Arcadia Brewing Company- IPA: Glad I’m Not British
Friday, April 2, 2010 at 4:11PM | by Jason 
I am trying like hell to knock off some IPA reviews before the month of April begins because I am on a Craft Beer adventure away from the shores of India. With all of the IPAs sitting out in the review pile I thought it appropriate to follow up my enjoyment of their Hop Rocket from Arcadia Brewing Company with an IPA from this Michigan establishment. Hop-fully it will live up to its Craft Brew sibling.
Arcadia Brewing Company classifies IPA as an English India Pale Ale and their website describes IPA as, “Our IPA is the essence of "beer in balance". Dry-hopped with Columbus hops in our open fermenters, our IPA boasts a bright floral aroma and flavor reminiscent of pine and lemon peel. The pronounced hop bitterness is balanced by a medium-bodied caramel and biscuity malt character with a nutty finish. True to the original English version of this style, our India Pale Ale showcases many subtle earthy bitter notes, rather than the resinous citrus-rind bite often featured in many American-style IPAs. This unique, sessionable brew would have surely pleased British troops stationed in faraway lands.”
IPA pours a cloudy sediment filled dark golden orange color with a minimal ¼” light tan head with slight grapefruit/citrus aroma up front with caramelized malt backside and 5.9% ABV.
Typically I prefer my IPAs with an IBU of 60-70 or higher (and sometime much higher) but Arcadia Brewing Company’s IPA is and English Style IPA with a 41 IBU rating. This beer is a little malty for my taste but I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised and actually think it’s not bad. It’s no Hop Rocket (111 IBU rating) but it’s not supposed to be. It starts with a faint citrus bite and finishes with a malty sweet presence. It was told that the British troops were served their IPA watered down while the officers and elite were served their IPAs at full strength. If you like a maltier IPA with a lower IBU rating then Arcadia Brewing Company’s IPA is for you…me, I prefer something with a lot more bite.
ABV: 5.9%
Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass
Verdict: Buy A Six Pack
