Arrogant Bastard Ale - Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Arrogant Consortia

Arrogant Bastard Ale - Bourbon Barrel-AgedArrogant Bastard Ale - Bourbon Barrel-Aged
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From:
Arrogant Consortia
 
California, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
Ranked #109
ABV:
8.1%
Score:
87
Ranked #16,062
Avg:
3.89 | pDev: 10.54%
Reviews:
338
Ratings:
1,513
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jul 11, 2022
Added:
Apr 24, 2009
Wants:
  82
Gots:
  386
I awake from a slumber that’s been anything but peaceful. I feel stronger yet somehow more nimble and refined. I have been born anew and, in the process, anointed with vibrant, inspiring, previously unexperienced character, all while maintaining everything I am and have always been—bold, bullish, unadulterated, and yes, Arrogant. Are you Worthy of quaffing a beverage of this intensity, irreverence and quality craftsmanship? Not likely, but for those who “get it,” I know my time in this bourbon barrel has not been wasted. Cheers to you, enlightened imbiber. On second thought, cheers to me!
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Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Chipotle:
Photo of Chipotle
Rated by Chipotle from New York

3.79/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Nov 11, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.3 by DarrellK from Florida

Jul 11, 2022
 
Rated: 4.06 by Dentist666 from Russian Federation

Jul 01, 2021
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

3.54/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Shared 355 ml bottle at local tasting. Reddish brown colour. Malty aroma, slightly oxidised, with some caramel, notes of oak and bourbon, but not as distinct as expected. More distinct oak and bourbon / vanilla in the flavour, also distinct bittering hops.
May 08, 2021
Photo of qrazvan
Reviewed by qrazvan from Romania

3.94/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Clear dark red colour, nice & persistent foamy head.
Really nice smell of borbon, oak wood, caramel and ripe fruits.
The taste is medium sweet, wit a bitter hint at the beginning. Light body. Burnt sugar, dried fruits, fermented grapes, plums, some woddy notes. Very bitter aftertaste, with the wood tanins coming in front.
A nice experiment, but the bitterness is too strong, covering the delicate bourbon and oak notes, more obvious on the nose
Dec 06, 2020
 
Rated: 3.9 by Long813 from Canada (ON)

Nov 24, 2020
Photo of Pegasus
Reviewed by Pegasus from Texas

4.27/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Stunning, massive, moderately coarse cloud-top head utterly dominates the mahogany brown body. The head retention is excellent. Belgian-style lacing adorn the glass wall.

Aroma: Sweet molasses, toffee and caramel notes, and earthy and pine hops dominate the aroma. Bourbon, oak, and vanilla are also evident. There is abundant sweet, vinous alcohol, as well.

Taste: Opens with a massive wave of dark malt, caramel, molasses, and toffee. As the taste progresses, sweet alcohol, oak, vanilla, and grapefruit hops move to the forefront of the taste. Late in the taste, the bourbon and oak really shine, and there is a late and pleasing warming sensation. Finishes with a lingering herbal and medicinal hop note, serving to offset the sweetness quite graciously.

Mouth feel: Smooth and very full, just excellent, with modest soft carbonation.

Drinkability/notes: Simply put, one of the finest examples readily available, and at a modest price point. A well-cellared case would prove a prudent investment in future enjoyment. As well, this would be an elegant presentation for a holiday dinner.

Presentation: Packaged in a standard twenty-two ounce brown glass bomber, with an an enameled label, and a pry-off crown, served in a Duvel tulip.
Nov 21, 2020
Photo of Steve555
Reviewed by Steve555 from Wales

2.5/5  rDev -35.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.75
Nice mahogany colour, disappointing small head and lacing to be expected I suppose from such a strong beer. Smell of dried fruit and spirits. I found this to be so bitter and boozy that it was almost undrinkable. Alcohol present in spades and I picked up a raging temperature in no time. Not for me!
Jun 19, 2020
 
Rated: 3.75 by FakeDoctor96 from New Jersey

Jun 10, 2020
 
Rated: 4.21 by ealvara from Texas

Jun 10, 2020
Photo of timon
Reviewed by timon from California

4.18/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Look is dark red with some lacing. Smell is like hard apple cider sitting in a bourbon barrel. Taste is very good, but a bit weird. There is a clash between some unidentified flavor and the bourbon flavor. Still a very nice taste, though. Mouthfeel is very nice and medium, not too much carbonation.

Edit: it's starting to taste better now that it's warming up....mmmmnnnn....
Apr 12, 2020
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Arrives clear and auburn with a one finger head that persists nicely and leaves some sheets of lacing

Smell: Caramel, dark fruit, citrusy hops and a hint of Bourbon

Taste: As expected, the caramel and citrusy hops are pronounced from the outset; dark fruit tones add a growing depth of flavor; through the middle, the Bourbon arrives and enhances without dominating; the finish melds the elements together

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate to high carbonation

Overall: I was expecting a much bigger beer and was unsure about whether I would like that; surprisingly, what I got was a nicely balanced approach that brought all the elements together; I guess the arrogance has faded after all these years but the result was very drinkable
Feb 14, 2020
 
Rated: 3.81 by Eyedoc27 from Illinois

Feb 06, 2020
 
Rated: 3.7 by denver10 from New Mexico

Dec 26, 2019
Photo of Tony210
Reviewed by Tony210 from New Jersey

4.49/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a murky dark amber, minimal head. Fantastic malty, molasses aroma. Great malty flavor, lots of molasses, pervasive bitterness. Fairly syrupy. Overall a great beer, this one was aged 3 years.

10/24/19
12 oz bottle dated 7/28/16
4.5 rating
Oct 26, 2019
 
Rated: 3.78 by blissfulNemo from Michigan

Oct 17, 2019
 
Rated: 4.04 by Franklin-Yeo from Wisconsin

Sep 25, 2019
Photo of Harrison8
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri

4.08/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a murky brown that looks like muddy river water with a hint of red. Head is a finger in height, khaki in color, and retains well. Aroma reaches out and grabs the nose with notes of resiny, dank, piney, citrusy hops, follow by dark, char bourbon characters. It smells like a hop forward, biting IPA until it gets washed over by whiskey. Flavor profile follows the nose, but with less harshness. Notes of piney, citrusy, resiny hops are the initial hit. Bourbon with a kiss of char compliments the hops, and adds a little balance to the mix. Resiny hop notes cling to the tongue after the hop-bourbon clash. Mouth feel is medium in thickness with a little velvety smoothness that develops to a light creaminess at the very end. Overall, it's an odd ale, but it does so well. It feels well maintained and balanced despite the dichotomy between the hops and bourbon.

Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 12oz bottle. 02/14/16 bottle consumed on 9/24/19. Having not tasted a fresh one, I would still say this has aged well, mellowing in character.
Sep 25, 2019
 
Rated: 3.52 by dshansen1184 from Washington

Sep 16, 2019
Photo of FLima
Reviewed by FLima from Brazil

3.97/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Amber brown color with a thin head.
Aroma with predominant notes of Bourbon, some of their yeast, apple puree and tea leaves.
Bold flavor with notes of Bourbon, oak, toasted malts, spices, floral and herbal hops, the expected Bastard yeast, tea bags and a bit of cherries. Dry and bitter aftertaste.
Medium to full body with appropriate carbonation.
Bourbon dominated the Arrogant Bastard, but you can still feel it in the background.
Jul 15, 2019
Arrogant Bastard Ale - Bourbon Barrel-Aged from Arrogant Consortia
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 1513 ratings