Stone Brewing Double Bastard - 3 ltr bottle @ $80 *POLL: should I buy?*

[rocadelpunk]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Get some Budweiser and be done with it ... beer is beer.

Whatever.

That's like saying a McDonalds $.99 double cheeseburger is the same thing as a medium rare t-bone grilled to perfection. They're both just beef right?

I agree that there are distinctions in the taste of beer, but the distinctions are not broad enough to justify spending $9 per 12 oz when you can get others for less than $1 per bottle.

That goes right back to saying you shouldn't plunk down 50 bucks for a steak when you can buy a cheap burger. They aren't the same thing. Just because both happen to be called beer does not mean that a comparison between an artisan microbrew and a macro lager is fair.

I buy blu-ray even though many people think DVD looks just as good. Why? Because I have enough money to justify spending it on the finer things that I enjoy. I like beer, but not flavorless macro bullshit like Bud and Coors, so why in fuck's name would I waste my money on it? Not everyone drinks beer to get drunk.

Exactly. I for one want my delicious beer to get my drunk

 

[scott916]

Beer is every bit as complex as wine, there's a high-end niche market for everything. I like beers that others often sneer at as disgusting, because I've developed a taste for them over the years. It's like cars, bikes, motorcycles, wine, marijuana, shoes, anything. There is a difference in quality that a certain group of people notice and are willing to pay for. Newcastle isn't bad, don't get me wrong, but it's NOTHING compared to a great Belgian. Go get a Blue Moon and a Hoegaarden. If you can't tell the difference, then keep to your cheap beer. If you can, learn what it is and why you like it, and realize that the world of craft beer has MUCH to offer.

 

[rocadelpunk]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
I'm not a fan of Stone Brewing. They have a cute schtick with the high alcohol content. Apparently that appeals to some children that make the presumption that greater proof = greater taste and they sell a lot of beer based on that equation. I don't think their stuff is all that great, they're not a leader in any category. You can EASILY find dozens of IPAs and strong ales that blow away Stone Brewing offerings.

QTF, I tried Arrogant Bastard one time and I didn't like it all, I couldn't finish the bottle. I think I choked down 4 or 5 swallows before I totally gave up and went back to Newcastle. I know Newcastle & A.B. are totally different types of brew. but A.B. was just weird, It's over very overpriced.

I consider it the Macintosh of beers, as it's so expensive and the people that love to drink it tend to act like elitist, just like Mac owners 🙂

Absolutely wrong.

You just haven't developed a taste for the style.

Newcastle is a brown ale which is a step above bud/miller/coors. It's not by much, but brown ales are the first *real* beers in one's journey to beer nirvana.

Try a imperial russian stout, you'll probably spit it out. I did the first time I had one several years ago (rasputin for those who are curious). It was so strong I tried to mix it in a milkshake and that didn't help. After drinking Guinness for about a year straight I tried one again just for the hell of it and discovered I now loved it. It tasted delicious and there were so many flavors.

Those crude oil like beers you see, that were once my bane, are now my staple. So please, don't be too hasty in judging any beer. But definitely expand your selection from just newcastle.

Eh. Hops just aren't for everyone. It's not just an acquired taste thing, it's simply a matter of preference. I've brewed some chocolate stouts that leave Guinness tasting like roasted cardboard. But I like rich, heavy, flavor bursting stouts. I just really have no taste for over the top bitter hoppy brews. I can drink them, but I really have no desire to buy/brew them.

Yes, everyone has different tastes. But he was trying to equate two very different styles of beer. It's funny, I love hops so much I don't think arrogant is hoppy at all. I've never found a beer that I've wished had less hops (I've tried). So yah, taste is subjective but quality isn't. Stone brews quality beers, nuf' said.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Originally posted by: scott916
Beer is every bit as complex as wine, there's a high-end niche market for everything. I like beers that others often sneer at as disgusting, because I've developed a taste for them over the years. It's like cars, bikes, motorcycles, wine, marijuana, shoes, anything. There is a difference in quality that a certain group of people notice and are willing to pay for. Newcastle isn't bad, don't get me wrong, but it's NOTHING compared to a great Belgian. Go get a Blue Moon and a Hoegaarden. If you can't tell the difference, then keep to your cheap beer. If you can, learn what it is and why you like it, and realize that the world of craft beer has MUCH to offer.

