Arrogant Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

mickstepp

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I hate to deal in superlatives. Sometimes the best beer you ever had is the one sitting in front of you right now. Still and all Arrogant Bastard induces just such "irrational exuberance". The hops would be over the top if it weren't for all the supporting complexity. This beer is a workout for the tongue because every taste bud gets to participate. There is a very faint malty sweetness in the background. And a bit of effervesence. Also some interesting herbal and vegetal notes. The alcohol is clearly distinguishable (though not distracting). And by the way, did I mention the hops.

I'm drinking this on draught and intend to find out if the bottled version passes muster.

It's even a pretty beer. Dark copper color. Moderate head and a nice cascading, layered lace as it goes down in the glass. And it does go down. Much too quickly. Almost perfect. But as I said, I shy away from superlatives.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2002 17:21:24 | More by mickstepp

brakspear

Wisconsin

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

What a beer. Not for the faint of heart, but the label should have scared timid beer drinkers aways anyway. This beer poured a dark amber and brown body with a chewy thick tan head. The nose is a blast of thick dripping malt, toasted, caramel, biting, smokey, with a nice citrus hop snap. The flavors are full bodied, roasted malt flavors with a nice balancing faint sweetness, which is then slammed by a slicing hop bitterness. A true joy to drink, I just wish the Arrogant One was available in Wisconsin....

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2003 23:22:16 | More by brakspear

Running4beer

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Whoa Hot Damn this beer is good and weird in a good way(can something be weird in a good way?) Anyways...Pours out dark amber reddish highlights, thin off white head that ends up turning into a sticky lace that hangs around until you done with this brew....Aroma was spicy and hoppy and some kind of fruit that I can't tell what it is. Taste is wow some fruit, definetly has hops, chocolate or carmel malts, a smokey taste as well and a hint of alcohol. The mouth feel was smooth with a slight carbonation, medium bodied but very good. I could drink a sixer of this stuff but after 3 I'll probably be shit faced to the max, very good stuff.

Everytime I see an Arrogant Bastard brew these words come out of my mouth " Get in my belly" with a Fat Bastard scottish accent..

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2003 17:11:49 | More by Running4beer

MABZ

Nebraska

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wow! I could swear that every time I picked up my class for a sniff or a drink, I was drinking a different brew. The first sips were quite hoppy, though not overbearing. The next few drinks contained caramel and toffee, and the next few drinks after that contained orange and other fruity tastes. This is a very complex brew. It is a shame that the text on the label is true for the majority of beer drinkers, at least in the U.S. I particularly loved the following: "Questions or comments? If you don't like this beer, keep it to yourself -- we don't want to hear from any sniverling yellow-beer-drinkin' wimps, 'cause this beer wasn't made for you."

Anyways, back to the review... the beer poured a dark nutty brown color. The head wasn't nearly as impressive as the Stone IPA I sampled the previous night, though it seemed to leave at least a quarter inch of foam throughout the whole 22 ounces, so the beer was at least protected from the O2. The lacing was unlike any I'd ever witnessed, however. The smell, as I mentioned earlier, seemed to change from time to time, though it always kept a pleasant hoppy aroma.

The taste was so dynamic I couldn't not give it a 5, along with the complexities of the mouthfeel as the brew is swished to different parts of the palate. Although I wanted another one immediately after finishing, the drinkability isn't quite perfect for such a heavy and complex brew, but it is damn near. I only wish I didn't have to order Stone brews off the internet to enjoy them from home.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2004 08:07:32 | More by MABZ

nortmand

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours deep ruby-red with a brilliant white head. Beautiful.
Deep, rich malty caramel smell, supported by a citrusy hop aroma.
Huge grapefuit up front, followed by a more mellow citrus-caramel malt infusion. Ends with a grapefruit reminiscent tart bitterness. Mmm... Tasty.
Smooth, silky drink that I will come back to again and again. Unfortunately as of now, I have to travel to find this beer. But it is well worth the trip.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2005 03:04:39 | More by nortmand

