Arcadia Big Dicks Olde Ale

Dark brown, small head. Somewhat hoppy for the style, but has a big dosage of malts also. very heavy palate. Nicely masked considering the lack of sweetness. Some fruits. Well balanced old ale

500ml bomber bottle. Attractive thick brown-amber color. Its hard for me to imagine what the definitive Old Ale is so I always find the style to perplex. This one doesn’t scream Old Ale to me, mainly due to the hefty hoppage. Nitpicking aside, this is a great beer. Full malty body with a creamy almost bock-like quality to it. The hops really help to balance it out while retaining some of those deep malt characteristics. Memorable.

Pours a cloudy caramel brown color with a small, frothy, khaki colored head. Jagged flares of lacing mark the glass. Aromas include a caramel malt base, with dark, fruity figs and raisons. A dash of vanilla and clove enter the fold as well. Flavors include much of the same, with perhaps a dash of earthy hops lending bitterness. Caramel and dark fruits still reign supreme here, though not in a particularly complex or impressive manner. Medium-plus body. Smooth and easy to drink, with the alcohol being well concealed. Overall, it is a decent beer, but just lacks star quality throughout.

This is the eighth beer (a 2006 vintage) in our June 11th Old Ale Blind Tasting. It finished in 10th place (last, by a long shot too).

Pours clear amber with thin tan head. The aroma is very tart. I get plum flavored sweet/tart candy and not much else. The taste is thin and tart. How is this an Old Ale anyway. I get brief sweet malts and caramel before funky tartness takes over with a strong alcohol note. Not so good

Bottle courtesy Ibrew2or3. Pours amber with a small light tan head. Aroma of sweet tarts and alcohol taste is the same as aroma with some funky oxidation. Medium mouthfeel with a mild to moderate amount of bitterness and slightly hot alcohol. I could not finish my sample.