-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Double Bastard Ale
Arrogant Consortia
- From:
- Arrogant Consortia
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Strong Ale
Ranked #30 - ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #1,760 - Avg:
- 4.26 | pDev: 10.8%
- Reviews:
- 2,146
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 08, 2023
- Added:
- Jul 27, 2001
- Wants:
- 528
- Gots:
- 1,420
First release: November 1998
Originally brewed to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Arrogant Bastard Ale, Double Bastard Ale debuted in November 1998 as an amped-up version of that already aggressive beer. A huge malt bill and an unreasonable amount of hops make this ale one that will be appreciated by only a few, and that’s just fine with us. We didn’t brew this dark amber monster to please anyone other than ourselves.
Originally brewed to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Arrogant Bastard Ale, Double Bastard Ale debuted in November 1998 as an amped-up version of that already aggressive beer. A huge malt bill and an unreasonable amount of hops make this ale one that will be appreciated by only a few, and that’s just fine with us. We didn’t brew this dark amber monster to please anyone other than ourselves.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mzwolinski:
Reviewed by mzwolinski from California
4.85/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.85/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Wow, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this on the draught list at Papago's. I'd already had a hefty porter earlier in the evening, but couldn't leave without snapping this up.
Best idea I ever had.
An incredible brew, but like the company says, not for the faint of heart. The color alone should be enough to warn you off. It's a devilish deep amber, mahogany. Colors like that are put in Nature to tell other living creatures to back the hell off.
Head is thin, leaves a nice sticky lace on the side of the glass.
Aroma is.... well, wow man. Caramely sweet, very pine-like hoppiness, and maybe just a slight hint of alcohol.
Ok, well, not so slight. It's big. So are the hops, for the matter. And the sweetness.
And then there's the flavor. Did I say wow already? Butterscotch sweet, with a warming alcohol feel and flavor that starts around mid-palate and keeps on growing. Fruity notes are present, and a magnanimous dosage of hop bitterness. Stone manages to pack an immense amount of flavor in this beer. Very complex.
Don't plan on drinking anything else after this beer. First, it'll taste like tapwater, and second, you simply don't need any more alcohol after this. Go take a nap and have pleasant dreams of the next great offering from Stone instead.
Sep 16, 2002Best idea I ever had.
An incredible brew, but like the company says, not for the faint of heart. The color alone should be enough to warn you off. It's a devilish deep amber, mahogany. Colors like that are put in Nature to tell other living creatures to back the hell off.
Head is thin, leaves a nice sticky lace on the side of the glass.
Aroma is.... well, wow man. Caramely sweet, very pine-like hoppiness, and maybe just a slight hint of alcohol.
Ok, well, not so slight. It's big. So are the hops, for the matter. And the sweetness.
And then there's the flavor. Did I say wow already? Butterscotch sweet, with a warming alcohol feel and flavor that starts around mid-palate and keeps on growing. Fruity notes are present, and a magnanimous dosage of hop bitterness. Stone manages to pack an immense amount of flavor in this beer. Very complex.
Don't plan on drinking anything else after this beer. First, it'll taste like tapwater, and second, you simply don't need any more alcohol after this. Go take a nap and have pleasant dreams of the next great offering from Stone instead.
More User Ratings:
Rated by griffinwelsh from Texas
4.31/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.31/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Strong biting ale. Light copper color. Thin smooth consistency. A better big brother to the regular arrogant B*@tard ale.
May 04, 2022Reviewed by tekstr1der from New Hampshire
3.85/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.85/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This stuff is rugged. Not my favorite style, but apparently a good representation of it. Just too much hop bite and burn for me to truly enjoy. Definitely a fun time trying it out though!
Mar 16, 2022Reviewed by chum_husk from Minnesota
4.2/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.2/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
this is a good one. taste like a big hoppy loaf of raisin bread, in the best way. big and beautiful and surprisingly clean. I could drink this one all night, until I pass out
Dec 09, 2021Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
4.21/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2016 vintage
Here we go, beer number 666. And a 101oz bottle at that. I paid over $100 for this but I think it’s gonna be worth it splitting this thing with my boy. Let’s unlock the mini padlock and pop this baby open!
Pours murky reddish brown with 2 fingers of tan head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves decent lacing
This has definitely lost its' intense hoppiness over time, but this honestly smells great now, like a lightly hoppy barleywine. I'm picking up on aromas of sweet brown sugar, molasses, toasted pecan, earthy hops, caramel, golden raisin, and light toast
Where it was charmingly old in aroma, this is a bit too old and faded in taste. It's not necessarily bad but it's showing significant age. On the front end of the sip I'm tasting earthy hops, fusel alcohol, caramel malt, and light fig. The swallow brings notes of brown sugar, toasted pecan, brown bread, and nutty malt
A medium full body pairs with very mild carbonation, resulting in a smooth yet slightly hot beer. Finishes mostly dry with a mild earthy bitterness
It's not the best beer in the world, but I'm still happy to have gotten this big bottle. I'll have to see how I feel after finishing the big ass bottle
May 15, 2021Here we go, beer number 666. And a 101oz bottle at that. I paid over $100 for this but I think it’s gonna be worth it splitting this thing with my boy. Let’s unlock the mini padlock and pop this baby open!
Pours murky reddish brown with 2 fingers of tan head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves decent lacing
This has definitely lost its' intense hoppiness over time, but this honestly smells great now, like a lightly hoppy barleywine. I'm picking up on aromas of sweet brown sugar, molasses, toasted pecan, earthy hops, caramel, golden raisin, and light toast
Where it was charmingly old in aroma, this is a bit too old and faded in taste. It's not necessarily bad but it's showing significant age. On the front end of the sip I'm tasting earthy hops, fusel alcohol, caramel malt, and light fig. The swallow brings notes of brown sugar, toasted pecan, brown bread, and nutty malt
A medium full body pairs with very mild carbonation, resulting in a smooth yet slightly hot beer. Finishes mostly dry with a mild earthy bitterness
It's not the best beer in the world, but I'm still happy to have gotten this big bottle. I'll have to see how I feel after finishing the big ass bottle
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.75/5 rDev -12%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -12%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
650 ml bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 11%. Hazy reddish brown colour, moderate off-white head. Strong aroma of American hops, piney notes, also caramelized orange marmalade, some alcohol. Very hoppy flavour, medium sweet, caramel and alcohol. Bitter finish, hints of solvent.Warming mouthfeel. There’s plenty of hops in this one (surprise, surprise), but this is probably not where you go when you look for balance.
Mar 19, 2021
Double Bastard Ale from Arrogant Consortia
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
6821 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!