Arrogant Bastard Ale
Arrogant Consortia

Appearance: Pours a dark ruby color with a nice ring of some crackly tan foam. Sticky lacing.
Smell: Pine, bread, caramel, brown sugar. As it warms it has a really nice smell of honey.
Taste: Very bitter up front with some hefty notes of pine sap. Simple syrup, a little bit of caramel and a really nice rye bread/burnt toast flavor make up the body. I'm tasting something like almonds or pecan in here, not very strong but it reminds me of mixed nuts. A hint of something roasted towards the finish with a bitter and dry aftertaste. As the beer comes to room temp the flavors pop out a bit more.
Feel: Medium bodied, well carbonated, no alcohol warmth.
Overall: Unique. It's very bitter, complex and full of flavor. Pretty damn good.

 

 

 

Arrogant Bastard Ale by Stone Brewing is more than just a beer; it's a standard-bearer in the craft beer scene and the flagship offering from the brewery. Its dark, almost mahogany hue is a visual treat, preparing you for the layered experience ahead. The aroma alone is a rich medley of malt sweetness intermingled with subtle hops, signaling that you're in for a balanced and complex sip. Take that sip, and your taste buds are met with a harmonious interplay of initial malt sweetness followed by a purposeful bitterness that adds depth without overpowering. In essence, it serves as a litmus test by which I measure the quality of all other ales.

In a beer landscape filled with mediocrity, Arrogant Bastard Ale breaks the mold by refusing to adhere to any one category. Its audacious character extends beyond its name, manifesting in a flavor profile that's robust, balanced, and deeply satisfying. It's a cornerstone in my ever-evolving understanding of what a truly great ale can be, elevating the standard to an all-new level. To say that it merely raises the bar would be an understatement; it is the bar.

 

Can pour - clear dark amber/mahogany with thick foamy beige head leaving significant lacing. Nose is roasty malt with hints of citrus and resin. Taste follows bringing biscuit , caramel/toffee and a lingering bitterness on the finish. Haven't had one in years, brings back some foggy memories.

 

Pours a nice dark amber red with a "bone" colored head. Smells of malt, tastes very malty, a muted bitterness at the start with an powerful rosin taste and dry feel, the bitterness begins to bite after the fact. No alcohol hidden here. Nice for what it is.

I mistakenly pick this Ale up from a Pick- Six and realized that it wasn’t a IPA which I am use to drinking. Needless to say, not impressed at all, the ale is overpowering with alcohol.

 

Look: Pours a deep shade of amber with a generous, three finger head of beige foam that has excellent retention and laces the glass very well. No visible carbonation.

Aroma: Sticky toffee and caramel, bitter grapefruit peel, spruce needles and toasted orange peel. A touch of sweet/funky guava.

Taste: Upfront, treacle and sweet tamarind. Quickly transitions into moderately bitter notes of flambéed orange and grapefruit peel. Ends on rich notes of bitter tree resin and spicy spruce needles.

Feel: Full bodied and velvety. Very low carbonation. Silky smooth and creamy. Alcoholic heat profile is very mild, but somewhat detectable, I wouldn't call it boozy but you can definitely tell it's not a light weight beer.

Overall: I've had this beer many, many times but haven't had it in a while. It's much better than I remember. Would highly recommend to anyone who likes their west coast IPAs and hasn't tried it yet, or any veterans who may have not had it in a long time. Definitely a world class imperial IPA / "strong ale".

Poured in standard pint glass. Nice ample, fine sustained head. Very bitter, slightly boozy when straight from the fridge. Did not enjoy, had to walk away. Allowed to warm slightly but still cool, had a more pleasurable experience. Prominent bitterness was accompanied by greater complexity of flavors including leather, wet tobacco, faint hint of dried fig. Well-suited for a cool Spring day post-yard work.

A beer I would prefer not to eat a meal with, but rather enjoy on its own when in the mood for something strong and different. Never got to enjoy the barrel version. With its name; likely a victim of its own success, but as with a once fantastic bottle-conditioned bicycle beer, it happens. At least this beer still retains its general character and is not simply concerned with appeasing the easy-drinking masses. Still memorable for a first-timer. Not a go-to by any means, but will not hesitate to drink again on occasion.

 

 

 

I hadn't seen this in a while, picked up a six pk on sale. Much more bitter / astringent than I remember.... will use the rest for beer bath bratwurst.

 

Pours dark amber with ample tan head. Smells like toasty malts and bitter hops. The taste is brawny, bitter, toasty, herbal with some citrus and fig, perhaps. It’s kinda like a less fruity more bitter version of Celebration bit i still like it, and it’s pretty similar to what I remembered before, cheers!