Arrogant Bastard Ale | Arrogant Brewing
Brewed by:
Arrogant Brewing
California, United States
arrogantbastard.com
Style: American Strong Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.20%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
At Arrogant Bastard Brewing Co., we believe that pandering to the lowest common denominator represents the height of tyranny—a virtual form of keeping the consumer barefoot and stupid. Brought forth upon an unsuspecting public in 1997, Arrogant Bastard Ale openly challenged the tyrannical overlords who were brazenly attempting to keep Americans chained in the shackles of poor taste. As the progenitor of its style, Arrogant Bastard Ale has reveled in its unprecedented and uncompromising celebration of intensity. There have been many nods to Arrogant Bastard Ale...even outright attempts to copy it...but only one can ever embody the true nature of Liquid Arrogance!
Added by kbub6f on 11-15-2000
Ratings: 10,612 | Reviews: 3,067
3.74/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
4.23/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
An arrogant brew indeed. A deep dark red ale with attitude. There was no aroma, no scent when opened. At least nothing that I could ascertain. It had a thin creamy light-brown head when poured, making it look inviting. I consider this a cross between an ale and a stout or a stout-ale hybrid; and certainly nothing wrong with that for that is what makes it a bastard in the first place. As for taste the taste lingered and overall feel was quite good. I also like that it was a full pint at the price of it 12 ounce cousins, making it a real good value for an amazing ale. I will be having more of these.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
An arrogant brew indeed. A deep dark red ale with attitude. There was no aroma, no scent when opened. At least nothing that I could ascertain. It had a thin creamy light-brown head when poured, making it look inviting. I consider this a cross between an ale and a stout or a stout-ale hybrid; and certainly nothing wrong with that for that is what makes it a bastard in the first place. As for taste the taste lingered and overall feel was quite good. I also like that it was a full pint at the price of it 12 ounce cousins, making it a real good value for an amazing ale. I will be having more of these.
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3.93/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Taste: rich, smooth, malty, roasted flavors balance well with just the right amount of hops for this style. Mildly spice malt nose. Deep mahogany/copper hue, mostly clear, with a tan head and some lace. Medium/full body. Very drinkable.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Taste: rich, smooth, malty, roasted flavors balance well with just the right amount of hops for this style. Mildly spice malt nose. Deep mahogany/copper hue, mostly clear, with a tan head and some lace. Medium/full body. Very drinkable.
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3.74/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a copper brown into a fifteen ounce glass mug the same temperature as the beer. Two fingers of tannish head that lasts before settling to a creamy rime. Beautiful lacing.
Nose is fairly mild but very complex. An unusual blend of piney hops and sweet caramel malts make for an interesting brew. Some dark fruits. Maybe raisin and plum? Very dry hop finish but still leaves a sweet lingering caramel aftertaste. Very complex brew. Also very hard to describe. My guess is either you will like it or despise it. Too thin on the palate.
Overall a very complex beer with the citrus hops (pineapple) and the sweetish caramel malts. Although the brewers maintain a good balance it just isn't my style.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a copper brown into a fifteen ounce glass mug the same temperature as the beer. Two fingers of tannish head that lasts before settling to a creamy rime. Beautiful lacing.
Nose is fairly mild but very complex. An unusual blend of piney hops and sweet caramel malts make for an interesting brew. Some dark fruits. Maybe raisin and plum? Very dry hop finish but still leaves a sweet lingering caramel aftertaste. Very complex brew. Also very hard to describe. My guess is either you will like it or despise it. Too thin on the palate.
Overall a very complex beer with the citrus hops (pineapple) and the sweetish caramel malts. Although the brewers maintain a good balance it just isn't my style.
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3.91/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
4.84/5 rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2.84/5 rDev -31.9%
look: 5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
look: 5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
4.93/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Poured from a can into a Spiegelau. I can tell up front that I'm going to like this one - interesting hops and malt!
L: Pours a brownish red, nice and clear. Fluffy 2 inch head - not white, but rather with a reddish tint.
S: Hoppy. What really surprises me is the smell of the malt - very toasty?