And don't imply that people are foolish because they want to spend more on a product than you deem said product is worth. If the OP has the money to buy an $80 bottle of beer, what of it? I don't know that I specifically would, but hey, more power to him, hope he enjoys it. If he has to skimp on buying his children clothes so he can afford expensive beer, well, that's different, but if he's spending his own disposable income on something that makes him happy, I say rock on. And invite me over, cause I could go for some Double Bastard myself right now and I haven't seen it on sale in a while.

 

[scott916]

If it came off that way, it wasn't intended. I wasn't trying to imply he was foolish, just that the same product could be had for much cheaper. I've seen it as low as 40 bucks IIRC, wouldn't you steer your buddy right if he was gonna go buy a bottle of Cuervo for 50 bucks?

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Originally posted by: scott916
If it came off that way, it wasn't intended. I wasn't trying to imply he was foolish, just that the same product could be had for much cheaper. I've seen it as low as 40 bucks IIRC, wouldn't you steer your buddy right if he was gonna go buy a bottle of Cuervo for 50 bucks?

No, no, I was merely adding on to what you said, not trying to contradict you. It was more meant as a counter to Chucky, who was seeming to imply that the OP was stupid for not buying Budweiser.

If my buddy was attempting to buy Cuervo for 50 bucks, I'd probably have to kill him; most of my friends owe me money, I don't need them spending it irresponsibly like that.

 

[scott916]

Originally posted by: queenrobot
Never had Double Bastard, but Arrogant Bastard tastes awful, so I voted NO.

You should've read the label on the back first!

 

[queenrobot]

Originally posted by: scott916

Originally posted by: queenrobot
Never had Double Bastard, but Arrogant Bastard tastes awful, so I voted NO.

You should've read the label on the back first!

It is just to "hoppy" for my tastes.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
I'm not a fan of Stone Brewing. They have a cute schtick with the high alcohol content. Apparently that appeals to some children that make the presumption that greater proof = greater taste and they sell a lot of beer based on that equation. I don't think their stuff is all that great, they're not a leader in any category. You can EASILY find dozens of IPAs and strong ales that blow away Stone Brewing offerings.

QTF, I tried Arrogant Bastard one time and I didn't like it all, I couldn't finish the bottle. I think I choked down 4 or 5 swallows before I totally gave up and went back to Newcastle. I know Newcastle & A.B. are totally different types of brew. but A.B. was just weird, It's over very overpriced.

I consider it the Macintosh of beers, as it's so expensive and the people that love to drink it tend to act like elitist, just like Mac owners 🙂



Absolutely wrong.

You just haven't developed a taste for the style.

Newcastle is a brown ale which is a step above bud/miller/coors. It's not by much, but brown ales are the first *real* beers in one's journey to beer nirvana.

Try a imperial russian stout, you'll probably spit it out. I did the first time I had one several years ago (rasputin for those who are curious). It was so strong I tried to mix it in a milkshake and that didn't help. After drinking Guinness for about a year straight I tried one again just for the hell of it and discovered I now loved it. It tasted delicious and there were so many flavors.

Those crude oil like beers you see, that were once my bane, are now my staple. So please, don't be too hasty in judging any beer. But definitely expand your selection from just newcastle.[/i]

I've had plenty others outside of Newcastle, I live a few miles from one of the top rated liquor stores in America. They stock about 500 different brews from all over the world. Some you won't find anywhere but there. I prefer brown ales, weather it be Newcastle, the Sam Adams Brown Ale or Black Lager. I've tried Youngs Double Chocolate Stout. as advised by a guy who works there. It was okay I guess...

I like Blue Moon, I haven't overly impressed with most of the expensive ones I tried though. They tend to be elitist there and will recommend stuff that's $15 a bottle on the regular. I honestly would drink Sierra Nevada over the 5 or so offerings from Stone I've tried. It even says on the bottle "you probably won't like this" I shouldn't have to learn to like a drink 🙂 The first time I had Petes Wicked Ale - back in the days before they sold to Miller or whoever and became shitty. I loved it. Ale Smith IPA was far better than Stones offering too IMO. I still find myself going back to Newcastle, it's not like it's a cheap beer. Out here it's about $10 a six pack, where you can get a Miller or Bud brand for about $7.

 

[scott916]

Originally posted by: queenrobot

Originally posted by: scott916

Originally posted by: queenrobot
Never had Double Bastard, but Arrogant Bastard tastes awful, so I voted NO.

You should've read the label on the back first!

It is just to "hoppy" for my tastes.

It's tough to get into, so I don't blame you, but I meant the statement as a joke. Here's a sample. 🙂

 

[wwswimming]

that's a testament to Stone's marketing that you're even thinking about doing this.

i got a tour of the their factory in San Marcos when they were first starting up.
i always think of beers like that as a "barley-wine". Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale
maybe being another example, of a barley-wine.

