Lukcy Basartd Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

mactrail

California

3.58/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

An attractive golden oak color in the really big Duvel tulip. Very nice sudsy foam and it does have a nice mouthfeel, just a little oily.

Malty and melting with caramel. Quite a lovely sunshiney flavor. Then the Hop Bastards come in and stomp over everything enthusiastically. But there is some pleasant fruity flavor, dried apricot and green plum, all very tart and sharp. The oak adds a nice undertone without being wood in your face. I think other brewers ought to consider blending their over-barrelled brews with other stuff.

Maybe this is a case where the sum is greater than the parts. I am not a big AB fan and even less of the Double AB (I call it Ignorant MF). So this is a step up for me, even though the endless candied grapefruit pith got old about 10 years ago. From the 22 oz bottle for six bucks from the Ibis Market in San Diego.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 06:39:37 | More by mactrail

DocJitsu

California

3.8/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice looking clear amber with a fat, soapy, tan head. Head retention is better than average with some spiderwebbing around the edge of the glass. Toffee, grass, orange peel, and sweet lemon on the nose. The mouthfeel is wet, smooth, full, but lacking carbonation sting. There's a less offensive hop presence in this concoction than is normal for Stone. In fact, it might even be described as drinkable. I note a lot of pine and a little orange. There's some balance. But, I'm not sure with what. The finish, however, delivers that familiar Stone hop hot sensation and bitterness. Not horrible, but I've been duped by Stone, once again. I really want to try one that knocks my socks off.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 06:06:29 | More by DocJitsu

kylehay2004

Florida

3.9/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: two finger thick off white head with good retention with an aggressive poor on a fairly clear deep copper body.

S: aroma is excellent and very enticing with floral, grapefruit and orange citrus, toasted malts and caramel. actually a nicely balanced hop and malt profile here.

T: opens almosty like a barleywine with malts and candy sugar mocing to earthy and pine hops which is unexpected for the aroma. then it finishes a bit sharp and boozy with more caramel malts and pine.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: this one isnt bad, just a lot of unexpected f.avors. definitly malt forward, still a good beer,

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 02:11:25 | More by kylehay2004

bengore

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark reddish amber with a large amount of head that sticks around for a while.

S: Orange zest with other interesting spicy fruits. You can certainly smell hints of the oak aged ale in here as well. Very complex and inviting.

T: Initially follows the nose with a fruity taste which subsides quickly into a slight bitterness. You can taste the oak aged arrogant bastard which is outstanding.

M: Heavy and foamy, very smooth.

O: Overall a very interesting and delicious beer. A lot more complex than arrogant bastard alone, and the oak really stands out on this one. Definitely worth picking up a bomber or two!

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 01:26:23 | More by bengore

MattSweatshirt

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep ruby red that just looks beautiful. It is topped with a thick beige head that does not disappear and laces the glass all over. This is what everyone wants in the look of their beer.

Sweet fruitiness(peach and orange with some tropical pineapple and tangerine type aromas) pours out everywhere from the snifter. I was wondering how prominent the different bastards would be and the oak is easily identifiable. Caramel malt and some piney hop are there as well. This might sound weird but I get a little pumpkin towards the end of the bottle when it warms up. I dig.

Oh yeah….bitter hoppiness and the great hop flavor takes hold at first leading into a huge caramal malt sweetness pop in the middle and end. A little butterscotch and oaky vanilla is there as well. The only bad thing about the taste is that ridiculously amazing fruity nose doesn't totally translate.

Drys out the mouth. Medium bodied. Active carbonation but it is not too much. When you get to the end of the bomber and swirled it around a bit and killed some carb it gets so smooth.

Ok. WOW is all I can say. I didn't know the whole story behind this beer when I bought it. I enjoy Stone and knew it was limited so I grabbed it. It is worth every cent you spend on it. Beers like this make me realize how awesome craft beer is. I love it.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 20:47:45 | More by MattSweatshirt

divineaudio

Michigan

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

bomber into a tulip glass.

a - pours a deep, transparent copper color and gave me a dense, rocky, two finger, beige head. foam takes its time calming but eventually settles to a thin cap and leaves thick chunks of lacing in the glass.

s - grassy and floral hops, faint grapefruit citrus, toffee.

t - big toffee malt character followed up with big hop character. on the sweeter side but has ample hop bitterness to balance that out. i'm picking up notes of grapefruit, wintergreen or something else mildly minty, and a little wood on the back end. bitterness comes in the form of a pine resin beatdown to the middle and back of the tongue that hurts for a while but in a good way. alcohol content is barely noticeable (in the taste at least).

m - full bodied with the right amount of carbonation. finer co2 profile. very slick from the hop oils but also very smooth. very slight alcohol warming.

