Arrogant Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Co.

HossMcGraw

Pennsylvania

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

This beer almost brought a tear to my eye the first time I tried it. It's that good. The intense hops and malt in AB are just beautifully balanced and complex. The hop bite in the flavor is remarkable. The head is enormous, and the aftertaste is amazing. This just might knock Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout out of the coveted "Best Beer I've Tried So Far" designation. The only question is where do I go from here? Be careful when you're drinking beer that's this good.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2002 00:11:02 | More by HossMcGraw

Jarod

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

It poured into the glass a dark red/brown color. The head was a thick and creamy. The lace seemed sticky and clinged to the sides of the glass to the end. The aroma was strong, dominated by hops and toasted grains with a hint of toffee and/or caramel. The flavor was actually very complex it combined a sweet malt, hoppy bitterness with notes of citrus which did not show up on the nose. This was a very good beer to the end.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2002 09:13:27 | More by Jarod

aaronh

Pennsylvania

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

I was comletely shocked by the amount of malt flavors this beer produced! This beautiful red-amber beer was served with a nice head that failed to ever fully subside. It left a nice lace on the glass as well. The aroma was very potent, with hops florals, citrus, and pine notes. The first taste startled me not because of the hops, but because of the excellent balance of maltiness and bitterness. Strong caramel notes were followed by an intense hop presence that left a lingering mitterness on the aftertaste. Every taste followed the same malt - citrus - bitterness trend, from beginning to end of the glass. The mouthfeel was very full, but yet somewhat refreshing with the heavy hop finish. The drinkability was good, as I did not realize the moderate ABV of this beer while drinking. This was a better beer than I had anticipated, and I plan to buy some arrogance again very soon.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2002 16:33:27 | More by aaronh

AtrumAnimus

Texas

2.7/5  rDev -35.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

This is definately a hop head beer. Very hoppy with a bitter finish. Rather ropugh on the pallate too. I love their logo though. Just not a very clean finish either. Drinkable but definately not on my list of favorites. The aroma is deceptive. Perhaps that is the real problem with this beer. You get the aroma of Hops and are probably expecting more than you get from the taste. Also tastes a lot like it was allowed enough fermentation time. PErhaps if they bottle fermented this beer it would smooth out and be excellent then.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2002 11:59:13 | More by AtrumAnimus

Kwak

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Arrogant Bastard Ale
Head :Thick Full almost to thick.
Body :Deep dark almost merki.
Taste :This is one big beer.Full of malt and slight hopps strong
flavor.allot of taste almost confusing.

I'm just sorry I can't get it here!

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2002 16:57:24 | More by Kwak

maxpower

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love this beer, cascade citrus aroma, pours ruby-brown color,roasted huge malty flavor with a balanced huge hop profile.This is a big ale with a great flavor, I love it, I could drink it daily.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2002 06:16:46 | More by maxpower

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

4.72/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I did not want to like this beer. Everyone raved about it and I thought "so what?" I picked up a bottle, and read the label, "you're not worthy." "And you are?", I thought. It poured dark amber with a nice head. The first sip was exhillerating. I was not quite prepared for this. Mega hops and a BOLD taste. I thought, "this will soon subside." It didn't. The last drink tasted just like the first. I killed the bottle an about an hour and a half. A 22oz usually lasts me 30 minutes if it is my first. Not this time. I enjoyed and savored every gulp. When I finished, I could drink no more. I had only bought one bottle and all my other beers were, "not worthy".

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2002 07:30:30 | More by bewareOFpenguin

Zraly

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hoppity hop hop.

Arrogant Bastard pours an amber-red, a nice warm tone to accompany the fiery domination of the hoppy smell. It is a strong, pine smell...Chinook hops perhaps?

The smell was a definate precursor to the taste, this is hop heaven. The malt is a fairly passive backdrop, consisting of a mild caramel note. There is also a particular nuance of alcohol. Otherwise, this is hop-feast galore. This is not a meager ale. No compromises and no apologies. It is flavorful, bold, and well, arrogant.

