Stone Arrogant Bastard (Oaked)

Posted on by

Tasting: July 9, 2011
Style: IPA

Make no bones about it — Stone Brewing is worthy of a spot on the Mount Rushmore of beer breweries. They consistently make big beer after big beer. They’re known for their IPA (87 points), Imperial Stout (in my fridge) and Ruination (93 points) — but Stone most notably produces Arrogant Bastard (I’ve had and liked — but unrated), Lucky Bastard (90 points) and Double Bastard (95 points). In front of me is the “oaked” version of their Arrogant Bastard — oak as in wood chips.

Pours a rich brown with reddish undertones, creamy head that sticks around. The nose offers up some subtle sweetness under earthy tone. The flavor is quite complex. I get this peppery flavor tucked amongst the caramel and oak. It reminds me of cinnamon. Something in this beer is pumping up the roasted flavors. At first I thought the “caramel like” malt — but, I’m thinking it may be the oak. It’s like when winemakers burn the inside of an oak wine barrel. Really a rich beer — 7.2% ABV. Get a nice stickiness. I like it enough to give it an 89.

Share it!
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •