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Arrogant Bastard Ale

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Arrogant Bastard Ale was released in November 1997, a year after Stone opened, and has kept its combative label copy ever since; the brewery still lists style, hops and bitterness as classified. Tasters describe it as deep copper to mahogany under a thick tan head. Caramel, toffee and dark bread lead, with dried dark fruit and a hint of cocoa underneath, while piney, herbal hops push back. The body is full, the bitterness intense and lingering, and the finish dry and resinous.

ABV
7.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
amber13
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
resinouspineycaramel
resinous
piney
caramel
herbal
dark fruit
hoppy
Aroma
Caramel and toffee lead the nose, supported by earthy dark bread notes that suggest a robust Malz bill.
also:chocolate,malty
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Arrogant Bastard Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep copper to mahogany hue, bright and clear beneath a thick tan head that builds with vigor. The head clings persistently to the glass, leaving distinct lacing as you drink. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated throughout.

deep copper-mahoganythick tan headpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

Caramel and toffee lead the nose, supported by earthy dark bread notes that suggest a robust Malz bill. Beneath lies a layer of dried dark fruit—raisin and plum—with a subtle cocoa undertone. Piney and herbal hop character pushes through clearly, adding resinous complexity to the profile.

caramel, toffeedark bread, cocoapiney, herbal hops

◐ Taste

The palate opens full and warming, with caramel sweetness and toffee character meeting an assertive, lingering bitterness that dominates the mid-palate. Dried dark fruit and subtle cocoa continue to support the structure, while woody and herbal hop flavors assertively push back against the Malz-driven body. The intensity remains constant and uncompromising throughout.

full-bodied, warmingintense lingering bitternesscaramel, dried fruit

◑ Finish

The finish is decisively dry and resinous, with hop bitterness extending well into the aftertaste. The drying quality lingers persistently, leaving the palate clean yet assertively hopped.

dry, resinouslingering hop bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Arrogant Bastard Ale

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About American Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Strong Ale?

American Strong Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar American Strong Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same full-bodied, bitter, resinous character as Arrogant Bastard Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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