Atlanta has somehow become a craft beer mecca with some of the greatest beer bars in the world. This is a tribute to the beers and the bars.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Stone Double Bastard

I mentioned Stone Double Bastard last week, but thought it deserved a post of its own.  There is simply not a better American ale.  The flavor is similar to the Arrogant Bastard, with nice caramel and piney hops.  The hops have been somewhat smoothed out in the double and there is a rich, malty base.  It's sweet, as you would expect from a 10.5% ABV beer, and wonderfully boozy, but the hops provide a nice bitterness to balance.  There's a subtle fruitiness as well.  What takes this beer from delicious to unbelievable is the mouthfeel.  This is an astonishingly smooth and creamy beer with beautiful carbonation that dances on your tongue, opening up the palate to accept the complex flavors.  This should be an $8.00, but you can get it at The Porter for $3.50.

Sadly, I read today that this is just a seasonal beer, so get it while you can.

(picture: Me enjoying my first Double Bastard at the Brick Store in November.  The Double Bastard glass, which the Porter unfortunately doesn't have, is probably the coolest beer glass there is.)

No comments:

Post a Comment