Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

This was my introduction into the wonderful world of great beer! This was also my first Stone brew and my palate will never be the same! You can find this everywhere around here so its a regular pick up for me. Brownish/red color and hopped nicely. Good head and lacing. Excellent aroma of hops and spiced fruit. Alot of malt flava. A slightly thicker syrupy texture. This is one arrogant bastard to a BMC drinker, but for the rest of us, its not so arrogant! Just good!

on tap @ Coles Buffalo NY. one of my favorite strong ales. Huge hop presence, it is Stone. Well balanced with the malts, caramel flavor. A little alcohol nip but invites you back for more

On tap at the Yard House, Rancho Mirage. Boy oh boy! This was a big, harsh experience. Initially intense and flavoursome like brandy, but once it hits the back of the tongue this gives way to the biggest hoppy hit I’ve yet experienced. The climax has moments of smoothness and then of sweet, cloying, throat-grabbing brashness. Appears to be a quality product, but it’s too much for me.

Rerate 09-17-04. still from a bottle. the hidden power of the bastard is apparent to me, i can now appreciate the overwhelming flavor of sweet rich caramel from the malts and the tangy hop attack on the finish. i only discovered this by accident when i had another taste at my fantasy football draft. this is so much better when it has a chance to breath and warm, that said it still ain't my favorite Original rating 6-26-04 original rating 2.4.Bottle. nice pour. mahogany color with a tan head that laces down the glass. aroma is interesting with a cinnamon smell. I had previously tried this a few years back, and i did not like it. i am pleased that it tastes better than i remebered, but it still has a flavor that i don’t enjoy. i like the malt flavor, but the hops in this do not agree with me. leaves an unpleasant taste. i guess this is too strong for me. I’m not worthy.

Pours brown and hazy with fluffy beige head and nice lacing. Bread and hops on the nose. Close to full bodied with nice carbonation. Malty up front, hoppy finish

Deep mahogany pour, off white head. Thick, lovely lacing. Nose is grapefruit and some roasted malts. Flavors follow the nose, but more complex - lightly roasted malt, citrusy grapefruit, and a touch of sweetness - but just a touch! Finish is slightly bitter rising from the sides of the tongue. Very nice - for an arrogant bastard...

Pours a deep vermillion with moderate carbonation, a slight haze and capped with a full, tan head. Heavily malted nose with an alcohol presence that can’t be covered. Pepper, pine and tart citrus show in both aroma and flavor. Peaty and dry for the most part, with a heavy palate.

Agressive? Indeed. Sophisticated? Not really... it is what it is... a strong ale with heavy-handed PNWs, high IBUs and thick malts to back them up. I’d call it a DIPA. The "arrogance" implied thru its flavor-text was probably considered a sweeeeeeeet marketing technique, but it annoyed the f*ck out of me. I’ll drink this if it’s offered but I’m not going to seek it out... I’m "not worthy", don’t you know. If I truly want an arrogant bastard, I’ll call my buddy Gene.

<font size=-4>A gift from my good friend Mike out in Philly.</font>

Re-Rate Much, much better this time, possible skunked bottle, but is that possible with Stone? Almost seemed chewy with a very nice presence of Hops! Had with a wedge of Jarlsberg. Original Rating 1/25/04 I really did not care for this beer, maybe I was expecting too much? It was just too strong for me. I guess I should have red the back label eh? Maybe I will be a big fan eventually, but not on this day, I'll stick to my non-strong ale's.