Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

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.

Re-Rate 10/6/2004 Clear burgundy/ruby color with a small but lasting tan head. Glass lacing is good. The aroma is quite malty, caramel, and lots of citrus hoppiness. The flavor is complementary to the aroma, sweet caramel and tons of hops. Medium-full body with a big malty finish, still lots of bitterness on the tongue though! While I still like this beer I am not quite as enamoured with it as I once was. Its actually somewhat simple and has a fairly astringent aftertaste. I am thinking that my bottle was not so fresh and this is the culprit.

7/23/2003 8/4/9/4/18 - 4.3 I have had this both on tap and out of the bottle. Both delivery methods were very similar (a good sign). Massive hops aroma, not flowery (no Cascades here). Nice head with good lacing. Tastes bitter but ha/s a very thick malty mouth-feel to balance out the bitterness. Quite simialr to its big brother Double Bastard just a wee bit toned down comparatively (to Double Bastard definitely not compared to other brews).

Molto grazie to dirty_martini. Pours a dark murky brown with reddish hues. The head is medium to thick depending on the pour, creamy, and light tan. The aroma is sweet, definitely hopped, citrusy, some caramel. The flavor is sweet, lightly dry hopped, a tad bitter, caramel, and alcohol. Feels dry and a bit bitter in my mouth and it goes down warm. Not quite as good as I thought it was going to be, but more than solid above all.

Bottle sampled with Stegosaurus. Too much hops, way too bitter, my palate was roughed up.

22 oz. in quart Mason. Deep mahogany that is a clear, ruby red when held to the light. Medium large, tan head lasts fairly well with some crusty lacing. Aroma is fresh and prickly pine hops with grapefruit and some malt support. Initial taste is surprisingly not so hoppy, and very smooth. Hops still dominate this beer - pine resin, dirty leaf, oak and light citrus - but the big malt body balances it pretty well with some dark fruit tastes. Very luscious and creamy, medium-bodied beer. Pretty two dimensional, but still a nice beer.

22oz bomber. Pours a slightly hazy caramel red with a two finger pillowy light beigeish red head. Aroma is grapefruity resinous hops, caramel and toasty malts. Do I also get a hint of peated malt? Ah, yes, the toasty smoky malts come through more in taste, as does some earthy resiny woody hops. Quite a bit of bitterness throughout through to a dry finish. Never did get much sweetness, but that’s just fine. Moderate carbonation though very creamy, medium-full bodied. The lacing consisted of a sheet with only a few breaks--nice. Quite good.

pours dark, aroma of hops!!!! and citrus. The flavor is well not my cup of tea very hoppy bitter, this is a beer that you either love or hate, good body, not my thing. Re-rate 8/28/06, must say after nearly 1000 beers my palate has been developed for this brew now. Good thing to always re-rate brew you found to be offensive. I still wouldn’t say this is a great brew sampled but i am feeling a damn good brew. Pours a deep deep amber with a large beige head. Great fruit and citrus aroma. Flavor is now liveable, and hops are not as harsh as i originally thought, this is my second re-rate, this brew gets better everytime.

Big hoppy, biscuity nose. This is a big beer that doesn’t go too far. Perfect balance of rich caramel malt and fat, chunky citrusy hops. Very funny label. Really good, but I think I was expecting something more. Maybe it’s just all the hype on here about Stones Ales!