Arrogant Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

Treyliff

West Virginia

4.16/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

A- pours a clear dark ruby color with a good size creamy white head that retains forever leaving walls of lace down the entire glass.

S- oily and pungeant grassy hop, vegetal, sweet doughy and bready malt, caramel and powdered sugar

T- great balance in this one, the bready sweetness of the malt provides caramel and custard notes, the hops are grassy, herbal and slightly floral. Finish is dry with a clean hop linger and a touch of alcohol

M- medium-full body, creamy viscous mouthfeel with a smooth and velvety finish and just a touch of warmth at the end, very nice

O- great balance and very drinkable, one of the easier drinking strong ales that I can remember, with great mouthfeel to boot

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 02:50:54 | More by Treyliff

JG-90

New Jersey

2.98/5  rDev -29%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3

220z poured into glass gives a large coffee-cream colored head that was an interesting mix of creamy yet still bubbly. The color is a deep mahogany with hints of red and gold. The head recedes slowly to a thin film on top with heavy lacing. The aroma consists of toasted malt, piney hops, caramel, and toffee.

Taste starts with toasted malts, then a hint of floral hops along with a big hit of resinous hops. Finishes with more malt along with toffee and caramel. Has a bit of an unwanted medcinally bitter aftertaste, kind of like if you let a tylenol disolve on your tongue. Flavor was great until this after taste. Mouthfeel is creamy, medium/heavy body and low carbonation.

Very interesting beer, would be great without the aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 01:58:02 | More by JG-90

GoldHorde

Minnesota

3.35/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

I am not familiar with the style specifics of [American Strong Ale] so i wasn't sure where to place the expectations of my palate mitt. I was tense, like a catcher waitin' for a wild pitch from a cocky young rookie freshly on the mound from the farm league.

POUR/APPEARANCE: An extremely clean and red shifted amber color of immediate intrigue.

OK, so first pitch showed some maturity with a clean strike.

HEAD: A quickly fading one finger pitch with loose lacing.

OK, so one in the dirt - count it up to junior jitters.

AROMA: Virtually non-existent bouquet - could be a cola for all I know.

Foul, in the dirt.

FLAVOR: The promise of oak maturity whistled into the mitt here - a sharp fast ball right down the middle takes both hitter and catcher by surprise. This kid's "been around" - what's his name again? Oh yes, "ARROGANT BASTARD ALE"...I think this kid will be around for a couple of seasons or so...

Welcome to the major leagues - of American Strong Ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 04:43:48 | More by GoldHorde

bullseyestrat

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +19%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Easily one of the best beers I've ever had. I honestly saw the 22oz bottle at my local store in 2010 i think and saw the cover...hmmm this looks pretty cool maybe I should give it a shot. I don't regret it at all. Its a very complex American ale that will kick you in the butt and leave you wanting more. I have had it in the bottle as previously said. Along with a tap pour at the bar Strange Brew in Manchester, NH. All I can say is the bottle is no match for the tap by a long shot. Stronger, tastier, and I'm sure it has to be more than 7.2abv. Kind of reminds me of those old muscle cars that are rated by gross horsepower under the SAE standards at the time...but if you drove one now compared to the newer muscle cars you can definitely tell they were being modest.
Anyways it has a reddish black appearance with a head that always appears no matter how you pour it. In a good way it has a mind of its own. Smellwise Arrogant Bastard has alot going on. You can smell and taste the cascade hops and other stuff I can't put my finger on. Its aggressive and complex to say the least.
Tastewise like I said it kicks you in the butt and leaves you wanting more. Its very similar to an IPA but its not quite in the same category. Its very bold, aggressive, and tasty for someone looking for a rather full bodied ale. In you mouth like I said goes similar to an IPA but not quite. Its bold, full, and not as bitter as most IPA's but kicks your tastebuds almost like one.
Overall the label on the bottle isn't too far from the truth. If you are more into lighter beers I'd sip or steer clear of Arrogant Bastard Ale. Otherwise Arrogant Bastard Ale a very full-bodied American Strong Ale that will kick you in the butt and keep you coming back for more!

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 02:54:13 | More by bullseyestrat

Chrysostom

Ohio

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

As always, I review (mostly) to style (ala BJCP), modified (a bit, not too much) by personal taste (contra BJCP), or else certain beers, which are excellent exemplars of styles I do not prefer (like this IPA), would receive consistently lower marks than beers which are poor exemplars of my favourite styles.

As always, I review live, and not from notes.

