Arcadia Pappy’s Big Dick Bourbon Barrel Olde Ale

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

Labled as Pappy’s Big Dick at the MI WinterFest. Murky brown with very little head. Nose is great with vanilla and oak. Flavor is choco with a great bourbon presents. Big and chewy. One of my faves of the day.

2009 MiBGWF (Pappy’s Big Dick BA Old Ale): Coppery almost brown deep hue with some head and an oily appearance. The nose is RYE WHISKEY along with some apricot, marzipan, bread, grains of paradise, bittersweet chocolate and a touch of wood. The taste is a big bold malt layer quickly balanced by snappy whiskey and barrel overtones. Fruity and boozy but in a good way. The mouth feel is oily, heavy and aggressive around the edges, warming upon the chest. This is a beer that is not afraid to be what it is, a full flavored Barrel Aged monster.

On draft at Capones. Pours a cloudy dark caramel with a medium beige head. Aroma of light bourbon, vanilla and dark fruit. Taste of light bourbon, vanilla, oak wood and dark fruit.

On tap at Capones. Poured a deeper amberish color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of mainly bourbon, and vanilla. Tastes of the same...stronger bourbon, vanilla, caramel, and some citrus. The bourbon was definitely present all the way around in this one.

Draught at Capone’s: Aroma of slight bourbon, vanilla, caramel, and slight malts. Poured brown/amber in color with a medium-sized tan head that lasted throughout. Slightly hazy. Not sparkling. Good to very good lacing. Flavor is lightly sweet. Tastes of bourbon, vanilla, slight roasting, malts, toffee, and caramel. Medium body. Smooth, oily texture. Soft carbonation. Bourbon, caramel and slight malt finish is lightly dry.

Tap @ Spuyten Duyvil. Poured a hazy amber color with an off-white head. The aroma was nice and sweet. Bourbon and vanilla dominated. The flavor was even bigger on the bourbon and vanilla. Caramel acted as a base. Big long warmth on the finish. Medium to full bodied.

GABF 2008 poured a hazy amber with a lingering ring of ivory foam. Aromas of bourbon, oak, carmel, vanilla and spice. Palate was medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of borbon, carmel, vanilla, oak and spice with a smooth warming bourbon finish.

Many thanks to Steve for the handbottle!.. I don’t think he could’ve filled it any higher.. poured clear garnety-amber with a two-fingered, creamy cap of beige head. The aroma picked up toasted whiskey, oak, and dark fruit on a sour impression over more fruit and some honey.. a little vinegary. The flavor was just delightful.. tangy whiskey and oak opened again, with warm caramel, toffee, and fruity character rolling onto the middle.. a second wash of vanilla and toasty oak followed, then it finished warm and tart with a nice array of malts and tasty barrel. Medium-plus bodied with low-moderate carbonation on the palate.. it didn’t quite flow great, but it was solid.. very glad to have tried it!