Head to Head: Grand Teton Bone Warmer vs. Stone Arrogant Bastard
Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have the two undefeated American Strong Ales. Bothare from America. The first is The Grand Teton Bone Warmer Amber ale from Idaho. The second is the Stone Arrogant Bastard from California. Let the competition begin.
As usual the tasting was done blind.
Price: Winner – Unsure
Teton – ?? (This was a gift so not sure on the price of the 1 liter bottle)
Stone – $9.00 (22 oz bottle)
Appearance: Winner – Tie
Teton – The beer is a clear reddish orange with a average off-white head.
Stone – There is little difference as this beer is also reddish orange with a reasonable off-white head.
Aroma: Winner – Grand Teton
Teton – This has a lovely aroma that is dominated by sweetness. Flavors include honey, banana some caramel and a bit of grain.
Stone – This also has a good aroma. There is some caramel sweetness and a bit of citrus from the hops.
Taste: Winner – Stone
Teton – Sweet sweet sweet. If you don’t like sweet beers you might be put off. But the result for me is really good. There is a little bitterness which keeps this from becoming sickly sweet.
Stone – Where the other beer is sweet this beer has balance. Starts out with a bit of caramel but a wonderful hop bitterness joins in to give this a great flavor that you just want more of.
Body/Finish: Winner – Stone
Teton – Has a medium body with a nice creamy finish.
Stone – Has a full body with a nice long lasting bitterness. Not over the top bitterness but the kind that keeps you coming back for more.
Overall: Winner – Stone Arrogant Bastard
One of my fellow tasters made the point while trying these three American Strong Ales that has stuck with me. When I mentioned that our beer tastings were about good beer he said “No. They are great beers”. Sometimes I think I am spoiled that when I drink beer the worst beer of the night is something as good as the Stone Double Bastard. But when compared to these two it just came up short.
The same is true of the Bone Warmer when compared to the Arrogant Bastard. The Stone is just so good. I do not see how it could be better. You might want more of this or that and there is nothing wrong with that. Your taste is not necessarily the same as mine. But for me the Stone Arrogant Bastard is the best American Strong Ale I have had. Of course we could have a whole discussion on what is an American Strong ale in the first place but I will leave that till another day.
Interesting. I’ve done a Double Bastard to Arrogant Bastard comparison, but it wasn’t blind and the double was on tap. In that instance I felt that the Double was more complex and, while not a daily drinker, a more pleasurable experience. And I should point out I haven’t yet met the Stone brew I didn’t like…
I was a bit surprised by the Stone also. On another occasion I tried it against the Oak Aged Bastard and again liked the Plain Arrogant Bastard better. Just my preference I guess. I do like big beers and in isolation I would probably love both the oaked and the double but when compared H2H the overall experience of the plain Arrogant Bastard was superior.
This is what I love about beer because in all honesty they are all great beers that deserve to be drunk and enjoyed. My only regret is that I can’t by Stone here in NC.