Apollo - Sixpoint Brewery

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Out of a can into pint glass.

Apollo hisses when cap pops open. The liquid is a golden color with some orange glaze woven within. About an inch of very loose off white foam graces the top for a second or two and dies into nothing, no lace. Smell is on the fruity side with some very sharp smelling hops that are not on the citrus tip like a typical IPA. This is different. I get some apple mixed in with some bready yeast and some clove with warming. This beer is different, not what I was expecting. I went in blind, not knowing this is a Kristalweizen. A fruity pale beer with a sharp tart finish. Apple, pear, bread, yeast, and just weird beer altogether. Not really my thing, yet this style is never brewed anymore, if it is indeed what it says. Feel is a step up from light with dead carb, so there is no life. Drinkability hurts because of that. For some reason, i want to eat fish and chips with Apollo, it seems like a good fit.

Serving type: can

05-21-2012 01:08:54 | More by onix1agr

Duff27

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Best by 18AUG2012

A- Inch tall white fluffy head on a murky dull gold colored body. Decent head retention (foam cap on surface) and some lacing left over.

S- Aroma can be smelled a foot away and consists of mostly bananas with a little bit of clove-like spiciness.

T- Follows the nose but to a lesser extent. Flavors seem dumbed down. Small banana aftertaste. Easy drinking.

M- Almost too carbonated for my tastes...taste profile could come off better if it were toned down a tad I believe. Medium mouthfeel.

D/O- I was really looking forward to this one and the pleasant aromas had me salivating, after that it was downhill. Still, definitely not a bad beer. Would have again and hope to enjoy as much as other BAs seem to be.

Serving type: can

06-14-2012 03:15:52 | More by Duff27

sukwonee

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Orang-y cloudy body with 2 finger head. I thought Kristalweizen is supposed to be... clear? but hey, it looks very appetizing.

S: Spice, pepper, clove, banana,

T: Wow... disappointing... It looks and smells great, but the taste falls quite short. It tastes alright at first but the flavor quickly dies... leaving you with some... unpleasant after taste.

M: I think it could use a bit more carbonation.

O: It's got all the elements, but maybe slightly too spicy for the style and the flavor just dies too quickly. I would just stick to Weihenstephaner (which is locally and cheaply available).

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 08:16:57 | More by sukwonee

barnzy78

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz can, pours a hazy golden color with a thin white head that leaves little lacing on the glass. Aromas are bold with mainly wheat and fruity yeast. Tastes are wheat, banana, yeast, biscuity, bready, and sweet. It's medium bodied with ample carbonation. Overall, good interpretation of the style, but not as good as expected.

Serving type: can

06-10-2012 17:32:28 | More by barnzy78

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I must be slipping! I CAN swear that I reviewed this at some point, but thanks to the diligent eye of JVHBass, I guess that I have not. New CANned Beer Sunday CANtinues, unabated.

From the CAN: "A something in a summer's Day/As slow her flambeaux burn away/Which solemnizes me. A something in a summer's noon-/A depth-an Azure-a perfume-Transcending ecstasy."; "Apollo is our summer wheat; a special tart and refreshing ray of illumination."

The first is a quote from Emily Dickinson's poem, "A something in a summer's Day" and if you think that I recognized it on my own, I must disavow you of such a notion. These guys are good and I often rely on yon Internet for help.

I needed no help with the Crack & Glug, not with a glass standing by. The finger of fizzy, bone-white head quickly wilted in the afternoon heat and became mere wisps. Color was a slightly hazy golden-yellow which was nice, but inappropriate for a Kristalweizen. Nose smelled strongly of oranges - Mandarin, Tangelo, Tangerines. Wow! Mouthfeel was medium with a definite initial tartness on the tongue, followed by flavors of orange. It was like a liquid orange Sweetart! The finish was dry, tangy, tart, definitely refreshing and especially on this summer's Day. I drank the heck out of this when it was first released, but just a couple at a time would be satiating.

Serving type: can

08-05-2012 18:57:27 | More by woodychandler

ToasterChef

Maine

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A fridge temperature can is poured into an imperial pint glass. The can is marked best by 18 Aug 2012.

A modest tan foam head rests on top of a transulent, straw colored body. A few streams of rising carbonation can be seen rising from the pool of clinging bubbles at the bottom of my glass. Fairly good lacing is left behind.

This beer smells a lot like a hefeweizen. There is plenty of banana as well as some wheat, light powdered sugar sweetness, and some hefe yeast.

This beer is fruitier and sweeter than I expected it to be. There is a lot of banana, but it tastes sweeter than any actual banana I've peeled and eaten. There are some wheat and some lemon citrus flavors mixed in as well.

Medium body with carbonation levels a little above average. At first I can't feel many bubbles, but as I swallow, the swarm my tongue. A decent film is left behind that has some banana flavors. The sweetness and coating give this beer the impression of having a syrupy quality.

