Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Bottle at The Rover, Göteborg. On January 5, 2009. Clear dark copper to red color, tan head. Sweet hoppy bitter scent. Fruity, bitter, hoppy taste. Medium to a bit hoppy taste. Medium high bitterness. Very clean and balanced, I like!

Tap: Very nice bright red color with a slight head which disipates- probably from all the hop oils. Very hoppy aroma and very bitter. Lots of hop flavor and good malt balance. Very good but could always use more hops for me.

(Draught) Thin, yellowish-beige head and cloudy body. Nose of malt and cascade hops. Strong hops flavour. Very enjoyable!

(Stockholm Beer Festival 2005) Nice shiny dark amber with a small brownish head. A bit maltyand fruity at first then it turns clearly hoppy. Very hoppy dry flavor, some pine and grapefruit. Even more hops and bitterness in the long finish. Lovely, but not a beer you drink alot of in one evening...

Bottled. Sampled at Peculier Pub, N.Y. Red-ish colour. Piney, citrusy nose. Big hop profile but with the malt very present. Full mouthfeel. Notes of apples, oranges and caramel. Little roasted as well. Big dry finish.

Bomber poured a clear dark copper with a small amber head. Aromas of lime, a bit of carmel, and pine. Palate was medium bodied and resiny. Flavors of citrus, and carmel with a dry, bitter, astringent finish. I hear it gets better with age,I’ll have to stash a bottle away for a couple years and see if it improves.

My No. 1000! Pours a brilliant mahagony to cherry stained wood, miniscule bubbles rising to greet the rocky, creamy tan head that sits atop this gorgeous brew. Fragrant (perhaps the most fragrant to date in my rating) floral hop bouquet of citrus, pine and fruit hops, well balanced nose, caramel malt (cookie) backdrop for this hoppy stage. Heavily bitter and acidic resinous hop (perhaps too much), pine is noticeable and the citrus adds a nice background flavor, with a malty (cookie) body, low sweetness. Full bodied, fizzy and warm palate.

This stuff is off the chart. Roasted barley, chocolate and a bit of a hop bit doesn’t male it the hop king but does make it a great beer. Nice lacing throughout and probably a better buzz per oz that DFH Malt Liquor. I doubt any micro sells more schwag than Stone.