Double Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Perhaps I would have enjoyed this beer more if I hadn't had it right after the 10th Anniversary DIPA. For that matter, I wonder if Stone has tweaked the recipe over the years, as I've found this beer far more appealing in the past then I did at Frisco's last night.

The beer pours a darkish amber color with very good head retention and lacing. The beer looks quite impressive. On the nose I get sweet malt, cider and roasted nuts. Again, this beer smells very impressive, although the high abv. is noticeable even on the nose. On the palate the beer is sweet, rich and very alcholic, but with a drying hop burn in the finish. The beer is impressive, but frankly I don't feel as if the high abv. blends in all that well with the very sweet malt and hoppiness. I found the beer somewhat tiring on the palate, with this beer coming across as a sweet, but then ultimately very hoppy, barleywine.

The beer is very warming and, while impressive, is just not all that enjoyable. In the same style I much prefer the Bigfoot, where the sweet malt has been dialed down a tad. A good beer, but not what I would call terrific.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2007 17:42:41 | More by johnmichaelsen

warmstorage

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Local Dough, Tucson, Arizona, $5 for a pint.(!!!)

Appearance: deep hazy reddish to brown, limited light tan head that leaves significant lacing.

Aroma: sweet and caramel, but somewhat limited.

Taste: caramel, distinct hints of smoke, roast, sweet and thick. Hops only come through in the finish/aftertaste, and then are present as a basic, earthy bitterness, but not terribly distinct. Delicious to drink, and easy to drink and enjoy, but not the most dynamic or complex beer: it's really about malt sweetness and malt body.

Mouth: thick, full, sweet, and delicious. Relatively little alcohol burn given the ABV.

Overall: A totally different beer than what I've had in the bottle. If the bomber I have in the fridge at home is significantly different, I'll post another review of it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2007 01:24:05 | More by warmstorage

pershan

Maryland

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

Had this beer on-tap at Frisco Grille in Columbia, MD

A: Amber color, thin but fairly creamy white head. Nice lacing on inside of glass after drinking.

S: Slight hop aroma (citrus and apple components).

T: Initial sweetness (reminded me a bit of sour apple), then the hop bitterness and alcoholic warmness hits you all at once, settling into a fairly bitter aftertaste. Stone must have used a truckload of bittering hops - as a hop-head it was awesome.

M: Malt sweetness on the tongue that is immediately overwhelmed by the hop and alcohol components.

D: A very good beer, especially if you like lots of hops and tend toward the higher gravity brews, as I do. If not, this will probably be too bitter for you.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2007 14:37:46 | More by pershan

rallison

California

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

2006 Vintage - growler filled tonight so nice and fresh (so to speak..)!

A: Cloudy reddish dark amber color with a 1 finger white head that mostly dies.

S: Caramel and toffee. Some hops, but the smell is mostly dominated by the malt.

T: Delicious. Strong caramel/toffee malt base is nicely complemented by mostly piny hops. This beer achieves much better balance with some age on it. Right here, this is nice. My favorite is still probably around 5 years old, but give it at least a year and you will be happy. Too raw fresh in my opinion (and this coming from someone who quite enjoys Sam Adams Triple Bock and Dogfish Head 120 Minute). Trust me, give this a year or three to age.

M&D: Thick, rich and viscous, but still very drinkable. Nice.

Recommended. Obviously, not everyone can try this one aged for 5 years. But, I highly recommend sticking a bottle away for about 2 years. You will be rewarded with a beer that goes from an interesting, strong, but not that great beer to a strong, but balanced, integrated and mellow strong ale that deserves the rating it gets. This is one beer I've had enough of to feel confident in saying that. Prost!

Serving type: growler

11-29-2007 07:14:27 | More by rallison

bradford

California

4.18/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach on 11/16/07
After working a 24 hour shift, I needed a little pick me up with a delicious pulled pork sandwich and Double Bastard at Beachwood
Poured into a 16 oz pint glass for $6.00
Looked good, very dark ruby red with a minimal head that left early in the drinking experience
Smelled a bit strange to me. Perhaps it was served a bit too cold, but I could pick up very little in the nose besides over-powering hops and some sort of funky malt
Taste was great as ever. Very spicy hop bite, followed by a thick malt and then flowery, grassy hops.
Mouthfeel was very good too. Thick, coating and delightful. This seems in the mouthfeel to be a bit more barleywine-ish, but the beautiful use of hops quickly kick some sense nto me that this beer is held above all standards and in a class of it's own as an American Strong Ale.
Drinkability was good, because I wanted another with lunch, but the pricetag and 10% alcohol persueded me to call it quits.
Another very fine example of craft brewing from the masters at Stone.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2007 21:56:09 | More by bradford

Floydster

California

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

8 ounce glass directly from the source at the Stone World Bistro for four dollars yesterday

