Arcadia Shipwreck Porter | Arcadia Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Arcadia Brewing Company
Michigan, United States | website
Style: Baltic Porter
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.00%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
The second in a limited edition, 22oz bottled Brew Crew Big Beer Series. This beer was aged in 10-year old whiskey barrels.
Added by ypsifly on 04-15-2006
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
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Reviews: 99 | Ratings: 137
4/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: 22oz brown pop top bomber with nice label; 2008 vintage
Appearance: Somewhat hazy, dark brown (nearly black) beer with a medium tan head with decent retention.
Smell: Lots of sweet dark chocolate and a pleasant (mild) dark fruity booziness as well. Sweet dark malt as well. Not a large burnt or roasted malt presence. A really nice toasted nut presence emerges as this warms. This is vibrant and pretty mellow at the same time.
Taste: Lots of boozy dark fruit up front, with some mild burnt grain and a hint of toasty wood in the background as well. Ends medium-bitter and slightly burnt. It's not a complicated flavor profile, but it's pleasant nonetheles.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied, nice level of carbonation
Drinkability: Pretty high
Conclusion: This is really a pretty ncie Baltic Porter. The wood notes are restrained but clearly preasent (which I like) and though the beer doesn't have a ton of depth, it's tasty and well-crafted. At $4.99 it's an absolute steal. At the regular $9.99 it's still a pretty good deal.
★ 1,049 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: 22oz brown pop top bomber with nice label; 2008 vintage
Appearance: Somewhat hazy, dark brown (nearly black) beer with a medium tan head with decent retention.
Smell: Lots of sweet dark chocolate and a pleasant (mild) dark fruity booziness as well. Sweet dark malt as well. Not a large burnt or roasted malt presence. A really nice toasted nut presence emerges as this warms. This is vibrant and pretty mellow at the same time.
Taste: Lots of boozy dark fruit up front, with some mild burnt grain and a hint of toasty wood in the background as well. Ends medium-bitter and slightly burnt. It's not a complicated flavor profile, but it's pleasant nonetheles.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied, nice level of carbonation
Drinkability: Pretty high
Conclusion: This is really a pretty ncie Baltic Porter. The wood notes are restrained but clearly preasent (which I like) and though the beer doesn't have a ton of depth, it's tasty and well-crafted. At $4.99 it's an absolute steal. At the regular $9.99 it's still a pretty good deal.
★ 1,049 characters
4/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A very dark brown, nearly black beer with a thick cafe au lait head. A bit of lace. Sweet chocolate aroma, and noticeable whiskey. Mostly tasted of sweet chocolate, some vanilla. A bit of espresso late. I could also taste the alcohol in the background. Pretty smooth beer. Would buy it again.
★ 292 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A very dark brown, nearly black beer with a thick cafe au lait head. A bit of lace. Sweet chocolate aroma, and noticeable whiskey. Mostly tasted of sweet chocolate, some vanilla. A bit of espresso late. I could also taste the alcohol in the background. Pretty smooth beer. Would buy it again.
★ 292 characters
4.52/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Poured into a standard English pint glass. Pours a dark dark brown, with a cocoa head to it. Has a distinctive bourbon scent to it that comes from it's aging. Very distinct in that sense. Has a slightly licorice scent to it as well.
This is my first barrel aged porter, so I'm not sure exactly what to expect. Taste is very colorful, with bourbony notes mixing and interacting with the rich, chocolate flavors of the porter.
Most of my experience in barrel aged ales have come in the form of very heavy stouts, all of which I've enjoyed immensely. However, aged Imp. Stouts are, to put it lightly, very intimidating to the pallet. This beer takes everything I enjoy from those brews and makes it more drinkable. Definitely worth a try.
★ 739 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Poured into a standard English pint glass. Pours a dark dark brown, with a cocoa head to it. Has a distinctive bourbon scent to it that comes from it's aging. Very distinct in that sense. Has a slightly licorice scent to it as well.
This is my first barrel aged porter, so I'm not sure exactly what to expect. Taste is very colorful, with bourbony notes mixing and interacting with the rich, chocolate flavors of the porter.
