 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
May 10, 2004 Bottled November 2003, sampled May 2004. The bottle from 2003 listed an ABV of 4.25% Needless to say, I was quite worried as to whether such a low gravity beer could have made it 6 months on a warm, well-lit store’s shelves. To my delight, the beer was bottle conditioned and had ample yeast floating around, as well as a thick ring around the bottom. Upon opening, it had a wonderful, deep herb-like hops smell. I really enjoy tettnangs, so that was a big surprise. The hops aroma was complemented by moderately sweet english toffee notes and a bit of a kick from the yeast. Pouring revealed a golden-amber, quite bright and clouded, with some warmer bright red hues and a big, creamy off-white head. Plenty of lacing. Upon drinking, I was impressed with the mix of hops and malt. Neither too dry, not too sweet, this beer seemed to have integrated everything in a perfect balance during its 6 month warm rest. Spiciness from the hops, and a nutty almost chewy malt flavor as well. A touch of vanilla, more herbal qualities and a very crisp yeast/hops finish. Body was medium, and for a beer of such low gravity, that was impressive. No thinning. Low carbonation, lots of chewy toffee as it warmed on the finish and almost a butter-cream sweetness as well. This was truly a gem and one that blew my expectations to pieces. To be constructive, it did begin to get a bit too heavy on the cream-like sweetness as it finished and I had my second one. There was a bit too much carbonation upon first opening (but to be expected).
beermatrix (1497), Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Jul 14, 2004 Clear gold in color, soft yet firm, finger high white frothy head, lacing in minimal strings.
Aroma is somewhat grassy, notable English style barley malt and Fuggles hop aroma, slightly doughy of bagels with a whisper of flour grain.
Taste is quite nice, very mellow and easy going palate with nice little flavors. Slightly crisp buscuit-like malt, frothy and full, delicate with slight floral and grassy hops, Fuggles mostly and perhaps some Mt. Hood. It has a wonderful appeal in the closing, nice fluffy whole grain and fresh buscuity flavors crescendo nicely with an easy floating dry finish.
Medium body feel, lightly crispened and dry. Has a certain grainy texture witha touch of sweetness underneath.
One amazingly fine drinker. Gone in no time flat. It reminds me in some ways of Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold, a good quality to have. Good stuff! For a mild, this is really nice.
thehoff (522), Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
Jun 10, 2004 Finally had on tap at Shakespeare’s Kalamazoo.
Nice, bitter, smooth.....
P-tor44 (887), Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Jan 1, 2001 At this point I was about to sware to never drink another Arcadia brew again. this one was good. decent hop charecteristics, very quality
unclebleen (620), California, USA
Jul 27, 2004 This is listed as a "Mild Ale" on the bottle, so I wonder if this one is classified correctly. Anyway, it pours a yellow/gold color with lots of floaties. Aroma is malt and sugar cane. Flavor is malty with some floral and even citrus notes. Good body with some nice carbonation tingle. Pretty good beer here.
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