Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale is a very clear copper ale with a fluffy, yellowish sand-colored head that leaves outstanding lacing. It has a deep, dusty, sweet and spicy aroma. There are notes of brown sugar, pine, orange peel and old barrels. It is smooth and slick; medium bodied with a light, dry finish. It is a rich and well-balanced flavor-- slightly sweet and bitter with notes of candied orange peel, pine needles, rye bread and, of course, plenty of oak that rolls in to finish the flavor. Wow. This is well worth the outrageous price!

Pours a deep, murky amber into the glass, with a very nice, thick, pocked eggshell head that leaves chunky lace. The first hint of the bouquet gives off some sourdough, which develops further into floral earthy hops, honey and citrus. The flavors, well bittered, contain definitive oak, some controlled caramel malt and biscuit notes, but is defined by a (Cascade?) hop bitterness. ABV doesn’t necessarily show, per se, but does integrate well in the lingering finish. Nicely integrated, and decently complex, this is a very good brew that satiates the palate and provides a bold, peppery hop bite. Straightforward and nice.

Appearance is a nice reddish brown color, tan head, a little hazy. Very enticing. The aroma is citrus hops, and sweet caramel malts. Also very enticing. Subtle but unmistakable trace of the oak in there as well. The flavor is a nice caramel and toffee malt flavor, balanced by subtle citrus hops. Again, the oak is subtle, but it’s there. The palate is a nice balance of caramel malts, ending with a slight hop burn. Excellent example of the style. I wish I had rated this with the unoaked version at the same time to see the difference.

Hops and malt and tons of flavor. Nice mouthfeel. Awesome aftertaste good brew. Not my fav but a great choice any time

12 oz. bottle, courtesy of Beerlando. Pours a dark, leathery color. Medium sized, light tan head. Tons of lacing. Aroma of citrus hops and sweet malts. Flavor is a wonderful balance of the oaky notes and the chewy hops. Also lurking are some dark fruits and hints of toffee as well. Finish is of spicy hops. Very glad we are now able to get Stone here in Georgia. This is one great beer.

Has a fresh hop aroma with citrus notes & a hint of butterscotch. Pours with a clear dark brown/reddish color & a respectable light brown head. Mild oak notes over a complex hop flavor. Fairly pronounced hop aftertaste.

12-ounce brown bottle in Albuquerque. Dense dark amber color with a very thick tan head. Malty, hoppy and oakey aromas! Medium body, full mouthfeel, creamy. Big, rich malty flavor with an even dry/sweet flavor balance. Plenty of supporting hop bitterness and flavor, along with nice oak character. Overall, very well-blended.

12 oz bottle. Pours a dark cloudy amber with a medium off white head that diminishes rather quickly to a ring around the glass. The aroma is a sweet fruit hops with carmel malt. Decent lacing on the glass. The taste is a bitter hops with a spicy oak finish. Really impressed with this american strong ale from Stone.