Double Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

mattboyer182

Indiana

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

A - A dark orange-brownish color and a thick foamy white head.

S - A sweet smelling malt and quite a bit of hops. citrusy smelling. There are spicy notes floating around in there.

T - Sugary sweetness up front with a bitter hoppy taste growing in the background. grapefruit citrus has a long after taste and a nice note of alcohol.

M - A great full body with decent carbonation.

O - Very good beer. I love the hops and the sweet balance.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2011 00:40:45 | More by mattboyer182

TheRealBigC

Nevada

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

On tap at 775 Gastropub

Looks really nice - deep copper, close to red, with a thick, sticky head.

Smell is complex, but the alcohol is clearly there. This transfers into the taste as well, but the taste is even more complex. It's incredibly hard to pick apart the flavor, but the strength of the alcohol (11.2%!!) is obvious. Not too hard to put down - all things considered, it is a pretty smooth beer - but it's no gulper.

I respect this beer more than I enjoy it, but that's not to say I don't enjoy it. It is a fantastic beer and nice to have here and there, but I think I'll be drinking the standard Bastard more often, because this one is really a BASTARD. I can't believe 775 serves this in a 19oz. glass. That's absurd.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2011 02:21:38 | More by TheRealBigC

colt45n

Missouri

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

Aparently this was a pretty rare find on tap..

A: Nice burbon brown pour, with a slight bubbly off white head, I can already tell this one is going to be great

S: Lovely malt and some sweet toffee in the nose, maybe a slight amount of bourbon in there as well

T: Malt, Toffee, and a little bourbon, def a thick sipping beer.

Overall I thought the double was absolutly wonderful, this was what the regular was missing.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2011 19:18:23 | More by colt45n

Fikash

California

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On Tap at Mugs Ale House in Brooklyn, NY. Vintage 2007.

What a treat this was. A 2007 brew on tap in 2011. You don't find many surprises like this at your local pub very often.

This ale ages VERY well. The bourbony/alcohol notes are strong, but the beer is ultimately very drinkable (just don't chug the thing). The 12oz pour I was treated to was sipped on over the course of an hour, and what a wonderful hour that was.

Oak, smoke, alcohol esters dominate this brew. It is not for the faint-hearted. This is a powerful beer, both in alcohol content and in flavor. I would almost call it a beer for the whiskey-drinker, it's just that strong. This is just such an exceptional beer, I feel so lucky to have been treated to it. If you can find this beer, the patience it requires to age it to this extent should be difficult, but ultimately worth it. When was the last time you took a first sip of a beer, closed your eyes, and just smiled?

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2011 06:41:00 | More by Fikash

LazyL

British Columbia (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A dark hazy toffee with a fizzy beige head. The nose is honey and warm boozy with a touch of pine and subtle citrus. The taste is honey again and vanilla oak with a small amount of orange. The mouthfeel is heavy and a bit chewy. This is more of a SUPER Strong Ale, actually a Barley Wine but makes a nice sipper and is quite drinkable for such a large ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2011 00:52:24 | More by LazyL

bbkd3b

Missouri

4.7/5  rDev +9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a pint glass.

A - Dense Mahogany, almost no head, but rather a thin layer of off-white color that let's you know it was ever really there. Lacing? Nope.

S - Sweet malts, figs, sugar-coated dry fruits. There's also a good deal of hoppiness hiding down there. Changes almost ever time I try to get a scent of it... Very strong.

T - Unbelievably complex in its bittersweet nature. Seduces me into thinking it's an all-malt brew with sugar-coated galore for its flavor, but transforms into a monstrous beast! Butterscotch, rough, abrasive hops... It changes every time. I don't even know how to describe this.

M - Full bodied with a scorchingly good carbonation. Slick on the palate, slides down the throat with a linger bitterness and heats up the entire bloodstream. Spot-on.

Overall/notes - Maybe the best thing I've ever had. I can't see myself drinking more than one glass of this bad boy in an evening, but that's fine. One taste and this immediately went on my "favorites" list. Simpling outstanding.

