Double Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Clonies720

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bomber @ 11.2% ABV poured into a snifter glass.

Aroma - Medium brown in color but turns dark ruby red when held to the light. The head is thick and frothy with excellent retention. Lacing is plentiful.

Smell - Pine resin, orange peel, pineapple, and some malty sweetness. Alcohol burn is slightly noticeable.

Taste - The taste is fairly well balanced with a lean towards hoppy bitterness . Loads of bitterness and loads of sweet malty backbone. Maple, pine, and citrus.

Mouthfeel - Creamy and smooth as hell. Carbonation is medium-high and just right. Full bodied.

Overall - Extremely tasty. It's a sipping beer for sure. Laid 2 bottles of this down for aging.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 22:13:20 | More by Clonies720

arfenhouse

California

3.95/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2012 release, ~4-5mo. old.

A: Dark copper/ruby red with off-white head. Retention is good and lacing is decent

S: Big sweet caramel aroma dominates. Behind it are a touch of spicy and earthy hops. Very slight alcohol.

T: Sweet caramel mixed with a noticeable amount of alcohol bite. Aftertaste is a spicy hop, oak + vanilla, with a tiny bit of pine coming through.

M:Medium-full bodied with medium carbonation. Silky smooth and dry.

O: I haven't had this fresh so I'm not sure how it's "supposed" to taste like but I like it. Malt heavy with not much of a bitterness. It may just be an older bottle, but this wasn't as "arrogant" as I thought it would be.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 06:45:23 | More by arfenhouse

Siriusfisherman

Montana

4.65/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Deep, hazy mahogany with glints of ruby, a decent off-white head that dissipates quickly into a ring of foam around the sides, good lacing.

S: Big sweet malt, burnt candy, apricot, resinous and piney hops, some alcohol spice and fruity esters that grow as the beer warms. Very complex.

T/M: A nice crescendo of bitterness, joined by sweet, burnt caramel candy notes, resinous hops, apricot, and peppery/estery alcohol notes. Full sticky mouthfeel, semi-sweet finish, with more alcohol complexities appearing as the beer warms.

Overall, this beer as outstanding. It is upfront and no-nonsense, and full of complexities. It doesn't get bogged down with ten different malt characters, and a ton of different hops, it instead opts for excellent execution and complexity from basic ingredients. I cannot recommend this one enough, incredible.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 00:24:24 | More by Siriusfisherman

JustinAniello

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours reddish brown with a two finger head. Dissipates to a light cap and semi-sticky lacing.

S - Dry wood and burnt caramel take up the majority of the aroma with pine coming up in the background.

T - Heavy breadiness turning to burnt caramel and molasses, quite sweet on the swallow. The resiny hops shows through in the aftertaste, though lighter than I was expecting from Stone. Little alcohol flavor as well but pretty good overall at hiding it for how high it is.

M - Medium body and carbonation, oily feel.

O - Pretty good beer, nice flavors and aroma despite the lack of complexity. A enjoyable sipper. Would prefer with the oily feel and could use another flavor or two. Would have again.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 23:58:31 | More by JustinAniello

dar482

New York

4.63/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer comes in a brown ruby color with a one finger head. It is relatively clear.

The aroma is of big roasted burnt malts and sweet caramel. There is a bit of hops and bread.

The flavor has some hops to pick it up, but the flavor is surely of really dark hard burnt malt. Almost a woody earthy flavor. There is sweet breadiness and then it turns into huge pine bitterness. It really does not have a huge alcohol flavor with it. The bitterness really stands out and keeps it wonderful. The hops are in your face with the bitterness, although the caramel and burnt notes are truly there to give it body and roundness.

