Rating: 5.25/5

Bourbon Barrel Aged Arrogant Bastard by Stone Brewing is a 7.8% ABV American Strong Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Label:
Quite Refined, Unlike you.

I did not give you permission to pick me up, let alone drink me. Nor do I intend to. Being groped as you mutter to yourself taxes my patience. Pardon? You think you’re the only one who can hear that scattered cacophony of “thought” racing through your head? Ah, ’twere that true. While I am a master of social complexities and articulate thought, clearly you are not. I am the embodiment of unparalleled intellectual and artistic heights. You, on the other hand, bring the baggage of preconceived notions that serve only to distract.

Yet, I’ll give you one chance: Aspire to free your mind. Use a crowbar if you must. Approach me with openness, unsullied by your irrelevant “life experience.” Alternately, set me down and leave me the hell alone.

Yes, yes, I know. You don’t have to put up with this. You’re a tiger. Grrr. You go get ’em. Go tweet or otherwise enlighten the starved-for-your-opinion world of your precious insights about me. Thrill yourself imagining your three, 300 or 30,000 followers hanging on your every word. I’m sure they must. OMG, they’re waiting for you to tell them the thought you had just now.

Now close your mouth and either set me down or do your worst. What’s that? You’re going to drink a fizzy yellow beer out of spite? You got it. Self-flagellate all you like. Proclaim your unworthiness to whoever will listen, scamp.
___

Behold!! You are in the presence of the return of the true King/Queen of Beers. It’s long return from slumber after a long time of not being reviewed now graces the unworthy with a might of Bourbon and Oak. While There have been other variants taking advantage of the Double Bastard and Lukcy Bastard Barrel Aged, this is the truest return of the Arrogant Bastard since my first review of the regular beer oh so long ago (https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/arrogant-bastard-ale-by-stone/). This beer comes in a special Stone 4 pack including the other 3 Bastards, Arrogant, Double and Lukcy. You may as well get the quad of arrogance now before they sell out or just keep going without ever knowing what could have been… cheers!!

Aromas:
Bourbon, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, burnt sugar, toasted coconut, citrus, piney, grapefruit, earthy and grassy hops, vanilla, marshmallows, pine nuts, almonds, roasted peanuts, wooden oak, campfire, graham cracker smores, tobacco, leather, apples, stone fruit apricot hints, some tropics like dragon fruit and passion fruit hints.

Flavors:
Rich Toffee, Bourbon notes, earthy, piney, grassy, grapefruit hops, dulce de leche caramel,honey, dragon fruit, vanilla, hop soaked marshmallows, oak, rye bread, apples, stone fruit apricot, passion fruit hints, citrus, lemon peel, butterscotch, leather, tobacco, roasted burnt peanut butter hints, brown sugar, campfire oak, smores and sour raspberries.

Aftertaste:
Rye bread, toffee, caramel, earthy hops, grassy, citrus and grapefruit peel, oak and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, deep crimson Amber in body, medium drinkability and smooth yet bitter mouthfeel.

Overall:
A tad more perfect than the already perfect Arrogant Bastard. While this is Bourbon Barrel Aged, the Bourbon helps compliment the awesome sweeter flavors but the beer is still pretty damn aggressive and delicious. They should really consider selling this one individually but the fact that it comes with the other ones including the Lukcy which is the Cuvee (Grand Bastard Cru) at a reasonable price may actually make this one worth getting. You be the judge. LOL like the Arrogant Bastard says “It’s Not Expensive, You’re just Too Cheap!”

Anime Corner:
Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail was used in this pairing because I wanted to find another Bad Ass Red Head like I did with Baiken from Guilty Gear. Erza brings everything that has to do with this beer. The label, the colors, the flavors, the bitterness, the attitude, the arrogance and the dominance. Let us start with how she puts her arm to the side and looks straight into your soul like a bad ass giving off that look of pure bitter arrogance. Her hair spikes up like the wings and horns of the gargoyle. The dark surrounding with the crimson represents the flow of beer as I spends it’s time aging in the Bourbon to someday be released as such which was the Return of the King of Beers. Today is a Good Day!

Sources:
http://wallpapersinhq.com/images/big/fairy_tail_erza-1475314.jpg