Double Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

acevenom

Louisiana

4.63/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a large brandy snifter. Pours dark, clear copper with a thick, light tan colored head. There appear to be a moderate amount of tiny bubbles rising within the beer. The head retreats slowly. I pick up aromas of caramel malt and brown bread with citrus type hop aromas. It smells sweet and and a little piney. More of those resinous hop notes come through in the flavor than they did in the nose. The flavor is juicy and malty sweet up front. The piney hop flavors really hammer in the back end and linger in the mouth, giving some nice back end bitterness. I get those caramel notes with that brown bread. Stone tends to do these hoppy beers rather well and like the other Bastards, this beer does not disappoint. The beer is full bodied with a sticky mouthfeel. The beer finishes somewhat dry. This is an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 00:43:01 | More by acevenom

bnes09

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Light ruby color and transparent. Big head for the style recedes pretty quickly but maintains a solid layer of foam over the liquid. Lacing sticks in lines and blotches on the glass.

Complex malty aroma with burnt molasses, caramel, dates and hints of tropical fruits. Tough to tell if the tropical, citric aromas are coming from the malt or the hops. Aggressive pine aroma as well. Smells like an American barleywine or malt forward DIPA like 90 minute IPA.

Some of the fruit flavors come through with mild dates but is overpowered by lemon rind, raw radishes, dish detergent and ultra tart and bitter grapefruit. Caramel is there but weak. Hops are intense and linger into the aftertaste with an odd tartness that overwhelms the palate and only intensifies in the first twenty seconds after each sip. One thing I can say is that I can't taste any alcohol although alcohol flavor may be more pleasant.

Full-bodied and somewhat sticky. Good carbonation though short-lived. Finish is super dry with a rough texture.

I love arrogant bastard but they went overboard on this one. There's no balance. It would be different if the hops actually tasted good. Am I alone in thinking that grapefruit and soap do not taste good? Not sure what they were thinking. Has a few things going for it that prevent me from pouring it down the drain. Won't be rechallenging this one. It has complexity but without balance you're left with a mediocre beer at best.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 08:08:18 | More by bnes09

One2Remeber

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark amber/orange hue body. Light khaki head, as dense as could be, sticky. More transparent but still cloudy.

S: Dark candied caramel, toffee, citrus/lemon. Strawberry fruit roll-up. Earthy perfume undertones.

T/M: Red candy licorice, overbearingly sweet. Clean and pronounced flavors. Mouth feel is creamy and soft which offsets the alcohol burn left over. If I did not drink so many hop bombs I would say this is hop forward. Malts and hops shine at different times.

O: Big boy drink only deserving to sip till it warms to room temperature. This beer will tell you what Stone brewing company is all about in a nutshell. Extreme flavors, unique style and satisfies all kinds of beer nerds. Combination of AV Boont Amber Ale, SN Big Foot Barleywine and Stone IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2012 06:03:58 | More by One2Remeber

webmanspidey

Michigan

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

Poured from a bomber into a large snifter, this is a medium to dark caramel color with a light head. The smell really drifts in a balance between some sweet syrup or molasses and a floral bitterness. The taste is also complex and balanced with lots of sweet and bitter flavors mixing together. Alcohol is definitely noticeable, keeping this a heavy slow sipper.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 04:44:04 | More by webmanspidey

siradmiralnelson

Iowa

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

Poured from 22oz bottle into Globe glass.

A. Pours 2+ fingers of head. Thick lacing. Really good retention. Color is a dark amber brown.

S. Quite a bit of hop aroma, and a big blend of malty goodness. Caramel malt mixed with some piney hops. Brown sugar, molasess, raisins, and spice come out more as it warm. Gives the beer a sweet spicy aroma reminsescent of a cookie. Really like the smell on this.

T. Has hop bitterness up front, followed by caramelt malt sweetness. Surprised by the amount of bitterness in this one. Spices come out on the back of the tongue, hard to pin down individual flavors. I have difficulty getting passed all of the bitterness.

