 kepano (239), Meudon, France
Dec 3, 2005
For my first Stone brew Arrogant Bastard seemed like a natural choice especially as a base for the double and aged variants. The standard Stone bottles have a great personality and attention to detail, it was a joy to crack open and pour. The hue reminds me of a dark chestnut color that shines red-orange in the light. A frothy pale yellow head sits uncomfortably above the liquid and leaves sparse bubbly lacing on the glass. The aroma first strikes as powerful and very hoppy, with grapefruit dominating the first whiff. With closer inspection a blend of cherry, red apples and banana strike the nose while coffee, cream and a slight woody note provide a soft balance. Sweet fruity malts hit the tongue initially but soon the hops override the main flavor with a touch of smoky spices. I’m not a big hop nut myself but I enjoyed the change from my usual Belgian preference. The aftertaste leaves a long Sahara-dry hop flavor that sticks to the back of your tongue forever and encourages another sip. As far as hoppy beers go, I do appreciate the complexity but it is always hard for me to enjoy the overpowering bitterness.
puboflyons (502), New Hampshire, USA
Jul 2, 2009 From the 1 pt. 6 fl. oz. bottle with no noticeable lot code or expiration date on the label. The pour is a dark amber-brown with a generous supply of frothy beige head that foams up as if it was poured from a nitro can. The aroma is kind of special and best described as floral malts. Tart hops tend to be the leading flavor which is bold overall. Everyone seems to like this one and so do I.
Ceebs25 (180), Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Jul 2, 2009 22 oz bomber bottle. This is quite good stuff, and did not dissapoint even with all the hype around it. Aroma is full, yet well balanced. A good amount of nutty grain maltiness, lots of thicker fruit notes such as apples, pears, and melons, a good earth of earthy and bold citrus hops. It definitely smells stronger than 7.2% abv. Pour was nice as well, with a medium sized creamy head, good retention, and caramel crimson in color. The taste is well balanced, and the flavors come out quite nicely. Lots of malty fruitness to back up the thick offering of hops. Main players on the flavor notes include earth, nutty caramel cereal grains, a good amount of medium fruit salad, pine, and thicker citrus bitterness that lingers better than i was expecting upon initial sip. Really a very solid beer that definitely left me wanting more when the bottle was gone. It’s nice when beers of this caliber live up to the hype.
dalek123 (29), Houston, Texas, USA
Jun 30, 2009 Pours reddish brown with a medium sized, long lasting light brownish head. Taste is very assertive with big character; the advertising isn’t kidding.
Taste strongly of hops with a touch of dark cherries. Aftertaste is very bitter and lingering. This was an enjoyable experience, though I find some of Stone’s other brews more sublime and balanced. Definately will come back to this one though.
ALCOHOLNIZM (15), WARWICK, USA
Jun 25, 2009 Updated: Jun 29, 2009IVE SEEN THIS BEER SEVERAL TIMES BUT NEVER PURCHASED IT, IT ACTUALLY TRYS TO INTIMIDATE YOU WITH ITS MARKETING TELLING YOU YOU CANT HANDLE IT AND YOU WONT LIKE IT, WELL I FINALLY BOUGHT ONE TODAY AND HERES HOW IT WENT,
IT LOOKS LIKE DARK HONEY WITH BASICALLY NO HEAD, COMES IN 22OZ BOTTLES WHICH IS A SHAME BECAUSE I WOULD LOVE A SIX PACK OF THESE,TASTES LIKE NOTHING BUT HOPS WITH BARELY ANY AROMA BASICALY JUST A GOOD HOPPY BITTER ALE WITH DESENT ALCOHOL CONTENT QUITE DELICIOUS BUT IN THIS CASE THE BOTTLING AND GIMIC MAY ACTUALLY BE COOLER THAN THE ACTUAL BREW IS , STILL GREAT NONE THE LESS.
bobert (6), woodcliff lake, New Hampshire, USA
does not count  Jun 25, 2009 Not a fan of hoppy, herbal, aromatic beers, which this is. If you like that style this is definitely a solid choice. The Arrogant Bastard Ale (incredible name--reason why I bought it) is simply put...arrogant. Strong, hoppy, out of control with hoppiness, it is like an IPA. Not my cup of tea (or beer I guess) but it will grow on you and is a good brew.
baraciisch (131), USA
Jun 24, 2009 Caramel malty aroma...Caramel brown in color... Flavor is sweet almost citrusy initially with a nice spicy bitter finish... Hints of caramel and biscuits... Freaking staple... Great beer
zizzybalubba (125), Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA
Jun 23, 2009 On tap at Coasters. Light brown pour with a creamy tan head. Surprisingly very little aroma; almost undetectable. Flavor, however, is very noticeable; bitter hops balanced with some malty sweetness. I suppose it is listed as an American Strong Ale because there is no real good category to list this one in. Certainly unique in flavor even though it is hoppy. A great beer.
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