o - solid in every way and quite enjoyable. in fact, i think i prefer this over any of the individual beers that go into it. worth seeking out imo.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 00:51:10 | More by divineaudio

SHODriver

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: poured into a sinfter to a sinister looking deep red with a finger and a half of off white head that retains well
S: smells of pine and citrus hops with a bit of caramel and slight spice and fruity alcohol
T: softer than the smell let on. more oaky and woody with some slightly toasted malt and caramel with some earthy and piney hops. a bit of grapefruit comes in as well but it's very soft and refined. a nice sweetness to it and some very refined hop flavor. swallow is a huge wave of oily hop goodness that lingers for some time and slowly fades to show some residual sweetness
M: medium to full that is fairly smooth with adequate carbonation. kinda drying but also kinda juicy
O: this is a great version of an old favorite. It has great flavors and complexity, a killer nose, and it drinks very smooth. Another hit from Stone and I'm glad it came back around.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 04:34:03 | More by SHODriver

JohnnyMc

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A special blend of 3 different Bastard Ales!!

Pours out a very deep amber/ruby color with about 3 fingers of off-white head.

The aroma has a good amount of piney, earthy and citrusy hops along with caramel malt notes, hints of vanilla and oak notes.

The taste also has a lot of hop flavor; piney, earthy and citrus notes. The middle has a good deal of caramel malt sweetness and that is followed by a decent amount of oak flavor and vanilla as well. Finishes very crisp, clean and dry.

The body is medium and the mouthfeel is creamy. Can't smell or taste any alcohol.

This is a great addition to the Bastard line, but not the greatest in my opinion. Definitely try it if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 00:26:59 | More by JohnnyMc

bbkd3b

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First go-round with this beer. I've pretty much enjoyed any beer in the Bastard family, so why not, eh?

LOOK: Burnt Sienna beauty, with a foamy, tan head. Thin, but pleasant looking. Thin head has good retention once it's down to a certain point. Some lacing on the sticks to the edges of the glass, but not too much.

SCENT: Nice hop character with a LOT of spice. Grapefruit with a sweet hint of brown sugar. This reminds me of the Oaked Arrogant Bastard, in a way. Really did a number on this and it's great. VERY good scent.

TASTE/MOUTHFEEL: Wow... tons of citrus notes here! Grapefruit comes on to the tongue as smooth as can be. The sweetness and bitter hops blend remarkably well, and in ways you don't normally come across. Very Stone-esque in that regard. Touch of alcohol on the finish leaves the tongue burning. Not bad at all.

OVERALL/NOTES: Just your standard Bastard ale. While it isn't the Double Bastard Ale, that's probably an unfair comparison. Regardless, this is a really great beer and definitely worth picking up. I'll have to grab another bottle on my next trip to the store and take better notes as these are a bit half-hazard.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 06:48:41 | More by bbkd3b

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Amber/burgundy colored body with a little bit of transparency. Sticky tan head that stays around.

S- Piney hops, citrus notes, toasted malt and toasted oak.

T- Piney hops up front, with biscuity malts coming through. Oak comes through in the middle and finishes like a very hoppy barleywine.

M- Full bodied, medium-high carbonation. A full-flavored sipper.

O- Really captures the 3 bastards well. The hops come through from double, the oak comes through too and makes a great offering.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 19:15:04 | More by stephenjmoore

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

2.68/5  rDev -35.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

This was the first beer I reviewed on BA about 2 years ago. I enjoyed it so much I felt I had to tell the world. 400 beer reviews later and it's finally back again.

2012 Review

Appearance
Ruby Red with 1 finger of white head. Good retention and excellent clarity.

Nose
Toffee, Pine Sol, grapefruit zest, Fruity Pebbles and sugar.

Taste
Vicious hop action is all over this in the form of Pine Sol cleaner, Fruity Pebbles and grapefruit zest. Nothing juicy, just abrasive and artificial. Has a nice thick malt backbone comprised of toffee and table sugar. There's also a hint of something burnt in there.

Mouthfeel
Medium-full bodied, oily, bitter and dry.

Overall
Not a cohesive brew. The hop and malt bill really seem to work against each other. A beer that I once loved is now just cloying and annoys me. It's amazing how much taste buds can change in a couple years.

---
Original Review (2010)

A: 4.0, N: 4.0, T: 5.0, M: 3.5, O: 4.5
Final rating: 4.5
Beautiful ruby color with nice lacing and head. Aggressive citrus and pine upfront; slightly spicy with a hint of floral. Big malty caramel backbone with just a hint of oak and vanilla. This is easily my favorite "13asartd." I really hope Stone brews this again for upcoming years.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 14:52:06 | More by justintcoons

Jagen

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured from 22 oz bomber into snifter...very very excited to try this.