M. Full bodied. Medium carbonation.

O. Wish the taste followed the aroma more closely. I prefer Strong Ales or Barleywines with more sweetness than this. Not sure if some of that bitterness will fade over time or not. Right now it seems to be a beer contradicting itself.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 22:42:33 | More by siradmiralnelson

Trooper

4.85/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Once again an amazing Double Bastard from Stone Brewing. Hits right away with big molasses flavors and bitter bite. We paired it first with grain crackers, this brought out the dry biscuit flavors, then we paired it with sharp cheddar. This eliminated all bitter flavors and smoothed out the florals, then we had unshelled salted nuts, after this the brew was sweet, bold and flavorful.
All the things I love in a brew, big hops, big malt body, great head, amazing.
Just saying I will have four or five of these stashed for trading.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 07:52:30 | More by Trooper

gr0g

New Jersey

4.48/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanksgiving 2012.
Comparison of 2011 and fresh 2012 bombers.
After a year, both hops and alcohol are muted. Still, there's a solid bitterness that hits almost immediately and lasts throughout. The rich, toffee-like malt body is much more prevalent in the flavor profile, making this very much like AB on steroids.
Fresh 2012 DB, now back up to 11.2% ABV, is a total ass-kicker. Bitterness is at DIPA levels. Huge malt and hop contributions in both aroma and flavor. Distinct pineapple note upfront. Some booziness present, seemingly appropriate.
Either fresh or after being laid down, DB is a hugely flavorful ale. Consume now if you want big IBUs and don't mind a bit of a fuel note, or let it sit so that the malt body shines through.

11/24/2011.
Bomber, 2011 release. No bottling date.
Pours a reddish-brown with a thin head that fades to a small ring of tiny bubbles that clings to the sides of the snifter. Some woody aroma notes; prodigious hopping imparting some pine; caramel sweetness and ripe fruit also, with a slight fuel note. Very complex, multidimensional aroma overall. Bitterness hits the tongue first, not surprising for a Stone brew. Malt sweetness follows, though much more subdued from my memory of last year's release; have to assume that one had aged more. Sweet raisin, fig notes more prominent as it warms. Hop bitterness picks up again toward the finish, lingers for a bit afterwards. This is an awesome brew when young, provided that you don't mind a blast of hops, and will only get better as it mellows out over time.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 21:15:50 | More by gr0g

JGcontraman

New Jersey

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

-''::Pour::''-
No aggression is needed for the pour and you can see a lot of action going on as it fills up in a Weyerbacher pint glass. Quickly but swiftly, the head reaches the top of the glass, about roughly an inch thick. In fact, the glass almost overflowed.

-''::Appearance::''-
Sort of a dark amber copper color. The head maintains a very nice light tan where you can see micro bubbles endlessly flow up from the bottom of the glass. Simply put, just one of the beautiful moments for a beer enthusiast to see.

-''::Head & Lacing::''-
The head retains itself quite well but you will notice after a while that it will start to fade. Very foamy view from the top of the glass, as if I’m visualizing a cloud of foam where I can barely see any porousness. The lacing sticks well to the glass as if it’s not going anywhere for the time being, even when the head starts to fade down more and more.

-''::Nose::''-
Right off the back you pick up notes of citrus and pine along with a buried scent of grain alcohol with deeply hidden caramel that indicates the balance of malt and hops overall. It’s hard for me to tell what other aromas linger.

-''::Palate::''-
There is a steadily hint of the alcohol blended with citrus and pine straight up front. Of 11.2% ABV you really get the taste of the grain alcohol, but not as much as you would if you were to sip high ABV spirits. It simply doesn't bother me, since I’m use to hard spirits with a rough taste, and in general it just seems quite sessionable regardless. In that regard, I actually develop more appreciation for the alcohol taste as it is backed up by other complex and intense varieties of flavors that tend to sneak in which I can’t really put my finger on.

In the back, the hops creep up nicely, I guess that may be the lingering of the citrus and pine flavor of them steadily undermined by the bittersweet malt flavor, which is indeed quite complicated to comprehend for myself even. I do also get a hint of caramel and maybe somewhat of a rye or whole grain bread flavor but overall this seems to be a stronger version of the ordinary Arrogant Bastard Ale as far as the palate serves. There may be other flavors I can’t pick up, but maybe that is because I am overwhelmed by the mentioned flavors.

