Double Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Jon

Illinois

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

The long-awaited 2003 version of Double Bastard poured a light mahogany hue with an off-white head that yielded little head retention and even less lacing ability. Nonetheless, an enticingly attractive brew that screams for one's attention. Resinous, sappy, piney hops dominate the nose, while the lion's share of sweet malt appears to keep the hop notes in check. Grapefruity, piney hops smack the palate around at first, though as the beer warms, a sizeable, lightly toasted malt profile introduces itself, expounding lavishly sweet caramel flavor to the near-dominant flavors that the members of the lupulin family emit. Fresh pineapple notes linger, as well. A touch of alcohol is evident on the finish, but hardly enough to be overly distinguishable. The full, round mouthfeel is viscous, oily and sappy all at once. Drinks quite well for a beer of ten percent ABV, but the effects certainly introduce themselves shortly after the emptying of the bomber. Highly drinkable for its size... hedonistic nectar.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2003 03:33:40 | More by Jon

BierReise

Florida

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

Just released 2003 bomber.
This is one pretty looking brew. Beautiful nearly clear reddish amber with a thick foamy tan head. Scattered lacing around the glass. Powerful malty, hoppy aroma and super fresh. Can also detect a malt graininess and slight fruitiness. Really smooth and syrupy mouthfeel with a nice kick of hops at the end, yet not overly bitter. Chewy and resiny that sticks to your mouth like peanut butter. I detect pineapple in the flavors along with a super blend of hops and malt. This is one fantastic brew! I would almost peg it for an Imperial IPA because it has similar qualities to many I've sampled. As I'm pouring out the last remains of this bomber I can't help but liken the visual to pouring maple syrup on top of pancakes. It looked that thick as it streamed out to the last drop. Of which was fantastic!

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2003 01:07:28 | More by BierReise

AtLagerHeads

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Lovely beer that I was fortunate to sample near its birthplace in San Diego County, California. The Stone Brewing Company gave birth to this double bastard on November 3, 2003 (release day) and there I was, ready to reap the rewards of time and place.

The huge beer in front of me was a sensory journey par excellence. From the lovely cream-crowned rusty amber body to the nose of multi-themed beer ingredients to the overwelming tastiness, this was a journey to remember. The beer is so complex with its huge malt backbone to its overhopped balancing act, the waves of taste and aroma come as an onslaught to the senses. Heavy in alcohol and warming of the innards, the barleywine-like body pushes the limit. Surely not a multi-beer brew, this is to be savored for what it is: a once a year revelry of the brewer's art.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2003 14:01:43 | More by AtLagerHeads

Rumrunner

California

4.65/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Consumed at Naja's. 2003 vintage. One big Mug.

May the onslought of my taste buds and the hedonistic way in which they enjoyed this ale be remembered by me for a long time.

A deep ruby mahogany color that hypnotizes the drinker. It draws the gaze closer. The bubbles rise to the top at the double quick. They jockey for position and form lines as if going in to battle. The head they form is thick and it stays with the ale. Surrendering slowly. The beige lace coats the glass to the end. Awesome. Scents are pushy grapefruit rind and resiny pine. They come to the forefront and have no sympathy for the malt and caramel scents trying to flaunt their images. The spices and perfumes that rise to the nostrils seem unintended. Hidden but noticed. The alcohol is very potent and pushes the rest aside to be noticed and is a final warning. "Should I venture further?" But of course.

Oh what an ale. The flavors are so perfectly matched and unique it is a cruel trick. A big syrupy malt flavor pushes on the taste buds. A sweet caramel beckons. The next wave is big piney hops. Resin and a milder rind. A flavor of deep unsweetened grape mixes with a clove flavor and makes a statement before a very heavy alcohol blends and tries to become the focus. This is enveloped by perfume and spices. These flavors, as the bastards children, hold this ale together. All battle for the right to be dominent but all must stand down and blend together. Unity in diversity must prevail.

