Arcadia Lake Superior ESB

Brewed by Arcadia Brewing Company
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Battle Creek, Michigan USA

This is probably the most English tasting beer I have ever had from an American brewery. Even though it's an ESB, it reminds me of Bass Ale with that burnt metallic taste the I have to be in the mood for to enjoy. Very little head, a cloudy amber color. Doesn't blow my socks off, but a drinkable Ale. I'd like to try it on tap.

I don’t have much experience with bitters and was surprised with the darkness of this brew. Just bitter enough. I was glad that this wasn’t too hoppy, as if I wanted strong hops I’d go with an IPA. I really like this as a session beer.

2004 Draft. Good medium-bright orange with some light red hues. Mostly clear. Big white head. Smells of spicey hops, a touch of dry roasted malt. Opens up fluffy, creamy and quite sweet. Caramel malt to the max, but not out of balance. Bitterness comes in late but makes enough of a presence. I was very pleased that there is no astringency from the toasted malt, no overly dry flavors at all. Superbly balanced and while the hops flavor does not present itself as tremendously complex or bitter, it is still quite tastey. Medium bodied, soft creamy mouthfeel, low carbonation.

Price: $1.25 single 12-oz bottle Appearance: Cloudy amber with a small, but fluffy head. Smell: Odor is a bit cidery... and pleasing. Taste: Has a bit of an IPA taste, but with a much more dry finish. Nice. Good, solid mouthfeel. A good drinkable beer. Only problem with this being a ession beer is the dryness... After drinking just one, I took a swig of diet coke to rewater my mouth.

Golden copper color, musty wet hop nose. Very smooth tasting in the middle followed by a slight hop bitter finish. Nothing really stands out although I think it would be a nice session ale.

Honey and sour fruit aroma and flavor. A bit woody at times, and a decent, average beer.

Good, but a little too bitter. looks good and was smooth, well balanced and all, but just a subtle flavor and then hops.

this one squeeks quietly into the crowded world of mid-level beers: seldom derided, seldom idolized. just a sound functional session. honey amber pour with dotty lace. modest aroma of something earthy like tanin or cherry, then caramel cake baking, and apple peel to boot. hops mostly reserve their influence to take effect in the flavor, with a moderately sharp citrus bitterness diminishing the malts. but wait, the malts don't entirely yield thier point--which was lightly sweet wheat toast with a thin spread of jam-- but do reduce the vehemence of the point, and with a slight monotone of disinterest pronounce a light to medium bodied drink.