Most of my experience in barrel aged ales have come in the form of very heavy stouts, all of which I've enjoyed immensely. However, aged Imp. Stouts are, to put it lightly, very intimidating to the pallet. This beer takes everything I enjoy from those brews and makes it more drinkable. Definitely worth a try.
★ 739 characters
3.88/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I didn't get detailed notes on this one from the Goose Island Beer Academy tasting on October 28, 2009 but this didn't really impress compared to other offerings. It comes across as a solid Baltic style Porter, the barrel aging is minimal, deep chocolate malts and roastiness, but as a special offering it falls a bit short for my tastes. Underperforms most of the Tyranena offerings, my favorite for Imperial porters.
★ 418 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I didn't get detailed notes on this one from the Goose Island Beer Academy tasting on October 28, 2009 but this didn't really impress compared to other offerings. It comes across as a solid Baltic style Porter, the barrel aging is minimal, deep chocolate malts and roastiness, but as a special offering it falls a bit short for my tastes. Underperforms most of the Tyranena offerings, my favorite for Imperial porters.
★ 418 characters
4.34/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Pours an espresso brown color with a rocky tan head; retains nicely and leavea a few squiggles of lace
Smell: Great aromatics, with dark fruit, whiskey barrel, smoke and burnt caramel
Taste: Dark fruit and caramel, at the outset; by mid-palate, the whiskey, vanilla and caramel flavors take over, along with a sour element that while, off style, I actually enjoyed; after the swallow, the flavors blend together nicely, with the sour aspect making a stand against the sweet flavors
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation
Drinkability: I really enjoyed this; perhaps the sour flavor is a flaw, but I thought it added a unique element
★ 666 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Pours an espresso brown color with a rocky tan head; retains nicely and leavea a few squiggles of lace
Smell: Great aromatics, with dark fruit, whiskey barrel, smoke and burnt caramel
Taste: Dark fruit and caramel, at the outset; by mid-palate, the whiskey, vanilla and caramel flavors take over, along with a sour element that while, off style, I actually enjoyed; after the swallow, the flavors blend together nicely, with the sour aspect making a stand against the sweet flavors
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation
Drinkability: I really enjoyed this; perhaps the sour flavor is a flaw, but I thought it added a unique element
★ 666 characters
4.52/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pouring into pint glass.
Appeared very dark brown. A lite tan, thin ring of head wrapped the glass.
Aroma was a little bitter, a little hop charecter, with a rich malty almost chocolaty charecter. A pretty strong alcohol presence as well.
Taste was spectaculer! A smooth, rich malty chocolate flavor. A warming alcohol presence makes this a very comfortable beer to drink!
Mouthfeel was heavy, but smooth. Overall drinkablity is good, its a somewhat heavey beer, not for everyday, but a great evening, after dinner beer! I loved it!
★ 533 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pouring into pint glass.
Appeared very dark brown. A lite tan, thin ring of head wrapped the glass.
Aroma was a little bitter, a little hop charecter, with a rich malty almost chocolaty charecter. A pretty strong alcohol presence as well.
Taste was spectaculer! A smooth, rich malty chocolate flavor. A warming alcohol presence makes this a very comfortable beer to drink!
Mouthfeel was heavy, but smooth. Overall drinkablity is good, its a somewhat heavey beer, not for everyday, but a great evening, after dinner beer! I loved it!
★ 533 characters
4/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
For starters, I don't have a lot of experience with Baltic porters, I don't think I've had more than one before this. The beer was black with a white head. Definite roasty aroma but with a hint of hoppiness. Taste was roasty but with more hop taste! Some chocolate and coffe hints through the roast. I have to say I'm surprised with the hoppiness that come through the robust malt flavors. What an enjoyable experience! The mouthfeel was nice and thicker than many other porters *yay* I get a little sick of watery porters.
★ 523 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
For starters, I don't have a lot of experience with Baltic porters, I don't think I've had more than one before this. The beer was black with a white head. Definite roasty aroma but with a hint of hoppiness. Taste was roasty but with more hop taste! Some chocolate and coffe hints through the roast. I have to say I'm surprised with the hoppiness that come through the robust malt flavors. What an enjoyable experience! The mouthfeel was nice and thicker than many other porters *yay* I get a little sick of watery porters.
★ 523 characters
3.91/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thru the years I have thought of Arcadia to be hit or miss with there wares,alot of their "big" beers havent lived up to expectations that I had for them.
