Arcadia Jaw-Jacker - Arcadia Brewing Company

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poures a light brown body with no head but a thin lace around the edge. the smell is well balanced of spices, cinnamon, nutmeg and some clove. the taste is the same asthe smell just you taste the spices, its like a brown ale with spices add to it. the mouth feel is good and overall a ok beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:59:13 | More by chefhatt

barnzy78

Illinois

2.68/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

So there's no pumpkin in this whatsoever it looks like. Nothing on the bottle or 6 pack box says anything about pumpkin being in this. Weird. They sure make it "look" like there's pumpkin in it. Oh well, 12oz bottle pours copper with a fluffy off-white head, good head retention & lacing. Funky aroma, earthy, spicy, cinnamon. Odd flavors are dominated by the spices. Cinnamon, allspice, & nutmeg, earthy hop, caramel, rye bread come to mind. Body is thin-to-medium, modest carbonation. Overall, I wasn't too impressed with this one. The spices dominate too much; lackluster effort...especially with no pumpkin. I feel ripped off. Wait - a friend bought these! He got ripped off...

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 22:35:16 | More by barnzy78

Mavigo

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Its Halloween time! In a pint.

A: Pours a cloudy reddish- orange color, thin white head that dissipates quickly, small amounts of lacing

S: Pumpkin, sweet honey, cinnamon

T: Pumpkins, honey, spices, cinnamon

M: Over carbonated for my tastes, overbearing, but the after taste is good, its moderately smooth, little bit off balanced by the carbonation.

O: A pretty good seasonal beer, its too bubbly for my tastes but it reminds me of pumpkin pie, so its worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 06:32:06 | More by Mavigo

kpclemens

Illinois

2.95/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from the bottle into a goblet

A - good inch white head. deep hazy amber color. very attractive.

S - not much here, just spices. wouldn't be able to identify them without reading the label. Overall smells like most pumpkin style beers with a little booze.

T - I've had at least 4 pumpkin beers this year, this being the least ambitious. Its just average. a little bit a spices and some pumpkin influence. kind of tangy. I taste more alcohol in it than the others even punkin ale.

M - Feels like beer, light and smooth. no real impression just liquid.

O- pretty average "pumpkin" style beer for having no pumpkin in it. Just average, not a bad one, not my favorite. Probably wont seek it out again. just another spiced beer for fall.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 18:55:09 | More by kpclemens

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottled 9/14/12:

From my haulback from Michigan:

Into a pint glass:

A: golden clear brown and left a small white head. Though the body was extremely clear, no carbonation was seen rising.

S: nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice up front and dominating every aspect of the aromas.

T: pretty much the same. Some pumpkin came out in the taste as it warmed up.

M: light and felt great on my tongue. This is an extremely drinkable beer.

O: ok, I know its not a "pumpkin ale," but I can see certain seasonal aspects how some would think this is since the pumpkin only came out once the beer warmed. This isn't bad for the style of "herbed/spice beer," but I probably won't seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 13:13:43 | More by kangarooAdam59

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

If it has a pumpkin on the label and taste like it has pumpkin in it, it's a...oh, wait. Never mind! It took me a little while to get used to the fact that this was *not* a Pumpkin Ale when I opened it up and poured it out. This was quite spicy and heavier than other beers that have come out this Fall but it wasn't as bad as some on here made it out to be.

The pour to this was a dark nutmeg with some sediment in it. A nice head and a decent amount of lacing were also discernible. Not much of an aroma here but the taste more than made up for it. Lots of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and a bit of walnut in the front that faded quickly after each sip. What was left over was a creamy residue that reminded me a bit of an Irish Dry Stout. Just a bit of pumpkin here but without the vanilla and cream that characterize the lighter examples of many beers in season now.