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2011 21:45:21 | More by bbkd3b

zrab11

Indiana

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

A-Has a dark ruby color with a nice whitehead and good lacing

S-Has a nice sweetness carmel smeell with some booze and hop notes

T-Has many flavors or tart,sweet,bitter going on here but they mesh soo nicely

M- Medium bodied with Good carbonation

D-This is my favorite of all the Bastards. Just drinks soo smooth and has lots of good flavor to it but still has a good alchol content. Will oreder thi for many years to come

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 17:36:18 | More by zrab11

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at Brass Rail Deli on 2/21/11.

A - Hazy reddish liquid with deep amber hues and a creamy beige head that settled into a patchy veil, leaving behind some spotty lacing.

S - Hint of boozy alcohol amid leafy, herbal hops and plenty of toffee and caramel malt notes. The alcohol presence really opened up as the liquid reached room temperatre.

T - Pretty intense herbal, earthy hop flavor with lots of dry, leafy character. A healthy dose of toffee and caramel malt provides a bit of sweetness, but the dry hoppy flavor lingers on for a while. Finishes with moderate alcohol sting on the palate.

M - Surprisingly, Double Bastard boasts a pretty creamy mouthfeel with a subtle wash of carbonation on the tongue. Finishes with residual sweetness and a semi-dry, lingering hop bite on the palate.

D - You gots to love a really hoppy strong ale, and that's exactly what Double Bastard is. It doesn't pretend to be anything else. Good stuff!

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2011 20:01:19 | More by ffejherb

HopHead84

California

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2/19/2011

On tap at Stone. 2010 Double Bastard dry hopped with Simcoe.

A: Dark brownish red with a big off white head. Good retention. 

S: Big floral presence, with ample grapefruit and pine. Hops are expressive, and accompanied by a rich caramel profile and bready notes. Nice combination of caramel and hops.

T: Slightly sugary caramel with notes of grapefruit and pine. Booze is restrained for the ABV. Midpalate ephemeral sweetness. Firm bitterness with low astringency. Finish is dry.

M: Upper medium body with upper low carbonation. Mouthfeel is sticky and smooth, with some astringency and warming.

Overall: Slightly mellowed Double Bastard with added dry hopping makes for an enjoyable beer in small quantities.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2011 07:24:24 | More by HopHead84

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-dark murky brown with a nice light tan head, good lacing that stays

S-a little bit of brown sugar and nice citrusy hops. not very strong though.

T-come in with a very bitter and strong hit of molasses and ends with some really good citrusy hops. there's a strong bitterness that stays. there's a slight alcohol burn in there towards the end.

M-a good medium carbonation with a slightly dry finish

D-well its a heavy beer, the ABV is noticeable, but its a very enjoyable beer all the way through. if i wasn't leaving this bar right now, i would have another. i liked this a lot and was very lucky to find this on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2011 18:23:29 | More by AdamBear

nezelrac

New York

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

Was initially hesitant, but very glad I tried this.

A - red mahogany, with an off-white head with good retention

S - excellent piney and fruity hop nots; buttered popcorn?; burnt sugar, caramel, malts

T - sweet malt note gives way quickly to hops - plenty of bitterness, but well balanced (I was ready for a lot more bitterness) well done, but I would like greater complexity

M - served a little cold, but as it warmed up it proved itself to be quite accessible, well carbonated, good malt texture

D - given its size it is quite drinkable

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2011 22:48:28 | More by nezelrac

bboelens

Florida

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

Had on-tap at WOB poured into a snifter

A-A deep chestnut with hints of orange, medium creamy head that dissipated rather quickly (due to the high abv i would assume) however leaves excellent lacing

S-Hops, citrus and brown sugar, hints of caramel and alcohol

T-The taste is like the smell but much much more, the alcohol and citrus take a lot more of the flavor here than in the nose, there is still an extreme hop presence that drew me to the beer in the first place

M-Medium body with decent carbonation the hop and alcohol sting and bubble is one of my favorites out there

D-Overall another great brew from stone, however I didn't enjoy this one as much as their Arrogant or Oaked Arrogant but that's not an important point. What is important is the fact that this is a great beer