2008 version.Poured a deep cola color with a creamy toasted almond colored one finger head,aromas mainly of chocolate,dark fruit,and oak induced vanilla notes.The oak is much more pronounced on the palate with some vanilla and wood,dark fruit and bitter chocolate round out the flavors with a bit of sweetish alcohol showing thru more as the beer warmed.Its a solid Baltic porter but not mind blowing.
★ 557 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thru the years I have thought of Arcadia to be hit or miss with there wares,alot of their "big" beers havent lived up to expectations that I had for them.
2008 version.Poured a deep cola color with a creamy toasted almond colored one finger head,aromas mainly of chocolate,dark fruit,and oak induced vanilla notes.The oak is much more pronounced on the palate with some vanilla and wood,dark fruit and bitter chocolate round out the flavors with a bit of sweetish alcohol showing thru more as the beer warmed.Its a solid Baltic porter but not mind blowing.
★ 557 characters
3.31/5 rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
GLASS: Sam Adams Pint Glass
TEMP: Cellared @ approx 50 degrees
VINTAGE: 2007
Pours up a nice, deep, dark brown...almost black. Two-fingers of thick, creamy, light brown foam sit on top, where it just stays and stays. Lacing is pretty good.
Mild notes of coffees and chocolates. Nice hint of whiskey and oak. Mild touch of oxidation. Hints of brown sugar.
Instant coffee and cocoa powder, along with a mild roasty maltiness. Definite hints of whiskey, which is nice. Mild oakiness. I believe that the oxidation is bringing about a slight 'twang' that shouldn't be here. Not overpowering, but makes for an odd finish.
On the lighter side of full-bodied. Very smooth and nicely creamy.
This is very tasty, but I'd love to be able to try a fresh bottle, for comparison factors.
★ 778 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
GLASS: Sam Adams Pint Glass
TEMP: Cellared @ approx 50 degrees
VINTAGE: 2007
Pours up a nice, deep, dark brown...almost black. Two-fingers of thick, creamy, light brown foam sit on top, where it just stays and stays. Lacing is pretty good.
Mild notes of coffees and chocolates. Nice hint of whiskey and oak. Mild touch of oxidation. Hints of brown sugar.
Instant coffee and cocoa powder, along with a mild roasty maltiness. Definite hints of whiskey, which is nice. Mild oakiness. I believe that the oxidation is bringing about a slight 'twang' that shouldn't be here. Not overpowering, but makes for an odd finish.
On the lighter side of full-bodied. Very smooth and nicely creamy.
This is very tasty, but I'd love to be able to try a fresh bottle, for comparison factors.
★ 778 characters
4.38/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5
This is a 2007 Vintage, it pours with a nice strong tan head. The color is black with no noticeable highlights. Aroma is a sweet maltyness with hints of blackstrap molasse and a touch of roastyness. The flavor is clean with a well balanced bitterness and thin to medium sweet maltyness with hints of blackstrap molasses and a touch of smokeyness at the finish. The alcohol is very subdued in the aroma and flavor. This beer is a very good example of a porter and is easy to drink. They say it is aged in oak barrels which mellows the beer. The mouth feel is a medium body that finishes quick with some creamyness. The carbonation is perfect the head leave a beautiful lace on the glass. As it warms the smokeyness comes out more in the flavor also a touch of fruity sweetness in the aroma. If Porter is your favorite style this is the beer for you. I think this is a great beer very well made the brewer should be proud of this beer.
★ 933 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5
This is a 2007 Vintage, it pours with a nice strong tan head. The color is black with no noticeable highlights. Aroma is a sweet maltyness with hints of blackstrap molasse and a touch of roastyness. The flavor is clean with a well balanced bitterness and thin to medium sweet maltyness with hints of blackstrap molasses and a touch of smokeyness at the finish. The alcohol is very subdued in the aroma and flavor. This beer is a very good example of a porter and is easy to drink. They say it is aged in oak barrels which mellows the beer. The mouth feel is a medium body that finishes quick with some creamyness. The carbonation is perfect the head leave a beautiful lace on the glass. As it warms the smokeyness comes out more in the flavor also a touch of fruity sweetness in the aroma. If Porter is your favorite style this is the beer for you. I think this is a great beer very well made the brewer should be proud of this beer.