A lot of people seem to really like this one, but this beer just isn't doing it for me. It's too sweet, fruity and syrupy for my tastes. That doesn't mean it's not a great beer to crack open on a hot summer day (which is exactly how I enjoyed the other three cans in this 4 pack). If you are looking for something new and different to try this summer, this beer would be a good one to grab.

Serving type: can

05-23-2012 23:54:16 | More by ToasterChef

n2185

North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a hazy yellow-gold with two fingers of white head that fades into a thin cap with little lacing.

S: Light spice notes with sweet bubblegum and banana aromas up front. Bready and crystal malt aromas bring up the finish.

T: Similar to the aroma, bananas with some slight spice flavors and bubblegum are present up front. The finish is bready with a slight sour and tart flavors.

M: Light body with medium-high carbonation, this beer is light, dry, and drinkable.

O: A solid beer, overall. The sourness in the flavor is slightly odd, but it works well enough. Still, it's enjoyable and drinkable.

Serving type: can

07-05-2012 02:33:29 | More by n2185

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a lightly hazed golden straw, big plume of white froth. Scent is bready and sweet with notes of lemon and apple. Wow, first impression is how sweet this beer is, bready and lightly yeasty, fresh lemon and some tart apple, light grassyness. Medium bodied, smooth, lighter carbonation than expected. Solid beer, but a splash too sweet for me in this style.

Serving type: can

11-20-2012 16:00:44 | More by rfgetz

cyclonece09

Virginia

3.66/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 16 oz can into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a semi hazy orange with very little head. Smells of wheat and orange. Tastes of orange and wheat with undertones of other citrus. Beer is carbonated perfectly and for its light body and it is very sessionable. Overall, a pretty good beer.

Serving type: can

02-25-2013 02:46:18 | More by cyclonece09

iwantsomerocks

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured out of a pint can into a wine glass, because dammit I don't have anything else. Has a one finger head that dissipates rather quick.

Appearance is nice---yellowish brown. 'Nuff said.

Smell is interesting. I get wheat, banana, a bit of lemon, and maybe grass? I don't know, I'm not a big fan of wheat beers. Leave me alone.

Taste is refreshingly good. I'm surprised that I like this. Huge hit of banana with a traditional wheat beer background. But wait...what's this tartness in the very back? I'm imagining it like a pretty, unknown woman calling me from the back of a big room, and I don't know her. All of a sudden, she's full-on sprinting toward me, screaming my name as she runs in her high heels like a linebacker towards me..and then I realize it's an old girlfriend from 4 years ago!! And she's still sprinting toward me! And I don't know what to do!! I certainly can't run away, because she's coming too fast--in her HIGH HEELS!! WHAT IS THIS?!?!

Oh, I'm still writing this review.

Mouthfeel is good. Carbonation is just right and is crisp and clean like it knows it should be.

Overall, a solid summertime beer. Seek this one out. It's worth it.

Serving type: can

07-27-2012 01:11:10 | More by iwantsomerocks

siege06nd

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks shutyourface for this extra!

A. Pours an orange gold with just a wisp of crisp white head. Head is somewhat disappointing and doesn't have great retention. Lacing is decent.

S. Clove, banana, apple, and freshly cracked pepper. Bit of toasted bread crust.

T. Pear, banana, apple, clove, but a slightly astringent, metallic finish.

M. Crisp, light-moderate body.

O. This is my first foray into this style and I feel like it's a slightly more concentrated, one-note hefe. There is a sharp pucker on the back end of this, an almost plastic quality that I think is the phenols that are supposed to be more subdued in this style. It's not bad by any stretch, in fact, I think this is a good beer. But I can't comment on how it measures up to the best in style and I can readily say I prefer Hefeweizens to this if this is the standard profile.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 18:30:00 | More by siege06nd

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer poured a hazy light golden blonde. Hardly any head!! Only a half a finger high white bubbly head building, and dissipating immediately into no lacing .
The smell is citrus and tart.
Tasting the beer, lemon, lime and other citrus fruit is dominant. The tart in the middle is strong. There is a yeast strand noticeable , which gives the color the cloudiness . This is not a characteristic of a true Kristallweizen, which should be clear in color.
Overall a interesting beer, but maybe not quite true to the style.

Serving type: can

10-02-2012 02:55:34 | More by Hopfenpeter

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I know Im tearing through the reviews tonight. thanks dakkon54!

Pour is a bit lighter than a hefe, but a bit cloudy for a kristall. I expect kristall clear body, this one is a bit cloudy. Initial huge white head has disappeared.

The smell isnt as strong as other Kristalls. Lots of bubble gum and banana, but too much of the malt comes through. I want it to smell like straight esters from the yeast. It gets more fruity the longer I smell.

