Double Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

beernut7

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beast pours into a deep amber color and a creamy off-white head. The aroma alone could knock you over, screaming of a major hop addition and a bold malt presence. The initial taste is like eating a lit cherry bomb. The gigantic malt sweetness couples with an otherworldly offensive bitterness on top of a smooth thick body. This brew definitely has an arrogant personality. This ale could take my place in a bar fight. I'd just sit back and let it kick everyone else's ass. I treid tasting a couple beers after this one and my taste buds were completely shot...useless to me for the rest of the evening. So drink up, but drink last.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2003 15:48:01 | More by beernut7

IPAlot

New York

4.45/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I really felt quite violated after tasting this beer. As soon as my nose crossed the rim of the glass, the aroma impaled my head with its pungent decadence, and lodged there like some mind-controlling parasite from another star system, where it's planet's native atmosphere is a boiling cauldron of scrumptiously malty gaseous organic compounds. I had to give a 5 for smell because I could not see, with my limited insight, room for improvement. This heady rush reminded me of Old Wooly Barleywine from Big Time Brewery in Seattle (Excellent beer check it out limited distribution and availability). This beer is all about the malts up front. The thick, sweet flavors coat your mouth. I gave a 4 in mouthfeel because I can see this beer gaining another dimension with some nitro creaminess to balance the malts. Only after you have accepted the Double Bastard into your mouth do the hops make their presence known, which I feel is generally in a supporting role, though they successfully add to the complexity of this beer's sequence. Paying close attention reveals that the flavor profile is very well preserved. The aftertaste is a masterpiece, you can just sit there and continue tasting your last mouthful for several minutes. Like the best foods, this beer stays in your mouth long after its physical substance has passed to your nether-regions. All the while the aroma smolders in your nostrils with a potency that makes you wonder if your lungs are receiving enough oxygen to maintain vital metabolic processes. I had a Chimay Trippel (tap) immediately after this beer, and it's subtlety was dashed against the lingering presence of the Bastard. Have to remember next time to drink a palate cleanser before dropping 12 bucks on a Trappist ale. It was like coming back to your nice girlfriend after a tawdry encounter with an experienced older woman, and you don't feel guilty that you're bored with your girlfriend because it was worth every second. A landmark addition to strong american ales.

IPAlot

ps I had this bar at Mahar's in Albany (check the beerfly review this place is unreal). They had a raffle going for a *magnum* of 5th anniversary Arrogant Bastard. The bottle had a cork (obviously) and a big 5 on it, but I didn't look close, I just bought a ticket and offered praise, worship, and eternal servitude to any god who would bless me with a winning ticket.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2003 08:33:45 | More by IPAlot

aracauna

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev -10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep reddish brown with a nice darker than off-white head which is nice and foamy and lingering. The aroma is nicely caramelly malty with a slight hop bite. The flavor is big, rich, earthy malts and a long bitter finish. This is definitely a sipping beer as it's very hard to drink fast. When it nears room temperature, it starts to get a little too sweet and thick, but served just below cellar temp and this is an excellent beer. The mouthfeel is whipped, airy liquid cream.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2003 23:33:54 | More by aracauna

scottum

Vermont

5/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This may just be the best damn beer this side of...


...anywhere.

Sooooo gooooooood!!!!!!


This beer is of special character. It is good and it knows it. A bit of a strong smoked fruity bite to it mellowing into a nice hearty roll down your throat smile. Pours dark brown with an offwhite head. It feels so good sliding down to the belly. Mmmmmm mmmmmmmm.

I think I'll buy one of those 3 liter bottles for a special occurance.

Any thoughts on how this beer will be given some time to rest? If only I could find some more!!!!!!

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2003 05:57:13 | More by scottum

jtw5877

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have never opened a beer with as much anticipation as this one. It has been mocking me waiting for me to grab it and succomb to its goodness. It pours a deep dense amber with a nice white head, I would swear this is a Barleywine. Complex maltiness with the signature Arrogant Bastard hop flavors. This is an excellent beer. Without a doubt one of my favorites. A hearty thanks goes out to Xlperro who turned me on to this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2003 18:18:28 | More by jtw5877

sinistersteve

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is one mother of a beer. I think the lable should have a skull with crossbones to inform the consumer of what to expect. This beer has a full onslaught of malt and hops that will even take the most professional of beer drinkers down to their knees. This beer is not for the timid and even the worthy of his Arrogant brother may be no match for this beer. Although, I did have fun photographing the unworthys 'bitter beer face' upon drinking this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2003 21:19:15 | More by sinistersteve

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.72/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

29FEB04 - Am just about to finish another of these....damn...this Bier is so fucking good! Damn!!!

