Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   update pic

UPDATED: JAN 28, 2005 On draft at the Dilly Deli. I didn’t notice much of the oak aging in this one. I guess by oak aging it with chips, some of the texture or mouthfeel stuff never happens either. It tasted alot like normal AB with a little of vanilla and very little wood(twigs) flavor. I like AB so I like this, but I think the aging part was’t that notable/

Bottle thanks to M500!!! I enjoyed this much more than the original. Full bodied. Woody aroma and oak is very apparent in taste. Seemingly smoother that the original. Perhaps the wood notes just tone down the flavors in the original.

On draft at Hollingshead, Orange CA. A bit more complexity than the parent, the familiar aggresive hops strength and distinctive malt character. Better balance as it warms, very enjoyable if you are a fan.

Spicer, thicker, and smoother than the regular. For some reason it reminds me of a spiced pumpkin pie or ginger cookies. I like it better than the regular which is saying a lot

UPDATED: DEC 11, 2007 Crystal clear, copper ale. Malty, pine and grapefruit nose. Oak, fir, caramel and grapefruit in the flavor. Full-bodied with an oily mouthfeel and tingly carbonation. Not a huge difference between this and the original Arrogant Bastard IMHO.

Whiskey barrel-aged, on cask, RAF ’03. Nice clear drop, with a ruby to light brown color and an apricot nose. Quite sweet, with lots of notes that remind me of Irish whisky--smoke, apricots, alky-hall.

Thanks Beer_God! Interesting, pours red. Aroma is fresh hops. Flavor is a mix of strong wood and strong hops. It is good but it lacks cohesian.

on draft at Hollingshead, Orange, CA. Kenny warned me that the pour was far too cold and needed to open up. So I waited about 10 minutes in anticipation... Yes, it’s a big ballsy Stone hopmonster, but it’s got great malt balance. The flavors were great & multidimensional. Get some if you can; it’s a great beer.

A big sample (like, more than a pint full) from TChrome’s 3L bottle. It pours beautifully, a rich, red-brown color with a spectacular lacing, cascading, billowing head. The palate is smooth like a thin oil. With warmth and an aggressive swirl there was a nice freshness to the aroma, with a subdued hop citrus, winter fragrances, fruit, and caramel. The flavor is very mellow--like some IPAs but really restrained. I thought this was too its credit. Great malt balance, it all comes off as a very drinkable session beer. Which is perhaps the irony, because when you put this much effort and hype into a beer you sort of expect that you’re going to see new dimensions from the realm of beer. Instead, the reactions around our table inverted the normal pattern of love for Stone: the big hop-heads were disappointed because it doesn’t "slap you around" (to quote their words) while those who aren’t so enamored by the "massive hop" fetish (myself included) were really pleasantly surprised.

Andy (Landseer) comes through again. Brought that magnificent three liter chained and padlocked bottled to beer club. Quite a treat. It pours deep mahogany with reddish glints under a foamy tan head. The aroma is sweetness, citrus, subtle oak, vanilla, malty. In the mouth, it felt creamy and smooth, with a touch of mild carbonation. Rich and full. The flavor was sweet and malty and fresh and just a subtle oak note. This was an excellent beer. Thanks, Andy!!