Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

As I have mentioned before (Double Bastard) I am a big fan of Stone Brewing Co. Arrogant Bastard line of ales. Their packing and marketing is fantastic, and I had never been disappointed with the witticisms on their bottles. I also really liked the original Arrogant Bastard Ale and so I feel obliged to try all of it's various iterations.

This is why I ended up in the position I am right now, drinking the Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, even though I am congested and have a flight that leaves in like 4 hours. I picked this up a few days ago at the awesome DnQ Mini Markt (check out my post here) but unfortunately have not had occasion to drink it yet and since I will be leaving this location for at least 6 months, I felt I would do a disservice to myself, if I didn't try it before I went.

Anyway, as it is, I am not sure how helpful this review will be—I don't particularly like it (a bit too aromatic for me) but I also have a sleep-deprivation head ache, and am super congested, so I dunno, but here is my best shot.

ABV: 7.2%

SERVE: 330ml bottle poured into a Nonic Pint Glass

COLOUR: Medium Brown, red-amber tint

AROMA: slight oak, hoppy

HEAD: Small rise, light beige

TASTE:

(initial) hoppy

(mouthfeel) spicy, bitter, nice body

(after) intense wood finish

VERDICT: get back to later, when I am in a better state to taste and think clearly.

Highway 78: Scotch Ale

Highway 78 Scotch Ale is a very interesting beer. I picked it up partially because I like the minimalist aesthetic of the bottle and partially because I was bullied into in by this overly knowledgeable east European man in the Beer Stone (not liquor store; it only sells beer).

Turns out though, that this is also an incredibly special beer. It is a collaboration between Stone Brewing Company (who made this), as well as Pizza Port Carlsbad, and Green Flash Brewing Company, two other California brewers. There is tons more information on the site linked above and so I suggest checking it out, but I just think that it is pretty awesome in a world of specialization and (in many ways) isolation; some brewers would get together and produce these one off beers just in the name of the craft. My hats off to them.

Year: 2010

ABV: 8.8%

From: 12oz bottle (chilled), and poured

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: light tan, didn't really rise, dissipated very quickly

COLOUR: deep caramel colour with a red tint

SMELL: dark, roasted smell (with hints of dark chocolate) but still hoppy

TASTE:

(initial) dark, rich flavour of roasted hops.

(body) full body, and the hops really grows blossoms but never is overpowering

(aftertaste) very little besides the initial flavour, which lingers

Double Bastard Ale

Double Bastard Ale is a from the line of "Bastard Ales" from Stone Brewing Company out of San Diego, CA. Regardless of how their beers taste (they could be absolute shite–they're not–but they could be) and I would still recommend purchasing a bottle or too because the bottles are hilarious to read. The first one I picked up (during last summer) was the Arrogant Bastard Ale and I couldn't stop showing people the bottle because it was too funny.

Unfortunately Though I remember quite enjoying the Arrogant Bastard Ale, The Double Bastard wasn't one of my favourites, so I probably wouldn't drink it again (too aromatic)—but I would definitely give it as a gift to a friend.

Year: 2010

ABV: 11.2%

From: 22oz bottle (chilled), and poured

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: very light tan colour almost creamy

COLOUR: deep red (like red oak) opaque, but you can still see the glint of light from the bottom of the glass

SMELL: slightly sweet scent of hops with a slight floral bouquet

TASTE:

(initial) floral notes mixed with the bitterness of the hops plant and a hints of chocolate

(body) it has a full body and the flavour really blossoms in the mouth

(aftertaste) the floral notes linger mixed with slight acidic bitterness that grows over time