The Arrogant Bastard label states that: "This is an aggressive beer, you probably won't like it. It is quite doubtful you have the taste and sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth."
Today's fairytale-like review will focus on the Bastard, the Double Bastard, and the Oaked Bastard... One taster, one Goldilocks. Three beers, three bowls of porridge. Coincidence? I think not.
I, who we can affectionately refer to as Goldilocks, got to choose between these three pours. So follow along as I take you through this storybook tasting... that is, if you have the courage to enter the house of the Arrogant.
Arrogant Bastard: Like Mama Bear's porridge, this is the first impression that we have to this family of beers and the flagship beer of the Stone Brewing Company. Its the original, the one and only, the Bastard! It was one of my first craft brews and my first American Strong Ale. The first time I had it I didn't like it (just like they said), but I loved the idea of it so I pretended like I did. However, after 3 or 4 Arrogant Bastards I developed the taste and appreciation of it and it is now one of my go-to beers. It tastes of pine hops with a little citrus and some light caramelized malt flavor. It's the strong hoppy bitterness that is the dominant flavor and the lasting impression of this beer.
Quick Taste
Arrogant Bastard
North San Diego County, CA
ABV% 7.20
American Strong Ale
Appearance: Redish Brown Color, Slightly Yellowish Head
Aromatics: Malty Sweet
Taste: Bitter and Malty, Light hops flavor
Notes: One of my first craft brews, great character and awesome bottles
87
Double Bastard: Again, the beer is mostly pine-tasting hops with a little citrus, but this beer is very malty and much stronger on the back end. When beers use a lot of hops, sometimes more malted barely has to be added to balance out the bitterness. I feel that a lot of times this creates an alcohol flavor and sweetness that I don't tend to like, and that starts to happen a little bit with the aftertaste in the Double. Like Papa Bear's bed, this might be a little to hard for most, but then again, you may be more worthy than I.
Quick Taste
Double Bastard
North San Diego County, CA
ABV% 10.50
American Double Strong Ale
Appearance: Redish Brown Color, Slightly Yellowish Head
Aromatics: Malty and Alcoholic
Taste: Harshly Sweet and Malty, the flavor lingers and improves as it fades
Notes: The alcoholic flavor is the almost too much
84
Oaked Arrogant Bastard: Just to complement this story even better, this Baby Bastard comes in the smaller 12oz bottles that the other two do not. This beer is strong, yet smooth; just right - like Baby Bear's porridge and bed. The oak barrel aging process works very nicely with this beer. It helps to balance out the strong and overpowering flavors that can mask some of the subtleties of the classic Arrogant Bastard. The Oaked Bastard has a much more complex taste (or it could just be that I actually notice it in this one) than the other two. And, unlike a lot of other barrel-aged beers you don't get an overpowering whiskey taste. In my opinion, it's the best of the three, and it's just how Goldilocks, er... I, like it.
Quick Taste
Arrogant Bastard
North San Diego County, CA
ABV% 7.20
American Strong Ale
Appearance: Redish Brown Color, Slightly Yellowish Head, least head of the three
Aromatics: Malty and oak
Taste: Mellowed and more balanced vierion of AB (Bitter and Malty, Light hops flavor)
Notes: By far the most balanced and smooth of the three
89
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