Overall with the flavor, there is a pretty good balance of malt and hops, but I think in the end I get more of a balance of the bittersweet malt mixed with the taste of alcohol. I guess one can imagine the taste as if it was a more sessionable Tequila, except it tastes nothing like Tequila and Tequila tastes nothing like it. Especially as it warms up, the malt flavor seems to dominate but when it was cold I was definitely able to sense the balance of hops up with the malt.

-''::Overall::'-
This is just about the best damn beer I ever had. Demonstrated is a very relinquishing balance of hops and malt with a pleasant blended hint of alcohol along with other varieties of complex flavors. Not much more can be expected or should be expected here. I always wish for every beer I have had though, that the flavor can have more bitterness to it. On the definite side, this is definitely just a stronger and more improved Arrogant Bastard Ale.

It was either this or the Oaked Arrogant Bastard I was posed with getting at the Liquor Store just the other day and needless to say, I am delightfully satisfied. Next time I’ll be sure to pick up the Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale and do a review on that as well. Taking a look at the beer is also a site to see, especially for those beer enthusiasts. Aroma is heavily inviting for the next sip with the palate to back it up. Lacing remains to stick to the glass from the start.

Pours with ease and it’s not for the weak hearted to drink as it mentions on the bottle. Be warned though, you will taste the alcohol. However, I think the alcohol taste is simply the best thing about this beer because it gives it that robust spark to back up the palate just a little bit more than an ordinary beer would with a lesser ABV.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 01:08:40 | More by JGcontraman

HoppyHomo

New Jersey

3.33/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up at the local shoprite which has recently opened up a liquor department. Not sure how long this has been sitting on the shelf:

It has a nice smooth red copper appearance with a non-heady pour. I was expecting this to be a way too strong IPA, but its not and i was pleasantly surprised. Sometimes the high alcohol content makes me feel like I'm drinking vodka and not a beer. But i felt this was just right. And while this may not be the best IPA I've had this year, month or week; its certainly not that bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 03:33:46 | More by HoppyHomo

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

3.95/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cellared above 45 degrees for 2 years. This bomber is a November 2010 release.

A - A perfect brown color with a lacy medium tan head.

S - A nice balance of hops and malt. There's certainly an essence from what might be considered a barleywine.

T - Pungent plum and then a rich peach candy flavor toward the end. The flavor is quite rich.

M - It definitely has a sharpness to it.

~ This is a very entertaining beer. I am very in. It has a goodness to it that come through big time just like the big time 11.2% abv. Get one!

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 02:20:34 | More by cdkrenz

JohnnyMc

Ohio

4.63/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

The big brother to Arrogant Bastard!!

Pours out a nice, deep amber with plenty of off-white head.

The aroma has a lot of piney, resinous, earthy hops, citrus notes, bready malt and caramel notes.

The taste also has a lot of hops. Very piney/earthy, spicy, orange and grapefruit notes, bready malt backbone and a nice amount of caramel too. Very bitter, but some of the sweetness from the fruit and caramel helps to balance it.

A medium body with a silky smooth dry finish. Very easy to drink for being so strong and bitter. No trace of alcohol except for a warming sensation down your throat. Pretty balanced for this style.

Another great beer from Stone! Don't be afraid to age this one!

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 05:30:31 | More by JohnnyMc

JamesMN

Minnesota

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

Appearance: Translucent maroon/mahogany hue with a soapy off-white one finger head.

Aroma: Lots of malt. Great caramel aroma with a candied pineapple smell from the hops.

Taste: Not recklessly bitter like I was expecting but still a tongue stinger. The malt bill sticks to the usual caramel and crystal strains you get in the regular Arrogant Bastard but is a little more syrupy here. The hop presence is not as flavorful as I expected. Piny just a hint of citrus and the rest is devoted to pure bitterness. Most of it seems to hit your palate on the back end and in the aftertaste. Lovely dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Just about full bodied with average drinkability. Not quite the robust palate engulfing experience I anticipated.

