 grandridge (160), Port Clinton, Ohio, USA
May 2, 2008
I tried this side by side with regular AB in a blind test. The wife poured each in a trappist and didn’t tell me which was was oaked. I was able to distinguish the AB apart from the oaked version and it was alot easier than I thought. Personally I thought the oaked was better than the regular version (I liked both). The oaked pours deep amber with little head, which is a big difference from the regular AB. The oaked has a subtle wood aroma as well and the sweetness and carmel are more subdued. The oaked has little carbonation in comparision to regular leaving an oily mouthfeel but in a good way. I was able to pick out the oaked flavor after a a sip or two and noticed big differences between the two brews immediately. The oaked version is a little more complex as the the earthy notes from the wood chips mellow out the aggressive hops and malts. This brew is way more balanced than the original AB. What a great idea to mellow an already premium brew.
kennydiaz (73), staten island, New York, USA
Oct 12, 2008 IT TASTE VERY BITTER ALMOST LIKE A GRAPEFRUIT. I HAVE HAD ALMOST ALL OF THE STONE COMPANY’S BEERS BUT THIS WAS HIGHLY DISAPPOINTING.
timsilvia32 (254), from Michigan now in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Oct 12, 2008 Rusty red/brown pour, cream like colored head. Smells a little bit like a sweet fruitcake. Taste mixes sweet malty biscuit with some citrus and pine. The bitterness is balanced out with the oakiness. Medium bodied with some good stickiness. I thought this was much better than the regular Arrogant, and worthy of the hype.
yesyouam (369), Fairport, New York, USA
Oct 11, 2008 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!
bubbleflubber (654), Collinsville, Virginia, USA
Oct 11, 2008 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.
tgncc (299), Bellmore, New York, USA
Oct 4, 2008 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.
|
