Arcadia B-Craft Black IPA - Arcadia Brewing Company

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.96/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

I remember really enjoying this stuff during my birthday's visit to a trade show last year, so expectations are high to begin with this time. Full disclosure, I guess. This stuff pours a deep, dark sienna topped by a finger of tan-cream foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, light blackened pretzel, dry pine resin, and a touch of straight booze tossed in for good measure. The taste brings in more of the same, softening the resin, getting rid of the booze entirely, and adding a faint hint of hickory smoke. Nice. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, a very nice black IPA, one that lived up to my pleasant memories in every way save the smell (which, to be fair, was probably getting pretty weak by the time I got to this one last year...).

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 07:09:20 | More by TMoney2591

zeff80

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Sycamore.

A - Poured an opaque, jet black color with a two-finger, light brown head of foam. It left sticky rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of pine with a touch of citrus. Nice roasted malt aroma, too.

T - It tasted strongly of pine with a burnt toast maltiness. Nice chocolate and caramel flavors, too.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - Very cool to get a tap only offering here in Columbia. Thanks, Sanford. Very nice brew!

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 02:32:57 | More by zeff80

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.55/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours mahogany with 2 fingers of mocha colored head. Great retention & lacing

S: Woody hops, dark fruit

T: Follows the nose, much dryness & a bit of boooze bite up front. Some pineyness & figs as this warms, more dryness, some leafy hops too, a touch of raisin. Finishes dry, fruitty & with woody hops, just a bit of orange peel

MF: Fairly thick, low carbonation, okay balance

Seems more like an English Barleywine to me, not bad, just not hop-centric enough to please me

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 02:46:35 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Odd single in the cooler at Warehouse, hadn't seen before, hopefully fresh.
Code on the bottom reads "153 12 BIE 0351", if the date is the first part: May or June 2012... 4 months old.

Pours black into a mug, a sticky collar of light tan lacing adheres inside the glass, leaving behind a delicate web of lacing. Pretty good head retention as well.

Aroma is fairly subdued, mildly roasty, light herbal hops.

Flavor carries a slight citrus sweetness,medium bodied with a fair amount of roasted malt comprising the main flavor accent. Moderately bitter with a drying finish that is somewhat chalky in feel. A textbook IBA, nothing too wild but it's drinkable with a good hop character to it.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 01:52:02 | More by emerge077

jwc215

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black with some ruby highlights. A creamy, thin tan head stays, leaving some lacing.

The smell is strongly of pine with some tropical fruits. There is a "black" undertone - more like anise/black licorice than of smoke (which is good - doesn't clash - lets hops really shine through).

The taste is of sweet resin/pine with a touch of tropical fruits. The "black" character adds a touch of licorice, with just a hint of roast. There is a bitter, boozy bite in the finish. Chocolate comes through in the after-taste.

The body reaches close enough to full-bodied to fit. It is between creamy and slick. The carbonation is under-stated, which works well enough in this case. A touch more carbonation would probably give it a more velvety feel, but it is creamy/velvety enough not to tinker with it.

This is a potent, hoppy - mainly piney - black ale. I do have issues with the term "Double India Pale Ale" on the label - as it should just say what it is - a hoppy American Black Ale, but as for the beer - it's nice - if you like piney beers that have a boozy character with some black (licorice/chocolate) traits - and is balanced enough not to be just pine sap - give this one a shot! Well-done!

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 19:42:37 | More by jwc215

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.38/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours pitch black with strong anise and herbal hop notes rising strong. Tan head dwindles too quickly, leaving anise black licorice notes behind it's crazy. Aroma has sharp herbal hops, black licorice anise notes, dark roasted peppery base malts. Earthy flavor, alcohol flowing fully on each sip, dark malts and dark chocolate...it's unbelievable how harsh the beer is with explosive dark anise notes. Mouthfeel is dark roasted malt sweetness with a slight alcohol burn, dry fruity finish intertwined with black malts. Overall not a beer I'm looking for anytime soon, it's full of dark fruit herbal and earth hops, it's too wild for my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 19:52:01 | More by WVbeergeek

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a tulip glass)

A- This beer pours a jet black body with a oatmeal tan bubbly head that last a good bit and trails of bubbles that glide up the surface.

S- The tropical fruit and bubble gum esters lead into a faint smoky hint of roasted black malt that is overtaken by woody green hops in the finish.

