Thunder Trail
Arcadia Brewing Company

Thunder TrailThunder Trail
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From:
Arcadia Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
6%
Score:
78
Avg:
3.41 | pDev: 11.73%
Reviews:
27
Ratings:
122
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 05, 2017
Added:
Apr 19, 2013
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  19
Formerly called Arcadia Lake Superior ESB.

Thunder Trail stays true to our English brewing heritage. With a strong backbone of Maris Otter and Crystal malts, this Extra Special Bitter is balanced by earthy, spicy, English hops Our Ringwood yeast strain imparts a distinctly fruity character that is accented by dry-hopping with a modest amount of palisade hops. We hope you enjoy this quality session ale - wherever the trail may take you.
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Rated: 3.52 by DoubleMalt from New York

Jun 05, 2017
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Rated by JDoHo from Michigan

3.81/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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Oct 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3.54 by Buck_Jones from Michigan

Oct 16, 2016
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Reviewed by Tripel_Threat from Michigan

3.56/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pour is a light brown in color, somewhat clear, with a millimeter of thick, off white foam on top. Aroma and flavor is toasty bread, biscuit, and caramel malts, with a slightly peppery hoppy zing. Earthy. Clean finish.
Aug 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by -Andrew- from Michigan

Jul 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by red94tt from Michigan

Apr 04, 2016
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Reviewed by WesMantooth from Ohio

3.73/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
On tap at the brew pub. A beautiful copper pour with a large light beige foamy head.

Really nice, clean toasted malts with a touch of caramel sweetness. A slight hop bitterness. The fruit notes may be lacking a tad, but this beer is pretty much on point. Very drinkable.
Mar 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.34 by bjm2133 from Pennsylvania

Mar 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4.35 by Surfacetension from Michigan

Feb 04, 2016
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Reviewed by schnjac from Michigan

3.48/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
It's not quite as hoppy as some of the other ESBs that I've tried. I guess that is a matter of personal preference. It is certainly balanced and contains some nice flavor profiles. I agree with metter98 that it would pair well with a meal.
Jan 14, 2016
 
Rated: 3.43 by jrborchert74 from Michigan

Jan 09, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by DrAnnaNemis from Illinois

Jan 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.53 by scmtim from Michigan

Dec 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.8 by WestwardHo from Michigan

Dec 20, 2015
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Reviewed by uccle81 from Michigan

2.96/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25
So, this beer just wasn't right. I love ESB's, probably my favorite type. And this wasn't it. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's not an ESB. I think it's because the type of yeast used is more appropriate for a Saison or a sour beer. I'd LOVE to see Arcadia give this same recipe another shot, but with different yeast and more malt. An ESB is supposed to be more "Extra Special" due to the malt used, which I didn't particularly notice.

So the sub-standard rating is primarily because the beer does not properly reflect the style that it claims to represent. Also, the carbonation was pretty bad.
Dec 05, 2015
 
Rated: 2.5 by QuadriderMX from Michigan

Nov 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.59 by Mark-Leggett from Missouri

Oct 22, 2015
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Rated by coffeegsp from Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +36.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appley (tart), hops with nice bitter aftertaste. Sweet, carbonated and full. Surprisingly rich in the beginning, weak hops at the end.
Oct 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3.47 by tdm168 from Pennsylvania

Oct 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.69 by afinepilsner from Iowa

Sep 07, 2015
Thunder Trail from Arcadia Brewing Company
Beer rating: 78 out of 100 with 122 ratings