31DEC02 - Another winner from Stone! I had a small sip of this at Bukowski's when Greg Koch visited last Summer, but hadn't seen any until just a few days ago at my local bier store. A most pleasant, and welcome, surprize! DB pours a verrry attractive, clear, copper-chestnut color. Head begins as a rich, creamy layer, but recedes to a fine, thin coating atop the bier. It leaves a decent bit of lacework in the glass, too! Nose was quite strong, reminding me initially of some good barleywines. Loads of malty sweetness mingle with the big hop notes. Quite aromatic! The body of DB is well over medium, closing in on full; and it has a lovely, smooth feel on the tongue...almost chewy. DB kicks off with a big whack of strong, sweet malt, with some caramel poking it's nose in there. Hops come into play in a big way, with loads of citrusy notes and, as VENOM points out, a piney sort of flavor. Seems to be a bit more malty than the Arrogant Bastard. This bier is a big-time player, and it warms your innards nicely! I love it!! Zum Wohl!!

overall: 4.7
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | mouthfeel: 4.5 | drinkability: 4.5

452

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2002 06:06:27 | More by Bierman9

Wildman

Ohio

4.93/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer poured a dark reddish amber color and formed a nice light tan foamy head that looked like a float subsiding and left circular lace. Some carbonation is present. An aroma of malt, caramel, spices with a hint of the alcohol present. A flavor of malt, caramel with a touch of chocolate. The finish is sweet with a slight astrigent element to it. Another fine beer from Stone and another thank you to the Ohio lawmakers for letting get this.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2002 17:34:15 | More by Wildman

DarthMalt

Virginia

3.83/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

What a Bastard!

Beautiful dark-red amber. STANKIN' hop whiff along with smokin' hot, candy-apple esters, and an alcohol nose of a double+ bock.

I was expecting an arrogant, hop kick in the arse, but it seems the original gravity really shunts those lupulin glands down to size (chalk one up for the maltsters!). There's definitely a seasonal, barlywine-like appeal in here, but not as earthy.

Everything really peaks in the midtaste--hops sing their swan song, malt pervades every tastebud, and alcohol shoots flammable gases out your nose.

Finish is bitter, numbing, and gritty, like many a big beer. After a beer such as this, no other beers should be reviewed.

[This beer could be purchased solely for the diatribe on the back of the bottle]

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2002 17:09:16 | More by DarthMalt

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Tasted at the Barrelhouse Brewing Company Microbrew Fest on November 9. This beer is knock-your-socks-off strong. Who is worthy indeed? Lively, complex and fervent flavors throughout. A great dessert beer and another winner from Stone.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2002 07:37:23 | More by Dogbrick

jreitman

California

4.88/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

An absolutely amazing brew. A friend said it best when he said "Holy S^&$" upon his first sip. The beer is full of grapefruit and other cirtus aromas topped off with some caramel and sweetness that binds everything together. Dark red in color and nearly opaque with a nice bit of white head. The beer fills your mouth with flavors and has complexity off the charts but still comes off as somewhat delicate. Grapefruit, caramel, and a bit of pine jostle for dominance in the mouth and are followed by a nice dry and bitter finish. Definitely not a beer you want to drink quickly or you will a.) miss out on a lot of flavor and b.) be knocked on your ass from the alcohol. Suprisingly good at room temperature (had left a 3rd of the bottle sitting out) where the hops mellow out but the flavors are all still there. Truly amazing.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2002 12:16:37 | More by jreitman

Myk

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22 OZ. of 2002 double bastard.

simply bliss. wow.

the appearance is brilliant. bright, clear ruby red color. thick, full, off white head that sticks to the sides of the glass.

the aroma is heavy with malt, carmel, and alcohol, slight earthy and citrus scent.