★ 933 characters
4.17/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I was looking forward to this as it was warming up on my coffee table for like an hour. I walked the dog for half an hour, came in opened it and it gushed over onto the carpet, some bills, and a nice long trail into the kitchen. Not sure why, maybe overly re-fermented in the bottle I think this one's like 2 years old. Maybe older. The label has a little fold over the "b", no idea what that means.
Super big foam. Smells really good. Woody, intense vanilla.
Tastes Sour, burning matches? Brett. Interesting. Some bitter vanilla. Some dry cocoa powder hints and maybe palm sugar.
I'm more annoyed that I lost like a quarter to a third of it. A good temperature, cool not cold. I waited long enough to open it but I think I needed a bigger glass to catch the fountain of deliciousness. Makes for a good drinking bottle but a sticky clean up. Surprising since it's not sweet.
While I'd drink it again, I'm not sure if I'd age another bottle for such a short time. I'd go older of drink much younger.
★ 1,003 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I was looking forward to this as it was warming up on my coffee table for like an hour. I walked the dog for half an hour, came in opened it and it gushed over onto the carpet, some bills, and a nice long trail into the kitchen. Not sure why, maybe overly re-fermented in the bottle I think this one's like 2 years old. Maybe older. The label has a little fold over the "b", no idea what that means.
Super big foam. Smells really good. Woody, intense vanilla.
Tastes Sour, burning matches? Brett. Interesting. Some bitter vanilla. Some dry cocoa powder hints and maybe palm sugar.
I'm more annoyed that I lost like a quarter to a third of it. A good temperature, cool not cold. I waited long enough to open it but I think I needed a bigger glass to catch the fountain of deliciousness. Makes for a good drinking bottle but a sticky clean up. Surprising since it's not sweet.
While I'd drink it again, I'm not sure if I'd age another bottle for such a short time. I'd go older of drink much younger.
★ 1,003 characters
4.5/5 rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The beer pours a dark brown color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great! It has a wonderful malt nose that boasts of roasted and chocolate malts along with hints of vanilla from the oak barrels. The taste is awesome. It has a kick ass roasted and chocolate malt flavor. It's thick and rich with loads of malt flavor. It goes down silky smooth with a nice warm finish. The oak barrels really add a tremendous amount of complexity to this already tastey beer. The mouthfeel is good. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a damn fine porter. Enough said.
★ 612 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The beer pours a dark brown color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great! It has a wonderful malt nose that boasts of roasted and chocolate malts along with hints of vanilla from the oak barrels. The taste is awesome. It has a kick ass roasted and chocolate malt flavor. It's thick and rich with loads of malt flavor. It goes down silky smooth with a nice warm finish. The oak barrels really add a tremendous amount of complexity to this already tastey beer. The mouthfeel is good. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a damn fine porter. Enough said.
★ 612 characters
4.03/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured this 22 oz. brown bottle into a Sierra Nevada hops glass. 2007 vintage. The body was dark brown/black. Clear of sediment with a creamy, uniform head. A cap remained throughout.
Smell was woody and chocolatey. Hints of brown sugar. Aroma of a drawer full of screws.
Taste was woody. There was a nice initial tartness followed by a lingering light sweetness. Hints of molasses, but not much. Well balanced and flavorful. Very well hidden alcohol. Drying in the end.
Mouthfeel was medium to light in body. Adequate carbonation with a smooth silkiness. Overall a nice porter.
★ 582 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured this 22 oz. brown bottle into a Sierra Nevada hops glass. 2007 vintage. The body was dark brown/black. Clear of sediment with a creamy, uniform head. A cap remained throughout.
Smell was woody and chocolatey. Hints of brown sugar. Aroma of a drawer full of screws.
Taste was woody. There was a nice initial tartness followed by a lingering light sweetness. Hints of molasses, but not much. Well balanced and flavorful. Very well hidden alcohol. Drying in the end.
Mouthfeel was medium to light in body. Adequate carbonation with a smooth silkiness. Overall a nice porter.
★ 582 characters
4.02/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This poured a rich dark chocolate color with a light cocoa colored head. No light shines through at all. The head was not real thick, but lingered on top and left spotty lacing on the sides.
