Arcadia London Porter - Arcadia Brewing Company

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.09/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very dark. Near black. Head is a light cream color. Lacing is sparing.

Powerfully smoky, yet sweet. Hints of chocolate, dried cherry, and coffee.

Holy smokes! Amazing bittersweet smokiness with meaty and peaty notes. Mesquite and ember with notes of smoked fish and roast barley. Chocolate is here with notes of medium-roast coffee and a trace of vanilla bean.

Drinks sudsy and satisfying. Medium body with an oatmeal chew. Burps well, even though the carbonation is lower.

Love this beer, but a terrible misnomer. Call it what it is... a fantastic smoked porter.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 01:25:43 | More by thecheapies

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at House of 1000 Beers in New Kensington, PA.

Poured into a Leffe goblet: Black with chestnut highlights, half-finger of tan head that really lasts.

Dark bread in the smell, nutty, clean toasted barley, slightly savory quality like the meatiness of salmon (smoke?), slight roasting cocoa bean.

Tastes of dark fruit skin & alcohol at first, that gives way to deep roast coffee & cocoa, ending with a meaty smokiness with a lingering dryness. Really tasty, great stuff.

Medium-full-bodied, moderately astringent but finishes smooth & slightly sticky, treacly.

Yeah, this is great. Very tasty & a little rough around the edges, but in a way that I enjoy & lends some character. Beautiful smoke character with being a "smoked" beer, a little more subtle.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 01:07:31 | More by OneDropSoup

jmvecchio1

Missouri

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

London Porter pours out a dark brown, nearly black, color. A thick head accompanied the pour, but quickly disappeared and stuck around as very light lacing. The aroma is full of roasted malts and chocolate with fruity notes peaking through. This beer is highly carbonated and unfortunately that makes it difficult to pick out flavors. A somewhat bitter chocolate hits your tongue right away, but give way to a roasted, smokiness. Dark fruits surface when the chocolate flavor fades, and hints of alcohol pop up at the very end.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2011 20:48:53 | More by jmvecchio1

mrbeery

New York

4.3/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

bring a driver. at 7.2 the fact that i could drink a hundred of these is dangerous. it drys up my mouth in that good way that makes me want to sip sip sip.looks good hanging on the glass(for you "lacing"cats)with nice chocolate.the finsh hangs and your mouth wants more.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2010 16:54:50 | More by mrbeery

n0315

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best beer they have there, I liked it enough to get a growler filled with it. Pours a dark brown/black with a nice coco head to it.. Smell is of chocolate and almonds. Taste is great. Chocolate at the beginning and almonds at the end with a good after taste. Best part of the beer is the taste, no doubt. Mouth feel was medium and drinkability was great. No problem finishing off this brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2010 21:32:24 | More by n0315

birchstick

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - served black with a one-finger head that stayed around for a while

S - smelled of sweet chocolate and burnt malts

T - this was a good porter. There was a nice blend of chocolate and burnt malts. Definitely more chocolate than burnt malts.

M - a little thin but smooth. I was surprised to see its ABV was over 7% when I logged on to review this.

D - this was a very good porter. I enjoyed it throughout and really liked the chocolate tones that seemed to dominate the palate.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2009 05:49:34 | More by birchstick

nrbw23

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a dark brown if not black with a decent head.

S- Smells of chocolate, roasted malt, dark fruit, nuts and a something pretty sweet I just can't get my finger on it.

T- Follows the nose really well. Chocolate and toffee notes upfront along with roasted malts. Some mild hop bitterness in the finish. Nice and solid.

M- Medium to full in body, low amount of carbonation and feels nice and creamy.

D- Very solid brew. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2008 20:25:13 | More by nrbw23

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at Cobblestone's in York, Pa. Served to me cool in a Nonic.

A - Walnut brown w/ cherry highlights when backlit. A very thin beige head that becomes a pint ring w/out much lace holding on.

S - Malty and fruity w/ a hint of roasted notes w/ subtle molasses notes and a hint of anise. Slightly yeasty odor w/ british charactar and tinges of tropical fruit in the nose.

M - A smooth, subtle sweetness is enveloped by a carbonated rush w/ darkly roasted malts that have a slightly sticky texture w/ a hint of boozy warmth.

T - A rich dry toasted note w/ an almost ripe banana-like sweetness and dark dried fruit flavor w/ subtle toffee and coffee notes w/ an english yeasty fruitiness. Slightly overroasted malt w/ light char notes. Sweet malt and roasted barley flavors keep the flavor light as the last sip nears. A gentle spice from hop in the taste keeps the flavor from becoming cloying.

D - A nice American interpretation of an English Porter w/ a bit more strength and American Style w/ nice British malt and yeast profile - Very Good Drinkability. I would definitely try this again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2008 16:16:48 | More by Slatetank

Westsidethreat

California

3.7/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a thin, chocolaty amber brew with some fizzy carbonation. Head settles in to a small pad of tan colored bubbles.

S: Fresh coffee grounds, milk chocolate, roasted barley with only a hint of sourness.

