Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

On tap at Prime 16 (Downtown New Haven, CT): Pours dark brown/orange/amber w/ a pillowy off-white head. Nose is dark fruit, berries, smoked oak wood, earthy/grassy, floral hops, brown sugar, sweet malts, vanilla, and spices. Overall the aroma is a pure, warm invitation to its flavors of soft cocoa, cascading oak wood textures, plum, fig, bitter hops (earthy), pine, smoke, sweet malts, and vanilla. Medium bodied, and hoppier than other "oaked" beers. Also not as much vanilla presence as other "oaked" beers. Unique. The alcohol is hidden well. Drinkability: Strong feel. Rebuy: Yes. #203 on 21112009, DG.

21/11/2009. 12oz bottle from RW&S. I’m not sure what they were trying to do here but it’s another Stone disappointment. Their brand and attitude seems to take a front seat, with drinkability usually in the back - in this case it is in the trunk! Too much oak with nothing else really getting a look in. It’s like a red wine with too much tannin... I struggled through hoping something would click but it never did. as big as this beer was it was no match for the stunning accompanying movie - Synecdoche New York.

On tap, Yardhouse San Diego. Don’t know if it was a yardhouse thing, but this didn’t impress. Served flat and listless, poor carbonation and no head. Flavour seemed muted and off, as compared to the regular AB. Flat out boring. I’ll keep and open mind and re-rate.

Rich dark cider color; Medium to heavy body; Aroma of oak, malt and brown sugar; Flavor of wood hops, sweet malt, dry fruit, and spice; Some bitterness which lingers on; Very complex and nicely balanced; Excellent American brew.

A red beer with a small head. The aroma was fruity & a musty like hop scent. The taste was fruity, bitter, & berries with a dry bitter ending. My guess would be that the oak chips makes the ending dry.

Pours a dark ruby/amber color. Nice thick three finger head of tan foam. Retention is good. Lacing is quite good. Big hoppy nose. Characteristic pine and grapefruit scents. Nice touch of oaky woodiness. Earthiness. Nice hint of sweet caramel malts. Smoother and easier to drink than their standard Arrogant Bastard. There is at least an attempt at balance here. Sweet caramel malts and pine and citrus hops battle for your attention. The hops win out, in the end. Rests on the tongue as a nicely balanced brew but finishes with a big hops bite. The whole thing has an overtone of a nice oaky smoothness and flavor. Good full bodied brew. Nice and creamy. Almost perfect carbonation level. Yum. Very good drinkability. The more I drink, the better it becomes, in fact. I like this version more than the ’regular’ version. Much smoother and easier to drink. Not nearly as abrasive. Very good, Stone.

12 ounce bottle. Pours with an appealing 1/4" tan head which dissipates quickly but laces extensively. Lovely deep reddish brown color. Flavor is quite similar to the normal AB but with considerable more alcohol warmth and a hint of vanilla. A truly glorious beer.

Bottle. Pours a clear brown beer with an offwhite head. The aroma is sweet, malt, fruit and raisin. The flavor is hops and wood. The palate is bitter. Overall a good and complex beer.