The aroma is really intriguing. I smell more of an oaky, Bourbon smell then a "beer" smell. There is just a slight, sweet maltiness in the background. The Bourbon aroma is not overpowering, but was surprising.
The flavor is really a melding of bourbon and porter, with neither flavor overpowering the other, but rather complementing the other. There is a bit of a chocolate maltiness under the bourbon flavor. The bourbon aspects do give this beer a bit of a sharpness and brightness.
The beer is medium bodied, but does leave a very dry finish, sucking the moisture right out the mouth.
Overall, this is a nice beer, definitely unique. I find that the oaky, bourbony flavors tend to overpower the "beer" flavors, but not necessarily in a bad way, given the intent of the brewers to create an oak-barrel aged beer. As far as oak-aged beers go, this is one of the better ones I have had, but that doesn't mean it is my favorite style. I also found that this beer was quite expensive at about $12 a bomber. I am glad I tried this, but wouldn't purchase another, especially at this price.
★ 1,280 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This poured a rich dark chocolate color with a light cocoa colored head. No light shines through at all. The head was not real thick, but lingered on top and left spotty lacing on the sides.
The aroma is really intriguing. I smell more of an oaky, Bourbon smell then a "beer" smell. There is just a slight, sweet maltiness in the background. The Bourbon aroma is not overpowering, but was surprising.
The flavor is really a melding of bourbon and porter, with neither flavor overpowering the other, but rather complementing the other. There is a bit of a chocolate maltiness under the bourbon flavor. The bourbon aspects do give this beer a bit of a sharpness and brightness.
The beer is medium bodied, but does leave a very dry finish, sucking the moisture right out the mouth.
Overall, this is a nice beer, definitely unique. I find that the oaky, bourbony flavors tend to overpower the "beer" flavors, but not necessarily in a bad way, given the intent of the brewers to create an oak-barrel aged beer. As far as oak-aged beers go, this is one of the better ones I have had, but that doesn't mean it is my favorite style. I also found that this beer was quite expensive at about $12 a bomber. I am glad I tried this, but wouldn't purchase another, especially at this price.
★ 1,280 characters
4.13/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a three finger light tan head that leaves a good lace. Totally black color, no highlights. Oak nose. Good carbonation and heavy bodied. Flavor is smooth, some sweetness, with a good oak sharpness. Decent porter. 2008 vintage, $10.20 for a 22 oz bottle from Tully's Beer & Wine Wells, Me.
★ 293 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a three finger light tan head that leaves a good lace. Totally black color, no highlights. Oak nose. Good carbonation and heavy bodied. Flavor is smooth, some sweetness, with a good oak sharpness. Decent porter. 2008 vintage, $10.20 for a 22 oz bottle from Tully's Beer & Wine Wells, Me.
★ 293 characters
3.65/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The look of this beer was pretty good. I must say I was a little thrown by the label(the label didn't mention whiskey barrels). I'm not a big whiskey fan, so I was surprised when I tasted the hint of whiskey after my first sip. After my taste buds settled down I did enjoy it. Only one for this old boy. I really liked all the qualities it possessed, the dark color, the malty/whiskey taste. It left a nice warm feeling in my mouth. But only one.
★ 446 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The look of this beer was pretty good. I must say I was a little thrown by the label(the label didn't mention whiskey barrels). I'm not a big whiskey fan, so I was surprised when I tasted the hint of whiskey after my first sip. After my taste buds settled down I did enjoy it. Only one for this old boy. I really liked all the qualities it possessed, the dark color, the malty/whiskey taste. It left a nice warm feeling in my mouth. But only one.
★ 446 characters
4.28/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I got this bottle in a trade with Nutbrown. Thanks Alan!
2007 Vintage
This pours a very very dark brown with just a bit of reddish hues showing when held up to the light. The head of foam tan is a good +1 finger and there's plenty of sticky lacing.
The smell has lots of things going on. I get oak, vanilla, dark fruit, and sweet malty goodness. Little bit of booze here as well.
The taste is quite sweet with lots of caramel malt and vanilla, light chocolate, some toffee, some oak(that one's growing on me) and a very light bitterness in the background that shines in the finish. Nice job there of not letting tyhis puppy get too sweet.
