Arrogant Bastard Ale

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Escondido, California USA

1 pt. 9 fl. oz. bottle from a shaker. Pours dark brown, slightly red, with a white, creamy head. Leaves nice, thick lacing down the glass. Initial hit is citrus, then some caramel quickly replaced by strong hops, finishing with a peppery taste. The hop taste lasts a little longer than I would like. This beer has a wonderful ad campaign. It almost shames you into liking it. The beer is definitely good one, but really not worth all the hype.

Pours dark amber with a tan head. Aroma is wood, whiskey and caramel. The flavour is complex - dominantly woody, caramel, and various spices, with bitter notes on the finish. Excellent ale.

22 oz. bottle from a friend. I’ve had this many times now and just have not got around to rating it. This beer played a big part in my interest in craft brews. Smells citrus-hoppy and carmelly with a big hop push on first sip. Just finished off an FBC Abominable and this tastes a tad watery in comparison (not how I traditionally remember it). Anyway, this is a great ale for the hop-minded and one of my go-tos at the local pub.

22oz bomber from Central Market. Pours a dark umber body with red highlights, topped with a tan head leaving a bit of lacing. Aroma of chocolate malts, caramel, raisin and strong floral/citrus hops. Light malt sweetness, medium bitter hops and hint of plums. Lively carbonation, medium mouthfeel. Lengthy bitter finish.

This beer is pretty good. Of all the Stone beers I’ve had this one didn’t seem to leave AS MUCH of an impression on me but it’s great stuff none-the-less. Nicely bitter, strong flavor and highly complex. This beer finally makes me proud of a popular beer. You’re not worthy

Excellent well balanced beer. Nice citrussy hop aroma and perfect bitterness. Good body, good color.

What can I possibly add to other reviews of this beer? It’s fantastic stuff, the kind of beer that converts normal folk into beer geeks. The combination of big citric hops and sweet caramel malt makes a mockery of style guidelines while still feeling utterly natural and refined. The flavor is balanced - big hops, big malt, big flavor. Arrogant Bastard has become a defining beer of the American craft movement and sits as the flagship of one of the best known and most loved craft breweries. All hail Greg Koch.

Pours dark amber with a red tint. The thin white head nicely laced the glass. A very powerful hop aroma was evident immediately upon pouring. Floral hops and freshly cut grass aromas wafted from the glass. Massive hops dominated the flavor, with floral and grassy notes. The finish was bitter and lip-puckering dry. The hop aftertaste lingered. No balancing act here, this beer is all about the hops. I liked it though. I felt it offered something outside the norm.