A - pours with a 2 finger head...slightly off-white color. nice lacing on the side of the glass as the head fades away. looks like all the other bastards--a very rich, red/ruby color. head always been a fan of how the entire series of beers looks. I am extremely excited to try this beer.
S - delicious. the most recent bastard I've drank is the double, so the smell comes off as slightly weaker than it (as to be expected). I smell some nice subtle piney hops with a ever-so-slight oak background. smells sweet...very inviting aroma but the aroma seems a little weak to me

T - Amazing. Immediate hops and sweetness (but a little subdued for a bastard), malt, wood, and then back to the sweetness and then back to the hops for the aftertaste! I like it a lot..you can definitely tell it is a blend of the bastards (although the last time I had an oaked-bastard is a long time ago...) It is a great beer but I think it fell a little short of my (extremely) high expectations

M - nothing special. good amount of carbonation. medium body. dry. not a bad mouthfeel, but nothing noteworthy...very crisp beer.

O - I enjoy this beer very much. Wondering if it will age well. It doesn't have the bite of the double bastard but I think is a step above the regular bastard. It is a great beer and well-worth seeking out. Might just have to pick up a few more.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 07:59:14 | More by Jagen

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle labeled "best by January 31, 2013" into a tulip- pours a clear mahogany/amber color with 1.5 fingers of head, decent retention, really nice lacing.

Definitely some earthy pine hops in the smell, a little booze, some oak. A little murky smelling, but not altogether unpleasing.

Taste is much like the smell- a thick boozy, molasses-like flavor pervades. Moderate bitterness and earthy pine hop notes up front, followed by the molasses-like flavor to really ride the rest of the way out.

Mouthfeel is OK- full bodied, moderately carbonated, very syrupy, chewy, resinous. Perhaps this is better fresh. I like all of the other Bastards on tap and they're fine in the bottle. I'm not crazy about this one but again, maybe better with a fresher bottle or on tap.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 02:27:43 | More by Hopdaemon39

Etan

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle from the recent re-release, into a tulip.

A: Pours a clear amber-brown with a nice off-white head.

S: Far-wafting aromas of big fruity hops (mango, grapefruit, orange), along with some caramel sweetness and very malted roasted grain. Slight notes of alcohol and wood.

T: Thick bitterness with pronounced grapefruit and pine hop notes, hefty caramel malt, bready, boozy edge, molasses. A tiny bit too sweet.

M: Medium-bodied with a nice creamy feel from the carbonation.

O: Doesn't trump Double Bastard for me (a bit too sweet overall), but this is pretty tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 23:20:51 | More by Etan

B33R501

Pennsylvania

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

Delicious. But I don't know. Didnt even bother to get a Double Bastard bottle this year, though I did have a draught the other night. This just reminds me of Arrogant, nothing special, and for 3 bucks less I could have just had an Arrogant.

Pretty, amber, great head. Little oak and vanilla in the aroma. Sweet malts, big piney hops, some veg, some floral. Nice balance bitter and sweet. Strong, drinkable and satisfying.

I think my problem with this beer is this review can cover all the bastards. Been there, done that. Should've saved my 3 bucks, got an AB. Or better yet, pass.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 21:01:12 | More by B33R501

Immortale25

Florida

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter. Bottle says EJNOY BY JAN 31, 2013.

A- Pours a clean, reddish brown color with a 3/4 inch light tan head that retains well before reducing to a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a full sheet of bubbly surface foam. Thick ring of resilient lacing.

S- Moderately pungent hop aroma with nice toasty malt notes to back it. Somewhat herbal with some alcohol fume trailing at the end. Musty.

T- Highly bitter, even for me. Mainly vegetal-type hop flavor with the toasty malt attempting to be seen but the bitterness is too powerful. Alcohol is well-masked. Also, did I say bitter?

M- Full-ish body with medium carbonation and a sticky, resinous feel from the hops.

O- Haven't had this in years and I still like it a lot. It's just not as complex as I thought it was. Basically just a hop bomb, which is fine.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 03:05:32 | More by Immortale25

haddon

Kentucky

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

poured from a bomber and ready to commence...

Pours just a shade lighter than mahogany with a foamy half inch of head. massive bubbles inside the head & lots of action come up from the bottom of the etched tulip. so far, most impressive.

hop aromas with a hint of molasses from the malts. overall, fairly muted on the nose considering the expectation I had of this beast

Starts of citrus in the hops and they give way to malt notes of brown sugar and candy. the hops come roaring back (see below).

The hops do begin to work on the pallet after a while. pretty massive aftertaste of pine... I love it.

