Arrogant Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

MikefromDormont

Pennsylvania

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

Arrogant Bastard was my introduction to Stone Brewing. We had never heard of Stone Brewing until a few years ago. At that time my friends and I spotted a bottle of this beer sitting on the shelf in Washington DC's Chevy Chase Wine and Liquors. The silkscreen gargoyle and the "You're Not Worthy" statement caught our attention and made this beer a must buy, just for its packaging. After tasting several bottles of this beer, I am sure happy that we decided to try this beer. It's my opinion that this beer is not for every beer drinker.

The beer poured dark brown with hints of ruby showing. There was a tan head and bits of yeast "floaties" suspended in my glass. I was expecting an onrush of hop flavors, but was surprised that I initially greeted with a sweet malt flavor. However, the hops soon dominated the beer's flavor and the finish was bitter. This beer was full bodied and had a smooth, oily mouth feel. I would not recommend drinking Arrogant Bastard on a hot sunny summer day, but for a chilly autumn afternoon, it is a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2007 21:49:53 | More by MikefromDormont

Bryan17

Connecticut

4.63/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Very dark ruby color. Head is 1.5 inches, lingers substantially, nice tan color.
Smell: Malty caramel.
Taste: Excellent; not as "aggressive" as the bottle says. Strong malt followed by the sharp bite of hops at the finish. Almost sweet.
Mouthfeel: Creamy. Perfect amount of carbonation. One of the best feeling beers I've had.
Overall: One of the best beers I've tasted. Nothing to criticize.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 22:50:09 | More by Bryan17

Spaz7

California

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-24-2013 21:10:47 | More by Spaz7

steevbr

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

05-24-2013 20:33:47 | More by steevbr

thampel09

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-24-2013 18:45:31 | More by thampel09

Dirksen

California

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-24-2013 18:39:45 | More by Dirksen

Absolut

California

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%

05-23-2013 23:06:08 | More by Absolut

visionaries

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-23-2013 17:16:33 | More by visionaries

pisano

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-23-2013 13:38:13 | More by pisano

FairyFunBoy

California

4.85/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This is my go to beer. Having the luxury to live in San Diego gives me the pleasure of picking up this liquid gold for cheap.

A- Dark red/copper with a beige head. Great lacing down the pint.
S- Burst of hops! Citrus, pine, and grass smells aplenty with a sweet malt backing.
T- Bitter citrus hops accompanied with sweet malt and molasses.
M- Smooth, great carbonation, satisfyingly "thick"
O- If you haven't had this beer, get it. It is the sole reason I became the huge hop head I am. Huge hops with huge sweet malt. It's a perfect pairing. My favorite from Stone.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 02:25:23 | More by FairyFunBoy

Wally

Ohio

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-22-2013 23:58:48 | More by Wally

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from tap into pint at yardhouse in palm beach gardens. I can't believe I never had this before...
Pours a deep amber almost brown. Nice white lacing and a bit of head.
Piney sweet malt aroma..meh
Taste is very bitter piney hop meets sweet bready malt. A bit dry.
I hate to be that guy but I just don't get this beer...its good but just way too bitter and one dementional. I think its one of those pioneer brews that are classically good but maybe don't live up to the current trends....

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2013 22:56:07 | More by DrinkSlurm

firecrack0r

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

05-22-2013 22:55:53 | More by firecrack0r

EduardoOrtega01

Panama

5/5  rDev +19%

05-22-2013 20:56:15 | More by EduardoOrtega01

Novabrewer

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%

05-22-2013 20:48:17 | More by Novabrewer

Rdc67

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-22-2013 19:37:02 | More by Rdc67

bennettj1087

New York

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-22-2013 13:45:26 | More by bennettj1087

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-22-2013 03:16:10 | More by SmellsofMahagony

verge

California

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-21-2013 18:01:38 | More by verge

jakecattleco

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-21-2013 17:56:42 | More by jakecattleco

KDE

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -16.7%

05-20-2013 20:22:47 | More by KDE

Kuaff

Alaska

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Ah, Arrogant Bastard. A very common craft beer, but a superb one. I poured this bomber into a snifter at cellar temperature.

The head on this bastard is a thick, two-finger, off white mass of foam which sticks around for quite a while. The color of the beer is a deep, dark transparent ruby. It looks like blood, but not quite as oqaque. Awesome.

It smells like pure hops and pine with a bit of caramel or honey-like sweetness.

The taste has a citric, hoppy tang, along with some sweet maltiness. Once the aftertaste kicks in, I get thorough bitterness. The bitterness shines through more than anything else as the "thesis statement" of this brew. However, there may be some other aspects in here that I can't quite identify (maybe some spices and nuttiness?). It's complex, and oh so satisfying.

This beer has a medium thickness, and a pretty lively carbonation. Feels real comfortable.

A damn solid ale available all over the place at a great price, and guaranteed not to dissapoint. It's easy to take something like this for granted, but its ultimate excellence cannot be denied.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 05:28:39 | More by Kuaff

NJB145

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-20-2013 00:35:45 | More by NJB145

ClayO

Arizona

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-19-2013 22:24:13 | More by ClayO

IP-EH

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-19-2013 22:14:50 | More by IP-EH