Stone Arrogant Bastard 6Pk

Stone Arrogant Bastard 6Pk is a 7.2% ABV American Strong Ale from Stone Brewing, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. Launched in 1997, this landmark ale earned a 92-point score on BeerAdvocate and ranks in the 98th percentile on Ratebeer, cementing its status as one of the most recognized bold ales in American craft brewing.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.2%  |  Origin: Escondido, California, USA  |  Style: American Strong Ale  |  Brewery: Stone Brewing  |  ~100 IBU

Production & Heritage

Stone Brewing, founded in 1996 in Escondido, California, released Arrogant Bastard Ale in 1997 as an unapologetic challenge to the lighter, less assertive beers dominating the market at the time. The grain bill combines approximately 90% US 2-Row barley malt with 10% Special B malt alongside Caramel/Crystal 120 malt, producing a deep, complex malt backbone. Chinook hops drive the bittering, pushing the International Bitterness Units to roughly 100 IBU — a level that was genuinely confrontational in the late 1990s and remains formidable today. Widely regarded as the progenitor of the aggressively hopped strong ale style, this beer helped define Stone Brewing's uncompromising identity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich caramel and toasty bread greet the nose first, followed by a wave of piney, resinous hops. Deeper inhalation reveals subtle dark fruit — raisins and dried plum — underneath the malt sweetness.

Taste: The entry is surprisingly sweet, with toffee and caramel malt coating the palate before the Chinook hops arrive in force. Mid-palate transitions to nutty, bread-like malt complexity, then a wall of aggressive, fruity bitterness takes over. The interplay between heavy malt sweetness and pine-resin hop bitterness creates a deliberate tension that defines the beer's character.

Finish: Long and unrelenting, with resinous hop bitterness lingering well after each sip. Fading toast and bread malt notes balance the persistent bitter edge, inviting another drink.

How to Drink Arrogant Bastard

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at around 50–55°F to fully appreciate the malt complexity and hop aromatics; avoid drinking it ice-cold, which mutes the layered flavors. For a Boilermaker, drop a shot of bourbon alongside this ale — the caramel malt mirrors whiskey sweetness while the hops provide a bitter counterpoint. In a Beer-a-Rita (beer margarita), the ale's boldness stands up to lime and salt without getting lost. A Black Velvet variation blending Arrogant Bastard with dry sparkling wine creates an unexpectedly complex, effervescent pairing where the malt richness meets crisp acidity.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates assertive, hop-forward ales
• Pairing with a weekend barbecue featuring heavily smoked meats
• Stocking a home fridge for slow-sipping sessions with bold-flavored food
• Introducing experienced beer drinkers to the American Strong Ale style through its most iconic example

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Arrogant Bastard taste like? Arrogant Bastard delivers a full-bodied experience dominated by caramel and toffee malt sweetness up front, followed by aggressive piney, resinous hop bitterness that lingers long after each sip. The malt complexity includes toasty bread, nutty notes, and hints of dark dried fruit like raisins.

How does Arrogant Bastard compare to Sierra Nevada Torpedo? Sierra Nevada Torpedo is technically an Extra IPA rather than an American Strong Ale, making it a different category altogether; it tends to be more restrained and hop-focused with a leaner malt profile. Arrogant Bastard is considerably more aggressive and malt-forward, with heavier body, more pronounced toffee and caramel sweetness, and a more confrontational bitterness at roughly 100 IBU.

Is Arrogant Bastard good for beginners? This ale is intentionally intense and may overwhelm palates accustomed to lighter styles; it is best suited for drinkers who already enjoy bold, bitter beers and want to explore the upper end of malt and hop intensity.

Where is Arrogant Bastard made? Arrogant Bastard Ale is brewed by Stone Brewing, headquartered in Escondido, California, a city in San Diego County that has become one of America's most celebrated craft beer regions.

What foods pair well with Arrogant Bastard? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the malt sweetness complements charred, fatty meat. Sharp aged cheddar, which matches the ale's intensity without being overwhelmed. Spicy buffalo wings, as the malt body tempers capsaicin heat while the hops cut through richness. Dark chocolate brownies, where bitterness meets bitterness in a surprisingly harmonious way. Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, which echo the ale's herbal, resinous hop character.

What sizes does Arrogant Bastard come in? Arrogant Bastard Ale is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles, as well as 22 oz bomber bottles and draft.

Is Arrogant Bastard worth the price? Arrogant Bastard positions as a mid-premium craft ale, priced competitively within the American Strong Ale category; given its 92-point BeerAdvocate score, 98th-percentile Ratebeer ranking, and over two decades of consistent production, it represents strong value for a beer of this intensity and reputation.

Why Arrogant Bastard?

Few American craft beers can credibly claim to have launched an entire style, but Arrogant Bastard Ale's 1997 debut did exactly that — arriving at a time when most breweries were softening their recipes for broader appeal. The combination of a malt bill built on US 2-Row and Special B with Chinook hops pushed to approximately 100 IBU created a beer that was genuinely provocative in its era and remains relevant today. Its sustained critical recognition — a 92 on BeerAdvocate from over 11,000 ratings and a 98th-percentile Ratebeer score from a massive sample — confirms that the ale's reputation rests on flavor, not just attitude. For drinkers seeking an American Strong Ale with documented pedigree and unrelenting character, this remains the benchmark.