Arcadia Brewing Co.

Client Brewer in Elk Rapids, Michigan, United States 🇺🇸
Owned by Short's Brewing Company
Associated with 2 Venues

Established in 1996

Closed in 2024

Contact
211 Industrial Park Dr, Elk Rapids, MI, 49629, United States
Description
For over 20 years, Arcadia Ales has been committed to a British Inspired – American Brewed stable of beers. We aspire to brew beers that achieve brilliance through balance – ales that satisfy the senses with complex flavor while providing pure refreshment that leaves you wanting more.

In 1996, our first 25 barrel batch was brewed on a Brick Kettle Brewing System from England at our Battle Creek, MI location. Fast-forward – today every batch is produced in our 50 barrel American-made brewhouse at our Kalamazoo Riverfront Brewery, Pub and Garden. Our 20th Anniversary in 2016 ushered in a new era of brewing possibilities with the installation of two new 100bbl closed fermentation tanks giving us the ability to use new yeast strains while we continue to brew classic Arcadia Ales using our distinctive, proprietary yeast strain in our traditional, open fermenters. The ability to brew with new yeast strains opens up the Arcadia Brewing Company portfolio of offerings, allowing our brewers to be creative in ways that were not previously accessible and broadening the scope of beers produced. With these changes, we still keep our promise to use only the finest domestic and English malted barley, along with the highest quality hops available from the Pacific Northwest and Michigan.

Admin Note: Formerly named Arcadia Brewing Co. In the spring of 2014, Arcadia completed a new production facility in Kalamazoo, MI. The Battle Creek facility closed in 2016. The company ceased all operations in September 2019.

In June 2020, the Superfluid Supply Co. division of Short's Brewing announced its purchase of Arcadia's beer brands and intellectual property. Whitsun Ale was the first release with plans to resurrect other recipes in the future as well.

Admin Note: Short's confirmed in 2024 that they have fully retained the Arcadia brand. They still hold the rights, but there is no plan to continue brewing Arcadia beers.

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5.6/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 4 Overall 5.5
Ultra hazy amber coloured body with an orange glow and a thinnish tan head - a completely unfiltered wit - looks pretty nice! Aroma of metal, corn, coriander seed and a strong bit of oranges. Medium-bodied. Strong malty flavour with tangy citrus and potent spices following behind. Aftertaste shows potent nuts, metal and a tiny bit of honey. Overall, a strong and not-so-traditional wit. I didnt mind this so much, but others are much better for the style. I sampled this twelve ounce bottle purchased from Merchants in Dearborn, Michigan on 06-June-2008, sampled on 07-December-2008 at home in Washington.
Tried from Bottle on 08 Dec 2008 at 00:37

7.2/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
(Bottle, Oliver Twist, Stockholm, 9 Nov 2008) Black colour with brief, beige head. Roasted, malty nose with dark chocolate, coffee, burnt sugar, mocha and chocolate truffles. Roasted, malty taste with notes of cocoa, dark chocolate, strong black coffee, molasses (or dark rhum) and a decent cocoa bitterness in the finish. Medium body, fairly sweet. Nice and chocolatey porter/stout. In short: sweet cocoa and espresso.
Tried from Bottle on 29 Nov 2008 at 15:42

7.6/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
On tap at HopCat, Grand Rapids. Hazy medium orange body, thick, puffy buff head. Spicy nose with bitter pine and citrus brightness. Chewy, resiny body with citrus and pine emphasis, backed by toasty malts. Dense flavor profile and crisp, biting mouthfeel. Excellent beer.
Tried from Draft on 28 Nov 2008 at 14:27

6.5/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 5 Flavor 6 Texture 8 Overall 7
Bottle from Vintage Cellar. Opaque brown/black color with a frothy tan head. Rather tart aroma of toasted malt; might be hop involved. Medium body with frothy carbonation. A little chocolate and coffee with the toasted malt, and there seems to be floral hop. Sort of an oscillation between stout and lighter, hoppier ale. Makes me think Belgian. Even slightly vinous. Quite unusual. Good, too.
Tried from Bottle on 03 Nov 2008 at 03:40

6.8/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 8 Overall 7
Bottle from Vintage Cellar. Slightly hazy copper color with a foamy white head. Aroma of fruity hop over light caramel malt. Medium body with frothy carbonation. Flavor is citrus over caramel. Fruity. A little brown ale nuttiness. Finish is more astringent than bitter. Dry. Good drinker.
Tried from Bottle on 27 Oct 2008 at 19:17

7.8/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8
12 oz bottle. Pours orange amber with some floating debris and a stable off-white head. Aroma very citrusy hops with a touch of spiciness and a definite sweetness, but a little weak overall. Flavor is nice and hoppy citrus with a bit of sweetness. Nice bitterness, but a bit of alcohol pokes through in the flavor. Bitter, dry finish with some biscuit flavors. A pretty nice, simple IIPA.
Tried from Bottle on 25 Oct 2008 at 23:18

6/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6
This wheat ale poured a cloudy orange colour with a nice big foamy, off white head. Scents include citrus, hopps and grass. First taste was smooth and creamy with flavours of oranges, hopps and grass. Not much caramel like stated in the description. Finish is slightly watery but lightly bitter with hopp flavours lingering. Palate citrus and bitter hopps flavour. Not bad.
Tried on 24 Oct 2008 at 22:50

6.6/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 7.5
12oz bottle. Sweet lemon-spice aroma. Thick, murky orange color. The taste was surpisingly light and citrusy for a Pumpkin Ale. The wheat really changes the character of the beer, giving it a real dry crispness. The lack of real pumpkins is a little bit of a disappointment, but it is fresh and balanced enough to enjoy. OK.
Tried from Bottle on 20 Oct 2008 at 19:18

5.6/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 5 Texture 6 Overall 5.5
12 oz bottle purchased at Lukas Liquors in Kansas City, MO. "A 5" stamped on bottle. Pour is slight haze golden, big 4 inch crackling white head. Head looks like soap bubbles and falls pretty fast with no lacing. Aroma of sweet floral wheat. A bit overly sweet for a wit. Taste is soapy sweet, some floral, some grassy spiciness. Wheat is in there too, but behind the sweet and spice. Palate is slick and a bit cloying.
Tried from Bottle on 12 Oct 2008 at 16:24

6.5/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 5 Flavor 6 Texture 8 Overall 7
Bottled F6! Bottle from Vintage Cellar. Pours really dark brown with a large tan head. Aromas of dark toasted malt and coffee and chocolate. Near medium body with frothy carbonation. Flavor is lightly sweet with a little balancing bitter - but whether hop or burnt malt is questionable. It’s very pleasant, but it’s not exactly outstanding. I’d drink it anytime.
Tried from Bottle on 10 Oct 2008 at 22:35