Arcadia Imperial Stout

Brewed by Arcadia Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Battle Creek, Michigan USA

A creature of thickness, pouring as obsidian and impenetrable. Copiously foamy and frothy tan head. This is one heavy snifter. Very strong and rich aroma: blackberries, black cherries, black currant, rubber and triple batched espresso. Dark, to say the least. Flavor unravels some encased coffee traits. Dark chocolate sweetens a deep French roast blend. Cherries, burnt hazelnuts and a trace of caramel for sweetening. Dry, bitter blanket left holding the palate hostage, but not the heaviest of palate feels for an imperial stout. Generously hopped with an espresso finish. Ranks right up there with Storm King and Siberian Night in terms of stamina and performance.

Draft at MBG Festival in Ann Arbor. Black hue with medium brown head that diminished quickly. Very good aroma of chocolate and coffee. Full body with creamy texture. Rich flavor of chocolate, roasted coffee and a long smooth finish with small alcohol bite.

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.

12 oz. bottle: Dark black, with tan retaining head. Aromas of chocolate milk, coffee roast. Flavor is strong and full of coffee, dark chocolate and lots of hop bitterness. Mouthfeel starts velvety after a sweet coffee finish, and then quickly drys out.

12 oz bottle. Pitch black with a thin rig of sturdy foam. Aroma is black licorice, alcohol and roast coffee. Taste is bitter chocolate, hoppy with some nice coffee flavors. Mouth feel is creamy and smooth with a nice warming alcohol kick.

Had a small sample of the 2003 vintage at Jungle Jims. Rich caramel, chocolate, sherry, and ripe fruit in the aroma. Very dark brown, thin tan head. Flavor matches the aroma with a stronger roasty coffee character, sweet but balanced by roast and alcohol. Full body, alcohol is well hidden. A really nice imperial stout, strong chocolate, caramel, and sherry notes, less roasty than some. Unfortunately they were sold out, b/c I totally would have bought a six pack of this.

Bottle. Poured a black color with big dark brown head. Aroma is bittersweet chocolate, light coffee, faint fruitiness (cherries?). Taste is bittersweet as well with vinous notes, chocolate, roasty malts, some coffee, maybe some raisins. Quite full bodied, creamy, lightly carbonated...slick mouthfeel. I liked this IS.

first i must give thanks to footbalm for sending me this brew.when poured into a snifter i recieved a totally black colored body with a 1 inch dark brown head.the aromas i could gatherwere brownie crust,a bit of beef jerkey,cocoa,chocolate,and red wine.the first sip was nice and complex.brownie,black liquorice,s’mores,and a nice roasty finish all greeted my taste buds.the mouthfeel was nice and full as well.the palate,very complex.this is a nice example of a good,yet different impy stout.