This on the upper end of medium bodied and it is fairly well carbonated. Very nice sipping brew.
Drinkability? It sure is tasty and has a very good mouthfeel so I'm going to say...very good. Maybe a bit stronger alcohol wise than the numbers say but that's not much of a gripe.
Thanks again to Alan for the chance to try another Baltic Porter and this is certainly an excellent one.
★ 1,031 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I got this bottle in a trade with Nutbrown. Thanks Alan!
2007 Vintage
This pours a very very dark brown with just a bit of reddish hues showing when held up to the light. The head of foam tan is a good +1 finger and there's plenty of sticky lacing.
The smell has lots of things going on. I get oak, vanilla, dark fruit, and sweet malty goodness. Little bit of booze here as well.
The taste is quite sweet with lots of caramel malt and vanilla, light chocolate, some toffee, some oak(that one's growing on me) and a very light bitterness in the background that shines in the finish. Nice job there of not letting tyhis puppy get too sweet.
This on the upper end of medium bodied and it is fairly well carbonated. Very nice sipping brew.
Drinkability? It sure is tasty and has a very good mouthfeel so I'm going to say...very good. Maybe a bit stronger alcohol wise than the numbers say but that's not much of a gripe.
Thanks again to Alan for the chance to try another Baltic Porter and this is certainly an excellent one.
★ 1,031 characters
4.24/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2007 vintage poured into a pint glass
A: Very dark brown/almost black with creamy tan head
S: wo, it smells as if i walked into a bourbon barrel, very bourbony and oaky. next thing i smell is vanilla, sweetness, and smokiness
T: bitterness attacks the pallet followed by a malty sweetness with vanilla and carmel overtones. some heat from the alcohol as the beer warms on the tongue. again the oak barrel aging comes through strongly on the taste...i like that.
M: medium to heavy body, creamy mouthfeel with mild carbonation, finish is on the slicker side.
D: this beer is a wonderfully complex brew but one or two glasses is going to be more than enough for me
Notes: working my way through their big beer series and now having tried this and their hopmouth I am excited to get to the rest of their big beer line-up
★ 827 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2007 vintage poured into a pint glass
A: Very dark brown/almost black with creamy tan head
S: wo, it smells as if i walked into a bourbon barrel, very bourbony and oaky. next thing i smell is vanilla, sweetness, and smokiness
T: bitterness attacks the pallet followed by a malty sweetness with vanilla and carmel overtones. some heat from the alcohol as the beer warms on the tongue. again the oak barrel aging comes through strongly on the taste...i like that.
M: medium to heavy body, creamy mouthfeel with mild carbonation, finish is on the slicker side.
D: this beer is a wonderfully complex brew but one or two glasses is going to be more than enough for me
Notes: working my way through their big beer series and now having tried this and their hopmouth I am excited to get to the rest of their big beer line-up
★ 827 characters
3.97/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cheers to czoch75 for this one, thanks Clint!
Pours mahogany with 3+ fingers of rocky mocha head. Above average lacing & head retention
S: Bourbon notes & dark fruit
T: Sour mash, dryness & oakyness up front. More of the same, with some oaky & coca-cola vanilla notes & more sour mash & some dark chcolate as this warms. Finishes sour with vanilla sweetness 8 a bit of a booze kiss
MF: Medium bodied, low carbonation, smooth & sticky
Drinks prety easy, a pretty good crack at the style, needs more chocolate or dark fruit to make me happy. If you don't like sour mash you may want to avoid this one
★ 603 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cheers to czoch75 for this one, thanks Clint!
Pours mahogany with 3+ fingers of rocky mocha head. Above average lacing & head retention
S: Bourbon notes & dark fruit
T: Sour mash, dryness & oakyness up front. More of the same, with some oaky & coca-cola vanilla notes & more sour mash & some dark chcolate as this warms. Finishes sour with vanilla sweetness 8 a bit of a booze kiss
MF: Medium bodied, low carbonation, smooth & sticky
Drinks prety easy, a pretty good crack at the style, needs more chocolate or dark fruit to make me happy. If you don't like sour mash you may want to avoid this one
★ 603 characters
3.7/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured a dark, near black color with a light cinnamon/beige colored head that was creamy and well lasting but left little lacing.