For the ABV and the great taste of this beer, the value is incredible to get a bomber of this. I do think I prefer the Oak Aged Bastard because of the complexity and less sweetness and bitterness. However, Stone keeps blowing me away. What a great brewery. This along with Oaked Aged Bastard, Ruination, and Enjoy By are fantastic beers.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2013 08:07:49 | More by dar482

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

a beautiful dark amber almost burgundy pour with 2 fingers of fluffy off white head giving off great lacing. huge sweet malt on the nose, a little hint of bubble gum, slightly boozy. WOAH, the flavor is bitter and boozy up front, with a huge burn on the chest. lots of sweet malt, slightly fruity like a tutti frutti candy, strawberries, can't really pinpoint it but there is something fruity about this beer, which is way weird, because bastard tastes nothing like this usually. a delicious full-medium body beer with a nice amount of carbonation and a huge burn from the abv.

i love this one, so tasty which makes it go down so damn easy, and then you read the abv on the label and WHOOPS. n seriously, a lovely beer, glad i picked up another one to age for a bit. it's like a fruity barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 01:28:48 | More by facundoCNB

deeznuts420

Pennsylvania

4.46/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

poured into a duvel tulip. had about a finger and a half of head that dissipated fairly quickly. brownish red color.smelled of sweet bready maltiness followed by a ton of piney, citrusy hops. also a tiny bit of grapefruit and slight alcohol.tastes fairly bitter up front followed by sweet bready maltiness with the piney citrusy hops following right behind. sweet then bitter finsh with a good heavy mouthfeel. one of the best strong ales out there and would and have it again

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 11:13:26 | More by deeznuts420

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.46/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Opened on 3.17.13
2011 3l swing-top bottle.

A - Pours a light hazy orange with an explosive off-white head. Great retention and streaks of lacing left on the glass.

S - A bit oxidized, and some strong sweet malts and older faded hops.

T - Just as the nose. A bit oxidized, but it really didn't take much away from the taste.

D - Tons of carbonation and a medium body.

O - Ok, the fun part was pouring the big boy bottle, but I don't think this is really the way to age a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 02:59:00 | More by HuskyinPDX

PhantasIPA

Delaware

4.46/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

The colour of this beer is a very dark amber and brown. The beer pours with a solid 1/2 inch head and has minimal lacing against the glass.

The smell of this brew is a heavy, sweet malt mixed with a very earthy scent of earth and nuts.

That taste of this beer is malt heavy, with a strong molasses and caramel flavor. followed by the heavy, earthy notes.

The mouthfeel is bitter and heavy and lingers on the tongue with a steady yet tasty flavour. Very nice!

This beer is complicated, strong, balanced and tasty. It is difficult for me to identify every flavour and scent but the balance of earth tones, very heavy, sweet flavour and bitter aftertaste make for a unique and nice tasting beer. Absolutely worth a try!

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 02:27:58 | More by PhantasIPA

Moose90

Colorado

4.34/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

22oz Bomber
Bottled 10.19.12
Tasted 03.14.13

A – Vivid translucent dark copper color. Head is light brown and tall, though it does recede to a thin sticky layer that leaves behind great lacing.

S – Nothing too crazy. Quite alcoholic and sweet. Big boozy notes. Underneath it all it comes across as a barleywine; dried dark fruits, brown sugar.

T – Bright and hoppy initially, but the malt sweetness abounds and dominates. Lots of pine, not fresh, but old and resinous. Flavors are strongly bitter and do linger on the palate, there is somehow a nice balance here between sweet and hops, the hops are not fresh, but they do bring a nice, cutting dryness to the table.

M – Thick, drinks like a stout, more alcohol comes through here. It has a lingering and lasting finish.

O – This is one hell of a beer, quite strong, and 22oz in a sitting is more than enough. The label writing on the back is on the spot. This is a brew worth seeking out, it is seriously boozy and astringent. This is bar none the best warming beer ever, when Stone releases this in the winter as a pick me up (and kick your ass) beer, it is an experience, this beer is great fresh, and only gets better with age. I will seek this out in the future. This beer is greater than the sum of its parts.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 05:08:55 | More by Moose90

sooner961

Oklahoma

4.44/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Lives up to it's name and the "book" printed on the back of the bottle. Not for the weak or inexperienced. Not sure what to say about this one...or should I say, not sure how to express all the tastes, experiences, or lingering emotions I had with each sip... notice I said sip... this isn't one you'll be slamming back and wondering why the bartender hasn't poured you another one already. For this one, you'll have to have some time to savor and some good music or a great movie to back it up. Smooth at the beginning and smells wonderful! Then it hits you with an explosion of different tastes...hops, citrus, and some kind of spice...can't identify it...(it's top secret, after all!). Ends with a kick of bitter "can of whoopass!" that'll have you wondering, "what just happend!?!"

