For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be sharing with you my tasting experience of the Arcadia Ales IPA produced by the Arcadia Brewing Company located in Battle Creek, Michigan.

I have had the opportunity to try several Arcadia Ales brews and always thought that they were a very solid and underrated brewer, so I’m expecting the same from their IPA.

Here’s the description of the IPA from the website, arcadiaales.com.

Our IPA is the essence of “beer in balance”.  Dry-hopped with Columbus hops in our open fermenters, our IPA boasts a bright floral aroma and flavor reminiscent of pine and lemon peel.  The pronounced hop bitterness is balanced by a medium-bodied caramel and biscuity malt character with a nutty finish. 

True to the original English version of this style, our India Pale Ale showcases many subtle earthy bitter notes, rather than the resinous citrus-rind bite often featured in many American-style IPA’s.  This unique, sessionable brew would have surely pleased British troops stationed in faraway lands. 

Sounds tasty.

This brew has an ABV of 6.0% and comes in a 12 oz. bottle.

The Arcadia Ales IPA poured a very hazy, deep orange color with some burnt yellow highlights showing around the bottom.  The head was an off white color that was very full, fluffy, rocky and slightly soapy.  The retention was adequate and the lacing was pretty nice too. 

The aroma started with a very, very pleasant, ripe peach note.  It also conjured a light hint of pineapple along with a floral and piny hint.  After the brew warmed a bit I started to detect a wonderful “round” biscuity fragrance that really helped tie it all together.  I couldn’t help but continue to notice the peach though.  It was the most well attuned fragrance in the nose in my opinion.  Very nice. 

The taste brought forth even more of the wonderful peach savor.  It presented a wee bit of grapefruit, but it was really slighted when standing next to the peach.  I also discovered the most remote hint of pineapple and orange citrus.  This beer had plenty of hop bite and bitterness.  So much so as to bring out a minute tartness.  Some biscuity malt was found, but it was not very forthcoming.  A light caramel sweetness was tasted too, however it was kept at a bare minimum.  Even though the description describes this beer as not being very citrusy, I certainly found plenty of it to enjoy. 

The mouthfeel was medium, dry, crisp and refreshing with quite a bit of snap and bite.  The sharpness was a touch harsh at first, but as I continued to drink it became more relaxed and comfortable.  The palate was left with a suitable amount of flavor until the next sip. 

Well.  This brewery continues to surprise me.  Like all Arcadia Ales I’ve tried, this one is an all around very solid and good beer.  It had an attractive appearance, sturdy aroma and a very nice taste.  The drinkability is pretty high, so I don’t think that I would have any problem setting a few of these back on a warm day by the BBQ grill.  It’s definitely worth a try if you happen across it.  I’m sure I will pick it up again sometime soon.

Thanks guys.  I appreciate all of the reads and comments.  It means a whole lot to me.

Cheers.

Score:  4.0 out of 5
Grade:  B+