Yes, this is too strong and yes, this is too spicy. Nevertheless, I liked it and it had just a bit of a toasted nature to it that tied everything in nicely. While I'm not a huge fan of these types of beers, this was sufficient enough to enjoy once and not need anything afterward to wash it down. Heck, I could even have a piece of Pumpkin Pie with this.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 07:01:48 | More by JerzDevl2000

DMXLOX22

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a single of this brew at my local establishment. Let's see how this goes.

Appearance: Pours a simple copper brown, almost orange haze. Pretty thin in body, but looks pretty enjoyable just by visual alone. The thin white head dissipated pretty quickly.

Smell: Has a mediocre hint of caramel malts upon first encounter. Aroma is pretty stale with some bitter and sweet spices. Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg fill the air, but nothing overbearing, nor exactly inviting. Kind of disappointed with the fact that there's no pumpkin to this.

Taste: As soon as the first sip is initiated, the toasted malts are more apparent. Now, upon further sips, the spices really make their presence, with a splash of simple cinnamon and nutmeg, maybe some slight hint of ginger. Quite honestly, nothing that really pulled me in. Bitterness was nice, but that was it. Just too plain. Improvement can start with maybe some pumpkin flavors, since a pumpkin is pictured on the front of the bottle and labeled as a "seasonal" beer. Very slight hint of citrus is more noticeable towards half-way through.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with some medium carbonation. Finishes somewhat dry, but not too bad. Quite enjoyable in fact.

Overall: This beer was not so bad going into it. Pretty average. Nothing exactly jumping out to make you want to explore the whole thing. I may try this again, but not exactly willing on a regular basis. I may recommend this to another friend. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 01:21:25 | More by DMXLOX22

TheBigLebrewski

Michigan

3.03/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bottle to goblet. Appearance is a decent reddish brown color but you'd hope for it to be darker or, more importantly, cloudier.

Smell is pretty subtle; nutmeg comes through the most, followed by allspice, with very little cinnamon, per the ingredients.

Taste is enjoyable, but nothing to get excited about. Arcadia's done a fair job of spicing this one for the season, but the pumpkin itself is sorely missed. Kind of tastes (and to segway) feels like a spiced octoberfest, considering the lightness of flavor coupled with the amber/brown coloring and additional ingredients. The mouthfeel is too viscous. This beer, overall, is worth a try - indeed, I'd give it major props as an accessible version of a pumpkin ale - but, in the end it leaves me reaching into the fridge for a darker, thicker, and, well, spookier brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 02:22:43 | More by TheBigLebrewski

jtierney89

New Jersey

1.3/5  rDev -60.4%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

pours a tarnished brassy hue with almost no head, thin off colored lace. Smells purely of pumpkin. Not in a great way though, kind of like in a smelling cooked squash kind of way.

Thin and almost flavorless. faintly sweet with barely noticeable earthy hop presence. Close to dead carbonation with a slight syrupyness. Finishes with a hint of allspice and cinnamon. Otherwise a palate cleanser. Drinks like water. Yet another disappointing pumpkin beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 00:24:27 | More by jtierney89

TheSarge

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured this into a generic 12oz pilsner style glass, and the brew makes a two finger thick light tan head, and the body is slightly hazy and is copper in color.

Gives off a caramel sweet aroma, and the spices used to make this brew are easily discernible.

Taste wise it's sweet upfront with toffee and then turns to cinnamon and nutmeg. In the end there is an odd spinach like bitterness.

Feels medium in body, a little thirst quenching, and leaves the mouth a little dirty/sticky.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 05:25:43 | More by TheSarge

Megahertz

Missouri

3.38/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle dated 8/27/12. Carefully decanted into a Hoffman House chalice.

A - Deep amber to brown, slightly hazy, with large, tight white head. Crystal clear.

S - Mild pumpkin spices, heavy on the nutmeg, with a nutty background note.

T - Toasted bread and bread crust with a restrained pumpkin pie spice character. Transitions to an english-like fruity ester flavor. Firm, husky-astringent bitterness throughout. Slightly roasted finish helps clear any residual sweetness.

M - Medium body with medium carbonation.

