Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

This 7.2% ABV ale is from the Stone Brewing Company of Escondido, in San Diego County, California. This is their Arrogant Bastard Ale aged with American oak wood chips.

The beer pours a very deep and dark amber, heading towards medium dark brown. There is a half-inch light brown head. The aroma is tart, fruity, cherries in particular, and woody. It has an almost vinous quality. The taste is caramel malt, raisins, plum, vanilla and oak, with an extremely bitter and dry finish. The aftertaste is tart cherries and wood. An interesting beer with a bitterness on the finish that is not for the faint of heart.