Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.47/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at The Cask Republic in New Haven, Conn.

A: Mahogany, deep reddish brown with a thin, creamy head of off white foam which persists nicely and leaves a nice amount of sticky lace.

S: Complex fruity and caramel malt nose with hints of dried cherries, vanilla, oak, whiskey barrels and spent rum casks. A musty, pine needle hop aroma imparts and earthy musk.

T: Smooth, rich, fruity malt profile with hints of berry, plum, raisin and bitter, flavored tea. Citrusy, herbal and earthy hops make their way across the palate with notes of pine and a refined, mineral-filtered bourbon essence. The finish lingers with bittersweet, sticky malts and hop resins with a hint of smoked wood.

M: Rich, full-bodied, but so very smooth and fulfilling. The oak keeps the hops from becoming to sticky and malts from cloying sweetness. Just right and very satisfying.

O: Oak Aged AB takes a bit of the hop wallop out of the sails, but the essence of these West-Coast varietals are still very much at play. On the plus side, the 7.2% ABV and hop chaos is smoothed out so nicely and malts are really brought forward by the calming, refining qualities of wood-aging the beer. An excellent sipper just dying to be paired with a good cigar.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2011 04:57:04 | More by Gambrinus1184

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pour was a deep ruby red with a light brown mixed in. big creamy head that hung around forever.

lots of grapefruit with a light oak and vanilla mixed in. sweet candied malt.

this must have been the freshest i have ever had this, it was very hoppy which really helped tame the oak flavor. the big grapefruit and citrus really bonded well with the vanilla and oak.

very full, medium carbonation. oily like.

this was good, the best i've ever had oaked bastard.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2011 17:36:48 | More by hooliganlife

Snow81

Minnesota

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Muddy amber that is thick and cloudy with big lace that sticks to the sides of my glass

Head: Dark rich tan head

Smell: Caramelized caramel glaze that is candy

Taste: Malty sweet dark bitter citric with a hint of heat on the back end

Weight: Heavy to medium body with low to medium carbonation

Finish: Sweet bitter hop

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2011 15:43:33 | More by Snow81

Auracom

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

5-6 oz. tasting sample at Kelleher's in Peoria in a mini-pint glass. One of the on-tap offerings from the Stone release party on April 5th, 2011.

Oaked Arrogant looks much the same as regular Arrogant. Dark golden coloring with a nice one-and-a-half finger, eggshell white head. Nice lacing on the sides with a ring of alc. feet as well. Looks like a good brew.

Aroma is likewise similar but the outrageous hop profile in the regular offering is a bit muted in this one. Still sending the grapefruit and other citrus flavors. Maybe slight malts and a little oak? It's very subtle if it's really there.

Oak is more apparent in the drink. Lots of hops come through the back of the drink but the fronted is pretty nice. Some roasted and caramel malt notes. Less citrus character and hop bite. It's a more accessible version, for sure. Finish is a bit dry but not too long. A little heat presence.

Mouthfeel is status-quo. Thin-medium body with appropriate carbonation. Not particularly smooth.

Again, this is more accessible and easier-drinking than standard Arrogant. I was worried the oak really wouldn't show up and while it still is a bit muted, the purpose for adding it is there in the drink.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2011 13:36:19 | More by Auracom

rsdaugherty

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap into Goblet at Pasquini's downtown Denver ($3 at Happy Hour!!)
A - 1 finger of thick coffee colored head with good retention to a thin layer, a quite dark brown color that is saturated with a red hue 4.5
S - Florals dominate the nose with sweet fruit/malts following, not sure if this is aged in a barrel or with wood chips but the "oaked" is present, I also pick up some sherry/smoky notes 4
T - Very smooth flow throughout the sip, a herbal start to a bitter hop/citrus, oak taste lingers. A lot to really taste here. I need another just to take all the flavors in. 4.5
M - Medium to full body with good carbonation, a lot of taste in each sip without becoming heavy on the palate 4.0
O - Will have this again when I have time to sit and absorb it, not a session beer but very drinkable with a ton of flavor. It makes me think of Great Divide's 17th Anniversary DIPA. 4.5

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2011 02:42:23 | More by rsdaugherty

oldsailor

Nevada

4.78/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

So how do you take one of the best beers ever and make it even better? Freakin age it in oak barrels! Dark coloring with a light head give this beer the attitude that lives up to its name. The great hoppiness that comes from the hopheads at Stone give this a flavor you want to come back to. The smoothness that comes from aging in oak barrels is also a delight. Get excited every time I have this one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2011 01:23:32 | More by oldsailor

HopHead84

California

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2/27/2011

On tap at Stone.

