Arcadia Shipwreck Porter
Arcadia Brewing Company

Arcadia Shipwreck PorterArcadia Shipwreck Porter
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From:
Arcadia Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Baltic Porter
ABV:
12%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.86 | pDev: 12.95%
Reviews:
99
Ratings:
139
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 20, 2017
Added:
Apr 15, 2006
Wants:
  12
Gots:
  6
The second in a limited edition, 22oz bottled Brew Crew Big Beer Series. This beer was aged in 10-year old whiskey barrels.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BuckeyeNation:
Photo of BuckeyeNation
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods."

--Albert Einstein

Chocolate-covered charred chestnut with ruby and amber highlights. I was worried about the incredibly loud escape of carbonation on crown cracking, but no foam has exited the bottle and there looks to be nothing amiss on the pour. The caramel nougat colored cap is attractive, but is only passable when it comes to lace deposition. This is still good looking beer.

If you like big porters and bourbon whiskey, then Shipwreck's nose will be as enjoyable to you as it is to me. It looks like this big porter received quite a boost from the Evan Williams bourbon barrels that it spent an undisclosed amount of time in. Roasted barley and chocolate share the spotlight with the caramelized sugar and vanilla notes of a nicely oaked whiskey.

Although this 'Brew Crew Big Beer Series' offering is tasty, the flavor profile can't match the magnificence of the aroma. I didn't think it was possible, but the typical Arcadia sourness is on display in this beer as well. There's enough else going on (and a certain dark fruity tartness isn't that out of place for the style) that I won't judge it too harshly.

I like the amount of bourbon that has made its way into the final product. It isn't subtle and it isn't overpowering... it's juuust right. Each mouthful results in a controlled burst of molasses, dark brown sugar, bittersweet chocolate, unripe figs, vanilla and charred oak. And bourbon too, but I figured that was too obvious to mention. It's hard to get my mind around the concept of a whiskey-soaked Baltic porter. I do believe the brewery has pulled it off.

Given the flavor profile, the style and the ABV, the mouthfeel is right on the money. Sure, bigger and more viscous would have been great, but things are fine the way they are. Be aware that the less-than-chewy mouthfeel allows one to gulp more quickly than is advisable.

Shipwreck Porter isn't my favorite Arcadia beer, but it isn't that far off either. Without the whiskey, this would be an also-ran. With it, it's pretty close to being a Cutty Sark. I'm now entering the bottom half of the bomber and see nothing but smooth sailing ahead.
Sep 06, 2007
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.23 by cd34 from Illinois

Mar 20, 2017
 
Rated: 4.21 by NateMac13 from Illinois

Nov 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by red94tt from Michigan

Apr 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4.21 by Giggy from Michigan

Jan 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by smbslt from Illinois

Oct 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by dannyfayy from Pennsylvania

Apr 29, 2014
Photo of CLEmark
Reviewed by CLEmark from Ohio

3.68/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A- Pours a dark brown, almost black.
S- Nice smell with some chocolate, maybe some oak too, a little toasty

T- Chocolate, a touch of roasted malts. A little light cherry flavor .Doesn't overpower with any flavor. I did not get to much out of the barrel aging.

M- Full bodied but well balanced. Nice thick feel.

O- It $6 I thought it was bit to expensive. I probably would not get this again at that price. However, it is a very solid porter.

Serving type: bottle
Feb 12, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by jkball01 from Kentucky

Feb 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Zaphog from Michigan

Feb 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by TheBeerAlmanac from Kentucky

Feb 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by ms11781 from Massachusetts

Dec 30, 2013
Photo of OtherShoe2
Reviewed by OtherShoe2 from Massachusetts

3.94/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2008 vintage

Pours jet black with a tan foam head and splashy lace. Alcohol tears.

Charred malt nose, moderate strength, some black strap molasses.

Big charred malt up front, with scorched coffee and bitter chocolate. An immediate sour note, then alcohol, then bitter dark malt at the end. You get the oak, which is great considering the strength of the other flavors.

Fuller bodied, tongue coating.

Very nice, with a good punch of intensity.
Nov 01, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by alelover from Michigan

Sep 29, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by JasonR1975 from Michigan

Sep 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Photekut from Tennessee

May 19, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Rons35 from Michigan

Feb 19, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by BlissJunkie from Michigan

Jan 14, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by bengore from Illinois

Nov 24, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by ZPB from Michigan

Oct 23, 2012
Arcadia Shipwreck Porter from Arcadia Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 139 ratings