Schell's Stag Series: Arctic Ale
August Schell Brewing Company
- From:
- August Schell Brewing Company
- Minnesota, United States
- Style:
- English Barleywine
- ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 87
- Avg:
- 3.84 | pDev: 12.5%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 9
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Mar 08, 2020
- Added:
- Dec 06, 2019
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Arctic Ale can be found for a limited time in our Brewer’s Stash sampler pack. This barley wine originated in 1852 when it’s creation was commissioned by Queen Victoria for Sir Edward Belcher’s expedition to the Arctic. Known for its resilience to frigid temperatures, it is brown in color with notes of raisin and molasses and earthy hop aromatics.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by mothman from Minnesota
4/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Can. Khaki lead. Golden amber color.
Tastes like a bock or a dopplebock. Malty. Caramel and toffee. Some raisins, figs, red apple skins. Bready malty. Orange citrus.
Smooth and easy drinking. Just wouldn’t have guessed this to be a BW.
Feb 28, 2020Tastes like a bock or a dopplebock. Malty. Caramel and toffee. Some raisins, figs, red apple skins. Bready malty. Orange citrus.
Smooth and easy drinking. Just wouldn’t have guessed this to be a BW.
Reviewed by MNAle from Minnesota
4.29/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.29/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A somewhat vigorous pour results in a tall, off-white, thick and creamy head above a clear amber body with ample carbonation bubbles rising. The color is a bright golden amber with a backlight. There is very good looking lacing left behind as the head recedes at a moderate pace.
Aroma promises sweet caramel malts and stone fruit. Not too strong, but very inviting.
Taste is rich and malty, earthy, as befits an English-style barleywine (a pox on BA calling this style "British"... Ugh!). Anyhow, back to the beer. As I said malty and rich, hardly any hops in evidence, but plenty of flavor - caramel, raisins, ripe plums. The finish is a touch sweet, and just a hint of perhaps some hops applying a light bittering that quickly fades into a rich, malty and satisfying finish.
The feel is also rich, with a nice coating of the tongue.
I've overused with word "rich" in this review, but that is because it is so apropos. A wonderful, malty, rich barleywine.
Feb 03, 2020Aroma promises sweet caramel malts and stone fruit. Not too strong, but very inviting.
Taste is rich and malty, earthy, as befits an English-style barleywine (a pox on BA calling this style "British"... Ugh!). Anyhow, back to the beer. As I said malty and rich, hardly any hops in evidence, but plenty of flavor - caramel, raisins, ripe plums. The finish is a touch sweet, and just a hint of perhaps some hops applying a light bittering that quickly fades into a rich, malty and satisfying finish.
The feel is also rich, with a nice coating of the tongue.
I've overused with word "rich" in this review, but that is because it is so apropos. A wonderful, malty, rich barleywine.
Reviewed by Mdog from Minnesota
4.6/5 rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.6/5 rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From a 12oz can:
Appearance: Clear amber, good head.
Smell: Earthy, raisins, sweetness, toast. Reminds me of a Belgian dubbel or even quad.
Taste: Sweet but balanced. Big raisin fruit and brown sugar flavors. Nice balance and very tasty!
Overall: Easily the star of the mixed pack it comes in, Arctic Ale really hits the spot as a malty but balanced barleywine. Quite different from the previous stag series barleywine. Reminded me a bit of a Belgian dubbel, but tasted much better than Schell's previous dubbel-style snowstorms.
Jan 19, 2020Appearance: Clear amber, good head.
Smell: Earthy, raisins, sweetness, toast. Reminds me of a Belgian dubbel or even quad.
Taste: Sweet but balanced. Big raisin fruit and brown sugar flavors. Nice balance and very tasty!
Overall: Easily the star of the mixed pack it comes in, Arctic Ale really hits the spot as a malty but balanced barleywine. Quite different from the previous stag series barleywine. Reminded me a bit of a Belgian dubbel, but tasted much better than Schell's previous dubbel-style snowstorms.
