Beer2000 (1778), Kristiansand, Norway Aug 8, 2009 660 ml bottle. Clear amber with a dense tan head. Aroma is grapefruit, some caramel and a small hint of oak and vanilla. Flavor is citric bitter, fruity in general, some caramel, and slightly spicy. Very smooth and balanced and even if its really bitter and quite strong it feels very soft and kind. I did not taste that much of the oak, but it has definitively done a great job with this beer. Love it. Mutualaid (136), Texas, USA Aug 4, 2009 Pours a deep reddish brown with a two-finger, creamy, beige head; nice lacing. Huge aromas of raisin, wine, and caramelization. Flavor is a delicate balance between malts and piney, resinous hops and a hint of alcohol; the hops become more assertive as the beer exits the palate. The oak presence is there, but extremely subtle at lower temps, serving primarily to round out the primary flavors and add a smoothness to the mouthfeel. As the beer warms into the 50s that familiar vanilla quality becomes apparent. Medium to full body and a long, hoppy finish. Excellent beer. Kestral (191), Oslo, Norway Aug 3, 2009 Bottle. Dark dark brown, a ring of tan head. Much caramel and citrus on the nose, quite a lot of sweetness, brown sugar, some vanilla. Like a barleywine light. Flavour is full, loads and loads of sugary caramel malts, some dark fruits, wood, vanilla, a tiny floral note and a hint of something a bit acidic. Medium body, refreshing carb, definitely enjoyable. brenn79 (140), Idaho, USA Aug 2, 2009 12 oz bottle into a glass-FIRST DRINK-bold flavorfull, a very well made beer. HALF GLASS-The oakiness lingers after you swallow, tasty. LAST DRINK-I love a good beer that only gets better as it breathes and warms, and this beer rises to the challenge. poisoneddwarf (153), Rathdrum, Idaho, USA Aug 2, 2009 12 oz bottle. Arrogant Bastard is a great beer; this variation is even more interestikng. To "oak" a beer like one would a chardonnay is definitely an interesting and bold move on Stone’s part. I love it when breweries try new things, and this beer works. Cirrhosis (610), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Jul 30, 2009 Yum yum yummy beer!!! So good, so in your face, so a lot of stuff I can’t say in a public forum. Beer appears to me to be a dark brown with elements of red a nice long lasting crown. Very nice malty aroma, with elements of wet forest floor, rubber, some citrusy hops that all combines nicely and seems fairly smooth. Tons of wood in the flavour, plums, citrus, caramel………………so good. The oak flavours work very well with this beer, the dark roasted malts and the vanilla oak flavour blend perfectly. There is so many bitter hops in the finish I love it. This brew was awesome but I think I like the normal Arrogant Bastard better. Vertical Bacon Strips (875), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Jul 30, 2009 Finally an oak aged beer that I’ve enjoyed. Poured out a deep mahogany brew with a dark tan head of good size and excellent retention that leaves a disaster of a glass. The aroma is quite nice but mellowed out in comparison to the regular stuff. Soft fruity citrus aromas (fake orange, peach, lime, nectarines), ... getting thicker now.. candy and caramel, soft vanilla and maybe a hint of raspberry on the back end. The straight up bitter judo chop to the ’buds gets broken up with the dulling flavour of oak, vanilla, weak black plum, alcohol that is peeking out from under the hop blanket, some spice... really, it’s just a muted version of the original. Citrus of grapefruits mainly. Close to medium bodied, not really smooth due to the hop beating. Finish is very long with hard bitterness that never leaves. Thanks Brad and your almost relative. beernovice39 (244), South Carolina, USA Jul 27, 2009 This is some impressive stuff. Really good and Whoo the hops....Stone delivers again!
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