 

[geno]

I had some of this last weekend - good stuff 🙂

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
I'm not a fan of Stone Brewing. They have a cute schtick with the high alcohol content. Apparently that appeals to some children that make the presumption that greater proof = greater taste and they sell a lot of beer based on that equation. I don't think their stuff is all that great, they're not a leader in any category. You can EASILY find dozens of IPAs and strong ales that blow away Stone Brewing offerings.

eh...you don't know much about brewing beer do you?

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: chuckywang
Get some Budweiser and be done with it ... beer is beer.

Whatever.

That's like saying a McDonalds $.99 double cheeseburger is the same thing as a medium rare t-bone grilled to perfection. They're both just beef right?

I agree that there are distinctions in the taste of beer, but the distinctions are not broad enough to justify spending $9 per 12 oz when you can get others for less than $1 per bottle.

If your intent is to simple get plastered, fine. There are those who appreciate beer and the various styles, and understand the costs that go into producing them.

Do you also think wine is wine? just get a gallon of carlo rossi b/c it's no worse than a '97 DOCG?

There's are plenty of very awesome beers that can be had for $6-9 per 6-pack. Very rare that you find $9 12oz bottles. In fact..I don't think I've ever spent that much on a beer..

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Well I ran up the liquor store and found some Stone on the shelf. Grabbed bombers of the Ruination, Arrogant Bastard and their IPA. Drinking the Ruination right now. This beer is hopped to the gills. I'd give it a 8.5 out of 10. Actually unbalanced a bit with too many IBUs

Since at least one of my buddies is interested in the Double Arrogant, we'll probably proceed with the purchase. I'll update with pictars and tasting notes as things progress. Yeah this is note a purchase based on value. Its admittedly excessive to spend this much on this little beer, but then again its only $80 bucks, and we'll share the beer with friends and enjoy it for what it is.

Cheers and Beers ATOT -

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
I'm not a fan of Stone Brewing. They have a cute schtick with the high alcohol content. Apparently that appeals to some children that make the presumption that greater proof = greater taste and they sell a lot of beer based on that equation. I don't think their stuff is all that great, they're not a leader in any category. You can EASILY find dozens of IPAs and strong ales that blow away Stone Brewing offerings.

eh...you don't know much about brewing beer do you?

Actually he does know about brewing, that is just his bedside manner showing. At least I hope he was not actually saying that Stone is marketing to minors. 😀

 

[alkemyst]

any beer that requires voting and having to order it is not worth it to a real drinker.

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: anxi80
i wonder if stone currently has it on tap at its brewery? oh well, guess ill find out in a few hours! :beer:

You just suck......:|

this

dont worry guys... i just returned and it wasnt on tap. but they did have other delicious drinks available.

 

[Colt45]

You could get 3 Colt45's for less than a tenth of that. 😉

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
I disagree. Arrogant Bastard is one of the better ales that you'll be able to find in most parts of the country. The Ruination IPA is a great example of an imperial IPA, with a strong flavor that is not completely overwhelmed with hoppy bitterness, nor overpowering alcohol. The Imperial Russian Stout is, bar none, the best beer brewed in North America (and I'm including AleSmith and Three Floyds in that assessment); it is so absolutely explosive in flavor, rich and thick like a good Imperial stout should be... I haven't had a single bad beer from Stone Brewing. I'm not saying they're the best brewer in the country, but come on now, they brew some very tasty beer.

I, as a Stone Fan, must say there ARE better beers out there.

1) I have had a Arrogant Bastard "knock-off" / copy-cat in Stone's very own 9th Anniversary Beer Fest. It was made by a company called Island Brewery in Carpinteria, CA near Santa Barbara. Imo, it was a better beer and more well-rounded than AB.

2) I much much prefer Rasputin made by North Coast Brewery
http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/beer-rasputin.htm
compare to Stone's Russian Imperial Stout. I also have other Imperial Stout that are similar to Stone's offering.

3) and I do agree Stone is a tad-bit obsessed with a higher alcohol content. They are kinda like a microbrewery with a Mainstream marketing team. come on, just look at their Vertical Epic line.


okay, after all these bashing, I do want to appreciate Stone's to bring Arrogant Bastard to the market, cuz it has a very unique taste and it IS not for everyone. So I do applaud them for having the balls to market such a niche product, and for that, i will forever become their fan.

and on the bright side, I am in love with their special release: the Beligum-Cali IPA.