It feels strong sticky and overbearing. The carbonation is all business and never relaxes. Strong until the final sip. A real bastard. This is for the beer drinker who likes to push the limits. Like me. My palate having been invaded and maybe even violated knows no resistence and wants more of this ale.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2003 07:54:25 | More by Rumrunner

Gueuzedude

Arizona

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

2004 Release, Sampled November 2004
Wow, this is certainly pungent and fresh smelling, it is a solid punch of citrus hops that is approaching the level of candied fruit. I get notes of apricot, tangerine, ruby red grapefruit, tangelos. The aroma is really quite interesting, and before my first sip of this beer, I am going to hazard a guess that this is the best part of this beer. The beer itself is a brilliant deep amber color that is topped by a creamy tan head.

The taste is definitely not quite as intense as the aroma. It is full bodied, with a certain creamy fullness to it. The taste is definitely hoppified, with a nice mixture of apricot, grapefruit, and an astringent herbal character. This beer is not overly bitter, in fact the bitterness is pretty well in balance, there is a lingering astringency that sticks to my tongue long after the beer has slid down my throat, this seems to be from the copious amounts of hops added. I am sure this will fade with time, but so will the fresh hoppiness that I am enjoying right now.

There are some notes of hot alcohol in the finish as well, but nothing overwhelming. This is not nearly as malt dominated as I remember last years being. Basically this beer is quite tasty, and quite a bit better than I have previously given credit for.

2003 release, Sampled November 2003
A brown head, that as you pour starts deceptively small and then blossoms in my tulip Duvel glass to about 3 inches (7.62 cm for the non-Americans) thick. A hazy amber color with beautiful garnet notes when held up to the light. A malty hoppy aroma, evokes the thought of a sticky sweet hop smell. Surprisingly, very malty was my first thought upon tasting this beer. The hops are there, but not over the top and in your face. This is a thick bodied beer that seems to leave a coating film even after I have swallowed. Definitely hoppy, the more I sip the more I can detect the bitter finish in this beer. A syrupy hop flavor hits your tongue at first, and then finishes with a drying bitterness. Rating 3.7/3.5/3.5/4.0/3.5/3.5

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2003 23:07:13 | More by Gueuzedude

winomark

Missouri

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2002 Release that had been staring at me for about 6 months.

Appearance: Pours an ominous copper/deep caramel with a nice head, considering the 10% ABV.

Aroma: Copious amounts of hops give an amazing balance with the wuite noticable alcohol sweetness.

Taste: Suberb balance of the hops, malt, and alcohol. Arrogant Bastard on steroids, yet dare I say, more balanced? Fantastic!

Mouthfeel and Drinkability: WOW! A Fabulous beer! Luxurious, brash, elegant, and definately arrogant. Too bad this is a limited release, because I could see myself enjoying this one quite often.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2003 15:35:12 | More by winomark

Darkale

Virginia

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

Slightly cloudy red-brown body. Head is fat-bubbled and light tan in color, thick and long lasting. Lacing is so thick it's 3D.

Ripe fruit aroma, faint chocolate, sweet and nice.

Slick and graceful mouthfeel. Rich deep and fruity. Chewy, thick, and profound. Wow. Only a few beers make me say wow. Wow. This is an exceptional beer. Marvelous and complicated and somehow in balance, like sumo wrestlers performing a ballet. I would never have believed that there could be a step up from Arrogant Bastard, and there is. It's darker, more burning, more like a barley wine, with a high and sharp sweetness.

I spent an entire afternoon with this beer, following its journey from cold to warm, and loving every step.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2003 14:33:04 | More by Darkale

philipt

North Carolina

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

This is a monster of a beer..monster hops...monster malt...monster alcohol.