poluti

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I have had this beer bottled and enjoyed it immensely. I decided to hold off on the review until I could find it on tap. It pours a cloudy tan head with a deep amber color- with a tinge of orange. This beer smells bittersweet. It has a very deep floral scent and multiple layers of hops. The hops definitely do not match the color of the beer. The smell prepares you for the hoppy bang you get from your first sip. It has a fantastic kick on the back of the tongue with the malt gently balancing it at the tip of the tongue. The tongue is lightly coated before it kicks you. This is a very hoppy, very potent beer. I would only recommend this to people who love hops and would advise them not to rate any beers for awhile after having this one because the hops dominate your tastebuds for awhile.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2005 06:12:24 | More by poluti

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22 oz. bottle which just happens to eb the last of the awesome haul i got from Px2Grafx in BIF 24.

Appearance: Totally clear brown color, very creamy tan head. Hardly any carbonation visible.

Smell: Smell is sweet carmel, toasted malt, and some alcohol.

Taste: Hops, there are a lot of them in this beer. Burnt malt flavoring, slight carmel sweetness. Hops are huge, juicy and satisfying. Unique and assertive. Slight coffee flavor, also.

Mouthfeel: Full and creamy, perfect.

Drinkability: Listed as an American Strong Ale, but what does that mean? This is a big dark ale, very hoppy and pleasing. So if the ASA designation is a catchall for strong ales that can't be pigeonholed, this is what I would want from one of those beers. Thanks to Px2Grafx.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2005 04:17:57 | More by TastyTaste

objectivemonkey

Minnesota

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Holy mother of all things holy. This... wow. Pours a cloudy amber brown, a beautiful color, good sized creamy, thick, light tan head. Aroma is just fantastic. My friend said it best; "I could simply smell this beer all night long." As it came out of the bottle, could smell it and thought it'd be just potent, a little too much. Sat down and started with it, and it isn't actually that .... er, arrogant. Its actually just about right, between assertive and obscene. At once its heavily malty, a dark deep caramel malt thats more reminicent of barleywine malting, but perhaps thats me taking a whiff of the fantastic pine hop overtones that play center stage. If anything, this aroma is rich with subtleties that aren't subtle at all, complex, fantastic, and pretty much making my mouth drool.

Taste is what it should be, what it says it is; in your face, uncompromising, unyielding loads of hop, malt and just a little tug on the soul. It grabs you, invites you to chew on it, eat the malt, and oh ya, there are those boat loads of hops too. This is an all out war on the tongue, and mine has given up. Not as its too powerful, but its just perfect. That balance between the sizable hop load, bitter but not bittering, just a bite that lets you understand that its there, and its huge, but its not going to kick your ass, at least not yet. And the sweet caramel malt, practically making me smile, I lean my head back and say 'this is the best thing of my entire day.'

Most of this talk is rubbish. And I dont' care. One of the best beers I'll ever have.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2006 05:01:35 | More by objectivemonkey

zuggy9

California

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is a strong solid ale that is strong. Dark copper reddish poir with a tan head with mild retention. It has some citrus esters as well as a nice sweetness, coupled with good hoppiness. The taste is strong, robust and citrusy, with malt sweetness. A bit heavy mouthfeel, and adequately carbonated. Good drinkability, though it can sneak up on you!

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2006 05:24:48 | More by zuggy9

bort11

Missouri

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

With great thanks to SkinnyElvis for this one.

Shared with my wife over the celebration of the birth of my daughter, Sophia Grace.
22 oz bottle, poured into a tulip glass. Thick frothy head about a fingers width that receded to a mildly sticky lace. Color is a solid dark brown, just the slightest light penetrates around the edges of the glass.
Smell is mostly hoppy with a malt balance to it. Taste is exceptionally balanced between the hops and the malt. The hops hits you up front and then mellows out to a rich roasted malt. Mouthfeel is wonderfully full and creamy.
I wish Stone beers were available in Missouri. I would have this one hand all the time.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2006 05:58:40 | More by bort11

IPAcraig

Tennessee

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I picked a few of these up in Nashville, now I am regretting not getting more. An excellent beer that I poured into my De Garre Snifter from a bomber.