A: Transparent reddish brown with a beige head. 

S: Oak and caramel with some bready notes and a dash of vanilla. Grapefruit is present, and pine is pervasive.

T: Oak and caramel with a moderate bitterness. Hops are piney and grapefruity. Oak provides depth and enhances the base beer. Finish is dry and bitter with warming and caramel.

M: Upper medium body with upper moderate carbonation. Mouthfeel is sticky and dry with some astringency. Oak is drying on the palate.

Overall: I prefer this to regular Arrogant Bastard. A nice American Strong Ale.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2011 02:01:00 | More by HopHead84

zrab11

Indiana

3.68/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a cloudy amber brown color with small 1 finger head

S-Has that oak smell with some sweet malty hints

T- Has a sweet malty start then finishes with a oaked woody flavor

M-Medium bodied with dryness

D- This beer was good but not what i expected.I was hoping it to be alittl more flavorfull and not so dry tasteing but still a very good drinkable beer!

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 18:06:55 | More by zrab11

oline73

Maryland

4.47/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on-tap at the Frisco Grille. It was poured into a goblet.

Appearance: It pours a cloudy amber/brown with one finger of off white head. There is a little bit of lacing.

Smell: I'm picking up a bit of sweetness from the malt along with some oak and vanilla. There is a little hop bitterness as well.

Taste: The is quite a bit of malt sweetness in this one. There is also some vanilla and oak and it almost resembles maple syrup, but that flavor isn't overpowering. In the background there is some bitter citrus peel hops and some alcohol at the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a dry characteristic from the oak.

Drinkability: I really like this beer. I love the sweet flavor and the vanilla and will definitely have more in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2011 00:56:33 | More by oline73

haazer

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled at the Winter Beerfest in Philly.

A- A very dark, ruby/emerald stone appearance. Red and orange tints throughout. No head on this, seems like it may be flat.

S- Cherry aroma is first, followed by earthy and oaky notes.

T- Tastes somewhat like cherry pitts, nice and sweet. Oak flavors and flower petals add a nice herbal flavor. Some hoppiness detected in the background.

M- Very smooth, slightly astringent. Medium bodied brew. Almost no carbonation.

D- Easily drinkable, goes down easy. I have to say I kind've put this beer on a pedestool heading into the festival as one of my must try's and was a little let down. Maybe I'll have to revesit this one later.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2011 00:52:27 | More by haazer

CBlack85

South Carolina

4.72/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at The Tilted Kilt in Charlotte, served in a pint glass.

The beer pours a ruby red color with orange-ish highlights. The smallish off white/tan head recedes fairly quickly leaving behind a fair amount of sticky lacing

The nose is full of citrus hops, caramel malts, brown sugar, and a bit of oaky vanilla. The alcohol is much more present here than in the regular AB. The alcohol seems to gain in intensity as the beer warms.

The taste is grapefruit hops, caramel malts, brown sugar sweetness, just a slight bit of vanilla, and just a mild alcohol burn. Medium bodied and moderately carbonated. Really quite a smooth beer for all of the complexities it has to offer. As the beer warms the oaky vanilla tones seem to open up a little more and become much more noticable. Very nice

Really a terrific beer, I think I prefer this to the regular AB, as it seems to be a bit more complex and less focused on just the hops

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2011 16:54:22 | More by CBlack85

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap at the Stone Brewery into a pint glass. The beer is a cloudy brown/amber color with no head. Smells are earthy, with hints of nut and wood aromas. Very well blended nose. Initial taste is a hop forward flavor, which is very well balanced with a malty-sweet and wood taste. The beer is round and full bodied in mouth, with a smooth, bitter finish. The beer also maintains the bitterness with a hoppy aftertaste. It was surprisingly easy to drink despite the bold flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2011 21:12:19 | More by GarthDanielson

airheadmtrcycle

Georgia

3.1/5  rDev -26.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on-tap to a medium wine glass at Taco Mac in Austel, Georgia. Earlier today from notes.

Looked great. A deep mahogany brown with orange highlights. A short but stunning caramel/creamy head. By the time I was finished there was lacing from top to the bottom of the glass.

Smell was malty, sweet and boozy. Tastes sweet from abundant malts with strong bitterness, particularly on the finish. A little booze. I didn't pick up on any wood whatsoever.