Ruby color with a hint of orange and a mediocre head. This beer is heavy on the hops in both the smell and taste. Significant malt sweetness but somewhat overshadowed by the hops. There is an initial explosion of caramel with a hint of cookie dough before being slapped across the face by tremendous hoppiness. Maybe a year or two of aging could smooth and balance this beer. The alcohol in this beer is not over done and, in fact, fits nicely with the beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2003 18:58:29 | More by philipt

beergeek279

Pennsylvania

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

2003 Edition, served in the 22 oz. bomber. The color is a dark amber, with a wisp of head, more than expected for a 10% beer. The smell is a nice sweet (barleywine) malt mixed well with hoppiness. The taste starts with a malt sweetness, then the hops hit like a sledgehammer, and a lingering bitterness remains long after the sip is gone; alcohol is barely even noticable. Mouthfeel is fairly heavy, but more than acceptable. Drinkability-wise, I'd drink these till my mouth went numb (which sadly might be sooner rather than later!)

I didn't think it was possible to improve on a classic like Arrogant Bastard, but apparently I was wrong! Despite the 100 IBUs and 10% ABV, the beer somehow manages to remain well-balanced, and a true treat for the coming cold season (and for those in San Diego, the chilly 70 degree season ;) ). A truly great beer and one that I imagine I'll be waiting for every year!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2003 01:54:12 | More by beergeek279

Ellbert

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a nice brownish/red color. Looks blood red when held up to the light. Very clear. Has a nice tan head that slowly fades.

Smell: Pretty weak. A faint smell of floral hops hits the nose and not much else.

Taste: Taste is great. It starts of very sweet and mild and the the alcohol fades in with the hops trailing short behind. It leaves a sweet malty and spicy alcohol flavor in your mouth begging for more.

Mouthfeel: Fairly thick with subtle carbonation. Small bubbles slightly tickle your tongue.

Drinkability is fairly good for such a strong brew. Not too much to keep me from finishing the bomber but much too strong to open another one.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2003 03:11:10 | More by Ellbert

far333

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Dark honey colored with a haze that makes it look thick enough to spread like butter. An orangey beige head tops it off, but disappears quickly. Aroma is light, but smells fruity and sweet with alcohol vapors rushing upward (do not pour near open flame). Flavor is sweet and big and rich. Some sweet malt and honey, hints of pear, finished with an alcohol tingle and burning on the back of the tongue and throat. Very warming and chewy flavor. I like this beer, but it tries too hard.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2003 04:41:50 | More by far333

marc77

California

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

Clear deep garnet hue, covered by a light beige, dogged, dense head that yields exiguous lace. The aroma is comprised of a dominant buttery toffee and nutty carob combination, contrasted by a balmy, smoky pine wood and herb laced citrus hop nose. Swirling releases heaty ethanol and subtle fruitiness of a bourbon soaked fig character. Surprisingly well rounded and understated in aroma, but certainly ominously appetizing. Transient wash of burnt caramel sweetness incipient in flavor is promptly ensued and complemented by a combination of buttered sweet biscuit, freshly baked brittle and woody, fructose rich dried dates. Bellicose hop presence storms in mid palate, with both barbed bitterness and a deeply sappy, spruce and citrus pith hop flavor emerging concomitantly. This more than adequately tapers malt sweetness, and leaves a static, simplified, yet richly buttery toffee malt presence that mirrors that of the aroma. Full bodied and firmly dextrinous, with a oily, unwhipped heavy cream like viscous mouthfeel. A late resurgence of biscuit couples with the constituent citrus and stately diacetyl, lending a rich, bitter marmalade on singed toast impression. Finishes clean and simply bitter, with a mellow roasted grain and alpha acid extension. Agreeable alcohol warmth surfaces after a deliberation and envelopes the palate, throat and tummy. A truly delicious brew, that's reminescent of their Old Guardian in overall character, but is seemingly more balanced and drinkable. Double Bastard is a deceptively mild mannered strong ale that integrates robust hop character into a malt driven flavor profile. Superlatively drinkable. Another wonderful Stone brew...

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2003 01:59:43 | More by marc77

OldFrothingSlosh

Pennsylvania

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

"Ye Shall Know the Bastard, and the Bastard Shall Set Ye Free."

