Arrogant Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

mickeymac

California

3.95/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I don't know if it was just my imagination, but I detected the scent and taste of pineapple and just couldn't get past it. I like hops, but found the hoppiness of this beer a bit overwhelming. It probably would age well, but I guess the point of the whole exercise is to get smacked in the face right now.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2002 18:03:55 | More by mickeymac

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Watch out, this one will smack you upside the head if you're not ready. Pours with a big tan head, the beer is ruby brown in color. Smells sweet, citric, alcoholy and slightly musty, which is odd beacuse this beer should have been fresh (I ordered it online at Beer on the Wall and tried it three days after receiving it). Almost no carbonation. From the first sip the alcohol makes its presence known. Bitter throughout with a nutty-bitter slightly astringent aftertaste, which really lingers. A faint mustiness can be tasted, which seems odd and out of place. A real hoppy kick in the crotch. I wanted to like this beer more, and I consider myself a hophead, but it was a little too bitter/astringent without enough balancing maltiness for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2002 14:15:10 | More by htomsirveaux

aracauna

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I just wasn't ready. There's an amazing almost belgian-like complexity to the smell and taste, but the bitterness was overwhelming to me. I had trouble getting past the bitterness. There is a factor that may have made this experience more unpleasant than it should have been. I had gotten a mini-hangover a couple of days earlier from beer and I may not have recovered my taste for beer completely. My appreciation for the bitterness in beers is a recently aquired taste and still subject to occasional setbacks.

rerate 8-29-02: It's only been a few months since my original rating and already the "overwhelming bitterness" has changed to easily palateable bitterness. Nice creamy foam pitted head this time. Too dark to be called off-white. Body is reddish brown, nice but not exceptional. Aroma is some sweet malt and a slightly pine-liek hop bite. Flavor bites first, a little interesting maltiness in the middle and some fruitiness (I could have sworn it was peach there a couple of times, but it became more vague after that) It ends with a fairly short, bitter finish.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2002 11:01:34 | More by aracauna

Jordan

California

4.8/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Son of a B1@tc# Like a bouquet of flowers and garden hops on the nostrils. Dark amber brownish in color with a caramel colored head, the bubbles have a look of an oil slick to them. Starts off semi sweet and malty then turns down right bitter in the finish. The flavor lasts and lasts minutes after you swig. This brew has the most fitting name. Complex and has tons of character. Even though the drinkability is a joke, it deserves high marks because of this paradox. Great winter brew!

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2001 15:31:16 | More by Jordan

jonnylieberman

California

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

At first you might think the bottle is half of the appeal, but then you find a joint that serves Arrogant Bastard on tap and you relaize that this is one of the world's best beers. From the smell to the taste to crazy things you do after four or five pints, this beer is first class. Really, all of Stone's beers are great, but there is just a little something extra about this one. But then, I am always a sucker for a big, hoppy faux-IPA type of ale. Aren't you?

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2001 17:39:13 | More by jonnylieberman

mattmaples

Oregon

4.45/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I love this beer. Agressive hops with enough malt to back it up. Not for everyone but it is one for me. I feel it is more of a stong ale than an IPA but it is a fine hair to split. This beer has soo much going on sometimes it is hard not to be overwhelmed.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2001 18:02:06 | More by mattmaples

Brent

Kentucky

3/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I guess I'm "not worthy" of this beer, as the bottle states. It had a lot going for it, a distinctive citrus note at the front and an assertive hops finish. For some reason, however, this beer did not win me over. Maybe I was just intimidated.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2001 18:27:30 | More by Brent

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