Arrogant Bastard Ale

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Escondido, California USA

Clear, burnt amber pour with a finger-and-a-half worth of creamy head. Aroma was a very hearty mix of malt, hop, and a citrusy sweetness. The taste didn’t disappoint either--medium full to full body, quite malty-sweet with a touch of grapefruit and something else I can’t put my finger on when it first hits the tongue, giving way to a malty-bitter finish.

Pours a dark amber copper with medium white head, lacing minimal. Aroma strong of hops (a nice balance, no particular one evident), pine, and heavy malt balance. Flavor is quite pleasant, the malt balances and makes it more complex than I was expecting. Nice change from the IPAs, stouts, browns, and barley wines. 22oz is a bit too much in one sitting though, 12oz is good enough.

Bottle. A slightly hazy, golden to copper beer with a nice, dense, beige head leaving beautyful lacings The aroma has malts and hops in a nice blend, with some roasted malts in the back. Sweet, malty, slightly roasted flavor with piney and resiny hops giving a fine bitterness that lasts for a while. Full-bodied and slightly warming. A nice and balanced beer, but is is worthy the commercial description? That doesn’t really matter, and it was really fun finding it at a Norwegian pub. (090403)

Tried it on draft in a bar. The beer is deep mahogany in color. Aroma is all hops with a slight hint of malt. When you smell it you’ll know what’s going to hit you: hops, hops, hops. Earthy, woody hops assault the palate right away. Felt like my mouth is burning. Finish is long lasting and all hops. Wow, so good.

Love this stuff! It is one aggressive beer. This beer got me started on trying all kinds of new and interesting beers. If you are looking for a one of a kind beer try Arrogant Bastard Ale.

Cascading full head that poured three fingers thick; this is something I expect only from the nitro-can stouts. Unfiltered cloudiness with an orange hue from a bright backlight. Maroon-brown in normal light. Very impressive sticky lace on the glass sides. Grassy dark malt aroma up front; strong molasses-like smells. Sweet like caramel candy or maple syrup. The flavor is rich and complicated. Strong carmelized sugar flavors in the beginning of the sip. The hops crecendo slowly and powerfully. I am fascinated with the experience after the swallow: the molasses sweetness returns followed by an intense IPA-like hop bitterness. This beer has a body like light cream. The higher-than-typical carbonation provides the perfect foil to nearly overwhelming flavors. This beer offers one of the best carnival taste rides: malty to hoppy to candy sweetness to dry hop bitterness. I’d love to know how they made this beer. It’s like drinking a symphony. PS I notice that my reviews are longer when the beers are interesting and complicated. It seems that my ratings are proportionate to the length of the review.

Poured in my Alpha King pint glass a nice thick khaki head. A very clear kind of tea color body. Smell some good hops and hint of malt. Lots of things happen as I take the first taste. Hops, malt, some other flavors all seem to battle for your attention. This doesnt bother me so much...I very much enjoyed this beer. Also noticed a kind of astringency to this beer at the end. Kinda interesting...Very good

Brown foamy mess that tries to copy Fullers 1845 - wannabe brewer. Sloppy toffee notes all over the place piled over cocoa and chocolate, with quite a jangle of mixed-up hops following into the train-wreck finish. Way too heavy for the style, and the detailed dry hopping is all out of kilter. Where’s the main show?? I just don’t appreciate this beer wasting my time at all.