Presentation: 2002 release that's been sitting in my beer fridge for about 8 months, staring at me, tempting me.....daring me to attempt to tame it. "Surgeon General on amphetamine" warning on the back explaining the dangers resulting from the consumption of the vile atrocity contained within the bottle.

Appearance: Do I see evil spirits escape from the bottle when the cap is removed? Poured a very deep and dark copper in color. Tan-colored head sits regally (dare I say...arrogantly?) atop the swirling liquid beneath it. Monstrous lacing of the glass as I try to consume this beer before it consumes me.

Smell: A veritable onslaught of intense aromas pound your nostrils like a jackhammer. Raw sugar cane sweetness clashes with the pine hops whilst the alcohol fumes entwine the citric hops in a death squeeze. Oh! The Humanity!

Taste: From the moment this concoction first assaults your taste buds to the last remnant of flavor dies away, everything about this beer screams intensity. Alcohol-soaked dark fruit appear for but an instant, only to be followed by a toffee-caramel flavor. Impossible bitterness rules over all, gloating in its supremacy. Shards of malty sweetness pierce the cheeks, drawing blood that the alcohol only burns more. You fall to your knees, unworthy of the beast that is now within you. As it reaches your stomach, you feel the warmth of the hideousness begin to envelop you, waiting to spontaneously combust you and consume your entire being. Sadly, you were explicitly warned of the impending doom associated from partaking of this entity...yet you continue.

Mouthfeel: An exquisite mix of incredible smoothness combined with the raw burn of the alcohol make for a truly remarkable mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Should I enjoy the ass-kicking this beer has imparted on me? Yes....indeed I should. This is one amazing beer. Such a complex and intense beer. The flavors got warmer and richer as the beer came to room temperature. Not one to quaff, but rather sip and enjoy as the twin gargoyles pound your into oblivion.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2003 23:48:28 | More by OldFrothingSlosh

beerinator

Illinois

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

Appearance- Dark amber, with a cloudy light khaki head.

Aroma- Incredible aroma, caramel notes. Hop presence boldly noticed.

Taste- Balanced bitterness. Never harsh/ or always harsh... Lingering bitterness with competing sweetness. Barleywineish. One of the most balanced great tasting beers ever!

Notes- Drink this beer 'after' the others that you're trying. Very few can keep up.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2003 11:07:31 | More by beerinator

beerguy101

California

4.58/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2001 version Deep ruby color. Medium head. Aroma is malty with a hint of brown sugar and fruit. WOW!! This is one %#)$ of a big beer. A FULL Bodied Strong Ale. Big and Bold. This beer's malts and hops reach out and grab you places you may not want to be grabbed. ( it could be VERY painful) Flavor is full and complex. Brown sugar, molasses, hop spiciness, grapefruit and .. are all here, and assault your taste buds. This is one kick-ass beer. Not for the timid. Taste is thick, somewhat chewy and a little high alcohol oily. Mouthfeel is full, round and expansive. Finish is clean and surprisingly smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter and warming. The 10% alcohol gets to you after a bit, nice and warming. AMAZING beer, not for everyone, most will "NOT BE WORTHY".

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2003 01:23:27 | More by beerguy101

UnionMade

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Talk about over the top. I think this beer is the definition of the term.

The beer pours a deep mahogany color. Bloody red when put up to light. Menacing. A thick topping of frothy head appears from it's depths, reminding me of the foam that forms on the lips of a maddened attack dog hungry for flesh.
Aroma is heady and decadent. An onslaught upon the olfactory glands. Monstrous malt, pale with a healthy dose of crystal malt goodness. Estery fruit, with notes of black cherry, fig and apple. Some toffee. Plenty of hops, without question. What else would you expect from Stone? Alcohol is certainly present, and this beer is ready to punch your teeth out.
Flavor is incredibly malty, with tons of esters, black cherry, fig, currant, and apple. A slight peach flavor, in a brown around the edges way. Light toffee. Hops are massive of course, coming through the middle and finishing the sip. Plenty of citrus, as well as herbal qualities. A slight tang when coupled with the alcohol in the finish. Gigantic body, mild carbonation. Sort of chewy and way too sweet, particularly when the beer gets to room temperature.
It's a pretty good beer, but so completely over the top that I doubt I'll ever buy it again. The beer is just way too intense, especially at first. The flavors are well-wrought, but sort of ham-fisted, in the way that it's trying so hard to assault you with everything in it's arsenal. A kick you in the teeth, spit on your face, then get up and give me twenty kind of beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2003 07:43:58 | More by UnionMade