The taste is different, for sure. It wants to be dominated by the yeast esters, but theres a twangy sour thing that just kills every flavor almost instantaneously. Its almost like Bells Oarsman, the slight note of sour just kind of hangs around with the yeast flavors, but never really meshes 100%.

Its like theres two camps here. Initial tastes are all yeast driven. Then when those die the acid malt just comes in. its like theres no connection

Serving type: can

06-09-2012 02:36:32 | More by VncentLIFE

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 1.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16oz can into a Duvel tulip. Enjoyed side-by-side with Weihenstephaner Kristalweissbier in a battle for style domination.

A: The orange body is way too cloudy for the style, looking much more like a Hefe- than a Kristalweizen. Above is a finger of frothy off-white head that quickly dissipates into a thin ring. Compared to the crystal-clear body and majestic head of its German rival, this is nothing if not disappointing.

S: Powerful banana, floral spiciness, and some vanilla. Really different, and quite enjoyable. It's a bit heavier than the Weihenstephaner, but since it's a pleasant heaviness I don't really mind.

T: Opens with ripening banana, followed by a touch of spicy wheat, and closed out by ridiculously intense, pure banana. This seriously tastes like it was brewed with real bananas, especially on the aftertaste. I love it, but it's definitely a bit of a one-trick pony.

M: Medium-bodied with creamy carbonation. A bit sticky, but still great.

O: The bad appearance really turned me off to this one at first, and I'm a bit disappointed in its complete and utter lack of anything resembling complexity (especially compared to the remarkably complex, layered offering from Weihenstephan), but it's still a really tasty beer. I don't know that I'd want to drink more than one, given its heavy, insistent fruitiness, but it's a pleasure all the same.

Cheers!

Serving type: can

07-11-2012 01:23:03 | More by woosterbill

oline73

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a can into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: The beer pours a cloudy orangish amber color with a small layer of head that goes away completely very quickly.

Smell: Light and quite fruity. There is definitely a banana smell with an almost tart quality. Fairly Mild.

Taste: A lot like what I expected from the smell. Light with some banana notes. There is a citrus like tartness to this beer that is quite summery. There is a slight herbal note along with the citrus and banana in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with very mild tingles of carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This is a very unique beer for me. I enjoyed the slight tartness along with the traditional hefe flavors. I would have another on a warm day.

Serving type: can

07-16-2012 23:21:51 | More by oline73

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from can into pint glass

Appearance – The beer pours from the can as a lightly hazed golden orange color with a one finger white head. The head fades very fast to give only a tiny level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is heaviest of wheat and sour lemon. Mixed with these aromas are some lighter notes of yeast and a malty smell.

Taste – The taste starts out of wheat and malt and is quite lemony. The lemon taste gets even stronger as the taste moves on. As the taste moves on with the lemon increasing in the flavor becomes more and more tart. In the end a rather mouth-puckering lemon and wheat flavor are left to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the light side with a carbonation level that is on the slightly above average side. Good for the style as it balances out some of the tart flavors by not allowing them overpower the tongue but yet the feel yields to a more refreshing feel.

Overall – A bit on the tart side for me, but that is to be expected for the style. Not a bad flavor profile and rather refreshing.

Serving type: can

10-08-2012 00:22:57 | More by Darkmagus82

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can from Rick’s in Alexandria. Served in a cervoise. Pours a fairly-clear (though not clear enough for a Kristallweizen) light golden color with a nice, fluffy white head with good retention and lacing. The nose has a nice bit of banana and bubblegum, with clove characters kept to a minimum. Flavor is similar with a touch of bread in the background. Light body with just a touch of chewiness. Good carbonation and a semi-dry finish. Very nice beer.

Serving type: can

12-15-2012 16:20:43 | More by Thorpe429

maximep

New York

3.8/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

let me preface this review by saying I find Sixpoints cans to be a little off. Not NEARLY as good as on tap and I'd argue that they are entirely different beers because the cans are contract brewed and kegs are brewed in Brooklyn. Better quality control in Brooklyn for sure. I've gotten skunked Sixpoint cans.

however, that being said, i think this is their best canned offering.

A- Nice pale, deep straw color that has a golden hue to it. very slightly cloudy from the wheat

S- bubblegum, a little citrus, sweet, pretty delicious smelling. no real sign of hops other than aroma.

T- this is a great sessionable option. a bit sweet for a full session but it's a great one nonetheless. wish there was a BIT more hops just cause Sixpoint tends to have a nice well established (although a bit predictable) hops profile with their beers.

M- they always nail it with this. a little creamy from the head but other than that, a beer that begs to be drank. great stuff from em.

O- not really wowed by this but could be enjoyed by any and all. looking forward to having it on tap at Pony, Blind Tiger, Rattle n Hum, Ginger Man, Etc. will update with another review when i have it on tap because i'm sure it will only be better.

