Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Bottle. Massive pine hops right up front in the nose (shocker!). Huge, rich malts arrive at first sip, raisin, fig, prune, but mostly just the rich, rich malt that mingles perfectly with all those pine needles. Simple and complex at the same time, perfectly crafted without the arrogance overriding the flavor, and undeniably luscious.

Bottle. Poured a dark red/brown with a three finger head. Aroma of nuts, hops and fruit. Flavor is caramel, nuts and maybe a hint of chocolate. Definately a harsh beer.

Deep ruby. Nice sized, bubbly, tan head. Aroma of piney and resinous hops, creamy malt, and dark fruits. Same flavor- big hops with strong creamy malt backbone. Full body, sweet and sharp. Very good.

1 pint draught, House of Brews, NYC. Dark reddish brown. Medium-sized beige head. Bold pungent green grapefruity hop aroma. Sharp nutty bitterness without being too harsh. Actually it is quite mellow. Burnt malt flavours. Quite vegetal. Chocolatey. Head clings to the glass. Smooth flavours and aftertaste.

slightly hazy deep red, well retained lacy beige head. nice aroma of caramel, candied fruit and flowery hops. you can really tell there's a big ale waiting for you. smooth and full bodied mouthfeel. sweet ad roasty malt, bitter chocolate, orange hard candy and some resiny bitter hops. overall well balanced and very well crafted. the best I've tried from stone.

Solid stuff. Malty with oak and great citrusy hops. Bitterness sticks with you. Great at the beginning of the huge bottle, but a struggle to finish it if you are drinking it by yourself. Medium-full mouthfeel. Awesome write-up on the back label.

2002: Sweet sugar plums dance from an off white head that rests atop a deep garnet body. Hints of brown sugar and and raisins entice the taste buds to dive in futher and just when you reach the edge of sweetness, hops mix with some spice. . . then, just as you feel you may have this one figured out, the alcohol slams you in the face and reminds you who is in charge. . . The Double Bastard. . .then you wonder - is that so bad?

Pours a great dark amber with a frothy head and lacing that almost coats the glass. Smell is lots of hops, fruit some sweet malt, some spice. Taste is huge hops, mostly citrus and pine, bready toasty malt. Finish is even more hops, with a full mouthfeel. Very complex, but very drinkable. Yes, this beer is as awesome as advertised.