Beer of the week: Snarky from Arcana Brewing Company

June 11, 2019 6 AM PT

Beer Name: Snarky
Brewery: Arcana Brewing Company
Style: Session IPA
ABV: 4.4%

Nestled in a quiet office park in Carlsbad, Arcana Brewing Company has been consistently serving up quality craft beer to locals since 2013. With a wide range of options including a variety of IPAs, a saison, Belgian Strong, porter, braggot and the neighborhood favorite, apple ale, Arcana also keeps a steady stream of food trucks on the weekends for hungry visitors.

PACIFIC sat down for an afternoon “session” with Daniel Guy, head brewer, and a cold Snarky IPA to find out more about this all day crusher.

What’s the story behind the name Arcana?
DANIEL GUY: It refers to mysteries and oddities. We are a quirky little brewery tucked into a quirky little business park. We try to make it fun and funky, warm and comfy. Anyone who has watched Dr. Who totally gets that it opens up and it’s bigger on the inside. It doesn’t look like much from the outside.

What about Snarky?
GUY: Before we had a session IPA, people were constantly asking for one. We decided to make a hazy session, so we did something snarky. The first batch we did, it started hazy then went crystal clear after 72 hours. But we’ve got it now.

What’s in it?
Snarky is dry hopped with a single featured hop, Ekuanot. Formerly known as Equinox, this hop has characteristics of lime, tropical fruit, spice and citrus.

What can be expected when drinking this beer?
GUY: A light body and a clean finish, with clean and bright hops. You shouldn’t get any sweetness or overpowering bitterness, it balances with the malt sweetness. It should taste like a beer!

The perfect pairing?
GUY: I like it with Asian food, spring rolls and pho. I tend to bring a growler home with pho.

This beer gal’s take: The menu is spot on when it describes the Snarky as “absurdly drinkable.” Refreshing, balanced, and yes, highly quaffable, this low ABV beer is perfect for crushing after work, and on sunny weekend days without the need of scheduling naptime. Grab a growler and take to your next outdoor fun fest, pool party, and weekend BBQ. Pair with fish tacos with mango salsa, salads, and Thai dishes.

Where to get it and for how long: As one of Arcana’s core beers, you can enjoy Snarky year round at the tap room, and take home in crowlers and growlers.

Extra juicy tidbit: While there, don’t miss trying the polarizing yet deliciously nature-inspired Sage against the Machine Saison. As Guy noted, “those corporate saisons suck.” Available seasonally, this 6% brew features white sage and California sagebrush. For hikers, campers, bikers, runners, and outdoor lovers, this beer will make you feel like you’re floating down a local trail. Once the sage is gone, the next saison in the lineup will feature apricots.

5621 Palmer Way, Carlsbad, 909.529.2337, arcanabrewing.com