T- The bubblegum, double bubble flavor blends with green herbal hops in the finish and a soft roasted black malt note comes through in the aftertaste. There is a cola note that grows as the beer opens up.

M- The medium mouthfeel has no alcohol heat and a gentle fizz compliments the hops.

O- This beer has full yeasty ester flavors with the hops being much softer. It is a nice beer but not much of a session beer at 8.5 % abv.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 13:02:07 | More by rhoadsrage

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Rich chocolate pour is dense black in the vessel. A mocha tinted head has a beautiful coloring, sadly is weak and washy, refusing to hold to give you a lasting visual even after constant agitation. Minimal lacing.

S: Chocolate coffee-roast and pine is most evident on the nose. A touch of dark licorice, burnt citrus bitterness with a strength a bit under par for a advertised.

T: Roasty pine bitterness, citrus and dark licorice first meets the taste buds. Rich coffee, vanilla with a dark roasty bitterness that was fresh and very smooth and polished. Hop bitterness level was good, some roasted barley, burnt flowery bitterness and coffee on the finish.

M: light to medium body, oily slickness texture with a quiet carbonation factor. Huge roasted bitterness on the swallow with signs of black licorice (sambuca type alcohol) coming upon warming and stay.

O: Overall while the nose could of used a bit more ummph the flavor was generally good and easy consuming material for casual affairs.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 00:57:38 | More by beerthulhu

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

SMELL: Upfront roasted malt, fig jelly, and chocolate.

TASTE: A good mix of dark malt and citrus hop flavor. Pine, earth, and grapefruit come from sizeable hop additions. Cocoa powder and rooty hop flavor work well together. The 8.5% alcohol is well disguised.

FEEL: Full bodied, well carbonated ale. Cocoa like malt flavor lasts well into the finish.

OVERALL: The B-craft Black is a well done strong black Ale. Solid all day, would have it again sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2013 19:48:29 | More by Stinkypuss

Tone

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a black color. One inch head of an off-tan color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of hop oils, slight floral hops, pine, slight roasted malt, and a hint of sweet malt. Fits the style of an American Black Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of slight roasted malt, hint of floral hops, hop oils, citrus hops, and hint of sweet malt. Overall, good appearance, aroma, feel, and body. The blend and complexity are a little lacking.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 13:15:49 | More by Tone

alexgash

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle. Bottled 4/16/12.

Dark cola amber-brown body. Some light gets through. Small, light khaki head. Nice lacing. Nose is a nice mix of hops and dark malt. Lots of pine sap, cat pee, and herbal notes. Caramel and roasted malts complement.

Toasted chocolate malt up front. Caramel and roasted malt settle in. Citric, piny hop bitterness gradually comes on. Some herbal, cannabis-y funk as well. Stays pretty-well balanced until the finish. Dries out, with lingering espresso and pine hop bitterness. Faint resinous notes in the end. Medium-full body with a slightly creamy feel. Nicely done!

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 00:42:58 | More by alexgash

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.91/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Snagged a single from Vintage Estate in Ohio. Cost is $2.49

A - Ah good no sediment I fear it was over 3+ months old. Just a 1/3 inch of deep mocha head and the beer itself is Imperial Stout Back, very viscous.
S - Mild tones of citrus hops, and some ashy roasts.
T - Quite an original Black IPA it seems to have some anise or molasses tone along with some citrus hops, English malts, and coffee roast.
M - The ABV seems well hidden if not somewhat watery.
Overall I really liked this black IPA it imparts tones of Russian Imperial stouts with anise and molasses and hides the ABV well.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 04:19:20 | More by DrDemento456

superspak

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled 4/24/2012. Pours almost pitch black dark brown color with a nice 2 finger tan head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Some nice soapy lacing on the glass. Aromas of big pine, grapefruit, orange rind, toast, roasted malt, herbal, earth, and light chocolate. Great aromas with big fresh hoppiness; and nice balance. Taste of big grapefruit, orange rind, pine, chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, toast, herbal, and earthy hops. Moderate citrus rind bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of grapefruit, orange rind, pine, chocolate, roasted malt, and herbal on the finish for a while. Fantastic balance of hop flavors with the roasted malt. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a fairly creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming after the finish noticed. Overall this is a fantastic black IPA! Great hop and roasted malt flavor balance, and very smooth for 8.5%. Amazing stuff!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 03:07:47 | More by superspak

