Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Bottle. Color is reddish brown with a thin head. Aroma is malty and sweet with some alcohol. Flavor is sweeter and more malty than that of the regular Arrogant Bastard. Has a smoother finish, without the harsh hoppy bite...but that’s what I like about Arrogant Bastard that this beer is lacking. A slight variation that might be more drinkable for some people.

Bottle from mashmaster. Thanks! Brownish is color with a decent one finger head. Taste is nice maltiness a hint of oak. Just a touch of hop/bitterness. Suprisely smooth and creamy texture. I usually frown when things are oak aged...it takes away from the original ingrediants, but this well done. Good beer!

100th rating Gem ruby pour, offwhite head. hoppy, very piney aroma, little bit of grapefruit. sweet malts of toffee, and citrusy hops. Aging mellows this brew out and tames it somewhat. The oakiness is evident at the finish, which is slightly dry.

While I have to admit that American Strong Ales are not quite my suit -- the oak used in brewing this variation of Arrogant Bastard is worth sampling, as it’s certainly more mellow and enjoyable than it’s predeccessor.

12 oz. bottle. Pours a deep reddish copper color with a medium sized orange tan head. The aroma is an ample amount of moderately sweet caramel malt with an orange citrus fruitiness. The oak chips apparently have mellowed the typical Stone hops. The flavor is much of the same as the aroma, generous amounts of caramel malt and citrus intermingle throughout. The oak chips are noticable and carry with them a subtle vanilla flavor as well. Mouthfeel is full and chewy. This one is a smoother version of the original. It’s a nice change, but sometimes I just need the hops.

Bottle, brought back from City Beer in San Francisco and eventually shared with tashi at his house, 15th June 2008. Pours a reddish, orangey amber. The aroma and flavour both kick off with fresh nectarine notes and then woody oak, bitter hops and thick highland toffee come through. The slightly creamy mouthfeel gives you time to savour the taste and the long bitter finish makes sure you don’t forget it. A highly enjoyable beer. Oh and "Hi Phyllis!"

Not as good as just plain old Arrogant, but still a superior strong ale. Still worthy of the label for sure. That finish is like a drawn-out orgasm on your tongue. Best part is, every time you take a sip, you get another one.

In a 3-way tasting between regular, Oaked, and Double Bastard, this is my pick of the three. Takes everything wrong with the original (lack of balance and subtlety), and doesn’t correct it so much as it makes minor progress in the right direction. Pours hazy bronze, a shade or two lighter than the regular Bastard. Aroma is much sweeter, lots of caramel and molasses notes. Of course, there’s the overstated hops, but there’s now a slight sense of complexity. I’m not sue how old this bottle is, but there’s a nice fruit (dates) flavor now present, the overall beer seems warmer, the mouth feel is softer, molasses notes towards the end, and a good bitter finish. Laid down for 6 months more or so, this would likely be even better.