Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

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

Bottle, brought back from City Beer in San Francisco and eventually shared with tashi at his house, 15th June 2008. Pours a reddish, orangey amber. The aroma and flavour both kick off with fresh nectarine notes and then woody oak, bitter hops and thick highland toffee come through. The slightly creamy mouthfeel gives you time to savour the taste and the long bitter finish makes sure you don’t forget it. A highly enjoyable beer. Oh and "Hi Phyllis!"

Not as good as just plain old Arrogant, but still a superior strong ale. Still worthy of the label for sure. That finish is like a drawn-out orgasm on your tongue. Best part is, every time you take a sip, you get another one.

In a 3-way tasting between regular, Oaked, and Double Bastard, this is my pick of the three. Takes everything wrong with the original (lack of balance and subtlety), and doesn’t correct it so much as it makes minor progress in the right direction. Pours hazy bronze, a shade or two lighter than the regular Bastard. Aroma is much sweeter, lots of caramel and molasses notes. Of course, there’s the overstated hops, but there’s now a slight sense of complexity. I’m not sue how old this bottle is, but there’s a nice fruit (dates) flavor now present, the overall beer seems warmer, the mouth feel is softer, molasses notes towards the end, and a good bitter finish. Laid down for 6 months more or so, this would likely be even better.

Dark red color, off-white head that retains somewhat, but leaves no lacing. Lightly toasted smell, oak and pine make up the majority of the smell. Not overpowering, but still nice. Smooth malty flavors at the forefront, moving into oak flavors that are greeted with a bit of a piney/oak finish. Less than medium carbonation, medium bodied. This is very smooth, I think this is my favorite of the "Bastard" series. Definitely would buy again.

Dark, red color on he pour with a brown head. Bouquet of hops and some oak and cherry. The oak aging definitely hides the alcohol taste, lots of malt, and sweet hints. Just too oaky for me, gives a hint of burning on the finish.

Quite a deep amber color. Small head but definitely smells of vanilla & hops...as it to be expected. Creamy and delicious on the palate, the alcohol is definitely muted by the oak. Excellent

12oz bottle. Very interesting almost ruby color with an off-white head. The oak chip aging is quite apparent when compared to the non-oaked Bastard. Great combo

Bottle, tasted side by side with the Arrogant Bastard. Similar appearance: dark amber/ruby with tan head and nice lacing. Hops and malt are there, but mellowed out by the oak. Toffee, caramel, hops, lots of malt, but bathed in a oaky vanilla that brings it all together. Rich and tasty.