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2011 22:35:18 | More by bboelens

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a nice deep ruby color with a two finger head which stays at a skim and gives way to gobs of lacing up and down the glass. The nose is of caramel malt and other sweet malts with a citrus hop bite. The taste is of a nice sweetness but not overly sweet, caramel malts, toffee, and a little breadiness. At the backend there is a nice citrus hop bite that bring great balance. The mouthfeel is slightly carbonated and a little creamy. The drinkability is great, there is no presence of the high alcohol, great balance of alcohol to flavors. The flavors are also balanced greatly, and overall great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2011 15:43:47 | More by goblue3509

OnThenIn

Ohio

3.3/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Finger of thick light tan head on top of a brown and amber mixed.

S: a bit of a citrus hop aroma. Slight sweetness. Alcohol a little. Surprisingly complex.

T: lots of caramel and a little bready. Lots of citrus hops and grapefruit. A bit bitter and alcohol present. Didn't love the taste.

M: fuller body with slightly lower carbonation.

D: This is a sipper and the mouthfeel wasn't incredible, but okay. The taste wasn't incredible.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2011 01:29:42 | More by OnThenIn

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

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

Had this on at at Burp Castle in New York City. Pours an amber brown colour with thin off-white head. Nice head retention and lacing around much of the glass. Smells of citrus hops with a huge caramel malt. Really well balanced with sweetness and bitterness, almost like a fresh, hoppy barleywine. Some alcohol is noticeable, but it doesn't make this undrinkable or anything. Thick, medium-bodied mouthfeel. I love this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2011 01:16:53 | More by kwjd

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

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

Poured on-tap at the Stone Brewery. The beer was poured into a pint glass, with an amber-brown color, very vibrant and deep. The beer has a thin, cream colored head. There is a strong, heavy caramel smell to the beer. The taste is also very heavy, with a strong, sweat quadrupel style flavor. There is a sharp, roasted malt finish, with a sweet and sour/bitter aftertaste. The finish was kind of rough, and the sweetness seemed to be a bit unbalanced. I guess I was expecting a little bit more after hearing so much about this beer. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it didn't seem to live up to the hype.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 07:45:32 | More by GarthDanielson

beertunes

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -20%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in straight pint glass. Poured a semi-cloudy orangeish-mahogany with over an inch of light tan head that had good retention and lacing.

The aroma was mostly bitter hops with some sweet malt undertones. There was also a bit of yeasty spice hiding in there. On the tongue, alcohol was the dominant taste, followed by hops, malt and spice.

The body was pleasingly full, but a bit too sticky-sweet. Drinkability was good, but a little rough due to the alcohol taste.

Overall, a decent beer that's much better than the original AB. Certainly worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2011 06:15:50 | More by beertunes

juhl31

California

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

this is a review of the "decade of double bastard" from SDBW '10 at stone. i graded the most recent vintage and added some notes for each year

'10
-dark caramel color with a very light caramel colored head. loooks thick

-caramel with some semi-strong hop backing. vanilla too

-strong hops up front...of the lemon and grass variety. the caramel shows up for sure. what up vanilla

-really bitter aftertaste mouth which makes sense as far as the "bastard" is concerned. strong body and is pretty smooth

-tasty...can tell it needs to sit for at least a year

'09
-pretty big hop drop in both smell and taste right off the bat

'08
-wow, fruit flavor really shows up that really wasnt apparent before. some apricot, maybe some peach even. still with that strong caramel background though

'07
-1st noticeable heat showing up. more of the bitterness back, but most of the hop flavor is gone. a bit bitey

'06
-still hot, but some creaminess to this one. big fruit smell

'05
-makes me think i am eating bbq'd peaches topped with vanilla ice cream and a caramel drizzle

'04
-color finally changes noticeably. this is the 1st one that is a lot darker brown and crimson. all the fruit notes are gone. some oak taste in there

'03
-smells like jungle juice with poor ingredients. some wood flavor notes and a hint of smoke

'02
-dark fruit in now. a little old ale/special B malt tasting

'01
-looks like a cognac. can still pull a swirled glass head out though

alike characteristics throughout - head color, caramel backbone
best vintage - '05
least favorite - '09

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2010 05:12:11 | More by juhl31

swanny28

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap with redrising at brixies brookfield IL:

A: Dark Red almost opaque : whispy head with a nice deep lacing
S: oh what hops: almost like pulling them off the vine. IMO the hops are the best part.

