Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Big variety of banana, meat like, melon and nuts, barley and a grapefruit aftertaste, that gives all the varieties again. Nice red dark black color with a small head. Very interesting beer, that numbs lips. ’Keep refrigerated Numbskull!’

Ruby red in color with an ample frothy head. Citrus and hop aroma. Harsh hop flavor with more than a touch of sweetness thrown in. Long lasting finish. The bottle was amusing as well.

Beautiful bright amber/copper color.Rocky light brown head that hangs leaving a nice lacing all the way down.Malty,nutty,spicey hop aroma.Full bodied brew.Spicey hop flavors and sweetness up front.Bready,fruity flavors that work together very well with the hop flavors,balanced.Nice creamy,chewy big bodied brew with a balanced bitterness in the finish.An well balanced big beer.Incredible!7.2% alc. is nice also.Fantastic brew!Need some to lay down.Would age well i,m sure.

Bo ya, was this beer and experience. More flavor than almost every beer comes close to. Not a friendly beer to most, but that would explain why none of my college buddies like it.....

Very dark amber with nice head upon pour. VERY nice flowery aroma from the hops. Verry bitter in the first sip. Leaving the classic sting on the sides of your tongue (as good strong ales do). The more you sip it mellows out in one of the most balanced ales I’ve tasted. First a sting of bitter then a plesant sweet and fruity taste finishing off with with that long lasting after taste I love about ales. I definately rate this as one of the best beers I’ve tasted. You will be amazed for shure for an American Ale.

(10Jan2003--22oz.bottle) After a couple disappointments with Stone beers, I’d started to wonder if the brewery wasn’t overhyped. I’m happy to report that Arrogant Bastard Ale lives up to any hype it has received. This is real beer! Attractive beer, perfect frothy head, fine bubbles, deep red/brown color. Slight haziness is a bit offputting. Complex, pleasing aroma; malty, hoppy, and strong bread/french toast as the beer warms. Even more complex and pleasant palate; perfect full,creamy mouthfeel, sweet (peachy), appropriately bitter, with a strong peppery note. Also the same french toast as in the nose. In summary, an unforgettable, highly unique beer. The best I’ve had in 2003 (duh), and possibly for the last five years!

This beer pours deep dark brown; held up to the light it presents itself as dark, opaque amber. Develops a rich, bubbly head that swirls as if it were the portal to whatever hell the label character has come from. The head itself is a yeasty bread colored cloud of bubbles that lasts acceptably long and leaves a lot of intricate lacing behind. Aroma is sweet and malty with hints of yeast, alcohol, sweet fruits, hops, maple, and cherries. Port like characteristics and notes of apricot brandy fill the nose of this fragrant ale. Just before tasting I noticed a spiral of yeasty foam in the center of the glass; it looks like our galaxy, or maybe a hurricane. Whatever else it may look like one thing is for sure, it looks inviting! Flavor? Okay, this is a bitter beer; the aroma is deceptive because the smell and taste of this beer are two very different things. While sweet malt dominates the aroma hops and alcohol dominate the palate. Flavors of grapefruit, vodka, pepper, tobacco, and HOPS!!!, stand out in violent opposition to the sweet aroma. It only takes a moment to get used to the bitterness at which time you realize how perfectly the aroma and flavor compliment one another. The alcohol hits you with a giant sucker punch about 1/2 way through the glass and then all is truly good. As the beer warms the flavor profile changes and more subtle malt flavors begin to emerge. This is cigar beer 100%. Some piano jazz, a fine maduro cigar, a box of dark chocolates, and a few bottles of Arrogant Bastard sounds like the perfect evening to me. Overall, after drinking this beer I am left with an intense urge to try a bottle of Double Bastard very, very soon. This beer is, in one word, outstanding!