Double Bastard Ale

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

Why call it a strong ale this is a barleywine all the way, a very smooth beer. The hops are a little less pronounced than in Arrogant Bastard, but in this case the maltiness is increased twofold. A very enjoyable beer.

This beer poured a dark reddish amber color and formed a nice light tan foamy head that looked like a float subsiding and left circular lace. Some carbonation is present. An aroma of malt, caramel, spices with a hint of the alcohol present. A flavor of malt, caramel with a touch of chocolate. The finish is sweet with a slight astrigent element to it. Another fine beer from Stone and another thank you to the Ohio lawmakers for letting get this.

2003 release, bomber. Been lettin this one sit for about 2-3 months. Pours a deep orange-amber, with some lighter red tinges. Medium off-white, thick creamy head. Lots of lacing. Aroma of strongly bitter hops, sweet caramel malt and, some lovely oak wood and earthy flavors. Reminds me much of Batch 6000 and as I sip it, the flavor is very similar as well. Big hops bitterness up front, fairly young, with a strong, velvety soft caramel malt quickly asserting balance. Finish is like a whole new beer, quite distinct from the body. Woody notes mix in with a leafy, earthy hops and a dry butter-toffee flavor mixes with strong citric oranges. Very creamy, low carbonation, much more balanced than Arrogant bastard. Alcohol only slightly present in the nose. Very Very good stuff, and tastes more like a barleywine. Huge aging potential.

Bottled: Amber coloured. Brown dense head. Lasting. Hops, malt, alcahol, cocoa, chocolate in the nose. Lots of hops, sweetness, alcahol and fruits in the flavour. This is a carpetbombing of the palate with bitterness. Man, its fun. In danish I would say: "Denne øl holder for vildt". Thanks to Raindog for trading another great brew.

Aroma was semi sweet with apparent hops and a faint alcohol smell. Pours a dark red, fairly unique, more red than brown. The first drink is a shock on the palate and taste buds, but once adjusted, this is pure heaven. Lots of bitterness with a balanced sweet/alcohol finish. There aren't many beers that I can enjoy every time I drink them for the entire glass. I was quite shocked at this pinnacle of beer. Very well done stone, now you just need to distribute to Idaho!!!

Pours a very nice ruby hued amber with a nice foamy and creamy head that leaves sparce lacing. Oooh, nice mellow hop aroma with some sweet malts with an underlying citrus. Very well balanced. Mmmm, flavors are great. Again a very well balanced assortment of malts, hops, and some fruits that finishes just a bit bitter, though it does nothing to retract from the flavor. Full bodied and very creamy palate. I like this beer!

Wowm this was some powerful stuff. I think I like the arrogant bastard better. This was alot like the 120min IPA, resembling IMO a barleywine. Very tasty and extremely complex, this is something to really be admired.

Just a prelim assesment since I already drank it. Very heavy. Kind of like Arrogant, but more barley wine like. The more I drank the better it got. Went to my local large chain liquor store and they sold all 20 of their cases in less thatn a day. Luckily, Stone has a very good web site with all the stores that carry it with the arrival date listed. I found my case and am very happy. I'll rerate when I drink the nex one.