Double Bastard Ale

Bomber, courtesy of Russells in Amherst, MA. :::APPEARANCE::: dark reddish brown, just like maple syrup, head was very minimal but was a nice thick creamy texture::: AROMA::: I could smell it from 3 ft. away, cherries, sweet and malty, berries, grapes, and citrus hops:::TASTE:::bread-like malt and bitterness up front, then sweet malts followed by a slowly developing hop bitterness that lasts for awhile, despite the citrus hops in the aroma, there were none in the taste:::MOUTH-FEEL:::medium/thin body, syrupy, modest carbonation Honestly, I expected better. The aroma was the best thing about DB. I like bitterness, but something throws me off in this one. I think maybe the bitterness persists too long, after the first taste it just wouldn’t leave and ruined other flavors. Forget Ruination, this one is far more ruinous to your palate........IMHO, Double Bastard is best enjoyed in spaced-apart sips.

A really massive beer. I am a huge fan of Stone, it is probably pound for pound my favorite brewery. This beer adds to the mystique that is Stone. Small head that sticks around for the party. Hopsy nose with a bit of caramel for spice. The taste is, surprise surprise, intensely hopsy, but also a nice sweetness that balances nicely.

22oz Bottle: 2007 Release, Pours a hazy dark copper with a small but lingering tan head. The nose is sweet with some caramel but citrusy hops are very noticeable. The taste is malt driven which surprised me based on the aroma. Alcohol shows itself in the taste and finish. The mouth feel is medium to heavy. Some lingering bitterness on the finish as well. I think this beer improves with age. But I still remember more from it when it was fresh.

I had this on tap. It is a sweet, strong, hoppy ale that seems to fit well with the early winter and the upcoming holidays. I wish I could say I liked it as much as other Stone ales I have tried, but the malty sweetness and high alcohol were just a little too powerful. Still, when those first snowflakes start falling, this is a nice mug to reach for. Maybe they could call it Double Elf or Double Santa instead of Double Bastard.

Pours a great cloudy red color with a khaki head. Smells of sweet malts and tastes the same. Lots of hops balanced by huge sweet malt taste. I think it’s too sweet for its own good. i can’t get into beers that have huge thick bodies and tons of sweet malt flavor. it also gave me some hardcore shits the next day.

Very bitter, but very malty. Makes for a well-balanced taste explosion. Relatively heavy body with subtle fruit notes. Alcohol is clear in both the nose and the flavor.

22oz. bomber. Pours a clear, dark copper color with a thin, white head that dissipates quickly. Heavy aromas of citrus fruit, hops, grass and some hints of apple. Flavor is of bitter fruits and hops, but has hints of sweet caramel and some spicey notes. Mouthfeel is very soft and smooth. Better then Arrogant Bastard and one of the best Stone brews I have tried.

Pours mahogany color with frothy head. Nose is very sweet, with malt and bread influence, and a bit sugary. Flavor is complex with malt, sugar, dried fruit. Creamy mouthfeel and clean finish. Great beer!