Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Like most hoppy beers this has an excellent aroma. That being said I dont get the allure of this beer? I’m confused by the line on the label about how sophisticated and complicating the flavor is supposed to be? Its about as complicated as ’lets make a run of the mill ale, throw in as many hops as our machine will hold and there you go.’ There’s no balance, just hops!. I’m not a hop head by any means but I can appreciate big hop flavor as long as it has something else to bring that in harmony with the overall taste (see Bells Two Hearted Ale). Oh well, I guess I’m not smart enough to buy Stone beers.

great beer! there are some flavors of pine and it is quite hoppy. nice amber red color, not too much aroma, but flavor more than makes up for it. very smooth flavor but leaves a nice bite which continues long after the sip, if you can hold on before another sip . . .

Draught. High creamy and lasting off-white head. Pitch black body. Weak malt caramel aroma. Very bitter salt & pepper flavor with high carbonation and a long bitter aftertaste.

One of my favorite beers! Haven’t had it in months though and this is my first chance to rate. Pours a nice amber red with fluffy tan head. Citrus and pine hops dominate the nose. Taste is nicely hoppy and creamy smooth on the tongue. Has a nice biting finish.

Pours real dark red and a thin head forms which dissipates rather quickly. This is a rather hoppy beer The overall flavor is nicely complex with a dry hoppy finish.

On tap at Shallos (Indianapolis, IN). Pours a clear dark reddish brown with little to no head. Aroma is strongly os citrus, especially grapefruit, hops, some wheat and a slight bit of spice as well. Flavor is much of the same with primarily grapefuit and hops flavors with a clean finish. Generally medium body with a bitter finish.

Pours dark brown/red with a substantial tan head and plentiful lacings. Aroma is piney. Taste is big pine resinous hops with a good malt backbone to smooth out the bitterness. Amazingly well balanced for such a "big" beer. Palate is smooth and full. Overall a beer deserving of the high ratings on this site. The 7.2% abv prevents this from being a session beer but it is hard not to drink too much. Oh yeh!

Great beer. I can’t wait until I can get it in Florida. Lots of hops with some pine, but not bitter in the least. A good amount of carbonation dances on the tongue and a nice pine aftertaste is left behind.