My palate is accustomed to Belgian malt-bombs, and not hoppier American ales. This was one of my first craft beers ever, probably my fourth or fifth. I'm quite drunk, and, of course, my ratings are subject to change upon sobriety and/or further bottles being consumed.

Presentation: 22 fl oz bomber, $5.99, from Stone Brewing, poured in to Samuel Adam's imperial pint nonic glass (my Stone Brewery pint glass is in use by my wife), about 40ºF and warming as I write the review.

A: Crystal-clear dark, dark red or heavily burnt amber colour, bordering on the light brown. On a normal pour, three fingers of rocky, nearly off-white, head are left, which recede very slowly, leaving a heavy and rocky lacing down the sides of the glass, and never quite retreating in to something that can be called a "crown and ring" as opposed to a "head".

S: Citrus and floral hops. A tiny whiff of alcohol. I think there's a bit of bready yeast in there. It's more complex than I would have thought, but hard to describe as the hops are overwhelming. The smell is mildly reminiscent of marijuana, although not as much as the Maharaja or other "Californian" hopped beers. This is shaping up to be much more of an IPA than an "American Strong Ale".

T: Buttery yet sharp hops completely dominate the initial flavour. The mid-palate opens up to some warming, but quite smooth, alcohol (more present for 7.2% ABV than my Trappist-adjust palate is used to, but still quite good). There's a strong pull of unsweetened iced tea on the mid-palate all the way through the finish. There's a bit of caramel and strong roasted malts flavours. I don't get any sweetness at all: the hops dominate the malt in this, to my palate. Astringent. Somewhat complex: there are more flavours than I hath described. Excellent IPA. I don't know what "American Strong Ale" is supposed to be like. Sounds too much like an ale version of malt liquor lager.

M: Rich and smooth, with a bit of prickliness in there on the mid- and back-palates due to the carbonation.

O: I don't drink many IPAs, but of the roughly ten or twelve that I've had, this is a fine example, and a good beer in its own right. Unlike a Belgian Quad/BSDA, it doesn't become better as it warms. It's best cool/cold. As it warms, it's not bad, but not as good: Belgians get better. Not as much up my alley as my standard dark and malty Belgians, not as bitter as an absolute hop-bomb like Hop Stoopid (Lagunitas), it's worth trying if you like malty beers, as long as you don't hate hops. If you hate hops:

"You can't handle the Bastard."

To IPA style: 90/100
To taste: 74/100

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 17:37:45 | More by Chrysostom

griffinn

Oregon

4.68/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

A: Deceptively ordinary dark ale. Some bottles possess the odd visible cluster of bitter yeast colonies floating about. Drink these, they're part of the experience.

S: A strange mystery alluding to the taste that is yet to come. It's hard to describe the number of smells clawing their way out of this beer, but it's safe to say that in spite of the intrigue they create, they are nothing compared to what you're about to experience. Indeed, that is the exact impression they give you.

T: A bizarre assault of bitterness and shockingly multi-layered flavor upon flavor, too many to be listed, several indescribable in modern English.

O: The Arrogant Bastard is a wonderful masterpiece of a booze that can only be enjoyed when the moon turns blue. True to the lengthy essay of a description slathered all over the back of every 22oz bottle (which wisely opens with the warning, "you probably won't like this beer,"), it is definitively an offensive, virtually undrinkable beer. It does not go well with any known food, nor does it really suit the palette of any known human on Earth.

That being said, it is truly a work of art, a dark sorcerer in the mouth that is truly great yet terrible, something instantly beloved yet despised for its harsh hoppy character and riveting but confusing enigma of flavors. This is a strong ale to be tasted and maybe even enjoyed, but cautiously respected. Quite simply, tasting it is like having your mouth ripped to pieces. It's the sort of thing everyone should definitely try at least once, just for the experience, so they can gain the tiniest understanding of what good beer should taste like, but it strikes me as being too far ahead of its time.

tldr; This is a great and powerful booze, but BE WARNED. You might not be ready.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 11:41:04 | More by griffinn

barczar

Kentucky

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

Pours a brilliant deep copper-red with a frothy, dense quarter inch khaki head that won't dissipate.

Floral, fruity hops, resin, pine, fresh cut grass leap from the glass. There's a subtle caramel malt sweetness in the background that hints of dark fruit.

Dank hops dominate the initial flavor, with sweet caramel malt coming in and fading mid palate, bowing to resinous bitterness that lingers through the finish. Grapefruit, catty hops, and pine emerge in subsequent sips, but the balance is decidedly resiny and bitter. The malt sweetness provides nice respite in later sips, along with dark fruit.

