Arrogant Bastard Ale - Bourbon Barrel
Arrogant Consortia in Escondido, California, United States 🇺🇸
Brewed at/by: Stone BrewingStrong Ale Rotating
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Score
7.32
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Ale Aged in Kentucky Bourbon Barrels
I awake from a slumber that’s been anything but peaceful. I don’t take kindly to idling and I am anything but neutral. Life has nothing to do with killing time, and the knowledge that months have passed since the onset of my sequestering in this pitch-black oaken tomb (albeit a barrel flush with brilliant aromas of vanilla and char) does not sit well. But then comes a tingle followed by rejuvenating warmth, signs that something is different…something has changed…and for the better.
I feel stronger yet somehow more nimble and refined. I feel even more self-assured, and my vision for what is good and right, honest and true, is as laser-sharp as the brawny, bawdy, liquid Arrogance that shall further advance my battle against all things mediocre and geared toward the lowest common denominator. I have been born anew and, in the process, anointed with vibrant, inspiring, previously unexperienced character, all while maintaining everything I am and have always been—bold, bullish, unadulterated, and yes, Arrogant.
Are you Worthy of quaffing a beverage of this intensity, irreverence and quality craftsmanship? Not likely, but for those who “get it,” I know my time in this bourbon barrel has not been wasted. Cheers to you, enlightened imbiber. On second thought, cheers to me!
I awake from a slumber that’s been anything but peaceful. I don’t take kindly to idling and I am anything but neutral. Life has nothing to do with killing time, and the knowledge that months have passed since the onset of my sequestering in this pitch-black oaken tomb (albeit a barrel flush with brilliant aromas of vanilla and char) does not sit well. But then comes a tingle followed by rejuvenating warmth, signs that something is different…something has changed…and for the better.
I feel stronger yet somehow more nimble and refined. I feel even more self-assured, and my vision for what is good and right, honest and true, is as laser-sharp as the brawny, bawdy, liquid Arrogance that shall further advance my battle against all things mediocre and geared toward the lowest common denominator. I have been born anew and, in the process, anointed with vibrant, inspiring, previously unexperienced character, all while maintaining everything I am and have always been—bold, bullish, unadulterated, and yes, Arrogant.
Are you Worthy of quaffing a beverage of this intensity, irreverence and quality craftsmanship? Not likely, but for those who “get it,” I know my time in this bourbon barrel has not been wasted. Cheers to you, enlightened imbiber. On second thought, cheers to me!
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3.7/10
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Appearance 4
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 3
Overall 16
Another heavy-weight ale in the arrogant bastard series. The nose leads with roasted caramel malt, with added touches of woodiness and bourbon. Signature deep roasted caramel malt leads the way with some raisins, dark berries and citrus and piney hops. The bourbon and oak have a slightly nasty edge to them. A dense body with a slick almost sticky mouth feel helps sustain both the malt and hoppy elements. Not their best of the brand by any stretch.
Tried
on 23 Sep 2025
at 20:07
7.6/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 10
Overall 6.5
Tap at Hopa. Copper pour, off-white head. Sweet notes of vanilla, booze, malts and a faint woody touch. As pleasant as simple.
Tried
from Draft
on 17 Mar 2025
at 12:04
9/10
RB score 3.65
Tried
on 16 Mar 2025
at 03:11
7.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Bottle at home, at 8.1 abv. Aroma is biscuity malt, caramel, oak, vanilla, bourbon, touch of dried fruits and piney hops. Flavour is moderate sweet and nicely bitter. Body is medium. Not as fruity and piney as regular Arrogant Bastard, but damn tasty barrel aging. Nicely bitter and very drinkable.
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Feb 2025
at 15:34
6.8/10
Past its prime. Thanks anyway @Nick
Tried
from Bottle
on 22 Jul 2022
at 20:44
7.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 10
Overall 7
Bottle at Hundholmen, Bod�. 6 year old bottle. Has a hazy mahogany colour with a small beige head. Aroma of forest floor, heather, pine, ammonia, bread, oak, grapefruit, some bourbon and hints of coffee beans. Flavour of oak, heather, ammonia, pine, grass and some alcohol. Has a slick and slightly soft mouth feel, full-bodied and a medium bitterness. Pretty hoppy despite being some year old, and is now reminiscent of an american barley wine.
Tried
from Bottle
on 15 Feb 2022
at 19:48
7/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7
Mahogyna color and a off white head. Nice Barrel flavors, but the heavy bitter finish is over the top.
Tried
on 21 Sep 2021
at 16:36
7.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
(Bottle) Dark reddish amber colour, hazy, with creamy beige head. Malty, hoppy nose with treacle-toffee, resin, oak wood, vanilla, toffee, treacle, bourbon, pink grapefruit, orange peel and apricot marmalade. Malty, hoppy taste with notes of resin, burnt rubber, oak wood, bourbon, vanilla, toffee, dried fruit, treacle, apricot marmalade, orange peel and a generous resiny, piney bitterness in the finish. More than medium body, with a certain sweetness. Lots of taste and quite interesting, but a bit more harsh and unbalanced than the original version. Nice one.
Tried
from Bottle
on 01 Feb 2021
at 21:40
3/10
Same reason you shouldn't age dogfish head 120 minute, this is 8.1% abv but tastes like 40% abv. Says drink fresh, but tastes just like 120 minute aged (I don't mind it fresh!). No more malt bombs! Found this in Europe lol.
Tried
from Bottle
on 26 Mar 2020
at 20:57
7/10
On tap at Sir Club, Odense. Cloudy copper with a lasting off-white head. Aroma of toffee, vanilla, and plenty of fresh oak. Sweet malty flavour with oak and vanilla.
Tried
from Draft
on 06 Feb 2020
at 23:23