taste... AHHHHH. so complex. from the first sip, i was in love. it was well balanced, full bodied and coated my mouth and trout with yummy goodness. for being such a large beer ( 10% ABV) it is hard to imagine that thie baby could be so smooth in mouthfeel. full of syrupy/chocolate malt. alcohol and perfect flavor hops. pretty earthy and little bit of a piney taste. i cant quite pick out the exact citrus, since i dont eat many citric foods, but it is kinda deep, and low.

the finish.. DRY, malt and alcohol. this beer is so warming its like a a hundred degree day with no air conditioning. it warms with every sip. watch out because this will creep up on you.
simply amazing.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2002 21:45:24 | More by Myk

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2001 batch. 22 oz bottle. Pours a clear, very deep ruby-tinted russet brown with a densely creamy light tan head that holds extremely well and leaves some nice lace. Exceptional. The aroma offers bold notes of pineapple, soft grapefruit and berries as well as some grassy, earthy and piney hops - all of which reside above a candyish and lightly caramel tinged maltiness. The body is full with a very fine, median carbonation that's creamy and just slightly syrupy in the mouth.The flavor starts quite sweet, reveals its deep fruitiness and then some very rich caramel maltiness along with some clear alcohol. A solid bitterness balances well against the rich malt - solid, but not overly bitter. The finish is surprisingly clean and dry for such a sweet and malty beer. I was really surprised by this beer. Firstly, at how different it was from the Arrogant Bastard; secondly, at how directly the fruitiness found in their flagship pale ale was carried over; and thirdly, at how good it was! This is a really exceptional beer that may smooth a bit with some age on it; although I don't think the alcohol will cool much further.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2002 21:34:15 | More by NeroFiddled

hyuga

North Carolina

4.9/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2002 release. Well, here I go! After so much anticipation and excitement, I finally have a glass of 200% pure bastard in front of me. Alright, enough talk, I'm eager to dig in. Invitingly evil (or is that evilly inviting?) deep crimson color. A two-finger tan head sits on top. Stays well at first, then disappears. Huge, and I mean MASSIVE aroma. And on top of that, very complex. Citrus jumps out at you first, then raisin and plum. Just a touch of alcohol. Malt is deep inside, but definitely present. On the palate... ever hear the term "flavor rush"? I think it's associated with some brand of potato chips. Well, that's not "flavor rush". Double Bastard is "flavor rush"! My taste buds didn't know what hit them! So many complex flavors hit the different parts of your tongue. I'll try to describe them. Malt and hop sections are both at maximum capacity here! Malt is caramel and a bit peat-like, extremely chewy, thick, and tongue-coating. Hops are aggressive pine and citrus, a bit leafy and floral on the edges as well. Raisin, plum, and berries have a big presence too. With the hops, this creates kind of a plum or berry skin bittersweetness, which is a very unique thing. It even stays on in the aftertaste. Alcohol presence, although noticeable, is minimal for a brew of this size. Grainy malt is noticeable as well, mostly in the aftertaste. You could almost call this a barleywine, but that wouldn't do its strength justice! I must say, this is beer heaven! I can't even put it into words. All I have to say is I'm getting as much more as I possibly can when I go back to the store tomorrow!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2002 23:23:32 | More by hyuga

Mark

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

This bad boy poured a very deep amber, slightly tan head settled down to a thin persistent layer. Lacework was erratic but good. The aroma was very inviting, and the taste was hoppy and very powerful, with a noticible alcohol presence. I tasted notes of grapefruit on some sips and more malt on others. a very big complex beer that is very well made and has exceptional mouthfeel. Very full bodied and rounded. I will say though that I don't enjoy getting hammered on one bottle. I guess for me 10% is just a bit too much. I'm not ashamed to admit this, but I will say it's a fine brew nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2002 19:45:27 | More by Mark

Brent

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a beautiful amber-brown and the cold aroma was vodka soaked Hershey's kisses (if there could be such a thing). First glass was too cold, and the burnt sugar and molasses flavors were held back.

Once the beer warmed the flavors emerged, but the alcohol also blossomed and seemed to run roughshod over the palate, so that it was difficult to pick out the various flavor elements. I kept trying to get past the alcohol flavor to discover the rest of what this beer was hiding, but the 10% abv held me back from getting very deep into the flavors.

