Head to Head: Grand Teton Bone Warmer Amber Ale vs. Stone Double Bastard Ale
Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have two American Strong Ales. Both Are from America. First is the Stone Double Bastard Ale from Claifornia. The second is the Grand Teton Bone Warmer Amber Ale from Idaho.
As usual the tasting was done blind.
Price: Winner – Unsure
Stone – $9.00 (22oz)
Teton – ?? (The massive 1qt 1.8oz bottle was a gift from my sis)
Appearance: Winner – Tie
Stone – Pours a reddish orange with a small off white head.
Teton – Pours a reddish orange with a small off white head.
Aroma: Winner – Grand Teton
Stone – The beer smells of molasses and bubble gum.
Teton – This was also sweet but had hints of banana, honey, molasses and some grain.
Taste: Winner – Grand Teton
Stone – The sweet smells are replaced by a very bitter taste. It is all hops and alcohol. Not much depth.
Teton – This stays sweet, some said it was a bit cloying but I thought it was just right.
Body/Finish: Winner – Stone
Stone – This finished with a massive bitterness that seemed till last till the next day.
Teton – This finished sweet and creamy.
Overall: Winner – Grand Teton Bone Warmer
Taste is so individual that I could easily see people going the other way. Both these beers offer big flavors I would expect from and American Strong Ale. One is sweet the other bitter. Neither beer has a balanced taste. But they are both good. But after the tasting I kept going back to the Bone Warmer and it just tasted better to me. Take your pick. I am sure neither would disappoint.
A big thanks to my Sis for the Bone Warmer.
Go Tetons! I thought it was an interesting beer as well. I will have to taste again to look for banana and honey!
I love the BW. It is also one of the most popular beers in Teton Valley and Jackson. It seems as if the brewery is constantly in demand on this one. On a side note, a non-frequent drinker, buddy of mine, drank two of these and passed out in his car in the bus station parking lot. He woke up two hours later and promply “lost” the rest of it. Can you say high gravity or light weight?! HA!