cokes

Wisconsin

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

Flames shoot forth from the fiery crimson pool of magma. Tan smoke fills the area overhead, but clears after several moments.

Charred aromas emanate outward. Crackling, sticky pine, engulfed apricots, charred pinapples, blackened caramel and seared brandy-drenched woodchips.

This is not a blisteringly hot inferno, but rather a creeping, encompassing torch. It wiggles its way into the oral cavity and ignites explosively.

It consumes all of the sweet kindling left unattended. Brown sugar scorches. Pineapples dance and sizzle on the grill. Plums shrivel and burn. Toffee melts and bonds with the teeth. Cotton Candy wilts and liquefies. Oranges turn brown, then black, then ashen gray. Mangoes do the same. So do limes. Raisins are reduced to a pile of dusty, glowing orange powder. A fruit-laden smoke fills the mouth.

The blaze rages and moves further back on the tongue. Roasty and toasty yet, but the conflagration has reached the hops. Citrus and tropical fruits leave their jellied resin behind. Pine trees are combusted, leaving behind a messy residue of clinging sap. The woody bark is fuel for a tempest that is rapidly gaining strength.

The wall of fire reaches the entrance to the esophagus and detonates in a fantastic alcoholic blast. The ensuing push floods the throat and mouth with a sticking Port shrapnel, as everything else is incinerated. The Port gains heat and becomes cognac. The cognac gains heats and becomes pure ethanol.

The blood is heated by this thick, but airy, semi-adhesive burst of fire. The warmed blood travels to the brain, where it first ignites the pleasure center. The face reflects the increased temperature and becomes red and the mouth draws up in to a smile. Affect is heightened. Flights of imagination and verbosity are common. Next, the sensory-motor complex is set ablaze. The eyes burn red, mirroring the status of the interior. Sirens reverbrate and hum within the ears. Balmy impulses are sent via the nerves to the outmost extremities. The whole body has been consumed. The brow emits sweat beads in an attempt to cool, but it is too late. The "old brain", source of the body's basic functioning, is overcome. The enflamed person becomes increasing sleepy and disorientated. Verbals cease, except for the basest formation of language, exemplified by mutterings such as: "This is fucking awesome, man", and "Holy shit!"

The eyes close.

The ears ring louder.

The smile continues.

The fire ventures onward and outward from the limp body.

(2002 Release, courtesy of feloniousmonk.)

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2003 08:47:37 | More by cokes

bigbelcher

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

like many of Stone beers this is a beer that is much better off if you give it time to age. I did a vertical comparison of the last 2 years and the older one is much better since the flavors have had time to meld and come together better. Another of Stones famous limited releases so get it if you can and put it away for a year or two.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2003 09:28:35 | More by bigbelcher