Color was a tiny bit darker than its little brother, Arrogant Bastard but not too much, medium dark brown with a 1/2 inch off white head that left lots of lacing

Smell was strong with some toffee and caramel, could tell this one was very hoppy, but could also smell a fair amount of malt, some sweet and subtle aromas

Taste was nicely balanced with sweet sugary malts and lots of bitter hops that gave it a nice dry finish, a little piney at first but then molds into a complex strong bite, has a sweet vanilla taste that has hints of caramel providing the sweet side, while a couple different hops give it some good bitterness, this taste lingers for a long time and has a distinctly strong aftertaste, wish this was not just a fall/winter release

Good amount of carbonation and nice mouthfeel, body was extremely full

Could have drank another three or four of these size glasses but the ten percent alcohol would have its effect on me after a while, pretty light for how strong its taste is though

This was my first time drinking this, but I am going to go out on a limb and say it is probably the best directly from the brewery rather than out of a bottle from a store, glad to finally try this here, highly recommended like all other Stone beers

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2007 00:59:46 | More by Floydster

Maracuja

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Chocolate brown, mahogany, bronze (to light) with a full brown head, sediment floaters, good carbonation, and little lace. Nice balanced malt and hop aroma; chocolate malt notes and piney hop aroma. Tastes much like it smells with an overly bitter finish; not pleasantly hoppy. Full bodied and creamy with a harsh bitter finish.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2007 19:50:42 | More by Maracuja

sessycuban

California

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

2005 vintage. Got a growler fill from the brewery some months ago. These are notes I took from the tasting.

Growler. Poured into Stone Double Bastard Ale glass.

A - The beer pours a rich, amber color. The beer is somewhat murky, but this is to be expected given the age. The tan head didn't retain to well, but again, well for a beer that has been aged and poured from a growler.

S - The smell is very complex. I get a slight toastiness, citrus, tropical fruit, and a slight tinge of hops. This has held up well for such a hoppy beer.

T - I'm getting grapefruit very early on followed by pine notes. The beer finishes with a hop backbone, which is a bit surprising. Given the color, I'd expect a maltier backbone. The balance is spectacular.

M: The taste is a bit chewy, but not too thick. I'd still say this is medium bodied. It has a very nice feel to it for such an aggressive beer.

D: The beer does have some heat to it. But as they say, if you can't handle the heat, stay out of the fire. With that said, supremely drinkable for a 10% abv beer that goes to great lengths to warn you how aggressive the beer is.

Highly recommended to all!

Serving type: growler

10-05-2007 21:33:31 | More by sessycuban

mcallister

Ohio

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

What we have here is Double Bastard '06 vintage served at Boston's Bistro specially for the arrival of Greg Koch!

Not sure why I have never reviewed this beer before for some odd reason, yet there is a first for everything. So here goes:

Pours a deep russet nearly opaque in stature. Lightens at the tips to a deep scarlet/orange. Head is full, bordering on tan and creamy as hell. Retention considering age and ABV is stunning. After five minutes the head is still at full formation.

Brown sugar, toffee, and maple aromas lead way into a floral, piney hop aromatic. A bit of earth and fresh fig, with a nutty sweet aroma. Some bitter cocoa as well with what may be mollasses.

Amazing what aging does to this beer. Things are brought together as one and meld like no other. The hops have succumbed enough to let the malt breath life into this beer. The mouth is big, chewy, wet, and puckering. Finish is long, very long and hides nothing.

There are some hints of alcohol but nothing discouraging. An abundance of brown sugar coated toffee malt, with caramel and maple blend seamlessly with a floral, piney hop that shows a bit of citrus on the finish. Fig, dried berries, and mixed nuts bring things to fruition. Just an overall great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2007 22:40:08 | More by mcallister

BBM

New York

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

Poured a deep auburn color that was slightly transparent. A smooth white head rested atop the brew. The aroma was very sweet, somewhat floral, and somewhat alcoholic. It's the kind of smell that clues you in on what you're about to drink; a huge, complex beer.

And that's what the Double Bastard is. It's an unrelenting assault on the tastebuds. At first it is strikingly sweet, with big waves of caramel, dark fruits, and raisins. As the beer warms the complexities really come out, exhibiting a sturdy grass hop profile, a smokey wood flavor, and a subtle alcohol tinge to the finish. And while the sweetness prevails over all of it, the subtleties never get lost or overpowered.

The mouthfeel is medium, rich, and super smooth. Very little alcohol in the finish. Drinkability takes a slight hit due to the intense sweetness and ABV. But overall this is just a beast of a beer, putting your palate in a stranglehold and not letting go.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2007 15:08:48 | More by BBM

BusyNinja

New Jersey

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

I love this beer in a bottle, and have been rationing myself after purchasing a full case. On tap it seems so much better balanced. Hops are present, but not in yer face. No alcohol taste, as was present/discernible in the bottle. All in all, a real treat on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2007 01:21:10 | More by BusyNinja

Budlum

Maryland

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

2006 edition served from a fresh growler from Capone's.

