Arcadia Battle Creek Special Reserve

Brewed by Arcadia Brewing Company
Style: English Pale Ale
Battle Creek, Michigan USA

Bottled November 2003, sampled May 2004. The bottle from 2003 listed an ABV of 4.25% Needless to say, I was quite worried as to whether such a low gravity beer could have made it 6 months on a warm, well-lit store’s shelves. To my delight, the beer was bottle conditioned and had ample yeast floating around, as well as a thick ring around the bottom. Upon opening, it had a wonderful, deep herb-like hops smell. I really enjoy tettnangs, so that was a big surprise. The hops aroma was complemented by moderately sweet english toffee notes and a bit of a kick from the yeast. Pouring revealed a golden-amber, quite bright and clouded, with some warmer bright red hues and a big, creamy off-white head. Plenty of lacing. Upon drinking, I was impressed with the mix of hops and malt. Neither too dry, not too sweet, this beer seemed to have integrated everything in a perfect balance during its 6 month warm rest. Spiciness from the hops, and a nutty almost chewy malt flavor as well. A touch of vanilla, more herbal qualities and a very crisp yeast/hops finish. Body was medium, and for a beer of such low gravity, that was impressive. No thinning. Low carbonation, lots of chewy toffee as it warmed on the finish and almost a butter-cream sweetness as well. This was truly a gem and one that blew my expectations to pieces. To be constructive, it did begin to get a bit too heavy on the cream-like sweetness as it finished and I had my second one. There was a bit too much carbonation upon first opening (but to be expected).

They didn’t have this on tap while I was there, so the waitress brought me one in a bottle (the service was excellent by the way). Oh man, special reserve, cen’t wait to try this beer, you’d think I would know by now. Pale golden color. Spritzy, oily with a slight hop finish and nothing more to speak of. This breweries worst beer.

Ain’t a half-bad EPA. Quite malty of exactly the right tangy type. Pretty smooth. Seemingly sugary or adjuncty at the finish. Thus concludes Beer #666 for me, sign of the beast! On to the resoulution beer for #667!

Lightly malty and lightly floral nose. Hints of caramel, fuzzy fruit and light perfume. Crystal clear amber color with a medium-sized, fizzy white head. Mostly lasting with decent lacing. Very well balanced with soft carbonation and a creamy mouthfeel. Medium-bodied. Short, dry, grassy finish.

This beer poured a golden color and created a white head that left some lace as it subsided. Some carbonation was present. It had an aroma of of hops and grain. The flavor was mostly of hops with a slight sweetness to it. The finish was light and a touch on the dry side. Not a bad beer, but not one of their better ones.

I also found this in the bargin bin. It’s a fair ale. Fair aroma, fair appearance, good malty taste. Pretty good beer.

A surprisingly good beer I found in the Bargain bin at one of my haunts. a Nice aroma, good appearance and good texture round out this beer which has a great malty flavor that is full and wonderful. Very good beer.

Yikes. This stuff is noxious as hell, to the point I couldnt finish the bottle. Seriosuly, something went ary in the brewing as this has a serious taste of sweat - big time acridity. There are serious chunks flaoting in it, too, which is intriguing until you taste the stuff and wonder what the hell they are.