Arrogant Bastard Ale (Stone Brewing Company)

This is the one and only Arrogant Bastard Ale from Stone Brewing Company out of Escondido, California. This is the beer that your friends have talked about for years and it will not disappoint to all those worthy of its hardcore mix of malt and a boat load of hops.

One line from the famous label reads, "This is an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it." How is that for an invitation? Worked for me...

Pours a nice dark mahogany color with a beautiful yellowish head that quickly takes up the space at the top quarter of my glass. Its a sight to behold really, such a rich color in a liquid and such a perfectly formed head on its top. The head is tight and slowly begins to leave little islands of foam floating atop this inviting elixir.

The smell is arrogant. Well, not really. Its more like super fresh, piney hops that almost sting your nose. Its slightly grassy mixed with hints of malt sweetness mixed with the acidic bitterness of citrus, both orange and grapefruit.

I have to drink this. First taste is sharp! Its astringent, its hoppy, its got some serious bite! It slowly becomes smoother and provides that nice hop fix that draws me to beers like this. There is not a lot of malt backbone to the Arrogant Bastard, but you know what? Who cares? It doesn't need to be a well balanced example of anything. Its supposed to be what it says it is...aggressive! The hop bite and the alcohol warming are a nice combo. Its nice to be a bastard. Personally, I like to call this a strong, dark IPA from the West Coast that has no equal.

Beer Facts:

Name: Arrogant Bastard Ale

Style: Strong Ale

Brewery: Stone Brewing Company

Location: Escondido, California, USA

Container: 22 oz. bottle

Malts: ?

Hops: "Classified"

ABV: 7.2%

IBU’s: "Classified"