Pouring this ale produces one inch of creamy, tan head that slowly recedes to a quarter inch layer. Head retention and lacing are excellent. The body is an absolute, textbook amber color displaying excellent clarity and moderate carbonation.

The nose of this beer is quite simple yet delicious. A dry, earthy, hop smell blends with a perfectly balanced, sweet, malty aromas. Very balanced in presentation although I expected a little more pop.

The flavors of this beer are much like the smell only with the "pop" that I expected from the smell. An assertive hop flavor provides a strong, earthy taste much like Arrogant Bastard. Unlike the anchor, this version blends in a delicious, honey-kissed malt flavor that balances the hops perfectly. There are still many woody flavors like AB but everything just feels smoother. A faint, wheat malt and hefeweizen yeast flavor also lurk in the background. This is one very fine beer.

The mouthfeel of this beer presents good carbonation mixed with a creamy feel. It is also quite buttery likening to a solid English Ale.

Drinkabilty is excellent. I expected this to be more aggressive than AB but it turned out to be much smoother. This beer is just dangerously drinkable for the 10% ABV.

Serving type: growler

01-23-2007 00:39:59 | More by Budlum

BlindPig

Pennsylvania

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

2006
A- Light cloudy deep amber body. Thick tan head that has good head retention and leaves itself on the side of the glass.
S- Big in your face smell. Some alcohol, dark fruits, citrus hops, and some caramel notes all in it. Maybe some grassy and piney hops too.
T- Big alcohol taste and bit of warming to it. Fruits ranging from plums to some grapefruit all come out. Is more of the grapefruit rind taste than the fruit itself. Nice big bitterness all the way through. Big malt body too. the caramel flavor seems to find its way through all these huge flavors. The aftertaste is made up of the fruits and lingering strong citrus bitterness. Also has the grassy and piney hops in there as well (as well as the taste). That makes for the dry bitterness and finish.
M- Full body with low carbonation.
D- It is very good. I think I preferred the 2005 (I tried it in 06 so I'm not sure if it's due to it being a year old or they are made in different places). It is a sipper. The alcohol just finds it way through a lot on this than the 05.

Serving type: growler

11-05-2006 20:12:26 | More by BlindPig

fisherman34

Manitoba (Canada)

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

2005 vintage. Tap sample from The Freakin’ Frog. Brown in colour with hints of amber. Low carbonation. Powerful sweet malt aroma with a nice light hoppy citrus fruit (although not Cascade or Centennial, from what I could tell) overlay. More of the same in the mouth with a bit of an alcohol presence, but what surprised me was the lighter than expected body of this beer. The solid bitterness that kept everything in check too. A very drinkable beer for its size. Well done Stone!

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2006 21:21:12 | More by fisherman34

ski271

Pennsylvania

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

Stone on tap at Zeno’s! Awesome! About time we’re able to get it in central PA.
Pours a clear medium-dark copper with a small, off-white, creamy, slowly diminishing head. The smell surprisingly mild and sweet… well, it’s not really mild but I was expecting an Arrogant Bastard on steroids, but smells like they didn’t go for a ridiculously big beer, like many brewers tend to do. Wonderful aromas of fruity and piney hops and smooth roasted malts. The taste is…. Oh wow, it’s big and delicious! Huge flavors of piney hops and caramel malts, but what sets apart from the other and makes it superior is the excellent balance. It has a full body, oily, slightly syrupy texture and soft carbonation. Perfect mouthfeel for the big-beer experience. This beer goes down wickedly easy for as strong as it is. It’s liquid crack. I really want to go back to Zeno’s soon to try the other Stone beers they have on tap while they last, but I’m not sure how I’ll be able to pick anything over the DB. I need a fix!!!! MUST…. HAVE…. MORE… DOUBLE BASTARD!!!

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2006 17:23:49 | More by ski271

shbobdb

Indiana

1.45/5  rDev -66.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

What a boozy mess! It pours an inviting red; indeed, I was rather excited after the pour. However, the nose was alcohol mixed with hops. I mean, I like alcohol and I like hops, but there ought be malt somewhere in a brew this strong. The taste followed the nose, but rather than merely being unpleasant it was downright offensive. Incredibly hot alcohol followed by numbing hops. Why? The mouthfeel is paper thin, not completely out of place given the rest of the brew, but by no means pleasant.

I was told this brew would turn me around regarding Stone . . . instead, it has done to opposite. If I had to choose between this beer and BMC, I'd say that BMC lite ice wins. Utterly unpleasant, totally unbalanced.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2006 01:48:55 | More by shbobdb

charlatan

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.7/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Was pleasantly surprised to find this on tap at the Horse Brass in Portland.