I really think that's why this beer is high on the ranking lists... it's so much freakin' fun trying to figure it out!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 06:03:38 | More by sooner961

damndirtyape

Ohio

4.26/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

22oz bomber (2012 bottling, bought in October 2012) served in a Duvel Tulip.

Appearance: Translucent deep amber-copper color. 1/4" thick foam at pouring died down to thin foam across the top. Persistent strands of lacing, a few sheets of lacing here and there.

Smell: Surprisingly not a strong smelling beer. With a swirl you get some alcohol notes that make you think of barrel aging. Some citrus/lemony hops under the alcohol and malt sweetness.

Taste: Starts off with a lot of hop flavors well blended with malt sweetness. I got pine and grapefruit and orange peel mixed in with caramel malt and a deep sweetness for balance. This blended flavor then transitions into more of the malt and then a long lingering bitterness that really smacks you around. It's a strong bitterness, not overpowering, but strong. Piney, herbal, grassy, earthy, spicy too. Complex bitterness would be a good way to describe the finish. Definitely a slow sipping beer for savoring, but that bitterness can really dominate the palate. And domination is the right word - it rules the tongue and dictates what it senses at the end of the swallow. I feel that the words on the back of the bottle "one lacerative muther of an ale" are true to form for that finish.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and thick. Just right carbonation. A little bit sticky on the teeth.

Overall / Drinkability: Well...I drank the whole 22oz bottle by myself. I met the bastard and the bastard did set me free. For such a strong and bitter beer, it keeps inviting you to drink more and it kept smacking me around with every sip. And yet I savored it despite that strong bitter finish and abuse of my palate. It reminds me a bit of the Stone Ruination ale for what it's doing to my tongue right now. Drinkability is good, and I have a feeling I'm going to regret it later. But....that strong bitterness I could see as a love it or hate it feeling early on in the beer. Either you embrace it and succumb to the domination of the bitterness with this beer, or you reject it early on and find something else to drink. I chose to take it all in, but I can see myself also on another occasion saying no and stopping early on. I think the only weak spot with this beer is that the aroma is weak. Otherwise its well crafted and worth a try. See if you can hold up to the onslaught and succumb to it - I'm glad I tried it and I suspect I would take up the challenge again.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 00:20:18 | More by damndirtyape

NuclearSoAndSo

Ohio

4.29/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a beer mug.

Appearance- Pours a big four finger khaki head. It kept growing past the point where I thought it would; it spilled over the mug a bit, and I was delighted. It died down to about one finger, but that stuck around just about all the way down. The color was very murky and a deep brown; sort of amber hues in there as well.

Smell- Pretty hoppy, a fair amount of citrus aroma is present. A bit of alcohol on the nose.

Taste- The taste sort of explodes on the palate. It was bitter with citrus hops; very, very flavorful. You get the alcohol on the end but it isn't too overpowering, maybe because I was expecting a bite from this one.

Mouthfeel- I liked the amount of carbonation. It's there, but it isn't dominating the palate or anything. This is a very smooth beer.

Overall- I've been meaning to try this for a while now, and I have to say it lives up to the short story on the back of the bottle. It's flavorful, smooth, and packs quite a punch. I would absolutely buy this one again. Let's just say I was feeling the arrogance after drinking this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 14:00:27 | More by NuclearSoAndSo

pkalix

California

4.46/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

for Stone. i was expectin mass hops....
poured a dark amber, little head, very little carbonation...
smell is sweet, malts and barley; very nice and unexpected.
taste is of the same. very much easier than expected to put down. even after a long conversation with the beautiful red-head next to me, the warming of the brew was a complete non-factor. this is urprisingly easy to drink, sweet and almost delicious-especially for the abv.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2013 03:08:31 | More by pkalix

kawilliams81

Illinois

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

2010 vintage. Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a Pipeworks snifter.

