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 Stone Double Bastard Ale
by Demian Ginther
 Wow. A 22 oz. bottle of 10% ABV beer will certainly make you sit up and take notice of the fact that you've been drinking it.
If I had to guess though, I wouldn't have guessed at the percentage of alcohol in this delicious barley beer. I hardly noticed any alcoholic bite or burn. The label of the bottle is a great read, and I have to add some of it to the review because it really gets at the heart of what this beer is...
"This is one lacerative muther(sic) of a beer. It is unequivocally certain that your feeble palate is grossly inadequate and thus undeserving of this liquid glory... and those around you would have little desire to listen to your resultant whimpering." To read the rest, click here
Couldn't have said it better myself. Unless you like BOLD hops and a warm feeling in your chest as the 10 percent alcohol wends its way to your gut... don't drink this awesome beer.
With an aroma of nuts, caramel, and malt, this nectar of the heavens attacked my nose as soon as I popped the top off the giant-size bottle. Pouring it into a glass, the deep red color is very appealing and the thin head it produces quickly disappears, leaving a slight lacing around the edge of the pint glass. Oops, there's still a half bottle left... Ah well.
Drinking the beer is quite an experience. The beer is heavy and thick, flowing into your mouth with a sweet caramel flavor, and dissipating into a bitter, hoppy assault on your tastebuds. A slight lingering taste of the alcohol and the hops sticks around well after the mouthful of beer has left your mouth.
I'm glad it came in a 22 oz. bottle, because it gave the last 8 ounces a chance to get closer to room temperature, which brought out a whole other personality for this beer. Try it warmer than straight out of the refrigerator for a much more hoppy, malty, and varied experience.
The 22 oz. bottle cost $3.99, and probably would have been good shared, as it left me a bit tipsy, though I suppose that's the point, isn't it?
If you are able to get Stone Brew beers, go buy this limited edition and share it with a beer appreciating buddy!
Once I find my beer appreciating buddy, I will be trying and reviewing Avery Brewing's The Beast, in all it's 18.1% ABV glory. Wish me luck.
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