Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Very nice strong ale. I must admit I poured out my first bottle...too strong. I came back for seconds though...and it has really won me over! Not for the weak beer lover ;-)

An exceptional dark amber ale fully of character and a striking amount of hops. ’This is an aggressive’ beer says the label, and I"ll vouch that it doesn"t lie. I had this beer on tap several weeks back and really enjoyed it but found that it was surprinsingly close to Mac & Jacks African Amber Ale. Being able to sit back and relax with a bottle in hand and the time and place to actually take some better notes to review it, I"m guessing my notes were wrong, or I was poured the wrong beer. (As such, I"ve resubmitted my review for this beer). From the bottle, Arrogant Bastard doesn"t look, smell or taste like Mac & Jacks, it"s far superior. AB pours a deep reddish hue with a big white rocky head. Glass lacing is extensive. Aroma wise, this one carries a very enjoyable hoppy kick, hints of fruit, and complex malts. It doesn"t carry the pine hit that the Ruination IPA offers, which helps to make this a much more rounded ale which can be savored in more than one serving per sitting. On the palette, the hops and malts are creatively balanced, providing hints of fruit, toasted malts and a slight peppery smokiness to it. Despite its edgy hoppiness, the malt factor kicks in to really make this an exceptionally well rounded ale that can be enjoyed again and again. Great balance worth a closer look for those who have yet to venture into the grip of the Arrogant Bastard. (ADDENDUM: 12/27/02 I had the opportunity to visit a place called Fogg & Suds on the outskirts of Vancouver, BC the other day, and to my astonishment this place is ’trying’ to fetch $30.00cdn for a bottle of this stuff. Buyer beware. Arrogant Bastard is great stuff, but it should be obtainable for less than 1/3 the price being asked for here.) <sigh>

Very ppowerful beer! Great aroma, followed by a mulititude of flavors for the tounge. This beer ended with a wonderful bite. The bottle’s comments had me rolling on the floor.

I think this beer is great!! as i drink it now,it has adark red amber color and a thick light brownish foamy head with thick lacing down the glass. strong enough to know your drinking a real beer with just a bit of bite at swallow. good good beer,will buy again!!

Well done! Great hops and malt experiment. A strong ale that is not overly astringent.

Most drinkable incredibly good beer for most other artisian crafts to be measured by. I would love to try this on tap. Crisp palate and very well balanced flavor. One of my favorites.

Nutty caramel and pine smell with hints of bubblegum and licorice. Dark amber color and difficult to see the action with an off tan head. Heavy sweet bitter with roasted almost burnt malt taste and has a smooth finish of herbal pine and some grapefruit. Medium to moderate bodied, very resinous, and has lively soft carbonation. The drinkability is exceptional for the style.

A forceful, decadant cavalcade of hops and unabridged bitterness. This ale is removed of any spices or sweetness, and contains a boastful, toasty bite. Arrogant Bastard blooms with extreme simplicity and a double-barreled knock back taste.