A massive barley wine-like ale, and a good choice for those who want a strong ale that will kick you in the teeth. I'll hang back and settle for arrogance.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2002 07:17:58 | More by Brent

Todd

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

From the 2001 batch ... 750ml bomber = loads of brain rot and trouble.

Deep copper in colour with a magnificent and healthy looking off-white creamy head -- sticky and retains well.

Aroma ... pineapple, intense alcohol, loads of robust maltiness and pine-y hops in the nose.

Taste is so incredibly smooth that I might cry. Full-bodied, rich, robust, sugary/syrupy/sticky (carbonation seems suspended in the liquor) and extremely sweet. Flavours run all over the place: caramel, burnt sugar, chocolate, mega-fruity, pineapple, deep penetrating alcohol, pine-y earth/wood bitterness with an oily hop feel on the palate. Finish goes a touch dry with bready flavours and unsweetened chocolate notes.

Holy christ on a crutch!! Can you form a religion around a beer? This beer is everyting the name suggests, and then some. Extremely drinakble for a 10% beer, even more so as it warms up, and very warming. Treat this beer with respect and enjoy. -- thanks to Greg Koch for the sample, and for making this.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2002 09:46:21 | More by Todd

mickeymac

California

4.88/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I liked this one better than Arrogant Bastard. It's got a bit more of everything that AB has, but it's a bit more balanced. It's a bit whiskey-like and really packs a punch.

Since I just tried the '02 version, I'm updating (and upgading) my orginal review. This beer is nothing short of beer bliss. Yes, it's packed with hops, but it's also packed with malt and an amazing array of flavors: similar in flavor and complexity to a good cognac. Don't pass on this one if you see it around.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2002 21:54:19 | More by mickeymac

Andy

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Along with Dogfish Head's 90 Minute IPA, the Double Bastard is one of my beers of the year for 2001 (and I'm not particularly given to IPA's versus other styles). Beautiful maerzen color. What an aroma! There's something about
a powerful hop aroma that is part sweet and part hoppy. Deep, rich, and full aroma. This beer would be perfect if only sniffed. But the taste. Slightly smoky side of hop flavor, slightly earthy. Big body. Balances great as it warms. Deep alcohol aroma. It's a rare day when a beer makes me consider brand fidelity and a long-term committment. This one has my full attention and appreciation.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2002 12:56:38 | More by Andy

Jason

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: 22 oz brown bomber with a white and red silk screened label, mirror image if the gargoyle is creepy. Short essay about the meaning of life and why you are probably no worthy to drink this beer yet is on the back. No freshness dates though I am sure with its strength it does not worry about petty freshness dates. I am a little worried about going further … I must trek on.

Appearance: Deep and dark reddish mahogany brew with a thick light tan lace, this is a devil’s brew … devious in colour and taunts you to drink it. Even the bright clarity coerces you to drink it yet tells you to be fearful.

Smell: Citric and piney, caramel and spicy alcohol. Very aromatic, chocolate covered cherries laced with brandy is quickly suggested, higher alcohols will intimidate the nostrils. Almost vodka like in the fusel alcohols.

Taste: Exquisitely smooth right off the bat, it’s a well place carbonation … its placed out of the way but still hangs around to hold up the full body of malt and slightly syrupy mouth feel. Huge fruitiness with a bossy caramel maltiness, alcohol is sweet and fumy with a spicy overtone. Slight roasted malt and over caramelized flavour hits the tongue with chicory and faded burnt sugar. Hop bitterness pushes through the double doors of this beer and sets this beer even and balanced in a chaotic arrogant way. Piney and grapefruit rind hops flavours invade the taste buds. Warming alcohol increases with each sip, sweetness is large throughout but the hops and alcohol keep it in check right into the finish. Malt sweetness just can’t let go but hops and burnt sugar flavours tag along so the sweetness does not get too flamboyant.

Notes: Yikes! Barley Wine in character but don’t say that in front of the beer because it will set you straight, this is a American Nitro No Holds Barred Monster Truck Bitch Slappin Strong Ale. You’ll feel the redness on your checks after this one slaps you around, you’re probably better off not drinking this one alone just from the dominance and arrogance let alone the whopping 10% abv.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2001 00:51:12 | More by Jason