Reviewed by cheeseheadinMinneapolis from Wisconsin
3.76/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.76/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Solid, light duty for style, smooth , easy drinking, somewhat simple. 3.82/5 I like it even though it's not the greatest. Good substitute for a sweet dark fruit/caramel doppelbock
Jan 17, 2020
Reviewed by Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
3.74/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a can into a tulip.
Pours a crystal clear amber with a limited tan head, but solid legs and lacing.
Aromas of caramel malt, brown bread, raisin, and a touch of brown sugar.
The brew hits the tongue with big simple caramel malts, followed by brown bread and molasses. Limited hopping provides some earthy balance. A simple but solid delivery.
The brew is fairly full bodied, but very drinkable for the style and ABV.
It isn't spectacular, but it is a solid straight representation of the style. In other words, it's the usual Schell "solid and tasty."
Jan 12, 2020Pours a crystal clear amber with a limited tan head, but solid legs and lacing.
Aromas of caramel malt, brown bread, raisin, and a touch of brown sugar.
The brew hits the tongue with big simple caramel malts, followed by brown bread and molasses. Limited hopping provides some earthy balance. A simple but solid delivery.
The brew is fairly full bodied, but very drinkable for the style and ABV.
It isn't spectacular, but it is a solid straight representation of the style. In other words, it's the usual Schell "solid and tasty."
Reviewed by morimech from Minnesota
3.84/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.84/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Not a big barleywine even to English Barleywine standards. Looks really nice, not hoppy at all, but is lacking a bit of depth. As it warms it gets better with nice toffee and caramel notes.
Jan 08, 2020
Reviewed by ZAP from Minnesota
3.87/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
English Style Barley Wine I would guess. Leans malty with dates, and brown sugar liked notes...raisins....lacks the big hop bite some American made BW's have but I prefer it like this. Let the malt shine. Dark toffee..Still some lingering bitterness on the finish to keep things in check but overall this is a solid malt forward BW. I wouldn't call it one of the greats for this style but it is enjoyable to drink.
Dec 29, 2019
Reviewed by AdmiralOzone from Minnesota
4.12/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.12/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours an absolutely beautiful clear honey amber with a thick off white head. Nice retention and fabulous lacing. Aroma is mild caramel malt. Flavor is a bit more pronounced, rum and brown sugar with raisins. Feel is medium bodied with a nice level of carbonation. Overall a nice beer I'd gladly buy a six pack of. Unfortunately only available as part of a limited sampler pack.
Dec 17, 2019
Reviewed by Chaz from Minnesota
3.96/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was exclusive to the winter 2019/2020 Brewer’s Stash sampler pack from the brewery.
It’s a bit lighter in color than I’d expect, pouring a clear, golden brown in color with excellent clarity. Pale tan head, and excellent lacing.
Nose is robust and malty, with scarcely an aggressive hop to be found (thankfully). Light rum and raisin notes.
On the palate it’s equally robust, lightly sweet, and costs the tongue and palate quite admirably. Notes of plum and dark fruit, along with light molasses and lighter rum/raisin character. Pleasantly warming, and quite easy to drink.
Overall it’s much better than I’d expected, and at the very least is worth looking forward to finding as an “extra” in a locals-for-locals trade. : )
Label description:
“A Barley Wine emulating the beer brewed in 1852 per commission by Queen Victoria for Sir Edward Belcher’s expedition to the Arctic. It is deep brown in color and molasses and earthy hop aromatics.”
Dec 06, 2019It’s a bit lighter in color than I’d expect, pouring a clear, golden brown in color with excellent clarity. Pale tan head, and excellent lacing.
Nose is robust and malty, with scarcely an aggressive hop to be found (thankfully). Light rum and raisin notes.
On the palate it’s equally robust, lightly sweet, and costs the tongue and palate quite admirably. Notes of plum and dark fruit, along with light molasses and lighter rum/raisin character. Pleasantly warming, and quite easy to drink.
Overall it’s much better than I’d expected, and at the very least is worth looking forward to finding as an “extra” in a locals-for-locals trade. : )
Label description:
“A Barley Wine emulating the beer brewed in 1852 per commission by Queen Victoria for Sir Edward Belcher’s expedition to the Arctic. It is deep brown in color and molasses and earthy hop aromatics.”
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!