The mouth feel was sharp and not at all smooth like I would expect from a barrel-aged beer.

I did not want another when I was done. I switched to something else.

What a huge disappointment. Not a bad beer, but I expected something great. I'll try it again, maybe from the bottle next time.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2010 23:19:06 | More by airheadmtrcycle

Jayli

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12/24 Had on tap at The British Beer Company in Framingham
Served in a pint glass.

A: This beer pours a nice mahogany, copper color with a one finger of khaki, creamy, frothy head. Head recedes leaving sheets of sticky ringlets on the glass.

S: Nose is fruity, caramel malts, and citrus hops.

T: Taste starts with a nice piney hop character followed very quickly by a caramel malt sweetness and a fruitiness, minor hints of vanilla come in. Finish is a woody, oakness nicely blended with a citrus hop bite. The oak in this really smooths out the flavors.

M: Medium to fuller bodied, medium carbonation, nice smooth body with a bit of a dry finish.

D: Goes down dangerously easy, very tasty, somewhat filling, well hidden kick, nice representation of style. This is a well balanced smooth beer that is worth enjoying a few pints of.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2010 20:52:48 | More by Jayli

Duttonic

Texas

4.22/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From notes 11/18/10. On-tap at Dancing Bear in Waco.

A- Deep amber/mahogany, one finger off-white/light tan head, good bit of fine lacing.

S- Malt, faint floral, sweet/sticky, robust, hops. Earthy, piney, faint citrus as it warms.

T/M- Strong malt backbone, with a subtly hoptastic finish. Earthy and dry. Creamy.

D- Amazing. Crisp, clean, bitter, delicious. I love how the complexity seamlessly interacts from mouthfeel, aroma, taste, to finish. Drink it slow, let it warm a bit and note the transformation along the way.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2010 17:39:57 | More by Duttonic

taigor

New York

4.2/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into regular pint glass.

A - Poured cloudy dark brown color with medium head that quickly dissipated leaving above average lacing.

S - Malts and dark fruit scents. Slightly earthy and smoky.

T - Sweet malts to start with, slight bready yeast and a slightly bitter finish.

M - Medium bodied with high carbonation.

D - Very enjoyable strong ale. Very complex yet smooth with abv not felt at all. I highly recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2010 17:12:36 | More by taigor

WeedKing4

Ontario (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a semi light hazy brown colour. A very bold malt taste up front with a little sweetness of citrus and hops on the finish, and the oak was very subtle. The the little sweetness touch on the end of each taste was very refreshing. It took me a few sips to appriciate this beer fully, and I was sad when the pint glass was empty. Damn tasty beer, very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2010 23:55:19 | More by WeedKing4

Beerenauslese

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark amber with a nice head that quickly dissipates to a fine ring, leaving some lacing.

Aromas of malt and pungent citrusy hops.

Dark malt taste, never too sweet, is balanced by strong bitter citrus hops. Tastes of grapefruit rind, milk chocolate and vanilla.

Body is medium with a prickly carbonation. Very clean and fresh mouthfeel.

A very drinkable ale, the aging on toasted oak chips imparts Arrogant bastard with additional subtle complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2010 03:02:07 | More by Beerenauslese

beersensei305

Florida

4.6/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep red almost brown color with an off white head. A hop, alcohol, sweetness scent. This beer has all the charaters of the oringal bastard the strong grapefruit flavor, hop bite but it is slightly enriched but the hint of oakness at the end.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2010 00:56:02 | More by beersensei305

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On Tap at Hulmeville inn with my buddy erik on a Saturday night. I have not had this in years and last time was in a bottle and it was oaky as all hell.

Oaked Bastard is a dark shaded brown with some redness if you look towards the light. A nice cream/tannish foam up above with tightness and stickiness on the glass. Smells fairly oaky, I remember it being extreme in the past. Infact with more sniffs it comes out a bunch. Under that a strong ale presence with a bunch of caramel and some alcohol with dark fruit and nuts. Tasting this from a fresh keg keeps up stone's rep for me. I don't buy their beer often but when I do, I know I will at least like it. Oak, wood, caramel, toasted malt out the ying yang, almonds, vanilla, and some nice citrusy hops to top it off. Feel is above medium with a solid structure, some alcohol as well but not much, carbed up nice. A nice Oaked beer that is readily available, i'll need to revisit a bottle to see how that goes, but this tap version is nice.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2010 06:34:29 | More by onix1agr

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.38/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had this on tap at Hard Times Cafe in Woodbridge, VA. I usually try this one at least once a year, but this is the first time I've reviewed it:

A: Dark caramel color, a bit cloudy, moderately carbonated, and about an inch worth of head.