S: boozy with an oaky alcohol aroma along with some vanilla and dry bitter chocolate.
T: a slight astringency. The beer was aged in 10yr old oak cask barrels that once held whiskey which is very noticeable in both the nose and flavor. A big alcohol flavor of whiskey. 7.8 abv but drinks much bigger greets you from the get go. There is some slight burnt malting and charred woodiness with an earthy bitterness as well. Some dark burnt sugars add just a hint of sweetness as well some dry vanilla creamer notes. The huge whiskey flavor is huge, perhaps a tad to much so and is comparable to dropping a shot in a 12oz glass of dark beer.
M: thin with light carbonation while the oaky vanilla alcohol flavor just takes over dominating the tongue.
D: Not bad but just way to much whiskey flavor in my beer to enjoy in 120z. Maybe if left to mellow a bit through aging this could be much more subtle and drinkable, otherwise while fresh was a little strong.
★ 1,093 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured a dark, near black color with a light cinnamon/beige colored head that was creamy and well lasting but left little lacing.
S: boozy with an oaky alcohol aroma along with some vanilla and dry bitter chocolate.
T: a slight astringency. The beer was aged in 10yr old oak cask barrels that once held whiskey which is very noticeable in both the nose and flavor. A big alcohol flavor of whiskey. 7.8 abv but drinks much bigger greets you from the get go. There is some slight burnt malting and charred woodiness with an earthy bitterness as well. Some dark burnt sugars add just a hint of sweetness as well some dry vanilla creamer notes. The huge whiskey flavor is huge, perhaps a tad to much so and is comparable to dropping a shot in a 12oz glass of dark beer.
M: thin with light carbonation while the oaky vanilla alcohol flavor just takes over dominating the tongue.
D: Not bad but just way to much whiskey flavor in my beer to enjoy in 120z. Maybe if left to mellow a bit through aging this could be much more subtle and drinkable, otherwise while fresh was a little strong.
★ 1,093 characters
4.42/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22 oz bottle. Standard cap. Fairly nice pressure sensitive label with some nice Celtic details.
Pours an opaque black body beneath a creamy head of dark tan that borders on moving into 'light brown' stature. The head retention is quite good, and it maintains a solid cap throughout the glass, leaving solid walls of lace as it goes.
In the nose the Bourbon is quite apparent; as is a bit of lightly charred oak. And there's also a very hearty helping of yeasty fruitiness that includes juicy red delicious apples, sweet red berries, a hint of melon, and even some coconut milk.
The darker, more roasty notes appear in the flavor, but they're also threaded through and through with the yeasty fruitiness, giving it a thinner, and more accessible character throughout. If this is "Shipwreck Porter", then it must have been a pirate ship loaded with gold, bananas, tropical fruit (melon, papaya), and cocoa. It's bright and vibrant, and full of flavor. It finishes dry with loads of fruit (apple, strawberry, kiwi) and cocoa.
The bitterness is balanced, and without being strong it's still firm. It lingers on the palate with melon and apple and a bit of Bourbon. It's almost exactly like Laird's AppleJack. Interesting!!!!
Overall, I was impressed at how drinkable this beer was given the hype. It finishes dry with loads of fruit (apple, strawberry, kiwi). Very nice! Certainly worth trying!
★ 1,396 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22 oz bottle. Standard cap. Fairly nice pressure sensitive label with some nice Celtic details.
Pours an opaque black body beneath a creamy head of dark tan that borders on moving into 'light brown' stature. The head retention is quite good, and it maintains a solid cap throughout the glass, leaving solid walls of lace as it goes.
In the nose the Bourbon is quite apparent; as is a bit of lightly charred oak. And there's also a very hearty helping of yeasty fruitiness that includes juicy red delicious apples, sweet red berries, a hint of melon, and even some coconut milk.
The darker, more roasty notes appear in the flavor, but they're also threaded through and through with the yeasty fruitiness, giving it a thinner, and more accessible character throughout. If this is "Shipwreck Porter", then it must have been a pirate ship loaded with gold, bananas, tropical fruit (melon, papaya), and cocoa. It's bright and vibrant, and full of flavor. It finishes dry with loads of fruit (apple, strawberry, kiwi) and cocoa.
