Arcadia: Good or Bad?

I've only had a few of their beers, but I thought they were good. Never had the regular shipwreck, but the BA version is great. I also liked their old ale and HopRocket DIPA.

Not trying to be a smartass, but I have to ask... how is this a gamble in any way? You were given a free beer, just drink it. Worst case, you take a few drinks and pour if you dont like it. If you're asking if you should buy Arcadia, I wouldn't go crazy but you should give them a try in styles you like.. they are a solid brewery.

 

I tried the Shipwreck after a strong recommendation from a friend in the industry. After hearing that it was aged for like 2 years in bourbon barrels I was excited as I love barrel aged beers of any type (esp porters and stouts). I was ultimately disappointed though. It may be a great example of the English style but there's literally no bourbon in the beer (both in aroma and taste). I'm kind of shocked it is rated as high as it is and have talked with other beer geeks who made the same conclusions I did. I'm actually a bit surprised that no one has said the same in this thread yet. :/

I've yet to try any other Arcadia beers because of that experience plus there's always a better option for me to buy. I've chalked them up as an only buy when the other options are BMC kind of brewery, but maybe one of these days I'll give them a try...on second thought maybe I'll just keep buying better beer.

 

You are correct, there is literally bourbon in it.

 

There is no regular Shipwreck, it's always been exclusively a BBA beer. Before the brewery switched to the 12 oz. bottle this beer was bottled in a 22 oz. size with minimal mention on the label that it was BBA, and that's probably where the 'regular' Shipwreck history came from. (That version was not so bourbon-forward either.)

 

Cant edit, damn phone posts. Fixed in quote.

 

Arcadia is my 'home' brewery so I follow their happenings very closely. I've never heard a complaint of minimal bourbon flavor. You must have had a bottle that was the first or last off the bottling line. This beer has the reputation of being very bourbon-forward to the point that many reviewers complain about it. Unfortunately, it's a costly beer but if you get a chance to try it again, then do it. I think it gives Goose Island's BCBS a run for the money, and I'll say I like BCBS better regardless that Arcadia is my homer.

The base beer is a Baltic Porter, thus it is not one of their typical English-style beers.

 

Thanks for the clarification. If i would have looked a little closer at the page for Arcadia Shipwreck, I would have known it was also a BA version as well, albeit retired. This is good to know.

 

I've had a bottle of barrel aged Shipwreck. Not bad. Nowhere in the ballpark of a BCBS however.

 

Being your comparing a Porter to a stout, they wouldn't be in the same ballpark...

 

Loch Down, Whitsun, Nut Brown, Hop Rocket, Sky High, Shipwreck, Rapunzel (soon), London Porter, Jaw Jacket, Cereal Killer, Big Dicks....love them all for different reasons. Great people over there too. Another Great Michigan brewery.

 

But what are your thoughts on Arcadia's Old Ale?

 

Arcadia makes some solid brews. Shipwreck and BA Cereal Killer are awesome! Their regular CK is a beast with 7 or 8 years on it. Their BA Imperial Stout and Sky High Rye are solid too. Good pizza at their taproom in Battle Creek.

 

Forgot about Whitsun and Sky High Rye being in cans way before it was cool. Those are some winning golf course beers for sure.

 

I'll chime in:

BA Cereal Killer is delicious, so is Loch Down, Hop Mouth, and London Porter. I've been meaning to try Big Dick's for, oh, about half a decade now.

 

Stouts are basically stronger porters. Just making the comment on someone who posted above me.

 

@JamesShoemaker & @Holiday1072 I've got a friend in Saugatuck who could help you both out at the same time. We call him Subway, he's got a foot long you can have for $5. (Sorry but it comes with extra cheese, whether you want it or not)

 

I know....Was just saying there is no reason to compare both as they are different beers...

 

Because you included it in this list are you saying that Rapunzel is going to get bottled, or you're reference means that it's currently being brewed (I hope) and will be available soon in kegs? I really look forward to that one to be my summer beer. (Though bottles would be nice too!)

 

Good. (my answer to the original question)

 

I do believe bottles are coming soon..