Arcadia Ales - Cereal Killer Barleywine Ale

We end our journey by coming back to Michigan, this time to Battle Creek (home of Kellogg's!), to visit Arcadia Ales Brewing (the website is currently under construction) to drink their Cereal Killer Barleywine Ale purchased at Vintage Estates.

This is brewed in the traditional English style of Barleywines. Having a high alcohol level allows this beer to be great for aging. As it ages, the beer will develop more sherry-like flavors and aromas similar to a cask-aged port. It has 70 IBUs and is 10% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.0/10

This is a translucent cloudy amber beer with a quickly diminishing, frothy off-white head. We smell yeast, barley, grapes, brown sugar, and a little clove. The flavors are a little hop, a touch of banana and chocolate, as well as a sweet wood flavor - maybe cherry wood?

Shawn- It smells more like a Belgian than a Barleywine to me. The flavors are somewhat muddled, almost like they aren't individually added. It could have been amazing, but it lacks palatability and needs blended better, 7/10.
Angela- To me, it tastes like a Barleywine, which is not my favorite style of beer, 6.5/10.
Chris- When I think of a Barleywine, I think of Hog Heaven from Avery.I might mistake this for a Belgian dubbel more than a Barleywine. I think if it were aged, the flavors would become more defined and I'd give it a higher rating, 7.5/10.

North Peak Brewing Co. - Siren Amber Ale

We travel north from Comstock to Traverse City, Michigan, to visit the North Peak Brewing Co. to have their Siren Amber Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

"A malty classic, with the subtle hop flavor & aroma from Willamette & Fuggle. Enjoy the caramel sweetness with just a hint of roasted barley, which provides the rich amber color & a slight dry finish." It is 5.1% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.25/10

It is a lightly cloudy, transparent beer with a color that we categorize as an amber with a little honey added. The head is slightly off-white and is quick to diminish. The aroma is caramelly and a little roasty, with a light barley an citrus hop scents as well. The taste has a front tongue bite and has a rich molasses and malty flavor.

Shawn- This has great drinkability with a smooth, clean finish. I wish it had some more nose, 7.5/10.
Angela- This is a clean beer that is flavorful but thin, 6.75/10.
Chris- There are more flavors than aroma, but I find it delicious. I would suggest this for anyone who hasn't had an amber beer before, 7.5/10.

Bell's - Amber Ale

More than halfway on our journey through the Central U.S., we stop in Comstock, Michigan, at the Bell's Brewery to have their Amber Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

This was first brewed in 1985, and it "embodies the heritage of our brewery and celebrates the nature of the Great Lakes region." It "deftly balances a mixture of toasted grain & light caramel notes with a range of floral, citrus and herbal hop notes, capped by a clean bitterness." It has a shelf life of 6 months and is 5.8% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.1/10

This is amber in color and very cloudy with aromas of malt, some citrus hop, and Belgian yeast. The taste is clean and crisp, with a front and side tongue bite and then a mid tongue bite in the after taste. We also taste light malt, slight barley, and a warming hop taste.

Shawn- This beer is pleasant, balanced, and clean. I actually love the hops in this beer. I would give this a higher rating if it weren't for the metallic taste, 7/10.

Angela- It's not terribly memorable, but it's not a bad beer. I (surprisingly!) enjoy the warming hop finish, 6.75/10.

Chris- I think the more I drink this beer, the higher I'll rate it overall, 7.5/10.

Dark Horse - Boffo Brown Ale

Next, we venture to Marshall, Michigan, to the Dark Horse Brewing Co. for thier Boffo Brown Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

This beer was brewed years ago and then put in semi-retirement for a while. It is now a year-round beer that is a favorite to many employees at the brewery. This pushes the envelope as to what an American Brown Ale is to most people. "Flavors of malt, caramel, toffee, and a mild earthy nutty finish allow this beer to be paired with hearty food and sips of bourbon." This is 6.5% ABV.

Overall average rating: 5.7/10

This beer is a dark coppery red color with a quick to diminish white head. Aromas of chocolate, caramel, malt, and oakiness are very present. The taste starts out rich, but thins quickly. It has a front and back tongue bite, with a hop finish and a slight metallic after taste.

Shawn- It could use a sweetness to alleviate the metallic after taste, 5/10.
Angela- This is slightly richer than the last beer, though I wish it were richer. Also, the more I drank, the less I tasted the metallic flavor, 6/10.
Chris- This has potential. It tastes like a nut brown, though I would appreciate a more nutty flavor, 6/10.