Body is on the full side, with moderate carbonation and slight alcohol warmth, with a big resiny bite.

Decidedly bitter, but balanced in extremes, to an extent. A glutton for punishment, the promise of sweet malt draws me back in for the bitter hop beating.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2013 00:08:19 | More by barczar

cmp26

California

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is a stong beer it might be a little expensive but worth it. has a strong smell and taste might be kinda bitter at first but once you pallet adjusts you won't be able to drink anthing else for the rest of the night. I highly recomend this beer with some good pizza or fryed chicken..enjoy

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 05:47:20 | More by cmp26

MadScientist

New York

4.14/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: A copper colored beer with great clarity. The head is made of long lasting, rocky tan foam that leaves a bit of lacing on the glass.

S: A moderately-strong malt aroma with moderate citrus hops that has a touch of tropical fruit. The malt has a light caramel character and a touch of that barley wine, malt complexity going on with undertones of chocolate and toast. There is a light floral alcohol note.

T: Moderately-strong hops bitterness with moderate caramel malt sweetness. There is a light bit of graininess to the malt flavor along with some chocolate and toasted bread flavors. There is a moderate amount of citrus hops flavor that is mostly a lemon-lime type of a flavor. The balance is fairly bitter with an of dry finish. A linger hops bitterness and citrus flavor in the aftertaste along with a touch of alcohol sweetness.

M: A warming beer with a medium body and moderately-strong carbonation. The alcohol warms you all the way down to you belly.

O: A great, got to, aggressively hopped beer that drinks like a fresh Americanized version of an Old Ale. This beer could hold it's own when paired with a spicy owing to how strong the flavors are or the bitterness could easily cut through a rich fatty dish. I'd enjoy this with pot roast of beef stew myself.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 23:57:36 | More by MadScientist

ChugMan

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Food Pairing - This is going to sound weird, so just trust me on this: Peanut butter. Oh yeah. I had a weird sense that this might work, and sure enough, boy. Hard to explain. Try it!

A - Immense frothy head over rich maple colored body. Zero bubbles rising to the surface. Wonderful lacing throughout.
S - Sweet, roasty, makes you want to jump in. Also lets you know that those hops are there, waiting for you.
T - Complex...trying to unravel and identify its flavors is fun! Bread made with molasses, walnut and almond, raisin, a bit of cream, cinnamon, brown sugar, bitter punch of piney orange rind. Remarkable balance of complexity and boldness. Delicious.
M - Electric sensation up front, which runs almost the length of the tongue. Rush of bitterness takes over a few seconds after the initial taste, scrubbing the buds just enough for the next one before receding. Slight metallic sensation remains without being obnoxious.
O - When first I had this beer years ago, as the bottle itself states, I was not worthy. Truly, casuals will find little to enjoy from this one as it certainly isn't for the uninitiated! Now, I'm proud to count myself among the highest echelon of drinkers: those who this beer was made for. Arrogance achieved.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 07:47:51 | More by ChugMan

Hopinista

Nevada

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a 25 cl tulip.

A: Deep mahogany, light caramel colored head.

S: Like toasted malt, with a subtle strong hop undertone.

T: There's kind of a lot going on here. The first thing I taste is strong dark bread flavors, then I get hit with a strong piney hop flavor, and a nice finish of bitterness and slight alcohol, this is a beer I could really drink all night.

M: Very smooth, almost creamy. Just a slight amount of carbonation.

O: I really like this beer, very balanced, and in my opinion the best offering from stone.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 08:03:18 | More by Hopinista

Bazaar

Texas

4.74/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a 22 oz bomber and poured into two 12-oz tulips, shared with SWMBO.

A - Light brown with a tan 1-inch head. Good head retention and lacing.

N - Chinook's piney, resinous odor, some aromatic or similar malt. Some caramel. Mostly intense hoppiness.

T - Very bitter, but smooth, piney, some caramel, resionous and bitter citrus aftertaste.

M - Smooth, medium-bodied, mildly carbonated, mouthfeel is appropriate for its hop-forward profile.