Hop heads, embrace! A fearless leader has arrived.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2002 21:54:15 | More by Zraly

Morris729

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark reddish brown color with a thick and creamy head that did a superb job of clinging to the sides of the glass while drinking. The aroma, which is quite strong, is dominated by hops and toasted grains with hints of toffee and caramel. The flavor is a complex combination of a malty sweetness and a hoppy bitterness with notes of citrus. It’s very creamy in the mouth and goes down smoothly. A very good brew with a nice price of $3.69 for a 22oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2002 18:11:08 | More by Morris729

Delirium

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This head of tiny bubbles quicky becomes an expanding universe which is gradually swept away in the rising ale below. Smells of sweet apricots, carmel and coffee, which is a deceptive quality of this bitter brew. Drinking this ale without an open nose is like listening to an arguement without knowing the details.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2002 15:51:42 | More by Delirium

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The first time I had this beer, I was not ready for it. I was very new to beers outside of the mega scene, but willing to try. All I remember is bitter and unpleasant. Since then, I've done a lot of tasting and wanted to try this again. Good thing, too, as I realized why the first tasting wasn't so great.

To start out, ABA pours reddish brown, it looks like iced tea in the glass. A one to two finger head which really gives a strong citrus aroma on the nose like maybe orange peel. Don't be too easy on the pour, you want that head to be substantial. Stop halfway to see how the head is forming up and if you've been too gentle and need more foam, pour into the center of the glass instead of down the side.

Okay here's something to try: Once the glass is filled with a nice head hat, lick the foam so it just gets the tip area of the tongue. While some of the hop taste is there, you almost can get a straight fruit taste of what you are smelling. The taste is very citrusy and to me all orange.

The hops certainly prevail once you get past the head, but the citrus stays there also, right through to the aftertaste, which finishes warmly if you'll let this beer get above 55 degrees before you start, which leads me to the point I was alluding to at the top. I think the first time I had ABA it was too cold and the citrus was masked too much. Like night and day, much more enjoyable this time around. Keystone fans... up yours!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2002 12:55:17 | More by brewdlyhooked13

tigerpaws

South Carolina

3.13/5  rDev -25.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not worthy! I beg to differ, I was not impressed by this beer. As a devout hoprhead I looked forward to this beer and was disapointed. Pours a nice copper color but with almost no head. The aroma is very hoppy which teased me into great expectations. It did have a hoppy taste but it did not vary from first sip to last. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but while I wouldn't turn down another one I would also surely not buy one..............CHEERS

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2002 06:05:14 | More by tigerpaws

Gusler

Arizona

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Been a while since I had this bad boy, and it is a beer that 99.9% of the beer drinkers will not like? But I believe if you "Can't Run With The Big Dogs, Stay On The Porch". Pours a deep dark ruby brown, portly beige head and lots of lace. Nose is malt, some what toasted, hop floral tones.The start is malt, the middle full, robust, the finish is devastatingly hopped, potently acidic, and the aftertaste malt dry. Very hearty, a "Beer Lovers" beer, not meant for the Palate Challenged Lite Beer Drinkers".

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2002 17:30:31 | More by Gusler

Mark

California

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

Not a session ale that's for dang sure! Dark reddish brown with a thick long lasting tan head, exceptional lacing. Strong smell of citrusy hops most notably grapefruit. Very bitter blast of hops coat the palate, good mouthfeel. A very complex full bodied, hoppy ale. Very decadent and a good one for that indulgent mood we want to satisfy. While very enjoyable to drink it packs a wallop at almost 8.0%. I will have it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2002 21:02:00 | More by Mark

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

Longstaff

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The bartender poured my samples right to the top of the pint glass, so there was not much head to speak of -but I'm not complaining, just means more beer to drink. The body was apple red colored and slightly cloudy and left drink marks down the side of the glass. Fruity aroma of grapefruit and pineapple lifesavers. The first few sips were like a multi layered flavor explosion. At first it seemed too sweet, too grapefruity, and too bitter, then after a few sips all these flavors seemed to join together as a cohesive unit that was in awesome balance. After about a half a pint I realized what all the hype was about since this was a very drinkable, full flavored beer. After a while I didn't even notice the bitterness of the hops. Could have sat and drank this all night, but someone would have had to carry me home.

