There’s a scene in Monty Python’s “Life of Brian”, a dungeon scene no less, where a raggedy old prisoner (Michael Palin), stretched out and chained to the wall like a tapestry, lectures Brian (Graham Chapman) on what a lucky bastard he is. Chapman protests, of course, explaining he’s just been imprisoned and spat on in the face by a guard. “Oh, what wouldn’t I give to be spat at in the face!” the prisoner retorts. “I sometimes hang awake nights dreaming of being spat at in the face!”

Imagine, then, how he might have reacted had Brian arrived with a bottle of Stone Lucky Bastard Ale. Actually, stone is a little dyslexic, and so calls this beer “Lukcy Basartd”, though I’m sure our manacled friend wouldn’t mind. If, like me, you were fortunate enough to come upon, and smart enough to purchase, a bottle of Stone Lukcy Basartd Ale, then you’re quite the lucky bastard, too . Maybe you bought more than one (like I did), knowing that this beer was a one-off, and this was your one and only chance to grab some. (Unless Stone decides to make it again, as they state in their press release).

Stone produced and released Lukcy Basartd in commemoration of their 13^th anniversary of operations back in November of 2010. The beer has 8.5% alcohol by volume and is a blend of Arrogant Bastard Ale, Double Bastard Ale, and Oak Aged Arrogant Bastard Ale. It’s also dry-hopped. Stone has a whole right up about the beer on the back of the bottle, though it will take some deciphering to comprehend. Here’s a snippet:

“The mree fcat taht yuo’re hdoinlg tihs bttloe in yuor hnad ianidctes taht yuo’re pyiang antteiton, wihch ideitammley stes you arpat form the msseas. It aslo mkaes you one Lukcy Basartd. Hewover, lcuk faovrs the blod... and the arorgnat. The trmiraivute of Arorgnat Basartd Ale, OEKAD Arorgnat Basartd Ale and Dbolue Basartd Ale are all in paly in this cvueé de Basartd you now hlod, and wihle it is idneed a Lukcy Basartd, lcuk had ntohing to do wtih it.”

Oh, how lucky you are. I feel rather the lucky bastard myself to be sipping a bottle tonight. Better still, I enjoyed glasses of not just Lukcy Basartd but it’s three component beers at a special tasting at my neighborhood Taco Mac back on the Fourth of July. Luckier still, I wasn’t driving that day.

Stone Lukcy Basartd Ale pours to a dark chestnut color with a dense but small creamy tan head formation and a complex nose of sweet malt, raisin, and resin. Body is firm and full, luxuriant and rich as it flows over the tongue. Thick chewy caramel mixes with a hint of chocolate, raisin, subtle hints of oak and vanilla, and a bit of buttery diacetyl. The signature Stone resiny/peppery hoppiness starts early, intensifies as the beer gains strength on the palate, and explodes on the tongue in the finish.

This is an amazingly complex beer that still pops occasionally in bottles and on draft, though probably not for much longer. It should age gracefully, so should you be lukcy enough to come across it, by all means buy it. You lukcy bastard you.



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