Double Bastard Ale

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Escondido, California USA

Finally rating this staple brewski. Pours a glorious crimson elixir with a late forming beige head that leaves rings of lacing. The nose is pungent, dusty, citric hops and caramel malt. The flavour is brutally, yet tastefully hoppy, with sharp grapefruit citrus, peppery spice, ripe red fruits and zesty citrus. The palate is slick, medium-full bodied and drying. The finish is long and warming. The booze is present, but not severely for 10.5%. I feel this is a bit overrated, but still great.

bomber (2008 release) from grape and gourmet poured into a stone arrogant bastard pint glass. pours a beautiful and slightly syrupy dark amber with a half inch light tan head and very solid lacing. aroma is deliciously sweet with big, juicy hops, orange zest, raisins, caramel, rich toasty malt, and hints of vanilla and bourbon. taste is nothing short of spectacular. flavors are rich and very well balanced with a hoppy sweetness and touches of citrus and molasses blended perfectly with toffee and roasted malt. the hoppy bitterness lingers nicely after the swallow. palate is amazingly smooth with just a slight alcohol warmth and perfect carbonation. just another awesome brew from Stone that truly lives up to the hype.

22 ounce bottle split in Chimay glass. Hazy deep red with lasting ring and lace. Hoppy port brown sugar aroma. Toasted brown sugar and ripe dark fruit with wood and hoppy flavor and bitterness. Well-disguised warming alcohol. Full body and medium carbo. Very complex and delicious.

2006 Release Been sitting on this one for a little over a year. Poured into an Stone Arrogant Bastard 22oz. glass a nice dark brown color, nice carbonation, nice little creamy tan head, which leaves some nice sticky lacing. The nose is malty/hoppy, hints of toffee, and lots of caramel. The taste is malty/hoppy, slightly bitter, nice touch of toffee/caramel. The alcohol is present, but hidden fairly well. Medium body. Very drinkable, I like this brew so far when it is aged for a year or so, highly recommended. 2005 Release Pours a dark amber color, not much carbonation, small head, some lacing. Not much of a scent, but could notice some sweet hops/malt. Nice taste of hoppy malts and a sweet aftertaste. Could tell there is a high alcohol content. Medium body. Drinkable another nice brew from Stone.

1/4/09 notes: bomber for $6.99. Given how much I loved Arrogant Bastard the first time I tried it, you can imagine my excitement at getting to try its older brother. Aroma full of juicy hops, red fruit, and a certain assertive spiciness. Appears murky red, with a creamy head. Flavor was very full-bodied, of strawberries, lemon, sweet malt, and some minerals. Another excellent ASA from Stone, Double Bastard was well-balanced with the high ABV hidden tastefully. This is simply an awesome brew.

Bottle. Dark bown/orange. Smells vinegar and raisin. Big taste! Caramel hops dominates. Bitter aftertaste. Complex beer in all ways. Has a thick feel to it.

Bomber->tulip: Pours a large, frothy, light brown head that exhibits good lacing atop a cloudy dark amber body. Aroma of overripe fruit, caramel, and light hops. The body is full, texture creamy and the duration is long, being lightly sweet. A great beer for sure!

(Bottle, Akkurat, Stockholm, 1 Jan 2009) Reddish amber colour with frothy, beige head. Fruity, malty, vinous nose with dried fruit, caramel and lots of earthy hops. Malty, fruity taste with notes of dried fruit, caramel, black-currant and lots of citrussy, earthy hops in the finish. Full bodied and chewy, vinous and warming. Very nice balance for such an extreme beer. Excellent stuff!