Double Bastard Ale

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

22 oz. bottle. Vintage 2008. 10.5% ABV. Pours a thick long lasting off white head with extensive lacing, over a very slightly cloudy reddish amber (SRM 17) body.....nose has brown sugar, toffee, citrus (grapefruit primarily), resin, alcohol.....taste initially toffee,caramel, honey, then balancing heavy lasting, hop bitterness swings in, with grapefruit tones......mouth feel is thick and chewy, with carbonation adding a lovely creamy texture. When I got the first bit of the nose it was reminscent of a Barley Wine, the taste is not that of a Barley. I would prefer a more complex hop profile, than what came through in this bottle.

A dark red to brown beer with little head. Aroma is strong with sweet, alcohol, & hoppy. Taste is sweet, hoppy, & a strong alcohol presence with port like qualities. Can get you drunk & is not for the weak.

2008 Release. Reddish nbrown pour with a light tan head. Nice malt aroma.Great tasting brew. Malty, semi-sweet. Alcohol is present but it is not overbearing. Well-balanced beer. Another great beer from Stone that I am glad to have met.

22oz bomber obtained at the liquor shop in Tyngsborro, Mass. Pours a brilliant translucent dark red with a persistent inch of off-white head. Grassy and citrussy hops dominate the aroma, though the aroma could be stronger. Caramel toffee malt and citrussy American hops share the flavor, and both have strong presences, with some grassy and minty character also showing from the hops. Creamy smooth mouth feel with ample but not overpowering carbonation that helps to clear the palat for the next sip, adding to the drinkability. Fairly drinkable considering the abv and flavors. A solid ASA and for a buck more than Arrogant Bastard, you really can’t go wrong.

Pours cloudy brown with contrasting white head that doesn’t retain too long. Nose has brown sugar, miscellaneous candy, black tea, and dry brown paper bag smells. On the palate is a strong malt presence that is syrupy and reminds me of caramel or other similar chewy candies, but the hops and alcohol kick in to balance it out. Overall it is a big, chewy, savory beer that is surprisingly easy to drink.

Well, well, well. I just bought a selection of Stone Beers and it would be an understatement to say I was highly anticipating the new experiences I was about to have. I had to dive straight in at the Double Bastard, as it was the original Arrogant Bastard that blew me away in the first place. Appearance is just lovely. Copper, amber glow, rust, and at times just red in appearance, with an off-white/tan head that has rapidly shrunk, lazy carbonation just about struggles to the surface. The aroma is very inviting, mellow but definite hops, good soft malt with abundant fruitiness backed up with ripe strawberries, an aroma similar to damp or wet concrete, orange zest and assorted citrus notes and caramel. Well the flavour is intense but remains balanced, both the alcohol and hops get you at the back of the throat rather than clogging up your palate. There’s something almost wine like about the beer, not vinous but it reminds me of the beer equivalent of a big Ozzy Shiraz, thick, dense and complex. The malts ooze over your tongue hiding inside a deceptive bitterness that unleashes itself at the last moment with an almost earthy feel to it. The hops are floral, perfumed and very tasty, there is an acridness to them but not a soapiness, and the acrid nature is not too full on as its contained deep within a coating of thick semi-sweet caramel malt. The flavour is so big I’m almost at a loss to pick it apart, I almost don’t even want too. It’s like an experience, you have to try it to really understand it. The beer itself is somewhere between a barley wine and a double IPA, although leans more to the latter. I’m going to shut up now because I don’t think I have the vocabulary or even desire to capture this beast, it’s like meeting a wild Lion, you just have to be thankful you walked away intact, you wouldn’t want to cage such a beautiful monster, allow it to be wild, untamed try not to pin it down too much or the magic is lost. Just one thing though, the palate is to die for, it’s like thick velvet caressing and coating your tongue and warming your throat. The only draw back is the slightly untamed alcohol which does ride quite high in the mix, but as the bottle warns: only fools dare, so I can’t complain. Stone are truly Demons among men, and I’m beginning to love them for it.

I smell lots hops in there yummy and a touch of malts Pours a dark coppery red with a huge fluffy beige head The taste is not as enticing as the aroma would lead you to believe A bit too bitter and the alcohol shows through too much fairly good hop taste

Source: Bomber from KnB Glass: Bordeaux wine glass Aroma: Powerful, huge caramel mixed with american hops. Appearance: Amber and murky Flavor: Sharp. Tons of caramel malt flavor with sharp bitterness. Really enjoyable. Palate: Smooth mouthfeel, with a long finish. Overall: I like Stone 2006 vintage: Sweet and still delicious