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Appearance: beautiful bright crimson coloring, with a big, solid, creamy head standing on top.
Aroma: rich, fruity, and burnt. Feels like a turbo-charged Young's Old Nick , it does! Fruit+liquorX 100! Spicy, sweet, and strong!
But, to drink! Mellow, on the tongue and tastebuds, at first, but soon sizzling with hops, flavor & booze, sweet boooze!
Boom! Bam! Biff, bang, Pow!!! There is no relief, nor should one seek any, from this hoppy, malty onslaught!!!
DAMN! I can't think of a tastier ale with this much strength, anywhere! The Double Bastard has seriously laid me to waste! Rich and delicious, and full and fruity and strong and BOOM!, SCHMANG! SCHWOOP!!! (As you see, I've had to invent new sound effects for the occasion)
I've been wallopped but good!, and I like it!
Damn, I like every little wicked thing this beer does to me!
It's a MONSTER!!! There's no relief, no respite, no nothing, just the full-on fruity, hoppy explosion that is this BastardX2!!!
How does it compare to my favorite, Bell's Third Coast Old Ale?
No, I'm not in the mood, or inclination. We'll just judge it on it's own and say that was one hell of a trombone solo!
Strong, sweet, burnt, but still, somehow delicious, that's the thing!

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2003 02:14:12 | More by feloniousmonk

Boto

Connecticut

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

2002 bottle: Well here it is, another highly anticipated bottle from Stone. The beer pours a slightly reddish color. The head has a little bit of a cascade to it. The head is fairly thick, and lingers awhile. Very complex nose: it's hard to distinguish the individual aromas. What is suprisingly not jumping out at me are the aroma of hops. I've come to expect that in a stone brew. The taste is very rich. A huge maly sweetness that I'm sure is balanced by a large amount of hops that are just well hidden. The alcohol is also hidden. I like this more than the Arrogant One. It is even surpassing the 03 Vertical epic to be my favorite Stone!

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2003 12:59:40 | More by Boto

jcalabre

California

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

Last sampled 16 November 2002.
2002 Vintage: beautiful red color, almost a fruity nose, malt up front, hoppy finish, beautifully balanced. A masterpiece. According to my friends at Stone, the recipe hasn't changed, just the bottling method. Whatever. 2002 is far superior.

2001 Vintage: If you like bitter, this is the beer. It's a bit too bitter for me. However, surprisingly, it finishes rather smoothly. Definitely worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2003 07:11:47 | More by jcalabre

aaronh

Pennsylvania

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

2002 Release.

Pours a captivating red-copper color with amber highlights. It is topped by a modest tan head that fades rather quickly, but leaves a thin film of foam atop the beer. The aroma is actually rather balanced, with a noticeable hop prescence and a wonderfully sweet and fruity malt aroma. Actually, the sweetness may dominate the aroma. The taste is delicious. Malty sweet, chewy flavors of roasted malt, caramel, malted milkshakes, and all kinds of fruit. A nice, mellow bitterness finishes off the palate very well, preparing the way for the next drink. An ever so slight alcohol note is detectable one drink, but not the next. ABV is expertly hidden. The mouthfeel is super-creamy, and must be experienced to believe. This is about as thin as Dom Delouise, and smoother than Billy Dee Williams. Drinkability is just too good, regardless of the ABV. Good thing this is a big bottle, or I'd be in tears about now. This is a beer to experience. Thanks to avylover for the trade. Who knows when I would have found this around here. Once again, Stone Brewing blows my mind.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2003 16:08:08 | More by aaronh

Dantes

New Jersey

4.6/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: ~10oz. from draught in a tulip glass at The Blind Tiger’s Stone 12 event. 2001Vintage (1 of 6 kegs left). Served a bit cold. Cost: $5. (Also enjoyed: 2002 Vintage in a 22oz. bomber. $4.99 via mail order).

Appearance: A beer that shows very nicely in the glass, and probably even lovelier in a Shaker glass. A dark auburn color maybe a half-shade darker than the Arrogant Bastard, capped with a medium-thick ½” of foam, which resolved gradually to an opaque film.

Smell: Possesses a rich, lovely aroma composed of many elements: malt, fruit, hops, wood, and loam; buoyed by a firm hand of alcohol.

Taste: I was surprised that my first sensation was of sweetness, not bitter hops. However, this maltiness was quickly leavened by the complexity provided by components of citrus, wood, hops, and herbaceous spiciness. This is the rare beer that manages a great balance between a hoppiness and maltiness. Does finish “hot,” but not unpleasantly so. I would expect bottled DB to improve for some time.