Final Thoughts: High expectations have led to a somewhat disheartened, yet satisfying experience. I think I actually like the regular Arrogant Bastard Ale more than this one but it is still a very good beer that I like to think I'm 'worthy of'. Would I drink it again? Yes, I will probably pick up next year's release.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 05:54:24 | More by JamesMN

brock146

Minnesota

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

A - Red copper color. Cloudy.

S - Tons of malt. Hops are also there.

T - A very sweet and malty start which is followed a couple of seconds later by a kick in the mouth by booze and hop bitterness.

M - Very silky. Full bodied and if there is such thing as perfect, this beer is close to it.

O - This beer is fantastic. A really good sipper. Or a slammer if you're in to that sort of thing. (I certainly am)

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 09:22:13 | More by brock146

Apellonious

North Carolina

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

22 oz bomber from Frugles.

A - cloudy, brownish red. One finger head that dissipates into lace.

S - grapefruit, hops, some brown sugar.

T - good balance, not as much hops the nose would indicate, but they are upfront and strong. A dark fruity sweet malt balances it out. Definitely some alcohol heat on the finish.

M - borderline awesome. Slightly low on the carbo side, but altogether exceptionally solid.

O - another solid Stone offering. By the end you will understand what you have done.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 00:55:20 | More by Apellonious

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

4.68/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this in a bottle then it appeared at the growler stand the next week. I had to do it! Also decided to review it before having my udon with red rooster sauce rather than after.

A: Thick semi hazy reddish brown. Perfect amount of carbonation. Head is a little weak at first but leaves good lacing.

S: Very balanced with some good floral hop notes but also some woody herbaciousness. Some sweetness as well. A hint of citrus in there. Very complex.

T: If there was a beer that tasted a 5 this would be it. Hits you at first with the hops which are sharp and not overwhelming. Then it comes in with a woody earthiness that is a sharp contrast to the floral notes at the start. As the taste fades you get hit with some citrus orange lemon acid which again, is in contrast to the previous flavors. Then the bittereness comes back in the end to finish it out. Goes does exceptionally smooth for such a high ABV and the amount of control here is insane.

M: carbonation is rather aggressive. Great flavor development but pretty intense.

Overall this is one of the best beers I've had. Insanely well controlled complexity and a variety of flavors. Very palatable for so high an ABV. A must have.

Serving type: growler

11-16-2012 23:54:30 | More by Jamesthebrit

homersimpson67

Minnesota

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

Been thinking about trying this one for awhile. Would love to buy the $100 3 litter bottle at my local beer establishment. Not sure how to chill it though. Settled for a nice 22oz bomber. Not dissapointed! Yes it is strong. As the bottle states "diatribe" on the label a perfect discription to say the least.
Pours a lovely dark mahogany into my favorite tulip. At least 2 fingers of glorious white foam that settles into and excellent lacing of delicate bubbles.
This smells like Christmas, sweet and spicey and everything nicey.(sorry about that one). A very enticing aroma of cranbery and nutmeg with a dash of maybe cinnamin and pumpkin pie.
As I slowly pour this over my tongue it hits you right away. Very sugaring and hoppy and I knew this one was loaded. It does remind me of a fresh barley wine type ale and it lingers on my tongue and into my nose for some time after a good swallow. Definately a unique flavor for sure. They certainly didn't hold back on the suger and hops!
It feels great but as the label implies it is not for the weak. This is a one to sip slowly and cautiously and let it warm a little as I believe the flavor gets more complex over time.
Again if you try read the label, it says it all. Stone is really wise in its ways and has again come up with a winner!
Yummy. I will sleep with a smile.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 01:55:54 | More by homersimpson67

nUgZ

North Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bomber poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a dark amber/ruby color with a 1 1/2 finger head and very nice lacing.

S: Lots of sweet hops up front along with some caramel and faint malt aromas. Not nearly as much nuttiness as the original.

T: I get a good amount of sweet hops and roasted malts. The nuts are more pronounced in the taste than the smell. The alcohol is there, but it's hard to tell it's over 11%.