S: Bouquet of flowers, however, there is a bit of earthiness to it also. On second thought, is that earthiness or staleness?

T: Not the most refreshing thing I've tasted. There is a kind of unsettling, sour taste to this brew. I notice the same thing in the Sublimely Self-Righteous. The finish is nice and smooth though and this, in my opinion, is where the Oaked AB differs from the regular flagship version.

M: The hoppy sourness clings to the taste buds like crazy and just lingers! I noticed quite a bit of frothy lacing.

D: I always want to route for this beer (as I do many of Stones IPA and "Strong Ales"), but every time drink this brew, I notice the same unpleasantness time and time again. I'm sure others with disagree and that's fine, but this beer just doesn't do it for me.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2010 01:36:44 | More by Chaney

TheGordianKnot

Tennessee

4.35/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz poured into a pint glass on tap...

A- Mainly brown color with some amber hues under a very nice two finger head with AWESOME lacing on the glass...

S- Very hop forward nose. Balanced out by a strong fruit that follows- some sort of a cherry or blackberry seems to be the fruit.

T/M- Alright, great taste in this one with many different components. The first thing you get is a nice slap in the face from hops that you are used to getting from Stone. After that, you get the same fruit in the taste as you did in the nose- BUT, it is followed closely by MORE HOPS!! Absolutely awesome how the flavor can just morph on the tongue through stages; but this beer isn't finished either! It ends with an earthy flavor that quickly turns to an alcohol sensation that leaves the mouth warm and fulfillled. Great medium-ish mouth on this one with moderate to small amounts of carbonation. Very pleasing beer to this guys mouth...

D- This is a great beer, but after about two or three back to back, my guess is that it would get to you. The alcohol is present and the hops would dominate your palate after awhile leaving you not able to taste much else.

Overall, amazing beer. I like this better than the straight Arrogant Bastard; which I loved to begin with. Very intricate flavors come through at different times that really leave you pleased as a drinker. There isn't anything more that this beer could really offer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2010 01:32:57 | More by TheGordianKnot

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes taken on 4/9/10 during the Stone takes over the Warwick event.

Served in a Stone pint glass, it appears a ruby red amber color, very clear with a finger of yellowish foam for a head. Very good retension and a solid amount of lace all around the glassware. Aroma is bright citrus hops with a backing of wood/oak earthiness. Taste is inline with what the aroma led on. When compared to the bottled version this on tap almost seemingly is an exaggerated oak flavor that boarders being unnatural. Bitter oily hops upfront with alcohol warmth gives way to malt and oakiness flavors through the medium body to again oily bitter hop finish. Moderately carbonated with hops and oak left lingering in the mouth. Dare I say this bastard on draft is even more arrogant than the bottled version...excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2010 18:27:42 | More by stakem

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pint on tap at Cole's in Buffalo NY

A- Quite dark brown, red hue. Thin, cream, fluffy head excellent lacing.

S-The oak doesn't stand out too much with the smell but it's definitely there. Fruit smells and a spiciness.

T- Excellent balance of malt and spices. Great kick at the back of your tongue from the oak taste. Good hop presence.

M- Carbonation is spot on. Mouth feel is perfect.

D- This beer is super drinkable. Nowhere do you feel that you're drinking a beer at 7.2%

It's a good thing I was driving because I wouldn't have stopped at one. Definitely going to have this again!

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2010 20:09:27 | More by korguy123

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours a dark murky amber with an off white head that stays for a long time. It left some very impressive lacing the length of the glass.

S-Caramel was what stood out to me, but I could tell there was a nice balance between hops and malt.

T-Much like the nose caramel, toffee, with a perfect balance between hops and malts. A hint of oak and vanilla crept in when it warmed and I could also notice some alcohol.

M-Very thick and somewhat on the syrupy side.

D-This beer is much bolder than I remembered. It was all I could do to finish the pint over the course of the meal. It is definitely a sipper.

Overall, this is a very good beer that is a must try for all Beer Advocates. I was really excited to see this on tap at Out West Steakhouse in Kernersville, NC.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2010 21:50:11 | More by thegodfather2701