Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Pours dark ruby brown with a medium frothy tan head that forms some craters. Sweet vinous, nutty, hoppy aroma with some alcohol and woody notes. First taste is very bitter and dark... deeply roasted/burned malt and extremely bitter hops that aren’t particularly flavorful. Some dark fruits, but mostly like eating burnt caramel on the bottom of the pot. Nice sophisticated palate, fluffy medium/full body, slightly syrupy. Its a well crafted brew, however, I’ve never had a beer packed with so much flavor be so boring.... I’m going to go burn a bag a popcorn so I have a flavor compliment... ok thats harsh =p I wonder how one of these would taste with 2 years of age on it?

Bottle....Poured a deep translucent red with off-white head that had excellent retention that laced the glass. Aroma of hops was very noticeable upfront, lets you know what your in for. Surprisingly enough, it was incredibly smooth, nice balance of aroma, malty sweetness, and high bitterness and alcohol presence barely noticeable, with a full bodied mouthfeel with medium carbonation. Good Ale!

What this beer lacks in finesse, it partly makes up for in power. Strong hop bitterness is offset by some maltiness, but it is not very sweet. Not bad.

Very nice pour. Dark amber with lots of red. A big head that just does not go away and settles into an uneven tan foam. Aroma is delicious. It offers dark fruit along with roasted malt. Flavor is a bit harsh with plenty of malt and, again, dark fruit. Some tart grapefruit hop shows up. Throw in some coffee, pear, grass, and chocolate, as well. Got somewhat powdery towards the end of the glass. The beer has the attitude of its name and you have got to love that. What a good beer!

This bottles got some age on it, i forget when i bought it? Malty nose, some caramel with spicy hops. Pours dark amber with a thick tan head. Very smooth, i can taste some age on it but its still great, the hops of mellowed. Its caramelly the hop presence is very spicy with hints of molasses.

Dark cherrywood red color with a small tan head and lasting lace throughout the session. Very nice, big aroma of citrus fruit - ie/oranges. The body is very hoppy (almost one-sidedly so) with big citrus notes and a touch of alcohol. Also a substantial amount of malt, but not enough for this amount of hops. Fairly nice, but a touch unbalannced.

Mahogany color, thinner tan head. Citrus and piney hops in the nose with hints of malt underneath it all. Flavor was initially malty with massive grapefruit/spruce hop bitterness in the finish. Nice body, long bitter aftertaste. Solid brew, much better than the Double Bastard.

Dark amber w/ finger of tan foam. Fresh, floral, leafy citrus nose. Firm & full bodied. An aggressively bitter beer w/ an excellent malt background. Extremely well-balanced & eminently quaffable.