Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

The oaking in this one seems to have turned that grapefruit hoppiness in to a mango hoppiness. I get mango everywhere in this one. In the aroma, in the taste, and on the swallow especially. Pretty rare for a beer to be mango-hoppy. Really a quite fruity beer. I have to say I like the regular arrogant better, but this was a nice alternative to a favorite of mine.

Worth trying if only for the name and the narrative on the back of the label. I liked the dark, almost red colour and the VERY hoppy taste. Head was a bit less than expected, but taste was a grabber. Again, mucho hops.

Keg at the White Horse’s American Beer Festival 2009. Red fruit and pine aroma. The flavours of honey, pine, prunes and a touch of spice (nutmeg, perhaps?) mix well together. Quite decent.

660 ml bottle. Clear amber with a dense tan head. Aroma is grapefruit, some caramel and a small hint of oak and vanilla. Flavor is citric bitter, fruity in general, some caramel, and slightly spicy. Very smooth and balanced and even if its really bitter and quite strong it feels very soft and kind. I did not taste that much of the oak, but it has definitively done a great job with this beer. Love it.

Pours a deep reddish brown with a two-finger, creamy, beige head; nice lacing. Huge aromas of raisin, wine, and caramelization. Flavor is a delicate balance between malts and piney, resinous hops and a hint of alcohol; the hops become more assertive as the beer exits the palate. The oak presence is there, but extremely subtle at lower temps, serving primarily to round out the primary flavors and add a smoothness to the mouthfeel. As the beer warms into the 50s that familiar vanilla quality becomes apparent. Medium to full body and a long, hoppy finish. Excellent beer.

Bottle. Dark dark brown, a ring of tan head. Much caramel and citrus on the nose, quite a lot of sweetness, brown sugar, some vanilla. Like a barleywine light. Flavour is full, loads and loads of sugary caramel malts, some dark fruits, wood, vanilla, a tiny floral note and a hint of something a bit acidic. Medium body, refreshing carb, definitely enjoyable.

12 oz bottle into a glass-FIRST DRINK-bold flavorfull, a very well made beer. HALF GLASS-The oakiness lingers after you swallow, tasty. LAST DRINK-I love a good beer that only gets better as it breathes and warms, and this beer rises to the challenge.

12 oz bottle. Arrogant Bastard is a great beer; this variation is even more interestikng. To "oak" a beer like one would a chardonnay is definitely an interesting and bold move on Stone’s part. I love it when breweries try new things, and this beer works.