 maltdog (414), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Jun 10, 2008
The clear-as-water ruby/magenta body contrasts sharply with pistachio-tinged khaki foam. A resiny, spicy hop perfume erupts herbal and bittersweet, with unexpected train track or oil refinery aromatics, and camel pen at the zoo. Charred woody notes are already emerging, redolent with rum and smoke. And then… holy f**k… buttery oak competes with and utterly overwhelms and negates an elsewise masterfully malty brew. There exists some faint peachy/orangey hop character that finishes dirty, chalky, and acerbic. The disasterous aftertaste features the most complex, and most confused, characteristics of this beer: the overblown, raw oak assault of a bargain-bin California chardonnay; a humid heap of brown paper bags; the curry tang of hot metal shavings; the pondscum brown algae stench of wet dog and old celery; a medium bitterness with the acrid phenolic character of burning circuit boards; …and a suggestion of rose petals! The palate starts more “rich” than “thick”, but ends up very dry and alkaline. This hardly resembles, and is far, FAR inferior to “regular” Arrogant Bastard- the addition of oak nullifies rather than amplifies the beer’s assets- is this actually the same, unoaked and beloved AB underneath? Drinking this beer is as appealing as licking a well-used ashtray in a pay-by-the-hour motel room. OMFG, what a friggin’ train wreck!
CaptBier (252), Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Sep 3, 2008 ttled. A dark amber beer with a dark orange head. The aroma is extremely hoppy which gives it strong notes of grapefruit, but it also has strong notes of alcohol. The flavor is sweet malty with strong notes of caramel and grapefruit, and only hints of vanilla, leading to a dry bitter end. The oak can be a tad astringent, but it also adds a nice softness to it.
TOSG55 (32), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Sep 3, 2008 Bottle. Pours a deep reddish brown with a medium head. Pleasant aroma of floral hops. The flavor is complex, with malty sweetness nicely balanced by hops - it has a bit of a barley wine characteristic to it. Caramel, toffee, and dark fruits are discernible. The oak isn’t heavy in the flavor, but the beer is noticeably more mellow and well-balanced than its non-oaked counterpart. Very nice beer.
branspra (12), Arlington, Virginia, USA
Sep 2, 2008 Bottle. Very good beer with a frothy head and cask aroma. Long flavor with a moderate bitter flavor. Very good beer with BBQ and other spicy foods.
aleyin (11), Murrieta, California, USA
Aug 31, 2008 sample at Stone Brewery. Reddish brown with tan head. Good balance of hops/ malt/oak. My favorite of a great brewery. Some fruity,floral. Very satisfying
MartiniFiend (93), Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, USA
Aug 30, 2008 Bottle. Dark brown color and no head. Hop aroma with only a hint of wood. Medium bodied. Flavor is a hop start with a malty middle and a bitter finish with just a hint of alcohol. This is the first oaked beer that I’ve had that didn’t go overboard with the oak.
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