Arrogant Bastard Ale
Arrogant Consortia

Arrogant Bastard AleArrogant Bastard Ale
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From:
Arrogant Consortia
 
California, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
Ranked #60
ABV:
7.2%
Score:
92
Ranked #4,629
Avg:
4.14 | pDev: 12.56%
Reviews:
3,244
Ratings:
11,179
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 08, 2023
Added:
Nov 15, 2000
Wants:
  486
Gots:
  2,885
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!
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Photo of QuietlyJudgingYou
Reviewed by QuietlyJudgingYou

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
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.
Nov 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4.24 by HabaJohnTheReal1 from Illinois

Oct 21, 2023
 
Rated: 3.6 by Duncian from Pennsylvania

Oct 20, 2023
 
Photo of brettsdailybeer
Reviewed by brettsdailybeer from Utah

4.23/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
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.
Oct 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4.66 by AndyGG from California

Oct 02, 2023
Photo of sjrider
Reviewed by sjrider from California

4.09/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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.
Sep 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4.11 by Iggy88 from Ohio

Sep 30, 2023
Photo of farmerhank
Reviewed by farmerhank from Maryland

3.65/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
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.
Aug 06, 2023
Photo of Khocolate
Reviewed by Khocolate from Tennessee

2.56/5  rDev -38.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.25
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.
Jun 15, 2023
 
Rated: 3.98 by BTexpress from Georgia

Jun 08, 2023
Photo of BloodSoakedAleMug
Reviewed by BloodSoakedAleMug from New York

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
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".
Jun 08, 2023
Photo of Saaz83
Reviewed by Saaz83 from Wisconsin

3.72/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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.
May 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by jroof1 from Massachusetts

May 12, 2023
 
Rated: 4.48 by Johnlippi88 from Tennessee

Apr 29, 2023
 
Rated: 2 by etan420 from Illinois

Apr 02, 2023
Photo of davillanx
Reviewed by davillanx from Wisconsin

3.04/5  rDev -26.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
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.
Mar 29, 2023
Photo of highdesertdrinker
Reviewed by highdesertdrinker from Arizona

4.04/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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!
Mar 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4.03 by StoutAtTheDevil from Alabama

Mar 17, 2023
Arrogant Bastard Ale from Arrogant Consortia
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 11179 ratings