Arrogant Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

rodney45

New York

4.58/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Clear darkened amber with a creamy off white head.

S: Big hop aroma, in the way of grapefruit and lemon. Also a nice intense malt behind it.

T: Big malt profile, complex and thick. Tons of hop bitterness. Citrus, grapefruit, apricot, and peppercorn. Dry aftertaste. The top tier taste profile of any hop head's dream.

M: Medium body with medium carbonation. Intensely bitter, but no alcohol feel.

O: This is the gold standard... this is what started me into craft beers in fact. I looked in my reviews and realized I had only reviewed the oaked AB, but never the original. I always have a few around from time to time, so what better time to review when im feeling all nostalgic... So overall, this is an amazing, riddle of a beer that has an earned cult following. I would recommend this beer to any person who wants to get into craft brew, and I hope they hate it and grin the first time they see the marketing, but they'll come back and realize, especially after trying 90% of the other crap out there, that this is the top, and a major part of the reason the craft industry is so strong.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 13:31:30 | More by rodney45

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

Srive009

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%

05-18-2013 23:21:52 | More by Srive009

Eddyfunt

Michigan

5/5  rDev +19%

05-18-2013 22:56:36 | More by Eddyfunt

alanv

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-18-2013 21:39:17 | More by alanv

jbarletto

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-18-2013 21:13:59 | More by jbarletto

ChefBenhase

Georgia

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%

05-18-2013 18:12:24 | More by ChefBenhase

jono0101

Missouri

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-18-2013 16:20:36 | More by jono0101

MistahBeah

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-18-2013 15:44:10 | More by MistahBeah

mattsucks

Ohio

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-18-2013 14:15:14 | More by mattsucks

beernads

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-18-2013 06:37:00 | More by beernads

mkirkland80

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

05-18-2013 02:28:30 | More by mkirkland80

dwagner003

California

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%

05-18-2013 02:10:28 | More by dwagner003

juicebox

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-18-2013 01:54:50 | More by juicebox

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.84/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Arrogant seems to be the right word as this ale proudly displays a deep rusty hybrid of red and brown. The head is equally as strong with a thick creaminess and thick lacing.

The scent is not nearly as proud but light malt and hop aromas are definitely in the mix. Subtle tea leaves and floral earthy hops are also evident.

Almost Pale Ale like taste Arrogant Bastard presents an earthy, floral array of hop flavors. Not as much on the malty or grain side this Strong Ale is pronounced in its hop flavor. The tea leaves manifest themselves and then a piney metallic aftertaste takes hold.

Overall, it's strong in appearance and hop flavor but slightly weak in aroma and overall character. Very good but not great.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 21:50:04 | More by KYGunner

SMITHAND

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%

05-17-2013 20:37:20 | More by SMITHAND

ElizabethEleanor

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%

05-17-2013 03:03:12 | More by ElizabethEleanor

Dave7500kl

Massachusetts

2.5/5  rDev -40.5%

05-16-2013 23:28:53 | More by Dave7500kl