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2002 07:52:15 | More by Longstaff

hyuga

North Carolina

4.8/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I must say, this one starts to impress while it's still being poured! Burnt amber color topped by a huge sticky tan head that stays almost endlessly. Leaves tons of lace as the glass is emptied. Grand aroma of ultra-citrusy hops, as well as piney hop character. Just a little sweet malt backs it all up. The first taste is a war between malt and hops, both in full force. Rich and sweet maltiness comes on strong, along with sharp spears of citrus and rind-like hop bitterness. Hints of spicy alcohol. Grainy malt and bitter hop finish. It's usually hard to find that complexity in the finish of a beer. Tingly yet smooth mouthfeel. Not one part of the experience of this beer lacks flavor. Yes, that means a full body, this is one of the most full-bodied beers I've ever tasted. An aggressive beer that doesn't even think of holding back. Most are not worthy of this brew. I say bring on the arrogance!

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2002 02:19:28 | More by hyuga

jtw5877

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to Xlperro for the sample. Nice dark color with a thick tanish head. Nice hop smell. I first notice the citrusy grassy hops, yet the maltiness is right there too. Great drinkability, I could drink this all night, if it wasn't for the 7+ alcohol. I love it.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2002 13:18:02 | More by jtw5877

jackndan

Illinois

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

Arrogant Bastard: damn straight I’m worthy. Huge beer, hops, malts, aroma and alcohol. Seems a little rough around the edges, but a balanced taste. Long lasting cider/coffee aftertaste, and alcohol warmth. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2002 20:03:22 | More by jackndan

usualpulp

Texas

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is one harsh and potent beer, but quite good at the same time. It pours a dark brown color with a nice fizzy light brown head. The brew smells very hoppy with a slight spice hint. The first sip leaves the mouth exploding in hop flavor. then suddenly the mouth is overwhelmed by a fruity grapefruit flavor mixed with clove. The beer finishes very harsh, but not in a bad way. This would be a good beer for a cool fall night.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2002 17:07:01 | More by usualpulp

mzwolinski

California

4.47/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Arrogant indeed! But hey, if ya got the goods to back it up...

Everything about this beer is strong. Pours an deep, angry red that looks like the glow in their gargoyle's eye. Anf if the message on the bottle wasn't enough to warn the weak-kneed quaffers off, the aroma ought to be. Sure it's got a nice sweet malty undertone with a fruity boquet, but this beer doesn't keep its 7.2 ABV a secret.

Things don't get any gentler once this beer gets in you mouth. A medium body, which starts off with a mix of caramel malty sweetness and rind-like edginess, followed by the warming feel of alcohol and a big (what about this beer *isn't* big?) hop finish.

Another great beer from Stone. And you're surprised?

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2002 22:35:25 | More by mzwolinski

mophie

Delaware

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

Oh baby, this is a fantastic beer. Beautiful rich copper/brown with a frothy tan head; luscious. Exceptional fruity aromas, almost tropical, with some grapefuit balanced by some caramel sweetness. Taste is also fruity (guava?), grapefruity, slightly piney. Huge malt backbone in this beer gives it a sweetness that envelopes your tongue. But in the end hops rule, and the beer finishes with a bitter hop twang that makes you wonder whether you're worthy. I am, dammit.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2002 12:00:30 | More by mophie

jreitman

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The first thing I noticed was intense pineapple and grapefruit smells. Grapefuit was very obvious in the mouth as was some pleasing malt sweetness that was kept in check by a fair amount of bitterness. Mouthfeel was slightly lighter than the bottled version.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2002 09:17:31 | More by jreitman

QXSTER1

Pennsylvania

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

I was expecting a butt kicking hop explosion from this bastard, which would of been excellent, but to my surprise there was enough malt backbone to highlight but not overpower the superb bitterness. Fruity and medium bodied with an initial grapefruit rind bitterness followed by some caramel and toasted grains, this was deceptively light and refreshing giving it's relatively high alcohol content. Finished with more flavorful but curiously balanced hop notes. I could of pounded a few of these, but it was too far to walk home.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2002 15:41:13 | More by QXSTER1

sinistersteve

Oregon

4.9/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Heed the warning on the label non-believers, because this is one tough beer that is only meant for the big boys. The pour was dark and thick, the head was dark and thick, and the taste is like a malt explosion in your mouth. Stone is probably the God's of mixing water, hops, malt and yeast together. They haven't failed me yet.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2002 16:44:00 | More by sinistersteve