M: Medium to heavy bodied with very good carbonation. Just how a Strong Ale should be.

O: This beer is not for the weak! It'll slap you around and ask you if you're ready for more. If a dominatrix was turned into a beer, this would be it. Just enough sweet and enticing flavors to keep you wanting more, but it has the potential to hurt you. I like!!

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 21:21:29 | More by nUgZ

Doughbodyboy

Ohio

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

poured the 22oz in a large glass. really deep amber color. the head builds up quickly and lingers thin on the top. it smells hoppy, nice. there is also some caramel that is hangin around. the malt in the taste is roasty and caramel. the hop note is real nice and bitter. just enough to be slightly more pronounced than the malt. the roasty flavors really linger around. it feels thick and prickly in the mouth. I'm about half way through it at this point and its kickin in, startin to get a smile...finished now. the name says it all. double arrogant for sure. the higher alcohol is really all i wanted from the original but im glad thats not the only difference. cheers

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 03:32:26 | More by Doughbodyboy

yamar68

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Finally reviewing this one...

Pretty silent looking copper orange body with a solid finger of off white to khaki head that retains and laces well, not much in the way of alcohol legs.

Loads and loads of dense hop notes... bitter dry grapefruit, dripping with tropical fruit syrups, puree, absolutely delightful in this respect... some caramel and faint cinnamon beneath all of that, no real booze character to be spoken for.

Even bigger to the tongue... harsh bitterness plays alongside a more noticeable alcohol presence, tremendous hop bill is very obvious, not quite as smooth and tame as the nose would suggest.

The bitter booze limits the approachability of this one - definitely prefer it with a year or so on it.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 00:39:12 | More by yamar68

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle poured into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a very dark ruby brown color with very little clarity. The head is nice for 11.2% - a one finger light mocha color with nice retention and a wonderful texture. It looks almost like cream floating on top of the beer. There's a nice sheet of lacing down the glass, as well.

S: Don't know why, but the aroma isn't as explosive as I anticipated. The usual suspects of caramel, toffee, and nuttiness are there along with the piny/citrusy hops one would expect from a bastard, but I kind of expected a little more in general.

T: Well, it tastes just like a stronger version of Arrogant Bastard does; I don't know why i expected something different. Nuttiness is strong from the get go, while the finish is a classic Arrogant Bastard 'sneak-up-on-you-with-oily-pine-flavors'. There seems to be a slightly brighter presence of citrus near the finish, and - naturally - the aftertaste is fairly boozy. I can't seem to pick up the faint vanilla presence other reviewers are detecting. The lack of complexity given its gravity is disappointing...but the Arrogant Bastard has never been about finesse, balance, subtlety, or nuance, has he?! Not quite as sweet as I expected, luckily.

M: Smooth and thick like a milkshake - right up until the hop oils sneak up on you. I love the feel of this in general; the boozy/resiny linger on the palate works perfectly for what this is trying to accomplish.

O: Every time Stone lets me down (see: 16th Anniversary IPA, SSR, IPA, and IRS to a lesser extent), I have something from them that restores my faith in them (see: 15th Anniversary black ale and Mint Chocolate Imperial Stout). So I guess this is another beer that helps raise my opinion of Stone somewhat? The shameless, heavy handed nature of Double Bastard is what gives it its charm - it's the ephitet "fuck you" in beer form. I don't really like Arrogant Bastard anymore, so it's good to know that someone else in the bastard family can come through for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 21:25:14 | More by ThisWangsChung

Etan

Illinois

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

I've always really liked Double Bastard, so I wanted to get a fresh bottle to review. Here it is, 2012 vintage.

A: Pours a very nice ruby-amber with a nice spongy off-white head.

S: Pungent citrus, bitterish resin, doughy grain and thick caramel, herbal, toffee.

T: Tobacco, mint, burnt caramel, oily, leafy bitterness, orange and grapefruit rind, earthy alcohol notes, cakey sweetness in the finish.

M: Somewhat thick-bodied with creamy carbonation. Very bitter on the palate.