O - A good example of an english take on a pumpkin ale. Somewhat tannic, but still very nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 22:34:09 | More by Megahertz

theecaleb

Alaska

2.1/5  rDev -36%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Poured from a 12oz bottle to a pint glass.

A: Mix of an Amber and Pale, almost a orange/copper in color. Good looking brew, pale white head leaves little lacing.

S: Nutmeg, Spices, Pumpkin Pie

T: Bitter, Spicey, and soapy.

MF: Same as taste, leaves a gross after taste of dish soap.

O: Its like drinking an air freshener, smells great, but taste terrible.

No I would not recommed this beer to a friend.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 19:11:14 | More by theecaleb

Lawl3ss

Texas

3.03/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Lightly chilled 12 oz. bottle poured into a shaker pint. No visible bottling date.

Look- Medium amber with two fingers of spritzy white head. A few streaks of lace are left when the beer is gone.

Smell- Mace, cinnamon, faint maple. Not really much aroma, but what's there is decent.

Taste- Similar to the nose, but more gingerbread-like. Nutty, toasted, solid mild amber with a hint of caramel and a touch of darker roast. Tealike bittering in the middle. For some reason I'm thinking toasted walnut shells. Savory spices are the dominant finishing flavor, but there's also a graininess and a tannic character. Mild spicy warmth at the end.

Mouthfeel- Medium body, medium carb. Dry, floury, almost gritty feel towards the end that feels like I'm actually eating the spices.

Overall- It's ok, but it just doesn't stand out for an autumnal/pumpkin beer in the price range. The gritty, overspiced feel also detracts from it, even though the flavors themselves are fine enough. Something a little lighter would really take this one over the top- I would like to see a similar malt base and spice profile done as a cider-like sour.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 02:57:38 | More by Lawl3ss

elNopalero

Texas

3.63/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This looks hazy but vibrant in the glass, a bright bleached cardboard color along with considerable foam. The foam seems consistent with the Arcadia Ales I’ve sampled recently, and despite trying a pumpkin ale in March, 2012 it appears to have held up. There’s a noticeable holiday spice on the aroma— nutmeg, allspice & some clove—with the flavor matching the aroma. The spices are complemented by a sharp bittering. It’s effervescent, very light on the palate. It’s not boozy but there’s a boozy mouthfeel similar to that from bigger beers I’ve sampled. Although this brew is probably half a year old it’s still tasty.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 20:00:50 | More by elNopalero

MsRif

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap at Capone's in Norristown, PA. Poured a brownish orange color with a slight bit of haze to it. Small white head with minimal lacing. Aroma of spices, vanilla, caramel...much like pumpkin pie, actually. Tasted like it smelled, though it was disappointingly one-dimensional. Could have been stronger on spices.

Light to medium in mouthfeel. Not a bad beer, just not great. Drinkable...give it a try once for the experience.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2011 16:42:52 | More by MsRif

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Capone's, Norristown, PA

Poured a hazy burnt orange with a small white head that leaves a bit of streaky lacing. Light aroma of pumpkin pie spices and caramel. Taste of nutmeg and cinnamon, light spicy yeast, pithy and a bit vegetal, even though there isn't actually any pumpkin in this one. A little bit bland, but not entirely without its charm. Light-medium mouthfeel, and moderately drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 14:27:27 | More by Rifugium

buschbeer

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle
Served in a pint glass

A - I pours orange to burnt orange in color. I got a skim of beige head.

S - I get some vanilla and nutmeg on the nose.

T - I get some spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, but they taste watered down.

M - Thin and watery

O - I like a lot of pumpkin beers. This doesn't rate up there with my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 22:02:11 | More by buschbeer

divineaudio

Michigan

2.53/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

pint glass

a - pours a hazy orange color with a few chunks of yeast sediment in it. forms a finger of off white head that calms quickly to a thin film. very little lacing.

s - all spice, nothing else.

t - unfortunately, flavor is dominated by spice. very little malt character coming through though there is a bit of bitterness in the finish.

m - thin with far too much carbonation.

o - well, at least it's appropriately named. not awful, but not for me. certainly won't be returning to this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 21:58:40 | More by divineaudio

dorianmarley

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is murky brown and orange, with nice lacing.

