Arcadia Big Dicks Olde Ale

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

Not a bad Old Ale. Nut, hop, and roasted malt flavors. Finishes thin, and a little watery.

Reddish brown, moderate head with decent lacing and retention. Aroma is very raisiny with notes of molasses, caramel, more dark fruits. Fairly light bodied, quite sweet... would probably get some portlike characteristics if aged. Enjoyable but too light.

Pour is a dark woth with a smallish white head. Aroma is extrelemy hoppy for an old ale but this only helps. I also get some caramel and yeast. Flavor is very much dark fruit with some caramel and molasses. Very tasty and easy to drink. Alcohol does not get in the way.

Arcadia Big Dick’s Olde Ale 22 oz bomber Moderate pour in an English Pint 2006 Vintage, slurped on 03/07 Poured a hazy amber brown with a small off-white head. Smelt of strong dates, raisins, burnt oak, cognac, caramel, sweet bread, honey. A lot happening here. Very nice. Taste was upfront strong bitter roasted malt and moderate sweet caramel and dried fruit followed by a strong bitter horseblanket and yeastiness with light pine hops on a long finish. Palate was light to medium bodied, slightly oily, lively carbonated and moderately astringent. Overall, a fantastic smell and a good all around flavor, just lacks a little mouthweight and richness in flavor.

Dark red color with a small beige head. Aroma of sweet malts with notes of yeast and fruit. Flavor of malt and vegtable/mintyness.

Thanks to whoever brought this to share with us at the Tennessee Spring(ish) Tasting! Poured a hazy brown with an off-white head. Aroma of fresh apples and a hint of alcohol. The flavor was fruity with slightly roasted malts mixed in. Medium body.

Ok, I am at least keeping the bottle for the rating. This is not a company I am particularly fond but I decided to try this one none the less. Sampled from a 22 oz brown bottle this beer poured a murky dark brown color with a large tan head. The aroma was rather faint but had elements of sweet caramel and molasses. The flavor was bitter, and fruity at first followed by a sweet caramel, molasses and ripe fruit element. and finishing with a dry and somewhat bitter roasty chocolate. Fairly complex and interesting though I found that I enjoyed the beer less and less with each sip.

Big Dick’s hides its hefty alcoholic kick (8%) rather well. Hoppier than most old ales, it takes a decidedly American twist using northwest hops. It still retains a malty slightly leathery malt character, but is less sweet than other old ale entries, making it, ultimately, more drinkable. Perhaps not true to the style, Big Dick’s represents a daring and different approach. Maple plays a strong part in the malt character, while resiny hops provide an ample kick and an almost drying finish. My only complaint is the non-existent head and rather boring auburn appearance. Some carbonation is present, but no eye candy tells you that this brew is better than the rest. I applaud the effort, but it still needs a little work.