T: This is a great beer - after all the run-of-the-mill pale ales and all their derivations, I was surprised by the toasty malt bill with hops; great bitterness
F: Love the dry! Slight juicy up front, destroyed by the dryness!
O: Awesome ale!
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Poured from a can into a Spiegelau. I can tell up front that I'm going to like this one - interesting hops and malt!
L: Pours a brownish red, nice and clear. Fluffy 2 inch head - not white, but rather with a reddish tint.
S: Hoppy. What really surprises me is the smell of the malt - very toasty?
T: This is a great beer - after all the run-of-the-mill pale ales and all their derivations, I was surprised by the toasty malt bill with hops; great bitterness
F: Love the dry! Slight juicy up front, destroyed by the dryness!
O: Awesome ale!
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4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.52/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.75/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
3.75/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.67/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Poured pint can into nonic slowly at around forty degrees this amounted to a one finger persistent head, the color is dark brown, deep red when held to the light. the smell is dank of chocolate, malt, and hops aromas
The taste is immensely dark yet delicious, dense in both malt and hops this ale has a very rich taste
Overall this is an impressive beer, would definitely recommend for people who like darker ales
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Poured pint can into nonic slowly at around forty degrees this amounted to a one finger persistent head, the color is dark brown, deep red when held to the light. the smell is dank of chocolate, malt, and hops aromas
The taste is immensely dark yet delicious, dense in both malt and hops this ale has a very rich taste
Overall this is an impressive beer, would definitely recommend for people who like darker ales
418 characters
3.79/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
After all this time finally getting to this brew. Deep brown with a tan froth. Tea, caramel and big pine to the nose. The pine and tea take the palate over and little else is noticed except for some fruit here there. Lighter than expected (medium range). If I would have had this ten years ago I would be impressed. As it stands today it is just not my thing.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
After all this time finally getting to this brew. Deep brown with a tan froth. Tea, caramel and big pine to the nose. The pine and tea take the palate over and little else is noticed except for some fruit here there. Lighter than expected (medium range). If I would have had this ten years ago I would be impressed. As it stands today it is just not my thing.
365 characters
3.5/5 rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bought a 16oz can $2.99 from Viva Vegas Fremont
Dark amber brown color
Medium-heavy mouthfeel
Medium carbonation
Taste of caramel, roasted malt, bitter aftertaste
Overall not for me.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bought a 16oz can $2.99 from Viva Vegas Fremont
Dark amber brown color
Medium-heavy mouthfeel
Medium carbonation
Taste of caramel, roasted malt, bitter aftertaste
Overall not for me.
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4.66/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
4.59/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
3.94/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
16oz can
16oz pint glass
Too much beer for the glass. Needed to sip upon it first to empty the can.
Rich caramel amber color.
Creamy off white head, about an inch thick dissipating to about a quarter inch, thinning out.
Bitter toffee, warm but not overwhelming alcohol lacing.
Soft seltzer carbonation on the palate.
Lingering floral hoppy notes. Great complexity.
Coffee and toffee are the high notes.
Malty finish.
Raspberry hints in the nose.
Spicy alcohol scent.
Mmmm. So fun to drink. Immediately warming.
Pasteurization: No
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
16oz can
16oz pint glass
Too much beer for the glass. Needed to sip upon it first to empty the can.
Rich caramel amber color.
Creamy off white head, about an inch thick dissipating to about a quarter inch, thinning out.
Bitter toffee, warm but not overwhelming alcohol lacing.
Soft seltzer carbonation on the palate.
Lingering floral hoppy notes. Great complexity.
Coffee and toffee are the high notes.
Malty finish.
Raspberry hints in the nose.
Spicy alcohol scent.
Mmmm. So fun to drink. Immediately warming.
Pasteurization: No
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Arrogant Bastard Ale from Arrogant Brewing
4.17
out of 5
based on 10,612 ratings.
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Look: Two finger white head, clear ruby body.
Smell: Toasted bread, caramel, mild orange, resin. Like an overhopped bock.
Taste: Same as above, but the hop bitterness kind of overwhelms it.
Feel: Medium body and carbonation, assertive hop bitterness.
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