Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Pours a darker brown with a compact head. Lets some light through, but is pretty opaque otherwise. Aroma is mostly hoppy - very IPA-ish. Flavor is great. Starts out as just a normal, very hopped up ale, and then all of a sudden, BAM!, what the fuck was that? That was some deep coffee that came around the corner, and other dark flavors, like tar and cigar. A very unique one this is. I have to say I was a bit skeptical about this one, but I have to admit, it is all that it’s cracked up to be. This is the biggest beer I’ve ever tasted at this ABV. Overall, excellent. Thanks Stone.

Bottle, The Rake, London. Poured a murky reddish brown with a dissipating beige head. Aroma had traces of wood, berry, caramel and floral hop. Promising. Big heavy resinous hoppage in the flavour as might be expected. The Oak is relatively understated and actually works quite well as a consequence. Very full, chewy mouthfeel. Enjoyable on the whole.

Tried at the 2008 Great American Beerfest, so take this with a some skepticism. If you’re a fan of the arrogant bastard, and like your beers oaked (who doesn’t?), this beer’s for you. It’s hoppy and aromatic, and the oak is either subtle or underdone, my notes were understandibly messy.

Bottle: Poured a reddish brown with a medium tan head. Aroma is hops, barely, and woodsy oak. Taste is a pleasant mix of hops, citrus, and soft oak. Finish is bitter.

[Bottle] Pours red with a big yellowish-tan head that lingers for quite some time. Aroma is largely barley and oak, with a light hoppiness after swirling the glass, and faint sweet scents present throughout. Hops are much more pronounced in the taste. Proceding the hops are barley (quite nice), and then hoppy bitterness again. I really liked the barley and the hops blended in with it fairly well. Medium-thin mouthfeel, smooth and with a fairly long finish. While certainly an improvement from the regular Arrogant Bastard, this is still nothing too special imo. Instead, it is a pretty simple (albeit quite well crafted) beer that really blends in with the crowd, so to speak.

Dark amber with a one finger light tan head. Good amount of lacings. Aroma is floral hops. Taste is citrus hops with a touch of oak tannins. Hops are big, malts are supportive but lose the battle for dominance. Proper amount of carbonation, good mouthfeel. Bitter dry finish. Alcohol is well masked. Tasty, hoppy beer.

(bottle) Dark amber body with a thin tan head. Sweet vinous aroma with substantial hop character; caramel, grape, grapefruit, alcohol. Sweet malt flavor with a dry finish of alcohol and hops. Flavor has alcohol throughout, along with citric fruit. Medium bodied.

On tap @ Rattle n Hum, NYC. Pour is brown with some off white head. An execellent ASA. Strong pine notes, coupled with sweet malt, caramel. Would like to see more oak notes in this.