Stone Brewing Company: Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

They say go big or go home, and Stone Brewing Company has always listened. If you're a craft beer fan you know Stone, and I bet you have a strong opinion about their beer. From their Ruination IPA, to their Imperial Russian Stout, every beer teeters on the fence of overwhelming. Whether you see this as over the top, or pushing the boundaries, no one in their right mind would argue Stone's rise to power as a craft brewing juggernaut. Stone is easily one of my top five breweries, so for my first review I figured I'd take a cue from them. I went big and picked up an Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale.

The original Arrogant Bastard Ale 22oz bomber bottle has a warning on the back, "This is an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth," it starts. And this my friends, is the version that upped the ante with oak chips.

It pours a warm amber brown, with a thick cream head. The oak is heavy in the nose, with caramel notes and a strong hop presence quickly following. The taste is incredibly complex. The hops are present through the entire sip with a citrus bite. The malt steadily builds over powering the hops with toffee and caramel flavors giving way to the oak. The hop bitterness fades into a warm oak heavy finish. The body is solid, but gets heavier as it warms.

Not my favorite beer from Stone, but the Oaked Arrogant Bastard is definitely a winner. As it warms, it loses the mellowing affect of the oak which makes it far less enjoyable. However at the proper temperature, this beer is well balanced, and packs a wallop of flavor. If you like oaked beers, and you like hops, this is a must try.

American Dude Rating: 4/5