A- pours a bright amber with a 1 finger light tan head. Vertical columns of lacing bubbles remain on the glass.

S- toffee, toast, nice citrus and some pine and earthiness.

T- toasted malts, caramel and toffee, citrus with some citrus rind, with a good amount of pine bitterness.

M- medium body and carbonation. Effervescent and a little acidic right away and then mellows some.

O- nice beer that I can't believe I haven't reviewed this yet. Nice blend of sweet malts, citrus and bitter pine.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 02:37:35 | More by kawilliams81

jgurley

Florida

4.99/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a tasting snifter. Glowing, slightly opaque amber color. Full tan and rocky head. Good lacing down the glass. Taste is surprisingly fruity and hoppy with good caramel character across the middle and citrusy throughout. Sticky but very drinkable mouthfeel. Booze is prominent while not overpowering, though it is very warm in the belly. Aftertaste is pleasantly bitter yet refreshing. A REAL pleasure to drink! Excellent pair with salty or spicy foods, not sweets. DELICIOUS and overall excellence. BRAVO!

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 01:27:12 | More by jgurley

Fatehunter

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A finger and half of reddish head on an almost clear amber colored body. There's a lot of sediment.
The aroma is weak with only a little malt and lemon coming through.
The taste is HUGE and BOLD. Lots of lemon bitterness thrown against tons of malt. It maintains a great balance.
The texture is smooth with moderate carbonation.
A big beer with still keeps it together.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 01:25:35 | More by Fatehunter

Petcha

Minnesota

4.78/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A: Opaque brownish red

S: Malty dark fruit, some citrus and booze,

T: Pretty brilliant balance of sweet fruit, fig-like beginning with a surprisingly citrusy backbone. Very complex flavors that are well balanced that hide and ABV well.

M: Thick but finished pretty clean

O: Love this beer. Balanced complexity is executed very well. My favorite strong ale yet. My wife and a non beer snob friend both did double takes when trying this with me. Let's just say that we were all a bit sad when this bottle was empty.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 06:01:29 | More by Petcha

ianjsullivan

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

ST: 22 bomber 2012 poured into a snifter.

A: Murky brown with a few clumps of white foam. The beer leaves lots of lacing.

S: Grapefruit, maple, raisins, fruit loaf, bubblegum.

T: Cognac like sweet fruit early on, a strong grapefruit lingering bitterness, hint of smoke, touch of pepper.

M: Heavy

O: A powerful bouquet and a powerful, complex taste: Double bastard delivers. Sniff, sip, and enjoy, this beer rewards careful drinking.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 23:02:58 | More by ianjsullivan

guityler83

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Year: 2012

A: Soft pastel yellow head a half finger tall that recesses slowly into itself. Dense hazy copper color letting small amounts of light through to reveal an almost grapefruit juice color.

S: Strong aroma of plums and raisens and a touch of alcohol. A spicyness that reminds me of german hops.

T: Big bitter hop wollop on the first sip. After a few more the pallet gets accustomed and a pine and citrus (orange peel?) hop flavor are revealed. The dark fruit malt profile detected in the nose (plums/prunes/etc) also are heavy in the middle. A tad sweet but just in the after taste.

M: Sticky from hop oils, warming alcohol effect (expected from an 11.2%) and moderate carbonation.

O: A great sipping beer for the cold winter nites. Bitter in just the write spots and a great malt profile. Bonus points for the yelloish head!

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 01:09:49 | More by guityler83

richj1970

Alabama

4.45/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 22 oz bottle into Stone IRS snifter glass.

A: Poured nice reddy brown color with one to two finger white head. Some lacing.

S: Caramel and malts with pine and citrus tones from the hops. Very inviting and begging to be consumed.

T: Hops fairly up front with nice sweetness in the background. ABV is apparent but welcomed.

M: Full bodied with nice carbonation. A bit dry and bitter at the end.