Massive light brown head with good lacing, compliments an opaque dark ruby brown body.

Smells of sweet malt, figs, with a touch of hops. Very nice.

Taste of heavenly chocolate and caramel. It has a very nice dark fruit character as well. The hops are fairly big in this beer, but not overpowering or harsh. It has a nice slighlty warming alcohol presence near the end. The bitterness really lingers with this one. Like a slightly hoppy piece of dark chocolate. Perfect. Period.

This brew has a big body but has a nice medium carbonation. Creamy but not overly heavy.

This is one of the best beers out there in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2007 23:53:52 | More by IPAcraig

techdiver

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

It's been a while since I had any of this. Seems I forgot what a pleasure it is. Pours a beautiful deep mahogany with a creamy off white head that dissipates slowly leaving a nice foamy cap and modest lacing.

Fairly balanced nose of caramel malt and hops.

Taste is impressive with a smooth malt profile intermingled with the hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium to full and very smooth, a lush and easy drinking brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2008 05:00:13 | More by techdiver

SickBrew

Washington

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Ahhhh!!

Most men are indeed unworthy of the Bastard Ale! It is something special and different. The malt and hops come through in all aspects, are balanced to perfection and just kick a$$. Of the beers I've reviewed recently this is my new favorite.

Cheers to the Brewers!

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2008 01:20:32 | More by SickBrew

grayburn

South Carolina

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a frothy dark amber, thick head and heavy lacing.

Notes of caramel and citrus in abundance, I took a minute to put on my wonder woman underoos at this point, and continued with caution. This is a big beer.

The taste is a wonderful balance of over-hopping and over-malting that continues all the way into a strong lingering finish. This is an arrogant bastard of beer that is hard not to love. It is powerful shit that doesn't need to offer apologies.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2008 19:53:34 | More by grayburn

Jmoore50

Nevada

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Just to start off this is maybe one of my favorite beers of all time. I just love everything about this beer. The first time I had this brew was about two years ago and it kicked me in the face and I instantly got hard. I love the brew and I love Stone Brewery for making this brew.

The bottle has the arrogant bastard gargoyle with a pint of brew. Basically this beer tells you how it is, if you don't like beer or drink yellow fizzy crap then don't even bother buying Arrogant Bastard. I will have to agree, if you don't like Arrogant Bastard you should probably start drinking chocolate milk again because your a little boy.

The appearance is a dark red. An almost bloody brew that pours with a two finger head that quickly disappears. No real lacing that is noticeable, but just a faint spot here and there.

The smell is that of oak, alcohol, hops, and goodness. Which goes along very well with the flavor. It just yells hops and alcohol. I get this real warm flavor that is probably the hops with the alcohol. I just love the way it tastes and the overall mouthfeel. It tastes really good and goes down smooth.

I could drink a few pints of these. I will start buying them more often. BUY AND DRINK THIS BREW!

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2009 05:40:22 | More by Jmoore50

cmaloy

Utah

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

The best way to explain this beer is to say that it punches you in the face after you drink it. The hoppy bite in the aftertaste is strong and I really enjoyed the long lasting taste this beer left in my mouth.

The appearance was dark brown and maintained a foamy head on top.

You could smell the perfect blend of malt and taste the bitterness of the hops on the finish. When first drinking this beer you start off with a kind of creamy thickness and end with a bitterness you would expect in a strong beer. You can also taste the alcohol in the after taste.