WoodBrew

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

My bro-in-law is awesome!!! He set me up with b-Craft Black from Arcadia...and it is amazing!!! The beer poured a opaque black with thin ecru head that is lacing. The smell contains a piny roast that could be more bold if I am to compare to SSRA from Stone. The taste is more of the same of the smell. It starts off roasty then finishes bitter. The mouthfeel is very nice, full bodied and creamy with smooth carbonation. Overall it is a good beer....the 8.5% will cause everyone pause....and may be a one and done.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 23:17:53 | More by WoodBrew

alleykatking

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Arcadia.

A- Pours a dark brown lightly blackened color. One finger mocha colored head shows good retention. Good streaky lacing on the sides of the glass.

S- Malts on the nose give way to light roasted front. Piney hops on the backing of this with some light citrus hints here and there. There is a light bitterness in the aroma overall. A muted black IPA overall though in the aroma.

T- Nice roasted malts upfront with a light floral hop flavor. Chocolate notes in the middle of the beer itself with a light soapy taste. Slight bitterness in the ending of the beer with a return of the roasted flavors.

M- Medium light mouthfeel. Carbonation is a little light for a IPA but I think it does the beer justice. Clean flavors with a light overall soapy flavor. Roasted malts left on the palate with some light hops in the aftertaste.

D- This was good flavored black IPA I thought. Arcadia seems to be on the ball and coming up with newer more flavorful beers. Do yourself a favor and try this beer out.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2010 03:14:05 | More by alleykatking

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into tulip - thanks elliot

Pours an opaque blackness with a finger-high toasted head resting on top. Slowly fades into a bubbly collar of retention with some cloudy film retaining. Spotty lacing dots the glass while drinking.

Pleasant dose of pine and citrus hops in the nose, nice bitterness with underlying boozy warmth. Roasted dark malts and light chocolately sweetness.

Biting, resiny pine hops right up front. Sticky on the teeth with a touch of grapefruit rind and pith. Roasted dark malts with cocoa and nuttiness. The backbone is formidable, but still struggles to burst through the slightly abrasive hop profile. Light caramel and cocoa powder sweetness. Finishes bitter, dry and long with a boozy punch.

Medium body, nice carbonation, sticky and a bit rough on the tongue. This is a pretty solid black DIPA, although the alcohol and strong pine hops can combine to become somewhat of an overwhelming force at times.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 23:39:17 | More by xnicknj

Brenden

Ohio

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer may perhaps be the definition of what's referred to as "cola" as far as the color: very dark brown with lighter brown highlights and just a touch of red visible. A creamy tan head grows to almost 2 fingers and recedes fairly slowly, dropping a combination of rings, legs and patches of lacing.
On the nose, I get an initial burst of raw pine and a tinge of alcohol. Delving deeper, there's a touch of mint, something like spruce, and a bit of roast. Rind pulls out a bit with the bitterness and some leaf finishes it out.
As for the flavor, at first sip it's an even level between roast and pine with some unexpected toffee-like sweetness and a bit of wood. The mint comes out again and there's the ghost of char just coming out in the finish. A touch of cocoa and coffee grounds are drawn from the roasted malts while the hops remain at an even level, adding an herbal element.
The body is medium with an evenly crisp and smooth feel to it. Carbonation is light and keeps it lively without overdoing it.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 04:04:06 | More by Brenden

david131

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a very deep, dark brown with some dark red highlights. A touch of haziness adds a nice aspect. The head is thin but creamy, has nice retention, and leaves nice lacing.

S- Figs, cherries, clove, mint, and cinnamon. Very unique and inviting. Surprisingly aromatic.

T- Coffee, black cherries, mint, smoke, and a touch of citrus fruit. Very unique. The alcohol is not apparent.

M- a very creamy body with enough carbonation to keep it light. A fairly clean finish.

D- The alcohol is well hidden and the flavors are robust but don't build on the palate. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2011 20:22:25 | More by david131

jwinship83

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at the bavarian lodge. served in a snifter.

A- this one comes to me looking very dark brown with a small khaki colored head. the head quickly becomes no more than a crown and doesnt leave behind much if any lacing.

