Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

This is a great, hulking, massive beer that my friends and I split three ways. It is complex and has a wonderfully elusive palate that hits ya hard. I thought it was yum.

This beer is a powerful beer lover's delight. Hops a plenty, and major flavor. Still, it somewhat reminded me of a stout, with a hint of chocolate. I sincerely wish that Stone Brewing would start distributing more beers in the Austin, TX area, because if this is any indication of their line of brews, they really have a handle on what it takes to make a really excellent Ale.

[bottle] Pours a dark ruby red with a nice thick head. Slightly roasted nose with a very strong fruity flavor following. Initial citrusy flavor with a bitter and dry finish. Very smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Aftertaste is rather bitter but has a certain citrus and malt mix that is just delicious.

A near perfect beer! A foamy, hop-heavy aroma. Definitely an aggressive ale in all ways-- from the name, to the bottle artwork- from the appearance to the smell to the finish. A nice honey-molasses flavor slickly balances out the heavy hops presence. Definitely an ass-kicker of a beer! Strong, aggressive yet velvety finish. Sooooo good!

Bottle: Highly complex, all colors of the rainbow to be found, full bodied, huge depth. They put it right "It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth." A beer for people who know, for the arrogant bastards.

This is a beautiful looking beer- pours ruby brown, with nice carbonation, fluffy tan head, that leaves decent lacing. Aroma is toast with a little fruitiness. Flavor is initial (quick) toast then grapefruit. Finish is strongly bitter, and dry. Mouthfeel throughout is creamy, but a slight bite at the end. Aftertaste of malt and bitters. Wonderful.

My favorite "go to" beer. Aroma always jumps out of the bottle to smack me around before the pour. After the pour, its a balance of sweet and hoppy that prevails throughout the entire profile. Stone has found the perfect balance in this beer for "hopheads" who aren't afraid of backbone. Grapefruit may be the best way to describe it from beginning to end. It's just a juicy beer. Sort of like a "session barley wine" if you can imagine that. Buy this beer.

First thing that hits you is the strong hop aroma, along with a very toasty carmel malt flavor. A very dark red color. Medium carbonation. Flavor is very bitter, but tends to leave you with a good aftertaste. Strong but goes down somewhat smooth. This is one of the best beers to date. Not one for drinking in large quanities, one to enjoyed slowely at the end of a long day.