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: 10,626 | Reviews: 3,071
4.63/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 16 oz can into a glass.
This is an excellent-looking beer. Dark, reddish-amber with a perfect tan foamy head. It just looks like a good beer, and all that that entails. Not beautiful, but ruggedly handsome.
Aromas of hops and toasted grains are very forward, with just a hint of ester-y banana and a touch of booze in the background. Very aggressive bitter aromas, with the roasted and malted ones taking a bit of a backseat. Well-balanced, yet in your face.
The flavor is a study in amazing balance between a variety of disparate, and prominent notes. Whereas the nose featured more bitterness, the palate is assaulted on the front end with a healthy dose of diacetyl and cocoa sweetness, followed by toasted grain, and finished with some strong, yet judicious hoppy bitterness. The hops are strong, but far short of an IPA, lending a citrusy, but not quite piney quality that is just about perfect.
The mouthfeel is down the middle medium, but it is definitely a dry finish, helped along by the hops and booze that arrive at the finish. Neither cloyingly sweet nor overwhelmingly bitter.
I've passed on this cocky offering a myriad of times, for whatever reason. Maybe I thought the name and the description on the label seemed "gimmicky." Not so upon finally tasting this. It defies categorization. It has the malty sweetness of a dark ale, mixed with a hoppy, but not "hop head" crispness that keeps me coming back for more. Kudos to this brewer for combining so many strong aspects into one cohesive, cocky brew. I dare you to drink just one.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 16 oz can into a glass.
This is an excellent-looking beer. Dark, reddish-amber with a perfect tan foamy head. It just looks like a good beer, and all that that entails. Not beautiful, but ruggedly handsome.
Aromas of hops and toasted grains are very forward, with just a hint of ester-y banana and a touch of booze in the background. Very aggressive bitter aromas, with the roasted and malted ones taking a bit of a backseat. Well-balanced, yet in your face.
The flavor is a study in amazing balance between a variety of disparate, and prominent notes. Whereas the nose featured more bitterness, the palate is assaulted on the front end with a healthy dose of diacetyl and cocoa sweetness, followed by toasted grain, and finished with some strong, yet judicious hoppy bitterness. The hops are strong, but far short of an IPA, lending a citrusy, but not quite piney quality that is just about perfect.
The mouthfeel is down the middle medium, but it is definitely a dry finish, helped along by the hops and booze that arrive at the finish. Neither cloyingly sweet nor overwhelmingly bitter.
I've passed on this cocky offering a myriad of times, for whatever reason. Maybe I thought the name and the description on the label seemed "gimmicky." Not so upon finally tasting this. It defies categorization. It has the malty sweetness of a dark ale, mixed with a hoppy, but not "hop head" crispness that keeps me coming back for more. Kudos to this brewer for combining so many strong aspects into one cohesive, cocky brew. I dare you to drink just one.
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4.11/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.29/5 rDev -21.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.89/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.36/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but this was really yummy. It's rich, has a good, full mouth-feel, and the hops give it just enough kick that your taste buds don't get complacent. If you're already a fan of stouts, I don't see how you'll go wrong with this lovely ale.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but this was really yummy. It's rich, has a good, full mouth-feel, and the hops give it just enough kick that your taste buds don't get complacent. If you're already a fan of stouts, I don't see how you'll go wrong with this lovely ale.
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3.6/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.25
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.25
3.81/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Can dated "enjoy by 08-21-17" into pint glass. Pours a slightly cloudy ruby brown witha persistent light tan head. Initial impression is roasted malts and a hint of caramel, but very subtle. Medium mouthfeel -a lot thinner than I expected. Carbonation is medium. Finish is slightly bitter. Overall, an interesting but not particularly compelling take on the style.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Can dated "enjoy by 08-21-17" into pint glass. Pours a slightly cloudy ruby brown witha persistent light tan head. Initial impression is roasted malts and a hint of caramel, but very subtle. Medium mouthfeel -a lot thinner than I expected. Carbonation is medium. Finish is slightly bitter. Overall, an interesting but not particularly compelling take on the style.
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4.6/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.27/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.51/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.54/5 rDev +8.9%
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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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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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
Arrogant Bastard Ale from Arrogant Brewing
4.17
out of 5
based on 10,626 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 22oz bottle into Snifter glass. Bottled on August 2nd 2017.
L: Deep mahogany that is murky, two finger light beige head that is super fluffy, outstanding retention. Spectacular lacing.
S: Smells of pine hops, alcohol and rich bready malt.
T: Lot more malt on the palate, lots of caramel and toffee, grainy too, dark toasted ones, some good pine hops, alcohol is present yet not overbearing. Very complex.
F: Medium body, smooth and creamy, prickly carbonation. Grainy dry finish.
O: Stone is one of those breweries like Founders that can't seem to release a bad beer (yes I know it's happened but super rare). Really excellent brew.
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