in the flavor as well. One of my favorites and it just gets better with time.

2006 Vintage. On tap at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens. Pours amber/deep red almost purple. No real head. Sweet and spicy aroma of plums and blood oranges, there is also a nice aroma of sugar. Flavor begins mild and smooth, almost like a rich Cabernet/Merlot. The dominate flavor and aroma is alcohol, it really hits you in the sinuses. Even after a few years, the alcohol is still very intense.

2007 release. Now this is one fine beer. I love Arrogant Bastard so I was not only very happy to find a bottle of this on a road trip but I also had high expectations. The Double Bastard didn’t let me down! Pours a reddish color, nice clarity, with a thin off-white head. Aroma is sweet caramel, cherries, alcohol and some pine. The flavors are sharp and delicious. Lots of sweet caramel malt, some toffee, with a blast of hops, pine and some grapefruit. Finishes bitter with just a little alcohol showing but my palate adjusted quickly (or bowed down to it’s goodness) and this was just so damn tasty. A wonderful brew that I can’t wait to have again. Definitely deserving of a spot near the top of my list.

Bomber - Poured a cloudy dark amber in color with a small light tan head that faded quickly. Aroma was spicy and full of hops. Flavor was pretty unique with lots of hops and hop bitterness. Alcohol not that apparent... until you finish... then you know. Excellent beer... will seek out again! - Original Rating - Sample at the 2008 VT Brewers Fest - Poured a very dark amber in color with a very small light tan head. Aroma is of coffee, brown sugar, caramel and a good amount of floral hops. Flavor is somewhat hoppy and a bit malty sweet to start with the hop bitterness coming in at the end. Alcohol is well hidden. Really good!