T: Begins with a quality roastedness this mixes intriguingly well with a subtle sourness and strong lactose. Has some milk shake qualities to it, primarily in the texture and chocolate. As it sits on the palate, all the flavors begin to intensify with some butterscotch getting involved too. Finishes with some piney hops in the highs and a somber and clean roastedness around the back of the tongue.

M: Medium body with a soft and straightforward mouthfeel.

D: Enjoyable porter with a lot of flavor. Decent complexity and a sturdy quaffability.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2007 04:15:51 | More by Westsidethreat

stouty1

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Received on tap at Zingermann's Roadhouse. Dark chocolate appearance like a cola. Small creamy head with slight remaining lace. Smell's of dark chocolate with coffee undertones. Slight bittery aftertaste that does not shock the pallate until savoring the sip. Very drinkable for two rounds.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2006 23:52:54 | More by stouty1

mcallister

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very dark opaque brown burnt chocolate color. Fluffy half inch creamy tan head atop this one.

Faint coffee smells, slight vanilla undertones, with a sweet malt aroma. Really tough to pull them out could be the smokey bar.

Thick rich coffee, and roasted malt flavors. Toffee, hints of vanilla, dried figs, and very faint hops, with a sweet cocoa finish. Other dark fruits hidden deep in the background.

Creamy thick refreshing porter. Very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2006 20:22:12 | More by mcallister

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.18/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A terrific brew. Typical roasted, chocolate, bittersweet characteristics of porters but with a mild estery tone. Light fruitiness pimarily of ripe grapes with a milk sugar sweetness. Light in body compared to bold taste. Finishes lightly powdery and moderatedly refreshing for a porter. My first offering from Arcadia is a winner.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2006 14:18:02 | More by BEERchitect

BrewMaster

California

4.05/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Served in a pint glass on tap at the brewery. Dark black color with a slight red hue and a creamy and solid tan head. Very nice retention on the head with light lacing and stratification on the side of the glass. By the looks of this one, the line between some stouts and some porters became even more blurry.

Smell: Very malty and chocolate nose. Slight fruitiness as well.

Taste: Chocolate with a fruity cherry flavor, big malt and a light burnt malt sourness. The flavor is pleasant and sweet with a sandy, toasty, syrupy flavor to round out the ending. The interesting thing about the flavor is that the alcohol migrates up to the nose and I feel the warmth in my nose and the top of my mouth, but not going down. Tasty all the same.

Mouthfeel: Lively carbonation and a sticky soft feel on the palate. Very pleasant. Medium to full bodied with a distinct creaminess.

Drinkability: Solid and tasty with a nice base malt flavor with other flavors to compliment. A solid offering and one worht looking for if you're in the area.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2005 16:42:11 | More by BrewMaster

CRJMellor

Arkansas

4.2/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours with a classic thick black body with nice light brown head.
Aromas of roasted coffee, sweet choclate and malt eminate. Lightly carbonated fitting porter style.
Initial taste is almost stout-like but back note is sweeter and slightly lighter than a stout. don't know much about Baltic Porters but I imagine that's the desired effect.
Very pleasant brew, good definitely drink a few of these on a cold mMichigan winter night.

Great label on the bottle also.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2003 01:16:48 | More by CRJMellor

jmendels

Michigan

4.21/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours a dark, almost black colour and smells of roasted malts with hints of chocolate and toffee. The taste mirrors this smell, with a smooth and roasty mouth and a slightly bitter finish. Overall, an enjoyable beer that is well crafted here in Michigan.

4/5

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 00:53:07 | More by jmendels

patpbr

Ohio

3.81/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark but with a lack of head on it. Some faint lacing. Malty that has Chocolate and roast characters. A sweetness is noticed that resembles toffee. Mouthfeel is Creamy with moderate carbonation and noticeable bitter finish. I will try it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 01:21:08 | More by patpbr

barnzy78

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, pours a cola-like dark brown with a short, tan head that fades to a foam atop the ale leaving a little lacing on the glass. Aromas are roasty, smoky, ashy, french roast coffee grounds. Tastes are smoky, roasted barley, chocolatey, and very well balanced. Mouth-feel is velvety smooth, but fades to be a bit watery at the end; Lower carbonation. Overall, it was nice to come back to this one, seeing as it's been a couple of years since I had it. It was as good as I remember it being.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 04:12:19 | More by barnzy78

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bottle of this for 2 bucks

A - Like a full bodied stout this one pours a deep dark black with a rushing full inch of tan colored head.

S - Smells of mild chocolates, chalky yeasts, and a good dose of roast.

T - Very balanced I get a slightly chalky finish but mostly balanced dark chocolate and clinging bitter roast. Slightly bitter aftertaste confirms some level of hops.

M - Medium yet oily and slick. A very solid imperial porter.