The bitterness is balanced, and without being strong it's still firm. It lingers on the palate with melon and apple and a bit of Bourbon. It's almost exactly like Laird's AppleJack. Interesting!!!!
Overall, I was impressed at how drinkable this beer was given the hype. It finishes dry with loads of fruit (apple, strawberry, kiwi). Very nice! Certainly worth trying!
★ 1,396 characters
3.94/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on-tap at Teresa's Next Door in Wayne, PA.
Pours a dark black with a thin beige head. Aroma dominated by whiskey but also has hints of chocolate and coffee. The bourbon barrel aging results in a strong whiskey presence that is accompanied by malty chocolate, coffee, dark fruit and vanilla flavors. Very tasty!
★ 318 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on-tap at Teresa's Next Door in Wayne, PA.
Pours a dark black with a thin beige head. Aroma dominated by whiskey but also has hints of chocolate and coffee. The bourbon barrel aging results in a strong whiskey presence that is accompanied by malty chocolate, coffee, dark fruit and vanilla flavors. Very tasty!
★ 318 characters
4/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle shows 2007 vintage on label, however label does not confirm abv. Listed here @ 7.8 2008 vintage is at 11%. I can say there is alcohol in the beer but just not how much.
Pours nearly black with a coffee two cream colored head. Retention is quite decent with some lacing left.
Oak character is quite strong but not overstated. Good amount of vanilla aroma. Roasted malt and a slight smokiness rounds out the smell quite nicely.
Once again the oak is very noticeable in the taste as it was in the nose. Coffee and maybe slight chocolate taste appear under the woodiness. Light vanilla flavor as well. Alcohol is slightly warming.
Medium to just shy of full bodied. Drinks very smooth. Lower carbonation but well suited.
Rather enjoyable and easy to drink. Though I would not want more than a bottle.
★ 808 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle shows 2007 vintage on label, however label does not confirm abv. Listed here @ 7.8 2008 vintage is at 11%. I can say there is alcohol in the beer but just not how much.
Pours nearly black with a coffee two cream colored head. Retention is quite decent with some lacing left.
Oak character is quite strong but not overstated. Good amount of vanilla aroma. Roasted malt and a slight smokiness rounds out the smell quite nicely.
Once again the oak is very noticeable in the taste as it was in the nose. Coffee and maybe slight chocolate taste appear under the woodiness. Light vanilla flavor as well. Alcohol is slightly warming.
Medium to just shy of full bodied. Drinks very smooth. Lower carbonation but well suited.
Rather enjoyable and easy to drink. Though I would not want more than a bottle.
★ 808 characters
3.79/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bottle acquired in a couple of trades.
***This one was a gusher - poured all over my bar and left a nice trail all the way to the bathroom sink. Why do the majority of Arcadia beers do this (and why don't I remember that until too late!).***
Poured a dark, dark brown with a large sized off white head. Aromas of wood, vanilla, anise, and bourbon. Tastes of ligher wood, vanilla, brown sugar, roast, and light chocolate. For some reason, both the aromas and tastes reminded me a little of root beer.
Notes from 9/2/06
★ 527 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bottle acquired in a couple of trades.
***This one was a gusher - poured all over my bar and left a nice trail all the way to the bathroom sink. Why do the majority of Arcadia beers do this (and why don't I remember that until too late!).***
Poured a dark, dark brown with a large sized off white head. Aromas of wood, vanilla, anise, and bourbon. Tastes of ligher wood, vanilla, brown sugar, roast, and light chocolate. For some reason, both the aromas and tastes reminded me a little of root beer.
Notes from 9/2/06
★ 527 characters
Arcadia Shipwreck Porter from Arcadia Brewing Company
3.85
out of 5
based on 137 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
I drank this from a 22oz bottle into a tasting glass at NoTB.
The beer pours a dark brown with a light tan head, rising only a about a finger, but not much retention or lacing.
The aroma is light and sweet with a little vanilla.
The taste is shockinly differntly than the aroma as it i s mostly all bitter coffee. Its really offputting because its so unexpected, but its also pretty boring.
The feel is ok full bodied, but rough and bitter with a warm finish.
Overall, this an ok porter, nothing special
★ 508 characters