Nose has tons of cinnamon and spice, with cooked apples--very aromatic.

Taste is spicy, but not overwhelming. Has apple and brown sugar, and possibly a hint of pumpkin, but is much more of a spice beer than a pumpkin beer. Flavor dulls to just spice about midway through.

Mouthfeel is sort-of watery, with smooth carbonation and a nice spice bite.

Overall, not much of a pumpkin beer, but is well-spiced.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 03:08:07 | More by dorianmarley

superspak

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle, no bottle date but most likely from this season. Pours very hazy golden orange color with a fairly dense 1-2 fingers of off white head with nice retention that reduces to a thin lacing cap. Aromas of big cinnamon, clove, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, caramel, and a bit of citrus. Decent aromas here, but there seems to be an odd medicinal aroma as well. Taste of big spiciness, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon up front; with some caramel and sweetness near the finish. Not much bitterness on the finish; but notes of big spices, pepper, clove, and cinnamon linger on the finish. Medium bodied with fairly high carbonation; with a bit of a creamy moutfeel and smooth drinkability despite the carbonation level. No alcohol noticed other than a slight warming after the finish. Overall this is actually quite good for a spiced ale. Good balance of spices and sweetness, and I definitely enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 00:29:08 | More by superspak

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Hazy amber with a few small particles, lots of bubbles, and a one-finger, off-white, foamy head that lasted a couple of minutes. Okay lacing.

S: Cinnamon and nutmeg up front. Sweet malt.

T: Moderate sweetness and light hop bitterness. Spicy and kind of tart.

M: Medium bodied with fizzy carbonation. Kind of smooth and slightly dry.

O: Average spiced ale. Good, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 01:01:06 | More by SolipsismalCat

shortbus7

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: A copper orange color with a slight red tint. No head on this beer at all.

S: cinnamon and nutmeg with a slight touch of pumpkin.

T: Very spicy. Loads of cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice. Has a slight pumpkin aftertaste. Very reminiscent of a fall day.

M: Good amount of carbonation with a medium body. Smooth and creamy.

O: One of the better pumpkin beers I believe. Has the right amount of spice and does not taste like an over-sweet desert beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 00:53:55 | More by shortbus7

BlastBeats

Illinois

2.6/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: pours a hazy burnt orange color.. very weak head.

Smell: beers of this style generally have very a good aroma; there's cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Taste: the first few sips are okay.. then the sour, off-putting aftertaste becomes more pronounced. Where's the pumpkin? Apparently there isn't any.. wish I would have known that beforehand. The spices put this beer in a choke-hold and contribute to that dry, almost artificial tasting finish.

Mouthfeel: some sharpness on the front of the tongue.. plentifully carbonated.

Overall: Having recently had a bottle of Dogfish Head Punkin Ale and Southern Tier Pumking, it's clear that this beer isn't in the same league.. seems like they cut corners or something. Pass this one up; you won't miss much.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 07:38:47 | More by BlastBeats

brew3crew

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +25%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at hopcat CBS day. Oh what a day!

A-golden caramel with no head whatsoever

S-nice spiciness that reminds me of Thanksgiving

T-lavander with old spices. Almost like a Christmas ale

M- medium body and smooth

O-"tastes like Thanksgiving" said waitress and it didn't disappoint

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2011 15:59:18 | More by brew3crew

HeavyMetalBrew

Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Amber color, cloudy, good head. some sediment.

S: Nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, malty sweetness

T: Cinnamon, nutmeg, other spices followed by a pumpkin pie flavor.

M: Malty but easy to drink. Carbonated quite well.

Overall: This beer is really good. Spices up front with a pumpkin flavor and a pleasant aroma. Definitely recommend.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 22:46:43 | More by HeavyMetalBrew