Stone Brandy Barrel Double Bastard

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

from a growler forced on the crew by rustychiles...

pours a crazy dark amber with a surprisingly creamy tan head. the lacing takes the shape of stained glass. there are definitely brandy booze-y notes in the aroma that are well received... also, an abundance of caramel, honey, vanilla, wood, dark fruit and some spicy hoppiness. there seems to be some mild oxidation in the flavor but it is in no way bad... almost like a "rapid aging" process. the flavor pretty much shadows the aroma while the finish is spicy and burns the tongue with brandy/alcohol. it*s definitely on the sweet side but there*s so much more of a reward for putting up with it than any of the other "bastards". medium to full bodied and amazingly well carbonated given how long this thing has been in the jug! very small tight bubbles actually coat the palate and make the mouth feel super creamy and smooth.

thanks rusty! 8/5/8/4/16/4.1

From growler courtesy of rustychiles. Rather bland aroma from first sample. But nite cap fill had some caramel along with the brandy. Caramel body with fizzy tan head. Sweet mix of Brandy and caramel candy. Alcohol warming the body but not overwhelming. Thaks Rusy for shareing this brew.

Growler generously shared by rustychiles. Pours a deep brown color with red highlights and nice tight tan head that lasts. Aroma of brandy, caramel, hops, wood and fruit. Taste is definitely Double Bastard, but with added brandy, vanilla and molasses flavors. Hops seem to be a bit better balanced that the normal DB, probably from the aging. Pretty amazing. Thanks Rusty!

Growler courtesy of Cquiroga. Pours a nice reddish brown color with a tan head. Aroma of brandy, hops, caramel, malt, barrely wood. Flavor is brandy and wood, caramel, malt. subdued hops, vanilla, a little booze on the brandy side. This gets much more awesome and full as it warms and was almost an entirely different brew when it warmed up a bit.

Draft at Stone. This beer was excellent. Dark brown color, very nice white head. Great aroma, nice hops and a little woody. Some brandy as well. Flavor was silky smooth, woody and well balanced, slightly boozy. Very, very good.

Draft @ Tria. This one is classic Double Bastard with just a little more. Aroma is more subdued on the hops, but loads of graham cracker, dark fruit, and candy abound in the nose. Flavor is sweeter than the standard version with lots of candy, graham cracker, vanilla/wood and a little booze. Perdy awesome.

On tap at the Stone Bistro. 8oz glass. Poured a deep and cloudy amberish-brown color with a very small sized off white head. Aromas of brandy, caramel. some dark fruits, vanilla, roasty, woody, and some chocolate. Tastes of brandy, caramel, dark frutis, some applies, citrus, and lighter wood. Alcohol content fairly well hidden with a light syrupy finish. Sweeter.

Via Growler, at Tria Fermentation School, 11/04/08. Pours medium brown, capped with a small tan head. Aroma exhibits a beautiful balance between the brandy and the hops. Big hops are the predominant flavor, with oak, brandy, and some malt. Smooth and easy to drink. The barrel aging really adds a lot to this beer.