O: Very enjoyable. This has got to be one of my favorites from Stone Brewing. I'm glad that I picked up several bottles in my last haul.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 00:29:36 | More by richj1970

ubenumber2

Arkansas

4.76/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Poured from 22oz bottle into a glass , deep red color with smal 1 finger head and minimal lacing.

Smell is wonderful, very malty with the hops and the alcohol coming through after the malt , the smell just makes your mouth water

Very full bodied beer , a real mouthy beer that is nice and warming all the way down

This is a great tasting beer , the first thing I taste is the sweetness of the malts then the hops and alchohol come at the end blended together giving it a nice bitter and warming flavor that you can feel all the way down

Overall this is a really good beer for a cold winter night. I am going to buy a couple bottles to age and a couple bottles to drink next weekend.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:20:19 | More by ubenumber2

BeerDawgs

Georgia

4.7/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A 22oz bomber 2011 version

A - A deep copper amber red. Thick with lots of sediment. Creamy looking. Looks like a Bloody Mary!

S - Huge piny hop nose! Pineapple, Sweet brown sugar, etc. Amazing.

T - Amazing. Period. Like the nose, a nice smooth, well balanced blend of Malts and hops. Caramel, burnt brown sugar, and piny hops. Lots of grapefruit. High ABV is so well hidden its dangerous. Definitely keep it to a sipper. You can sip on this all night

M - Full bodied and well carbonated.

O - A+. The best of the trifecta that I have had from Stone, comparing the Arrogant Bastard and the Oaked Arrogant

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 02:29:00 | More by BeerDawgs

TheCondor

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Side poured with standard vigor from the bottle into a Beck's tall mug. Any beer with a name and packaging like this, from this brewery, is worthy of a buy.

Appearance- Pours a deep brown, murky color thatwould impress the snobbiest of beer geeks with a nice fluffy, one finger head that dissipates after several minutes. Excellent lacing, leaves tons of residue all down the glass. Fabulous presentation from what should be a strong beer.

Smell - I could smell the beer as I poured it. A very powerful piney, grapefruity hops odor is the dominant smell, coupled with a bit of malt and a little sweet spice in there, but nothing to really get worked up over. The lowest rated portion of the beer, in my opinion. The hops seem like the may overpower everything.

Taste - A strong malt presence up front quickly retreats to the power of the hops. Although this isn't any kind of IPA, the amount of hoppiness kind of makes you think it could be, but there isn't that fruitiness to it. A little caramel sweetness in the middle of the drink too. Pretty balanced, well done.

Mouthfeel - A little sticky, clings to the palate for a bit, but nothing uncomfortable. Finishes bitter, medium carbonation.

Overall - Unlike Arrogant Bastard, which I thought was spectacular, this beer is a little more pedestrian than that. Granted, it has a much higher ABV and a more aggressive hop profile, but I think that sacrifices the quality to a degree of the original Arrogant Bastard, which was incredible. This is a good beer and I would recommend it, but if it comes down to this or Arrogant, pass me the lower ABV version that is more balanced.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 02:26:02 | More by TheCondor

JamesShoemaker

New York

3.89/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle poured into my snifter. Been meaning to try this one forever, but I finally found a price that fit the bill ($6.99).

A - much darker than expected. Not a lot of translucency, very dark brown. A little head on the forced poured, and the residual foam covers the top partially. Pretty beer.

S - meh, not much there, even with a deep whiff from the snifter. Smells a bit sour, maybe a little hoppy, but disappointingly lacking.

T - I'm not a huge fan of this taste, but I gave it a high-ish score because it does a good job taking you on a journey. DB starts strong and sweet, with little hints of caramel and sugar, and ends with a big bitter bomb from the hop notes. This is the kind of taste that could benefit from some age. It's not overly boozy, but it's definitely strong.

M - the bitterness clings to the cheeks, which is a little unpleasant. In fact, it's almost a little watery, lacking in substance. The alcohol is hidden well, however.

O - I haven't really had anything by Stone that I particularly enjoyed besides their RIS. I look forward to mixing a six comprised entirely of Stone standards.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 00:13:19 | More by JamesShoemaker