Mark
The Apis IV Quadrupel Ale brewed with honey is the first bottled beer from one of Colorado's newest breweries, Elevation Beer Company, located in Poncha Springs. The Apis IV Quadrupel pours out a dark chocolate brown with just a little light making its way though and is topped with a two finger, mocha, tightly knit head that slowly dissipates to a film with a nice collar. On the nose, honeyed sweetness, barnyard funk, chocolate, dark fruit and a little apple. Smooth as butter in the mouth. No hints in the taste that this is over 10% ABV. Flavors of honey, dark fruit, a little funk, some pepper, apple and the faintest hint of smoke. Full side of medium bodied. Fine carbonation. Moderate lacing on the glass. Round mouthfeel. A very long finish is highlighted with a honeyed sweetness that does not want to quit.
Complex, bold and for a new brewery to put this out as their first beer, impressive. I'd drink this over and over and that might be the only issue I have with this craft beer. For 10.71% ABV this is almost way too drinkable. Not that that is a fault in anyway. To sum it up in three words - brilliant, bold, complex. Highly recommended.
750ml bottle, Bottle #00089, 10.71% ABV, 41 IBU, Bottled Summer 2012
Beer 118 of 366 for 2012
