Stone Brandy Barrel Double Bastard

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

EBF NOTB. Deep amber in color. Aroma of rum, toasted malts/caramel, brown sugar, and citrus hops. Taste has molasses/brown sugar, big bodied, with rum, citrus hops and oak. A bit boozy.

On tap at Tria’s original location in Philly. Deep cherry wood pour supporting a medium tall light tan head with solid curtains of lacing that coat the glass like velcro. Big vinous bouquet of dark fruits, port and rich malt. Wonderfully complex flavors of caramel, toasted vanilla, brandy, figs, oak and a respectable helping of Stone hops. Rich, velvety mouthfeel and a long, sweet finish with a peppery alcohol note throughout. A great and well-crafted ale from the masters at Stone.

Draft at EBF. Pours a red mahogany body with an off white head. Brandy alcohol up front, wow this hop profile is way out of balance its too aggressive. Floral earthy cloying hop character. There are some good qualities from the brandy but man these hops are just to much. In terms of a top 100 beer, i dont think it belongs.

Draft EBF. Tastes great until the hops take over and ruin it. The maltiness and brandy barrel came together in a fantastic way. As soon as the hops kick in, it ruins it.

EBF 09 Pours a murky reddish brown with a thin tan head. Aromas of caramel,brandy,dark fruits and alcohol. Medium bodied with lively carbonation. amazing beer.

Growler @ Cleveland tasting, thanks to Solan. Brown/red pour with a thin tan head. Aroma of brandy, caramel malt, candied fruits, booze and earthy hops. Flavors of booze, caramel malt, and earthy hops. Medium/thick body, sweet and boozey with a boozey/hot finish. PRetty good, I imagine it’s go better on a freezing night in front of the fire, regardless it was still a bit hot.

1L growler generously shared by Pantanap. thanks! pours murky red with biege head. nose of caramel, wood, brandy, dark fruit, some initial cardboardy oxidation but that faded after a while. flavors of red fruit, dry woody and brandy soaked finish, brandy is pretty subtle but nicely played into this improving double bastard by a lot. nice dry finish.

Dark caramel, cloudy, three centimeter off white to tan bubbly head. Malt with hop underpinnings, grape, brandy, dates, alcohol aroma. Taste malt, eucalyptus, wine, bitter hoppy aftertaste. Smooth, but smooth with authority. Hit me instantly but didn’t taste as harsh as ABV would suggest. Feels kind of like drinking two beers at once – like a Santa’s Reserve Ale and a 60-minute IPA wrapped in one. Jeepers – this delicious beer hits WAY harder than it feels like it would.