Double Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

nhindian

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

"Ye shall know the Bastard, and the Bastard shall set you free."

22oz bottle poured into a Double Bastard glass.

A - Pours the color of a deep sunrise; dark orange with a burst of ruby interspersed. Only builds a slight head, about a finger's worth at most. Very nice lacing, thin but covers most of the glass.

S - Smell is actually a bit more balanced and maltier than I would've expected, but much more complex. It's still aggressively hopped, but I'm getting some fruits and sweet malts as well to counter-act that. Make no mistake, this thing still threatens to destroy your mouth. I'm getting some alcohol heat as well.

T - The taste has an intense hop bite at the hop, but it is quickly neutralized by sweetness. Not overwhelming, but enough to curb the hop bitterness. Slight grapes and sugar come through midway, before having the alcohol make a resurgence. Not sure I'd peg this at 11%+, but the alcohol is no stranger in this beer. Finishes bitter and long.

M - After drinking a bomber of this alone in a moderately short amount of time.... I'm doubting that I am worthy of this beer. About 3/4's through and my mouth is a mess; hops, alcohol, and sweetness have wrecked my palate and are settling in for good. It's moderately thick with good carbonation and lingers for minutes afterward.

D - Drinkability is high. While it's not the hop bomb I was expecting from a Stone beer, it borrows some balance excellence from Old Guardian and is incredibly easy to drink. The alcohol is only there to tempt you while the flavors pop long after the sip is done, but unfortunately as it warms the alcohol becomes MUCH more prominent.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 23:07:39 | More by nhindian

jakecattleco

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-21-2013 17:57:46 | More by jakecattleco

PaulsBrew

West Virginia

5/5  rDev +16%

05-21-2013 15:40:50 | More by PaulsBrew

PlinyBeMiney

California

3.25/5  rDev -24.6%

05-21-2013 07:58:00 | More by PlinyBeMiney

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-21-2013 04:47:50 | More by CosmoHopHead

Ctrauty

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-20-2013 01:36:05 | More by Ctrauty

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-19-2013 23:24:35 | More by drgonzo2k2

IP-EH

California

3/5  rDev -30.4%

05-19-2013 22:11:27 | More by IP-EH

ShawnMH

Indiana

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-19-2013 15:26:27 | More by ShawnMH

TheBigBoy

Pennsylvania

2/5  rDev -53.6%

05-19-2013 00:21:37 | More by TheBigBoy

SightinColor

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev -13%

05-18-2013 23:27:06 | More by SightinColor

alanv

California

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-18-2013 21:30:28 | More by alanv

jono0101

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-18-2013 16:03:24 | More by jono0101

mkirkland80

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-18-2013 02:28:53 | More by mkirkland80

Shogun730

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-17-2013 21:33:08 | More by Shogun730

HinghamRick

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-17-2013 15:15:53 | More by HinghamRick

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-17-2013 15:02:22 | More by twenty5

chossboss

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-17-2013 04:51:28 | More by chossboss

Big_J22

Maryland

5/5  rDev +16%

05-17-2013 03:47:49 | More by Big_J22

Fcolle2

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-17-2013 00:37:11 | More by Fcolle2

Blashawright

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-16-2013 22:29:49 | More by Blashawright

carlosega

Ohio

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-16-2013 20:24:33 | More by carlosega

Beerislivingproof

Iowa

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-16-2013 14:03:08 | More by Beerislivingproof

jwk7324

California

5/5  rDev +16%

05-16-2013 05:49:09 | More by jwk7324

deekyn

California

3.5/5  rDev -18.8%

05-16-2013 04:07:04 | More by deekyn