Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Bottle. Ah, Arrogant Bastard, I’ve had you before but never rated you and now I get a whole bomber of you to myself! Woohoo! Pours a bubbly dark mahogany with a lovely large foamy off-white head -- it looks great! Aroma is a near-perfect blend of fresh citrus hops, roasted malt, caramel and spices -- man, that’s some good smellin’! Flavour follows the aroma but the hops are more upfront, way more upfront and I love it. I love the mouthfull of hops -- it’s a hop-party in my mouth. Not as hoppy as some of their other beers but there’s a reason it has such a great reputation -- it’s a damn fine beer and one of the best American ales you’ll find.

Pours an almost cranberry looking amber with a nice tan foamy head that laced the glass and was present throughout. This beer really looked nice. The aroma was of sweat molasses with some dark fruits. The initial taste was a hoppy bite. At first it surprised me because the aroma did not quite match the taste. But as I drank this bomber the tastes started to match up a little more with the aroma. Some citrus with almost a molasses meet citrus and floral hops on the taste buds. I really enjoyed this one. Went very well with the chicken I grilled up.

Yikes! Talk about hops! When this brew was poured into my glass, it poured with a large tan head that was fairly long lasting and there were fine-large bubbles. The body hue was dark brown and there was a little bit of carbonation observed. The first whiff of this brew reminded me of pineapples. From the first taste to the last taste of this brew it was constantly a strong bitter tasting brew that I did not enjoy very much. The taste of this brew stays around for a while.

Dark mahogany or cherrywood in color. Thinly veiled tan head covering the contents of the glass. Nose full of hops and citrus fruit with brown sugar and malt poking through. The taste can best be described as sweetened grapefruit with malt and a splash of sea salt in the background. Remarkably smooth finish considering this is somewhat of a bitter beer. Well done! Stone continues to impress me.

Bottle at Bar & Cigar, Oslo. Dar red beer, off-white head. Lots om malty body that picks a fight with the bitter citrus hops. A great beer.

Bottle. Brown/reddish beer with a caramel/dry aroma and a lightly hoped flavour. The beer is dizzy juice, dry and bitter with a very vinous edge.

Rerate Had on tap at the Ginger Man in Austin, Tx. Did not blow me away this time; still looks good but the aroma is not quite as flowery and the hops were more subdued. Stilll high quality though. Original 4.4 The reputation is deserved - it holds itself up to it. Small tight off-white head upon pouring opens up to a bouquet of fresh fruit. Hints of dates and raisins as well in the aroma. Dark orange to amber appearance - very thick looking. Flavor - detect cherries on top of the malt. Hoppiness reveals itself in the aftertaste - and its quite prominent but in a nice way. Alcohol is not evident in the taste. Overall, a great brew - glad I was able to scounge this up at Bacchus in Chattanooga.

Bottle at GBBF ’08. Copper colour with a small off white head. Rough vegetal malt aroma. Strong sweet taste with a currious suggestion of natural gas. Some honeyed malt and a mid bitter finish. Rough, tough aggressive beer that doesn’t quite live up to its billing.