22 oz bottle from Hop City, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Magnificent clarity on the garnet pour with a head that is initially good but fades quite quickly. A little lace. The color is very attractive.
There’s a big, ‘ole piney West Coast nose upfront with this one. Quite herbal too.
Tastes are largely as expected with drying hops, aggressive bitterness and some hot alcohol, but this beer lacks the richness and complete, malt intensity that the other Bastards do. It feels like Arrogant Lite, and the mouthfeel matches the lighter feel. The lack of malt depth is what really distinguishes this beer from the other, similar beers that Stone brews. It has a strange, floral or herbal note that is a little off-putting. Quite surprised at how the hops seem to add pine and green herbal notes rather than straight up bitterness.
Not a beer I care for much, and given the excellence of Arrogant Bastard this is a beer that is difficult to purchase when the others are out there. One and done here.