O - Great, simple beer. I think this is obviously world-class and its price is more than reasonable. Doesn't get much better than this.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 03:48:27 | More by Bazaar

mattbk

New York

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Reddish, deep amber, just slightly cloudy, very, verey nice color and appearance.
S: Hops, malty, a bit toasty, a bit fruity, balanced actually, not overpowering. Nice, not amazing.
T: This beer has lots of: everything. Hops, sure, mostly piney, maybe even a little minty, malts, yes, sweet caramel, maybe a bit of dark fruit, a little alcohol burn. Despite all of this, balanced, not too much of everything. Not very seesionable, more of a one and done. But quite good.
M: Medium-full mouthfeel, a bit slick from alcohol. Very light carbonation. I like the mouthfeel, again, it does not make it sessionable, but very nice for an ale.
O: A staple beer, everyone should have at least one. Would have liked a bit more from aroma. The fact that everything is set on high, but still balanced, is impressive.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 01:14:09 | More by mattbk

HabiMendes

Rhode Island

4.28/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

It pours an beige-necked amber, with a very well retained neck. Beautiful. The aroma emanates grassy American hops, but I also noticed a background caramelized malt, which makes it very pleasing too. The taste, well-carbonated, medium-bodied, brings again the very characteristic American hops, and the slightly sweetish, caramelized malt. It is super refreshing, with the alcohol very fitting to the other features of the beer. In the end, we have a strong presence of hops. Excellent!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 17:49:58 | More by HabiMendes

rringler

California

4.36/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Ah, my good friend; it's finally time to give you a review.

A: Very clear light cola color, with one and a half fingers of creamy, beige head. The head is made up of medium sized bubbles, that retain pretty well and lace the glass nicely.

S: A bit of fruit rinds, sweet malts, and grassy hops. The malts smell big, and foreshadow what's to come.

T: Interesting taste; mildly bitter fruit start, then a thick, moderately sweet malt mid-body, and then transitions to a strong hop finish. Tastes moderately boozy for 7.2% abv, though there are worse offenders.

M: A little thicker, heavier, and oilier than your run of the mill IPA. Carbonation is good though.

O: Probably an acquired taste. I live in SD, so me and Stone are bffs. That said, while I think everyone should try this beer, I don't expect everyone to love it immediately. It takes some time before the gargoyle gets you.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 07:39:27 | More by rringler

themind

New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

An easy to attain quality brew that deserves its high rating. Every once in a while I will pick up a bomber and it reminds me how good this beer is. This is a solid enjoyable ale and at 7.2 abv has a little kick to boot.

Bottom Line: Your not worthy!

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 04:40:46 | More by themind

pkalix

California

4.46/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

no head, color is like a coke. with rum in it. little moldy, yeasty colonies appearing floating on top.
smells a little hoppy. citrusy.
i admit i didnt like it much my first time either, but since trying the double bastard version also, i can appreciate this more. tastes a little citrusy, grapefruit oil-ly. some bitterness from the hops. the bitterness lingers on the side of the tongue after it's gone, kind of like after chewing on a grapefruit rind.
overall, this is a nice refresher. the clear brownish-red says coke in the head, and the tongue says refreshing. but not coke. easy to drink and i like the abv. relatively simple taste, and straight-forward.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 02:09:31 | More by pkalix

MisSigsFan

California

4.26/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Honestly, when I first tried this beer, I thought I wasn't "worthy." It wasn't until the second time I had it I realized how truly amazing this ale actually is. At first I was sort of off put by the sheer bitterness that this beer has, but after overcoming that aspect, I absolutely fell in love. With an IBU that's said to be over 100 (Stone says the real IBU is "classified") it can be quite intimidating, especially after reading the blurb on the back of the bottle. That said, I am just blown away by how good this is. It pours a beautiful darkish red color with a bone white head. The pine and sting of the hops is immediately noticeable as you pour. Even more noticeable as you drink with a hint of sweetness behind it along with malt and a bit of roast as well. The mouth is surprisingly smooth with low carbonation. It almost clings to your taste buds, leaving you with a lingering bitterness. This is quite a special and unique ale. I'm glad to say that I'm from the same city where this beast was conceived. I just bought a four pack of the Oaked ABA and eagerly await to try it. Review will follow.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 01:47:52 | More by MisSigsFan

mevett89

Colorado

4.86/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Appearance: opaque dark copper with a light tan head.

Smell: hops and malt mingle, with strong pine notes backed up by caramel sweetness.

Taste: caramel malt with bitterness and pine from the hops. Some roasty notes as well. Strong presence of both malts and hops, with a nice balance achieved between them.

Mouth Feel: smooth and heavy. Low carbonation. This ale coats the tongue and mouth, and thus the taste lingers for a while.

Overall: damned delicious! Smooth and deep in complex flavor, and well balanced. Sticks to the tongue, but not enough to be too sticky.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 21:26:21 | More by mevett89

zrbeer1579

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Deep ruby with some brownish/black hues. One and half finger thick tan head. Some good lacings.