Mouthfeel: Extremely creamy and viscous mouthfeel, without being syrupy or cloying. Really excels on draught, while the bottle is a bit thinner, coarser and more carbonated.

Drinkability: Eminently drinkable for such a strong, richly flavored beer. I had little trouble enjoying a full 22oz. bomber.

In British literature, a character may be described as “a man of parts.” No, this is not an obscene reference. It means someone who is good-looking, well-educated, and accomplished. In more cliched terms, a “Renaissance man.” Well, after all of that, Double Bastard is the beer equivalent. It looks like beer should look, it smells good, tastes good, and will knock you on your ass if you’re not respectful. For such a potent potable, this ale is well-balanced and delightful to drink (especially on draught). Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of making this beer’s acquaintance.

Bottom Line: The Jack Aubrey of beers; big, boisterous, but ultimately well-mannered, accomplished, and with a heart of gold.

NB: The aged, draught version rated here was 2 or 3 tenths better overall than the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2003 12:10:58 | More by Dantes

beerluvr

New Jersey

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

2002 version. Pours with a fine creamy medium tan hued head over clear, gently carbonated light reddish/amber liquid. The nose has earthy, toffeeish/malty notes abounding. Hops are in the background...but there for sure. The taste is a front-burner mix, dancing twixt a powerful maltiness and an in your face but not a palate blinding hop bitterness. Yeasty fruitiness seems to bridge the two flavor elements nicely. Alcohol taste takes a back seat to the interplay of malt and hops, it's not very noticable/felt at all. Finishes with a hint of dark fruit, all brawny & ballsy...one bad boy Barleywine.

Thanks Gusler!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2003 21:48:00 | More by beerluvr

francisweizen

Australia

4.53/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

*Update*

The 2002 is currently tasting like the 2001 did last year. It has a darker, murkier, reddish-brown colour and a smaller head with less retention. This 2002 version which has been aged for about a year and a half is definately more barley wine in style than the 2003 IMO. The mouthfeel is chewier and creamier than the 2003 and the drinkability may be a notch better as well. If I were to rate the 2002 it would probably get a 4.8 or a 4.9.
Cheers!

2003: This years DB is a light red colour with a lovely, light beige creamy head. The aromas are all heavy roasted malts, citrus hops (cascades?), alcohol, and more. The taste is super rich and enveloping. I can taste various types of hops, nice heavy malts, a bit of booze, and some more undistinguishable flavors, all in a very perfect harmony. This has to be the most "balanced" version of DB to hit the shelves yet. Truly a wonderful brew that has a great creamy mouthfeel and the ultimate drinkability for a "strong ale"

CLASSIC

2002: This is an excellent beer that pours a super clear dark reddish colour with a nice, fluffy, white head. This beer has aromas of alcohol, malts, hops, and other things. The taste is very alcoholic, very malty, very hoppy, very everything. The mouthfeel is slick and SUPER creamy and smooth and the drinkability is great for such a strong brew. This beer will certainly knock your socks off with its 10%abv and super intense flavors. This was very good, but to this BA it did not live up to the greatness of regular AB. This was just TOO big, and too alcoholic. It did not have the wonderful citrus-y flavors of the AB and the hops were a little less pronounced.
Still, A classic!
Cheers!
-F

Thanks to Hyuga for the sample...beer mail me will ya!

2001: Sample provided to me by EyeChartBrew. It has a darker, murkier, reddish-brown colour and a smaller head with less retention. The aromas are more pronounced, alcoholic and less hoppy. This 2001 version which has been aged for about a year and a half is definately more barley wine in style than the 2002 IMO. The flavors meld together nicely and make a very nice sipping brew. The mouthfeel is chewier and creamier than the 2002 and the drinkability may be a notch better as well. Actually the 2001 reminded me more of a Thomas Hardys Ale than a Stone brewing product. If I were to rate the 2001 now it would probably get a 4.8 or a 4.9.
Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2003 04:44:19 | More by francisweizen