Overall I like this porter its balanced with it's "above average ABV" and packs quite a punch with flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 21:17:16 | More by DrDemento456

Folderol

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

If I hadn't poured this myself, I would have thought it was a British style imperial stout. Look at the ABV - this is right in line with Samuel Smith's Impy. The look is spot-on too, dark dark dark brown with a touch of red, not entirely opaque but close to it. Very short tan head that receded to a little mist. Mouthfeel is good - thick like I like it without being too sticky. Flavor is sweet dark malt, quite a bit of that soy sauce-like taste typical of lighter imperial stouts, but not as much depth as a proper RIS or even more conventional porters. Not much hop to be found, but with this much alcohol I'm not surprised. Speaking of the alcohol, it smacked me right in the nose when I opened the bottle, but is barely noticeable in the glass. I'm sure it'll hit me again as I near the bottom of the glass.

On the whole, a smooth, solid imperial porter. Good stuff and easy drinking from a local Southern Michigan brewery.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 01:47:50 | More by Folderol

dpodratsky3

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottled poured into stout glass

A: Murky deep brown with a solid tan head, recedes fairly quickly, but it is still handsome

S: A decently strong roasted malt aroma with an edge of sweetness from some caramel malt

T: Has very similar aspects to a dry irish stout (almost like a murphy's), pretty clean flavors overall, that roasted aroma comes through as the main flavor too, the caramel malt balances the bitterness from the roast and also the relatively generous hop levels (not "bitter" by any means, but balanced), hops have a decent amount of flavor input too, alcohol comes through, but blends very nicely with the roasted flavors

M: Medium body, but thanks to the good carbonation it feels pretty light

O: Overall a good porter, its not ground-breaking, but it does taste like a slight throwback to the original porter. Stronger in alcohol and flavor than some porters, although not quite as much so as some of the accounts of historic porters.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 01:29:34 | More by dpodratsky3

SometimesIfart

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottlle into a pint glass. Pours a pitch black with a quarter finger worth of off-white head. Pretty much looks like any other porter. Basically smells of vanilla and coffee beans, although I do have a slight siun infection so perhaps there's a little bit more, although from previous porters I have had I would doubt it. Tastes like vanilla, dark coffee, and dark chocolate. Predominantly the coffee though. The mouthfeel unlocks nothing new except for a slight burnt malt flavor far off in the distance. Overall, I have been disappointed by almost everything that I have had by Arcadia and this beer isn't really an exception if I compare it to other porters such as Gonzo. Would I buy it again? Why? I could have Gonzo instead.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 00:37:13 | More by SometimesIfart

britzdog

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pouring a deep brown with minimal lacing.

Heavily roasted malt with coffee and fruit standing out in the mix Strong taste of roasted malt, and chocolate and some fruit that I can't seem to pin down.

Has a nice bitterness feeling to it. Nice and chewy.
Real strong finish, that belies it's higher alcohol content. You really don't notice it....right away.
.
Definitely worth picking up a sixpack.
.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 03:29:42 | More by britzdog

soju6

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a deep brown color with a decent head that fades slowly to nice lacing.

S: Aroma of roasted malty, coffee some dark chocolate and dark fruits with a hint of smoke.

T: Taste of roasted malt, semi-sweet chocolate and dark fruit. There is a bit of smoke in the background with a nice bitterness and a clean finish.

F: Medium body, smooth and creamy with a bit of lingering bitterness aftertaste. No hint of the 7.2% ABV.

O: Nice English Porter that goes down easy. Good for the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 00:21:18 | More by soju6

jwill3113

4.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a very dark brown, pushing the edges of black with a small one finger tan/orange head that dissipates rather quickly. Minimal amounts of lacing but head does last.

S: Malty with distinct smells of a rich smokiness. Sweet smelling yet somewhat rugged. Earthy smells as it warms.

T: The malt and smoke that you smell are also what highlight the taste. Alcohol is hidden well by the smokey flavor. Sweeter at first then almost a bitter aftertaste.

M: Clean and smooth. Has a good drinkability. I would say a little more than medium bodied.

O: Would gladly drink it again. It does have some bitter qualities to it but are not overpowering. It has similar taste attributes to that of scotch ales.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 00:41:36 | More by jwill3113

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, bottled 12/16/2011. Pours very dark reddish brown color with a nice 1-2 finger dense tan head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Some decent spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of big chocolate, caramel, roasted malt, coffee, light fruitiness, molasses, biscuit, and herbal hops. Very pleasant and well balanced porter aromas with decent strength. Taste of big chocolate, caramel, molasses, roasted malt, slight dark fruit, cocoa, smokiness, biscuit, earth, and herbal hops. Fair amount of bitterness on the finish, with lingering notes of chocolate, coffee, biscuit, caramel, and herbal spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Nice balance of flavors that are quite robust, with no cloying sweetness at all. Medium carbonation and body; with a nice creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel. Alcohol is well hidden with only a slight warming after the finish present. Very smooth to drink for 7%. Overall this is a damn nice robust porter. A good amount of very robust flavors and nice balance make this very enjoyable. I would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 03:53:56 | More by superspak