O: Still one of my favorite Stone offerings. Bracing and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 01:58:59 | More by Etan

harrymel

Washington

3/5  rDev -30.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Vintage 2012,
Pours copper, light tan central dome and rim with some confluent etching. Smells of alcohol, hops (weed, resin, grapefruit and some tea) plenty of crystal malts, some more tea some more booze, a bit of nougat and vanilla and banana. Flavor is bitter, boozy and sweet. Lots of malt, lots of bittering hops, plenty of alcohol character. Medium bodied with moderate carb. I don't think I care for this fresh. Not at all.

vintage 2010- 15AUG11 - 2/4/3.5/3.5/4-3.63
A: Pours a turbid copper ale with less than a single finger of light peanut foam. This dissipates rather quickly to a mirror surface and a central cap of foam. No lacing. Surprised at how turbid this is.
S: Caramel malts, toffee, richly blended. Really nice smell, and for some reason, when I take a good long hit of this, I get candied and mulled orange smells. I dig it. Reminds me of a well aged barley wine.
T: Sweet and bready with a midline transition highlighting the alpha acid in here. Then an additional mutation to a slightly oxidized and metallic grain bed. Above average for sure.
M: Medium on heavy for the style with moderate to lo carb. Transient slick on the palate falls dry at the end.
O: Good beer. Look foward to reviewing fresh.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 09:00:38 | More by harrymel

daledeee

Iowa

4.13/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I have been trying to get this one for years. Finally, Stone came to Iowa. A 22 oz bomber.

Pours a dark reddish brown. Off white head with good lacing.

Taste: This stuff is intense. Hops galore. A nice malt back ground but really in the back ground. It is hard for me to even identify other tastes but the malt adds a little sweetness and there might be some caramel.

It has a nice creamy finish but the hops are just there to stay. And they make Ruination? I think this is the one that ruins your pallet.

Overall, quite a good beer. I could have aged this to see if it blended flavors.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 21:58:43 | More by daledeee

BigBarley

Texas

4.13/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a deep brown with a ruby-amber glow through the light. Yeast comes alive slowly, building up to two fingers of head that receds into a light lacing over a couple of minutes. Looks thick and strong

S - The nose is a balance of sour hoppy character wrapped in a sweet, malty caramel. Mild whisky note floating just beneath. Not the strongest smelling beer, but you can sense that there's alot going on here.

T - Balanced and powerful. Immediate hop bitterness and malty sweetness. Caramel, deep biscuity flavors, mild smokey presence underneath a massive hop dose. As I was hoping, this has all the notes of and Arrogant Bastard, only much more bang for the buck. Intense and powerful, not recommended for a novice craft drinker. The hop presence is huge and bitter with mild citrus, but it doesn't detract from the malt body, which is as sweet as the hops are bitter. Impressive flavor, and a definite palate-breaker. High alcohol comes through on the back end.

M - Very thick, very active carbonation. Goes down smooth considering the abv and body. Not something I'd drink to feel refreshed, but as strong as it is, it's still tolerably drinkable.

O - Intensity has always been Stone Brewing's strong point, and this beer is no exception. It's explosive, punchy, and flavorful. Not something I'd like to have on a day-to-day basis, but worth the money every so often.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 15:08:51 | More by BigBarley

lordofstarside

Nevada

4.73/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fresh bomber of the '12 batch to a snifter

Pours a deep ruby brown with a finger of white head. Receded quickly leaving a nice ring, great lacing. Great art bottle work along with the signature narrative putting macro brew beer drinkers in their place.

Smells of hops, caramel, toffee, tobacco, chocolate, and alcohol. Very rich, treat for the nose.

Taste of strong, bitter, and spiced hop. Caramel malts come through well, hints of toffee and butterscotch accompanying hints of alcohol. Not easy to explain, but a very nice blend of bitter front and sweet finish- magnificently executed.

Feel is also strong, very thick and creamy. Dances across the tongue, goes down incredibly smooth.

Overall an amazingly crafted beer, basically an amped up version of arrogant bastard. Everything is well represented, one of my favorite beers to look forward to each fall

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 06:47:57 | More by lordofstarside