The smoke in the air rendered any sniff test useless but I was impressed by the beer's dark, dark red appearance. It would perhaps be most instructive to compare this to the now ubiquitous Arrogant Bastard: I noticed more of a berry flavour than with AB, and despite the presence of a disturbing amount of alcohol it seemed a little smoother and just as drinkable. The impression I gained was less roughage, more alcohol. However the alcohol was not so apparent that it ruined the beer which was extremely easy to drain. Fortunately I realised how hammered 20 fluid ounces had made me and didn't risk any more. This is not for the faint of heart.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2006 11:17:59 | More by charlatan

goschool

California

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

On-tap at Father's Office.

Okay, I'm going on record as one of the few hopheads who craves over-the-top bitterness and laughs at a need for balance, to not fall in love with this beer. It's very good but a rough, medicinal malt profile ruins it for anything that would make this exceptional. It looks good- deep, dark brick red, good size head for the high abv. Pine, floral and grapefruit hops in front of caramel and toffee malts make up the aroma. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied, good carbonation and it's a lot easier to drink then it should be. You get what you smell in the taste, with the addition of the unfortunate medicinal flavor, the keeps this from being an amazing brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2005 06:48:43 | More by goschool

Sycodrummer

Massachusetts

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

Recently has a 5oz. sample of it at the Sunset Grill and Tap in Allston, Ma. As its name implies and prior BA's have indicated in their reviews this is a great one - strong - but great.

Apearance was a light to medium brown color similiar to that of a brown ale only a bit lighter. Service was in Sunset's traditional 5oz. Pilsners which allowed for very nice head retenion during the duration of the sample but offered little in the way of lacing.

This beer started off with a fruity smell that was backed by a powerful and strong taste. Definitely something that needs to be respected as a brew. A nice beer to sit and sip as an aperitif or cordial. Would not want much more than 5oz. though as it packs a punch. But overall a very solid brew that i will be sure to sample again in the near future.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2004 06:52:53 | More by Sycodrummer

Jacobob10

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On-tap @ Anam Cara in Brookline, MA.

Nice deep reddish-brown color. Poured into a red wine type of glass without much head at all. Did not leave a lot of lacing or retain its head very well. Sweet, malty aroma with the presence of alcohol. Very complex flavor but the alcohol taste and aroma is unavoidable. The mouthfeel is incredible. Very creamy texture which makes it a great after dinner beer. Very easy to drink despite all the alcohol in it.

I was not overwhelmed by this beer, but I feel it would be most enjoyable as a dessert beer or something to sip after a nice meal.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2004 17:54:55 | More by Jacobob10

Truh

New Hampshire

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

Was adopted twice with this one on 11/27/2004. 16-oz. pour, the fool of a bartender, in a shaker glass at Sunset. I was sorely tempted to order a second.

Nice, ½ inch plume of initial down feather head. Deep amber to light brown hue that is calm and clear. Candied apple and cherry cotton candy sweetness to nose, underneath which resides a malt clamminess. Gaudy dreamberry fizziness on the tongue, followed by a shot of alcohol heat and a fairly cleansing hop bite at the end. Sort of middling sting to the mouth as it warms. I should have ordered a second 16-oz tumbler.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2004 14:47:58 | More by Truh

AllThingsNinja

Massachusetts

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

Sampled with a tormented tonque at the hophead throwdown...

Who in their right mind would seek to balance such an incredible malt backbone with bitter and arrogant hops. I suppose it's some twisted sense of propriety, humor, and adventure that drives the folks at Stone to craft a dark ruby brew with a mind twisting alcohol aroma, chocolate, and grapefruit aroma. The flavors of the brew shift back and forth between sour citrus, again grapefruit, and malt notes of chocolate and coffee. Its an intense mélange enlivened by an alcohol that lets the flavors take flight. A most excellent and drinkable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2004 13:11:35 | More by AllThingsNinja

HiroProtagonist

Maryland

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

On tap at the Rose and Raindrop in Portland. My glass of DB was a vibrant ruby-hued copper color with a frothy, sticky head, like whipped egg white. The head left behind a fine lacing that coats the inside of the glass. The aroma was a wallop of floral hops, and sweetish smoky malts...wowsers! The taste matched the aromas well: Huge roasty sweet malts, rounded out with an equivelently powerful bitterness. This is the classic Stone roastiness I am tasting. This is a huge, in your face, MoFo of a beer... a big beer for big beer lovers...like me! The mouthfeel was large, full, smooth, and completely satisfying. This one is so big, so fantastically monstrous, its drinkability suffers somewhat, as one would expect. Bottom line..its Big, Bold, and Beautiful. Thank you Stone for making this beast.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2004 02:50:06 | More by HiroProtagonist

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

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