I would recommend drinking this beer with red meat. Actually I would recommend drinking this beer period. This beer was great and is the beer to beat in this class.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2009 13:40:24 | More by cmaloy

geeooff1

New York

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

had my first one the other day...its a great beer in every aspect. it pours out a nice amber color with a good sized head and lacing on the glass throughout. the taste is hoppy with a little bit of citrus, but barely noticeable,very pleasant to the palate... just a perfect combo if you ask me

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2009 07:41:25 | More by geeooff1

atpben

Texas

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This was my first Stone beer and it very quickly became one of my top 5 favorite beers. Poured the bottle into an arrogant bastard glass. Poures a wonderful dark red color with a thick white head. The beer is all about the hops mixed perfectly with hints of carmal and vanilla. Wow what a great tasting beer. The pine and citrus keep coming in and out throughout. Lots of malts to back the huge amount of hops. Nice long hoppy bitter finish. Great beer. Only problem is two bomber is enough for me although I want to keep drinking. Liquid gold.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2009 19:50:16 | More by atpben

awesomeandrew

California

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Dark amber looking, reddish with a light head. Good lacing. Head retains well.

S: Caramel, flowery hop smell. Smells sweet.

T: Hops on the forefront. Good hop aftertaste. Tiny hint of chocolate. Floral hops. Aggressive yet stayed balanced enough to enjoy. A little sweet too.
M: Smooth and drinkable, I thought it was a nice medium body, everything reacts and bubbles on tongue.

O: Very awesome beer. I love it and will drink again.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 04:01:11 | More by awesomeandrew

Kaie

Washington

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hands down one of the best strong ales out there. Probably my favorite.

The entire bastard line is fantastic. If you've never had any of the 'Bastards'; Might as well start with the original yeah?

Everything about this brew drips awesome.

The first thing i notice every time is the quality smell. It really sets up the flavor for the entire Arrogant Bastard Experience.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 01:08:15 | More by Kaie

Kelpius

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is one of my favorite bottled beers. Considering some of its qualifying competitors come from the same company, you can't go too wrong with any Stone beer. Delightful mouth feel, superb flavor and tremendous overall quality. A bit pricey, but worth the splurge. Try it. It might become your favorite beer. If you like something a bit hoppier, try the IPAs from Stone. Seriously, a brewery we can only hope is around to stay.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 05:35:37 | More by Kelpius

Misajet90

Montana

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

This is a good solid beer to go along with a strong flavored meal. I usually will have one with a steak or burgers but to be honest it's a good beer to have just about anytime.

If you can find it on tap it's worth it every time. I've only seen it at the Brewery and at Barney's Beanery but I'm sure there are more. Out of the bottle this is a great beer also.

Overall I highly recomend this beer to everyone, if you like dark beer or not it's worth trying it out.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2013 19:35:31 | More by Misajet90

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

francisweizen

Australia

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

Notes: The drinkability suffers due to the high alcohol content and the mouthfeel is a bit harsh...

This beer is perfect! Thanks to Morris729 for the sample. I have no idea why I have waited so long to try this beer, but I have tried it now! This beer poured a beautiful, dark, blood-red colour with a awesome head. This beer had the wonderful aromas of heavy, bready malts, and mouth-puckering, citrus-like, hops! The taste was of heavy hops and heavy malts in perfect harmony. The hops in this beer were extremely citrusy and this beer had an overwhelming and yummy grapefruit flavor. The mouthfeel of this beer was very thick, sharp, crisp, creamy, and full and the drinkability is top-notch, despite the 7.2% abv.
I'm not worthy!
Cheers!
-F

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2003 12:46:22 | More by francisweizen

AlexJ

North Carolina

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

Stone could pee in a bottle, hop it up and I would probably drink it. Their beer are nothing if not extraordinary. Read the bottle first, the copy sends shivers of apprehension up your spine-Am I worthy? As it turns out, yes! Pours a beautiful garnet color with a lingering head and tons of lacing on my goblet. Malt and hops fight it out for the nose. An immediate punch in the mouth of hops. Raisens, moist fruit cake, port? Very complex and intense. I savored every drop. Like all dank beers, it should be drank cellar temp. I have a few of em stashed in the cellar, can't wait to see what time does to this Stone potion!

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2004 14:19:18 | More by AlexJ