Aroma: Grapefruit, floral, and piney. Some caramel malts. Also, picked up a little roasted malts. Aroma is much lighter then I thought it would be.

Taste: Piney, grapefruit, some earthiness and citrus. Bit floral and spicy. Caramel malts along with roasted and/or burnt malts. Malts seem a bit dominate but hops are strong and plentiful.

Mouthfeel: Median-heavy with median carbonation. A little sticky. A touch dry in the finish. There is definitely bitterness that lingers. Goes down smooth.

Overall: I kinda had a high expectation for this beer. One thing I really like was the malts in this beer. It's an interesting combination with the heavy hops. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 18:50:40 | More by zrbeer1579

UnderPressure

South Carolina

3.81/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A clear, dark red to light brown colored beer with a rocky, tan 1.5 inch head. Great retention and lacing.

Floral and spicy hops in the aroma. Some roasted malt sweetness in the background.

The flavor is more to the malt side than the aroma would suggest. There's an upfront dark, burnt sugar flavor along with roasted grains and slight alcohol. Some hop flavor in the finish, along with plenty of bitterness.

A medium bodied beer. Smooth, with delicate carbonation. A wet, yet bitter finish.

A great beer. But, a slightly smoother flavor would have been more up my alley.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 13:02:21 | More by UnderPressure

JWU

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

22oz. bottle poured into a tumbler glass

A- A clear amber/brown with red hues. A big pillowy light khaki head sits on top, and laces fantastically. Head sticks around quite long.

S- A really nice mix of caramel malts and earthy/piney hops. Very aromatic.

T- A big smack of earthy, spicy, and piney hops hits up front, some malty caramel sweetness balances, but the bitterness hits hard on the end and lingers well after the sip.

M- Impressively medium to full, and slick on the palette up front even though it's very, very dry on the back end.

O- This stuff is a marvel of modern craft beer. Imitated, but certainly never duplicated.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 01:31:08 | More by JWU

keithmurray

Louisiana

3.93/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance - dark copper color with fluffy white head

Smell - Pine, caramel, citrus

Taste - pine, grapefruit, caramel

Mouthfeel - medium bodied, low carbonation, very bitter on the back end, bitterness lingers long in the aftersip

Overall - decent beer that I haven't had in quite a while, figured I would give it a proper review this time around. Solid. I wish this came in 6 packs along with the bomber format

Price Point - $4.99/22 oz bomber

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 01:20:59 | More by keithmurray

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.24/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Served on tap in a snifter glass

Appearance-Served a mahogany colored brew with ruby highlights shining throughout. Upon serving there is a one finger cream colored head that fades rather quickly to leave a persistent film on the top of the brew and a very nice level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma is a nice mix of bready malts, caramel, and a moderate hop aroma. The hop while mainly grapefruit citrus in nature is also mixed with aromas of a pine hop aroma as well.

Taste – The taste begins with a bready and biscuit base with a lighter caramel sweetness. Up front there are also some hop flavors of a pine nature. The caramel fades as the taste advanced with the pine getting stronger and more potent. While the caramel fades, fruit flavors of a light cherry and apple flavor come to the tongue. While the pine levels out in the middle, it is joined by a lighter grapefruit citrus hop flavor. This citrus grows stronger more toward the end of the taste with it, when mixed with the rest of the flavors, leaving a bitter pine and citrus flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel-The body of the beer is on the slightly creamier side with a carbonation level that is a b it on the higher side. The creaminess allows all the hop flavors of the brew a chance to linger on the tongue, while the carbonation level makes it easier drinking and more refreshing.

Overall – A quite tasty brew. It’s on the hoppier side, but balanced quite nicely by the sweeter fruit, caramel, and more malty flavors of the brew. Its well know for a good reason; its quite a good moderate strength IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2013 02:45:32 | More by Darkmagus82

pcguitarwzrd

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Appears stout-black at first pour but hold it to the light to reveal a deep reddish-brown. Head is khaki and dissipates quickly.

S: Deceptively mild. Some malty and chocolate notes. Can't pick up too much of the hops.

T: Hop explosion followed by baking chocolate, espresso, prunes and an aftertaste of chocolate milk. Alcohol is never apparent except to dry the finish nicely.

M: Rich and satisfying but never syrupy.

O: Even if I hated this beer I would give it points for the monologue on the bottle. In fact this is an excellent beer that may become one of my go-to's.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 01:38:13 | More by pcguitarwzrd