Excellent hoppy beer. I've been on a run of late of more subtle IPA's & pale ales. this was a much needed kick in the pants. glad there are still a few ounces in the bottle waiting for me in the kitchen.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 02:02:41 | More by haddon

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Fresh keg, new batch. Poured into a snifter. Huge, fluffy light beige head, high retention on a clear mahogany body. Soapy and oily lacing sticks to the glass. Aroma dominated by powerful grassy hops (in a way that can only be described as "Stone-like) layered on top of a rich, malty sweet backbone, a touch of raisin and vanilla. Taste has some alcohol heat, intense grassy, piney hop bitterness, some nice malt sweetness. Tongue coating and bursting with flavor, this thing is awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 05:11:59 | More by KickbacksSteve

vic21234

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber poured into a snifter. Enjoy by 12/31/13 stamped on it. Loved this beer when it came out in 2010, here we go:

A- Pours a clear but slightly hazy dark red, copper color. A large two fingers worth of a khaki colored head hangs around for awhile, and makes for froth all along the sides of the glass.

S- Some pine and citrus, with some sweet malts in the background. I was hoping for some more on the aroma.

T- Starts off with mostly piney hops, some citrus is there but not as prevalent. Big malt backbone, with sweet caramel malts mostly notable.

M- Medium bodied, well carbonated, bitter and dry finish. Easily drinkable.

A nice one, but not as notable as I remembered. I still feel that Double Bastard is my favorite in the Bastard family.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 23:09:10 | More by vic21234

minterro

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Injoyed this one at my favorite el bar crunchys.

Dark amber translucent looking beer. Head hangs around well in a foamy light tan head. Kinda a fruity aroma, bit of rye maltyness, and some grapefruit.

Lots of citrus hops in the tastes. Finishes mildy bitter with a bite of a alcohol bite. Not as smooth as most of stones beers but still pretty damn good

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2012 02:40:35 | More by minterro

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a clear, burgundy color with ruby highlights. it had a one-finger, tan head of bubbly foam that left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled spicy and piney with roasted malt and subtle hints of vanilla.

T - Good burnt toast maltiness with piney/spicy bitterness. A little bit of oak and vanilla.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is a very good strong ale. Another great one from Stone.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 02:00:14 | More by zeff80

Dave1999

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a rich read colour with a small white head.

The smell is citrus hops and rich sweet malts.

The taste is citrus hops, pretty bitter but with a slighty sweet malt backbone.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with quite low carbonation and a dry finish.

This beer is awesome, I'd recommend to any bastard fan, although I do prefer regulars bastard I'm glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 00:19:01 | More by Dave1999

bsp77

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Imperial Pint.

Appearance: Rich mahogany with moderate tan head and light lacing.

Smell: Caramel, citrus and pine. Some oak and spiciness. Not as intense as expected.

Taste: Semi-sweet caramel core, with layers of citrus and pine. Finish is moderately bitter, with just a hint of oak.

Feel: Medium to full creamy body with a dry finish.

Overall: In my opinion, it is not as good as the sum of its parts. All of the flavors of the three base beers seem to be muting each other, and I am just left with a very good, but not distinctive, Strong Red Ale. Still really like it, but would rather have an Arrogant Bastard or Double Bastard.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 21:41:54 | More by bsp77

jokelahoma

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip at home. Pours a nice reddish-brown, average head, which fades somewhat slowly.

Typical Arrogant Bastard aroma, but with more, somehow. Still that same sweet malt and slight alcohol burn on the nose, but the malt seems more balanced, not quite as caramel as a usual AB. Still the same hoppy nose, but not as aggressively pine-ish. All in all, more inviting that the "regular" Bastard.

Oooh, the flavor! Nice and bracing bitterness right off the bat, with the citrus and pine note trying to tear the surface of your tongue out of your head. The malt that follows is as the nose predicts -- full, intense, yet nowhere near as caramel as its namesake. There's a touch of alcoholic heat to this as well. Yet all these seem to blend together and meld into something where the sum is greater than the whole of the parts.

The mouthfeel is fairly full, but not thick. This is a good thing here, as anything thinner would not be substantial enough to withstand the bitterness and malty strength. Well balanced in that regard.

It's obvious this isn't jue a case of throwing beers together and calling it a blend. Stone put thought and effort into this, and it shows. Nicely put together, and a must for any fan of any of the Arrogant Bastard line. Bravo!

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 20:30:57 | More by jokelahoma

spark3148857

New York

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wow you can tell they dry hopped the hell out of this. Pours the typical bastard pour, deep amber with an off white head. Aroma is huge citrus and piney hops with a great caramel malt backbone. This drinks like a double IPA crossed with an imperial red ale and provides the best of both styles. Huge west coast hops are perfectly balanced with the massive malt bill. My favorite of the Bastards.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 19:03:34 | More by spark3148857