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.
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.
4.8/10
—
Appearance 2
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5
Bottle. Open the bottle and it "ejaculates" all over me, the carpet, table, and everything else within reach. OK, maybe I shook it? No, same thing happens with the next bottle which had been chilling for hours and was removed very carefully from the fridge. Anyway, aroma is sweet wheat, with hints of raspberry candy. Flavor is kinda bland... and tastes more like artificial flavoring than fruit.
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Aug 2005
at 12:38
8.6/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 10
Overall 8.5
Arcadia has made an outstanding porter. Good coffee, chocolate, and smoke aromas. Black, with some sediment in the bottle. Flavor of bitter chocolate and coffee, followed by sweet cherries. This beer is almost syrup.
Tried
from Bottle
on 15 Aug 2005
at 18:48
6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 6
(Bottle 35,5 cl) Opaque, completely black with a brownish head. Malty and slightly vinous - port wine - aroma. Very malty, slightly ashy flavours with notes of both coffee and chocolate. Surprisingly light body, almost watery, and absolutely no bitterness. 170705
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Jul 2005
at 05:39
7.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Delicious stout though the alcohol seemed a little too evident for my taste. Aroma of licorice, chocolate, malts, coffee. Taste started with licorice and chocolate, ended with alcohol on the back of the palate. Poured rich and dark with a short, tan head. Overall, quite enjoyable.
Tried
on 22 Jul 2005
at 21:43
6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Hazy orange-red body, medium off-white/light pink head. Light, biscuity aroma with raspberry syrup notes, little to no wit character noted. Bitter, somewhat spicy flavor with raspberry skin (thus, the beer isn’t necessarily sweet) and a touch of herbal/floral hops, rather tea-like and a touch soapy, characteristics of several Arcadia beers. Summer fruit beers are about as tired as summer wheat beers...
Tried
on 13 Jul 2005
at 18:26
8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 9
Smells of chocolate and tastes of chocolate (and caramel and malt with a hint of smoke). Pleasant consistency and smooth, thick after coating with a bit of lingering bitterness. Just a hint of smokiness.
Tried
on 10 Jul 2005
at 20:28
6.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
A very smooth ipa. The hops and bitterness are light and it makes the beer easy to drink. Refreshing. Aroma is mostly hops. Gold, with a small white head that leaves a lace. Flavors of very light fruit and mildly bitter hops. Fairly good palate; which might be its best quality.
Tried
on 05 Jul 2005
at 01:26
6.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Aroma has some fruit and a little malt, but there should be more of both. It is a great looking beer. Very dark gold sediment. Flavor is low strength, herbal hops. The floral quality comes out more as it warms.
Tried
on 04 Jul 2005
at 13:08
7.5/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Pitch black in colour with a small amount of light getting through on the bottom (90% opaque) with a full microfroth brown head. Nearly perfect to the eye. Aroma of bitter oats, coffee, chocolate and some faint tea. Medium to Full-bodied; Suprisingly acidic and lactic taste with cherries, milk and tea dominating the flavour. Aftertaste shows some chocolate and coffee, but mostly the lactic tastes I had initially. Overall, a good beer - looks and smells great, just comes off a bit different in the taste. Regardless, good to try! I sampled this 12 ounce bottle purchased from Merchant’s Fine Wines in Dearborn, Michigan on 21-May-2005 in the Motor City.
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Jun 2005
at 15:03
6.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
An unclear amber beer with a huge orange head. The aroma is very hoppy and grassy. The flavor is weak compared to the powerful aroma, but still has hops as most dominant note, combined with caramel, straw, and malt. The end is dry and quite bitter.
Tried
on 10 Jun 2005
at 12:31