Stone's Double Bastard

[davesarman]

Thanks to batkins for the trade a while back, I finally got up the courage to crack this one open! First off, let me say about the text on the bottle, who's their copy writer, Dennis Miller? I love it! Anyway here's my thoughts:

2003 Release. Whoa, big aroma. Lots of malt, alcohol and hops. Color is a gorgeous reddish amber. Mild carbonation. Decent head forms that is off white and has a slight green tint to it (from the hops maybe?) Not a noticeable green mind you, just a very, very subtle hue that's barely noticeable. Well, considering the copywriting on the bottle, I'm prepared for one helluva big beer here. Taste is definitely big. Lots of malt. Lots of hops. A medicinal taste in the finish that I think is the combination of the alcohol and hops. Very strong beer. Mouthfeel and body are very warm and coating. Finish is long, with the hops outlasting the alcohol. Very impressive beer. 22 ounces of this stuff will take me a while. Maybe they should put this in 7 oz. nip bottles and call it "Little Bastard".

Thanks again to batkins for this beer, who thanks to him, I have several varieties of Stone beers waiting for me in my cellar!;)

[frspinale]

I argee with your review. I liked this beer but I think it could get better with age. To me it tasted a little young and it is dated november 2003. I like the arrogant bastard better right now but i think with with a little time the double with get much much better. I have 4 bottles that i plan on cellaring at least until next year. Hopefully i can wait that long. Given that it is only a month or so old, I have high hopes of what is in store for this beer. And whoever wrote that label most definitely had a copy roget's Thesaurus on thier desk.

[chazwicke]

Thanks for the review. I have a 3 litre bottle that will be opened later this month.

[chazwicke]

I just received two bombers of the Stone Sawyers Triple in the mail. I may cellar one and drink the other.

[Beaver]

I finally got around to trying the bottle I have, and was pretty impressed!

2004 22 oz bottle. Pours a reddish copper with a big fluffy off-white (almost orangeish) head that retains well and laces the glass. The first pour is clear, the second has some miniscule floaties.

The aroma is piney, grassy hops, some pineapple fruitiness, and a dose of spicy alcohol.

The flavor is sweet fruity caramel malts, pepper, and some woodiness followed by a big spicy alcoholic hop finish. It is medium to full bodied and fairly velvety, with a slightly sticky mouthfeel.

Overall, an excellent brew. Big in every way (especially hops and alcohol), yet not overbearing and fairly well balanced - it is almost too sweet at times. The more I drink, the smoother it gets! Reminds me quite a bit of Great Divide's Old Ruffian.

[fretlessman71]

The bottle I had about 3 months ago took me FIVE HOURS to finish.... ! :eek:

Pretty good stuff, though!

[HarkJohnny]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I just received two bombers of the Stone Sawyers Triple in the mail. I may cellar one and drink the other.

wow... someone actually had and was willing to give up two bottles!

I keep a "box of Stone" on hand at all times. it's a wine box with the little dividers in it...

currently housing:
(3) 03.03.03
(3) 04.04.04
(1) IPA
(1) Smoked Porter
(1) Old Guardian BW 05
(1) 8th Anniv
(2) Pale Ale (12oz'ers)

and thanks to Fret, I had to start a second box for the 6pack of Levitation Ale he sent me and the upcoming (very soon!) 05.05.05

[chazwicke]

I've still got them. I may put one on Ebay and drink one. Or maybe I'll drink both. :D

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I just received two bombers of the Stone Sawyers Triple in the mail. I may cellar one and drink the other.

This was released back in 2003 and Stone didn't recommend extended cellaring for this one:

Sawyer's Triple FAQ (http://www.stonebrew.com/sawyerstriple/faq/index.html)

I know the results of cellaring beer are purely individual, but you may want to crack one open soon to see how it's held up. Nothing I hate more than having a beer go south on ya while in the cellar. :(

I had a taste at a BA festival - nice beer, and nicer that proceeds went to fight ALD, but nothing I'd pay through the nose for.

Cheers!

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

The Sawyers is rather rare. They sold out quite quickly. Glad you guys enjoy the Double. It's one of my favorites. I have many stored. They do mellow with age. Hope HarkJohnny doesnt age the Levitation :) . It's their "session" beer and not meant for keeping.

[chazwicke]

I bought them not really to cellar but it just ended up that way. They got stuck in a box and I discovered them when I was doing the inventory. I definitely want to drink one of them. The 2nd I'm not sure yet. What I would like to do is host a tasting with some of the beers I have and let folks who appreciate good beers enjoy or evaluate. I'd be willing to open some Thomas Hardys and some other beers from my stock. I also want to open one of the Ballantine beers that were brewed in 34 and aged in oak and bottled in the early 50s. I have read of tastings of very old beers and even notes on the Ballantine. It is said to have held up very nicely. Brewed 71 years ago and bottled 50. I have some Other rare beers That I'd like to open as well. Maybe at the gathering in October.

By the way Newport, Did you try one of the rare milleniums yet?

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Brewed 71 years ago and bottled 50. I have some Other rare beers That I'd like to open as well. Maybe at the gathering in October.

By the way Newport, Did you try one of the rare milleniums yet?

That sounds interesting. Wonder what 50 years in the bottle does to a beer? Surely, bottlecaps were made differently back then and surface contact, however small and slight, would have some affect, as well as oxidation. Not necessarily a bad thing. Very interesting.

As far as Millenium goes - not yet. I moved at the end of March and my beer cellar is in chaos. Plus, my schedule has been hectic lately and I've missed out on some tastings with friends - this is a beer to share, I'd think. I'll let you know when they are opened.

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

Good deal. ;)

[Mikejesmike]

I enjoyed it. I was a little nervous about trying it as I didn't like Arrogant Bastard and I didn't want more of the same.I'm willing to give Arrogant Bastard another try,it might've been an off bottle.

[zoom6zoom]

Haven't had the AB in a while... it was on tap at Goat Hill on my last Calif trip, enjoyed it.

[chazwicke]

I've stayed at a Marriott in SD that had it on tap in its bar.