S- roasted malts and a little bit of chocolate are the first things i pick up in the nose. after that i get some dark fruits and a bit of coffee. floral and herbal hops at the end.

T- the taste starts out with lightly roasted malts and a little bit of sweet milk chocolate. after that i pick up faint raisin notes with some figs also. then comes some coffee. floral and herbal hops at the end.

M- medium body with ample carbonation. very smooth. nicely bitter.

D- this was easy enough to finish. id try this one again if i could find it in a bottle. one of the better arcadia beers ive had in a while.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2011 01:43:40 | More by jwinship83

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours dark with some prune-brown tones. Small lip of foam became a ring pretty quickly.

Mellow earthy nose with a languid hoppiness and smooth maltiness in the balance. Lightly fruity. Not particularly roasty.

Spicy pine and woodiness, blanched by stewy roast malts and notes of unsweetened chocolate. Bit of a boozy sting. Almost rosy. Finishing bitterness gets a little intense. Dominated by grain and earth. Not dirty, but a little woody. Hints of dark fruits or berries. Almost port-like in the finish, only super-dry.

Smooth and a little oily. Biting carbonation toward the end punctuated by the bitterness. Alcohol turns out to be a whole lot sneakier.

Pretty good black ale. A DIPA is a bit of a stretch. Still enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 01:24:07 | More by thecheapies

hosehead83

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Dark brown/black in color, with a short ,tan head of foam.
Aroma-Dank, resinious hops
Taste-Roasty,mocha coffee, then onrush of those dank, resin hops that throw off the balance of flavor in my opinion. Finishes dry and unsettled.
not terrible, but I was hoping for better.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 18:10:50 | More by hosehead83

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.45/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pretty black with a one finger head and not bad thin spots of fine lace.

Astringent smell with piney notes, lots of hops, burnt malts, some alcohol.

Taste is very piney, lots of hops again, chocolate, roasted and burnt malts, a little dark fruit.

Body is kind of slick, low on carbonation, a little syrupy, alcohol is quite notable going down with plenty of warming.

Overall it's pretty tasty but won't be one of my favorites from Arcadia.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 23:17:42 | More by AlCaponeJunior

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

A-very dark brown, almost black with a nice tan head

S-an odd mix of coffee and citrus, also a bit of oreo crumbs, which i find nice. good strength

T-comes in more or less how it smells. Upfront it's mostly oreo crumbs and coffee beans with an underlying citrusy hops flavor. lack of bitterness. the after-taste is mostly of espresso beans. it's a good flavor, just really not all that much to it.

M-medium dry carbonation with a dry finish

O-it's really an okay beer. it's even okay as a black ale. i could see this being mistaken as a citrusy porter. the abv isn't apparent at all. i think most black ale fans might not like this, a bit light on hops possibly. as easy as this is to drink, i don't recommend it or think i'll get it again in any situation.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 04:46:40 | More by AdamBear

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into a Kuhnhenn snifter.

Appearance - Pours a dark brown, not quite black body with only a touch of a head. The faintest of collars around a translucent edge at the surface.

Smell - Some musty pine hops, but it isn't hop dominant. The hops are well balanced by a chocolate and caramel malt.

Taste - Pine hops throughout, which is nice. The chocolate is consistent with just a hint of sweetness shining through. It gets more bitter throughout without ever getting heavy on the malts.

Mouthfeel - Like a light, overhopped RIS. Never too sweet. Never too bitter. Nicely balanced without being a hop bomb of a black IPA.

Overall - I usually like hoppier black IPAs, but this is quite nice. There is a strange aftertaste that is there and gone in an instant. So brief I can't really identify it, so I won't peg it back for it.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 01:25:24 | More by Alieniloquium

buschbeer

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle
Served in a nonic pint glass

A - It pours dark, allowing just a little light through to create some ruby highlights. A couple of inches of tan head made an appearance, leaving behind a skim of tan on top. It looks a lot like a porter.

S - The first scent I recognized was grapefruit. Then the roasted aromas come through. I get a little cocoa and a little coffee.

T - The hops are less prevalent in the taste. The coffee and dark chocolate are more pronounced. Delicious!

M - Medium

O - This is a very well balanced black ipa. It has to be one of the top two that I have tried in this style. I will probably be in the minority since the hops aren't overwhelming. I prefer this style to be more balanced rather than a hop bomb.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 16:45:29 | More by buschbeer