T: the hops are back. What a great taste....

M: I held this in the mouth as long as i can. What a great hop taste.. malts, very balanced... if you can get your hands on this buy it...

D: loved it: hold it in the mouth as long as you can. just like a fine wine...

so good imo ...

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2010 04:58:07 | More by swanny28

aepb1

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Red-brown body with a nice white head and good lacing

S- Caramel malts, sweet fruits too

T- Sweet malty dark fruits. A big beer! Finishes with a nice hop bitterness. Great, full, balanced flavor

M- Full-bodied, creamy

D- A very big enjoyable beer

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2010 18:32:22 | More by aepb1

thedoubler55

New Jersey

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

A - Pours a Darkish Red, very thin off white head that decimates with each sip, not to much lacing around the glass on this one

S - Hops, Citrusy, very sweet malts.

T - The taste on this is very unique, sweet taste of brown sugar with some bitter fruits like grapefruit at the tail end.

M - Nice and thick with little carbination

D - Good beer, definitely would like to try again

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2010 20:19:59 | More by thedoubler55

Tifore

Ohio

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

On tap at Melt Bar & Grilled. Poured into a pint glass.

A - Pours a deep amber that is mainly orange in color, mahogany looking. Slightly hazy not so clear. Has a one finger off white head that leaves fair lacing and turns into a little ring around the glass.

S - Smells of booze and hops. Lots of alcohol comes first followed by grapefruit, orange and lemon zest, and some pine. Some light sweetness going on as well.

T - Tastes of booze first and foremost. Lots of dark fruits come after with a big burst of carmely malts. Very complex. I just wish the alcohol was toned down a tad so that the dark fruits would come through more.

M - Mouthfeel is pretty heavy. Medium amount of carbonation. Mouthfeel is nice for this beer. I enjoy this part the most out of the brew.

D - You definitely feel the alcohol percentage on this beer. One pint and I could feel it slightly but I will have a few more of this until the keg is tapped. I have a bottle here at home that I hope will age well over the next few months to a year.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2010 01:37:40 | More by Tifore

perrymarcus

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

on tap at sunset grill and tap, allston, ma. (review from notes.)

pours a deep amber tone with a good degree of clarity to it. fluffy beige head displays strong retention and nice walls of lacing.

nice bold nose with strong caramel malt notes along with some citric hoppiness making itself known. very nice aroma.

flavor follows the smell; caramel malts lead the way out front, with the hops characters opening up more mid-palate and transitioning into a bitter, slightly boozy finish. an intense, robust beer through and through. also quite tasty. not for rookies.

full, creamy mouthfeel with average carbonation. drinkability is so-so just do to the big and taxing nature of this beer. one per sitting is enough.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2010 03:52:48 | More by perrymarcus

emmasdad

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2010 vintage on tap last night at Fresh Craft in Downtown Denver. Poured a rich dark amber color, with a substantial amount of medium tan foam on top. Sweet malty aroma, with floral hops, dried fruits, and alcohol. On the palate, relatively full bodied and very sweet, almost cloying, with more floral hops, chocolate and booze. Not bad, needs some time to dry out a bit and come together.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2010 18:33:09 | More by emmasdad

taigor

New York

4.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into 8oz glass.

A - Poured cloudy orange brown color with big rosy head that slowly dissipated leaving lots of lacing around the glass.

S - Malt and hops scents, slightly floral and fruity.

T - Sweet malts and brown sugar to start with with slightly hoppy bitter finish.

M - Medium bodied with high carbonation.

D - Very well balanced and carbonated. ABV is well masked which makes this ale very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2010 17:04:13 | More by taigor