Arrogant Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Jason

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sweeter than the bottle, bit more deep caramel and highly toasted malt come through before the hoppiness sets in. Quite a treat but quite estery after it warms up, lovely mix of flavours. Something to start or end with but not make the night of being that it is such a strong ale.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2002 17:42:07 | More by Jason

Todd

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Presentation: 22 oz brown bomber with a silk screen painted label of the "Stone Brewing Gargoyle" which wards off impurities that would otherwise taint the sanctity of the brew. Though this gargoyle is a bit different ... he has an arrogant look to him, basically saying you are not worthy of this brew. The back of the label is freagin' halarious! More arrogance, teasing. No, double dog daring you to try the beer.

Appearance: Deep reddish brown in colour with an appealing off-white lace. Really frothy, sticky and retains remarkably well.

Smell: Coarse hop are all over the nose, as are toasted grains, fruity esters and alcohol. Very aromatic.

Taste: Medium bodied, yet rich, full and complex. Smooth, especially as it warms. Big malty sweetness with caramel, chocolate and toasted/roasted flavours. Alcohol prickliness teases the palate then the brew kicks its ass with an assertive hop profile. It's raw, coarse, a bit prickly itself, mildly rind-like. Helps to balance the huge malt flavours. Finishes with a lingering sweetness, caramel, roasted coffee. A bit grain/dry too.

Notes: Hugely complex. Its arrogance is indeed correct. As stated on the label, if you do not have the "taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth" then you may not like it. Or rather, go drink your safe beer wimp. It's rather aggressive, but oh so damn good (in an evil, not worthy way). Just beware before you drink. This beer is not for the faint of heart.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2000 23:01:42 | More by Todd

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

dc87

Washington

4.39/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Looks good. Dark red, maroon colour. A little cloud. Head is just off-white. Nice lacing.

S - Very hoppy, just like an IPA. Floral and a little piney.

T - A really nice, big taste. A big caramel and bread malt taste up front. Quickly balances out perfectly with an equally big, piney hop flavour. Has a little spiciness to it. Aftertaste is boozey, bitter and citrusy. Overall a really great taste.

M - Also great. Pretty highly carbonated.

O - An exciting and very drinkable beer, with a lot of character. Very fun to drink. Will definitely have again.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 05:27:46 | More by dc87

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-19-2013 01:23:00 | More by Photekut

Satan70

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-19-2013 00:48:21 | More by Satan70

Steamer

Missouri

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-19-2013 00:01:05 | More by Steamer