thegreat78 (32), San Marcos, California, USA
Nov 2, 2007
Pours a deep ruby red that in spite of showing it’s color, is surprisingly opaque, only letting light through on the extreme edges. The aroma is brutally dominated by burnt caramel with just a hint of hops lingering in the background. The taste is an almost indescribable balance of abundant sticky caramel malts and delicious sticky pine hops with just enough citrus to mellow the whole thing out into almost complete perfection. The beer is certainly medium to heavy bodied, but the absolutely wonderful taste fully compensates for any heaviness. I am ready to say without any hesitation that this is now hands down my absolute favorite beer. I have reviewed 400 beers now and this is my first perfect 5. This one is now doubt a sipper, but each sip is so spectacular, the taste compensates for any and all of the factors of a beer of this strength that usually gets in the way of drinkability.
 Skeegle (335), USA
Dec 4, 2008 Mmmm. FINALLY! I have looked yonder mountains and in the wee shops of whoville for this stuff and alas! the search is fruitful. I feared the bottle would implode and cease to exist once I opened it. But nay. Mmmm. Double Bastard. This really tasted like a barley wine to me. Except sweeter. Which was bizarre. But it was great none the less. Lots of flowery bouquet notes with a definite dark raisiny cheek watering bite. Well worth the wait.
PorterPounder (2881), Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Dec 3, 2008 Savannah, Georgia - Habersham Beverage Warehouse - 22 oz bomber. Pours a medium to dark copper with a thick sticky off-white head that produces nice lace that clings to the glass for the entire time. Resiny aroma with some nice mountainy Scotch pine accents and a wee bit of alcohol. Succulent flavor with some sticky grapefruity hoppiness, some nectarines, pomegranates - you name the fruit it is in there. Nice malty backbone with some maple syrup notes, molasses, brown sugar. Sticky rich thick mouthfeel. Excellent - best beer I have had in a long time.
RedSox2004 (199), Pacific Palisades, California, USA
Nov 30, 2008 22 oz bomber poured into a pint glass. Two-finger head that stayed strong and left nice sticky lacing. Caramel and citrus were strongest on the nose, which also held a background of dark fruits and malts. Wonderfully balanced caramel malt sweetness and slightly citrusy hops bitterness on the palate. Complexity seemed to increase as the beer warmed, and additional flavors of spices, ripe fruit, and carmelized sugars came through. Medium to full mouthfeel, good carbonation, and a pleasant aftertaste. Alcohol is warming, not overpowering. Excellent beer.
branspra (86), Arlington, Virginia, USA
Nov 30, 2008 Bottle. Pours with a white head, rather small. Body is a dark amber color with excellent lacing. Aromas of hops, mainly citrus, roasted grains and malts, and some casket-like port or wine. Flavor smacks you in the face with a bold initial taste followed by a very nice bitter aftertase. Texture of sticky and carbonation almost perfect. Well worth the wait each year.
garthicus (595), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nov 30, 2008 On tap at ’Ginger Man’ in NYC. Dark ruby red, tiny wispy pancake colour head. Deathly still. Aroma: Alcohol, some allspice, hops and then alcohol again! Flavour: HUGE, just huge, alcohol, some distinct hops, very very bitter finish, long brandy in the finish too. A lot of alcohol. Woah.
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