Serving type: can

05-02-2012 23:49:45 | More by maximep

barczar

Kentucky

3.8/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazy, deep golden yellow color with a one inch white head that dissipates quickly with big bubbles, leaving little lacing.

Wheat, peach, apricot, banana, and clove comprise the aroma, with a bit of white pepper adding complexity.

Flavor is decidedly citrusy, with lemon and orange peel underlying a peach and bready wheat backbone. There's a significant coriander component and banana and apple esters present at the slightly peppery finish. There's a bit of a metallic element that emerges as it warms.

Body is a bit syrupy, With high carbonation. The finish is zesty and bubbly.

Overall, I don't have much experience with the style, but it's a fruit salad in a beer. Very tasty and lots going on to keep things interesting. But I have a feeling the style is supposed to be cleaner.

Serving type: can

06-30-2012 22:50:40 | More by barczar

WankelEngine

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 16oz can into a pint glass

A: Pours a hazy golden-straw color. This is a foamy white head of about one finger which has decent retention before fading to a ring of foam.

S: A mild but enjoyable aroma. Lightly toasted malt melds with a somewhat fruity fermentation profile. Overall fairly sweet, with notes of caramel.

T: The first thing I pick up is the sweet and light toasty malt flavors. This is quickly joined by a light, noble hop flavor which provides just a touch of bitter grass. The fruity fermentation flavors and yeast become prominent in the mid-palate, with notes of phenolic banana. Clove joins the flavors in the moderate length finish.

M: Fairly thin and slightly watery, but this works with the medium-high carbonation. Fairly crisp and easy to drink.

O: Pretty good beer. Some phenolic Belgian flavors in a beer that is overall easier drinking that your standard Hefeweizen.

Serving type: can

01-20-2013 23:37:43 | More by WankelEngine

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From 16oz tallboy to Bruges hybrid glass on 5/24/12

-- Thanks to Mario for the sample --

A: Either it's severly chill-hazy, or this isn't unfiltered like a Kristalweizen should be. Regardless, she's a beaut. Cloudy tangerine orange, it literally looks like summertime in the glass. A 2.25 finger white head lingers, and leads to solid lacing and a dense collar.

S: Cloves, not yet ripe bananas, a bit of cereal (think Cheerios, not filler) and citrus...I'm getting some juicy, frehly fallen orange as it warms.

T: Bready yet slightly tart and tangy up front. It leads to banana pudding, grass, crushed herbs, clotted cream and a bit of acid on the back end. Crisp isn't usually a word I associate with wheat based ales, but this is just that. And really refreshing, to boot.

M: Quite bubbly. Sharp, and a touch rough around the edges. Look I get that this is a summer seasonal - it's meant to quench your thirt and make ya say, "Aaahhh!" And though this isn't the best feel around, it certainly accomplishes what I assume it set out to do.

O: What a nice glass of beer. Sixpoint's got a winner on their hands with Apollo. Not a style I typically enjoy, yet I could crush a few of these without one complaint. I look forward to seeing this around as weather gets hotter and hotter.

Serving type: can

05-24-2012 20:00:55 | More by Rhettroactive

Monkeyknife

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from the can a deep clear gold with two fingers of frothy off-white head. A good amount of sticky lacing left behind.

Very sweet aroma of banana, geen apple, tropical fruit, cloves, and grainy malts.

The taste was tart with fresh-squeezed lemon upfront. Light amounts of wheat and green apple followed. The tartness lingered through the finish.

Medium bodied and quite dry with a moderate carbonation.

I liked the combination of tartness and wheat. Very interesting, for sure.

Serving type: can

01-14-2013 02:47:23 | More by Monkeyknife

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Best before 18 August 2012

A: Cloudy for the style, but I'm not sure if Sixpoint considers this a kristalweizen. A soda-like head that disappears quickly.

S: Sweet banana yeast by-products. After that, cloves and other warm spices.

T: Sweet banana and lots of spice. Not so clovy, but the cloves are there. There's also a distinct tartness. Except for the tartness, it's pretty close to what I expect from the style. I'm tempted to squeeze a lemon into it.

M: Fairly thin and bubbly.

O: Very drinkable.

Update: On August 17, I drank a bottle that was best before August 17. The tartness was much more prominent then than I remembered it being.

Serving type: can

06-09-2012 00:20:38 | More by greybeardloon

Brenden

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This one pours out a deep, dark yellow, almost but not quite amber, and develops a very spritzy and loose white head that doesn't last particularly long. To be honest, I'm a little surprised based on certain reviews. Not much spotty lacing is left on the glass, but enough to keep an average appearance as I see it.
Expecting an APWA, I was a little surprised to smell the banana and clove typical of particular German lagers. It's a very nice aroma, at once light and yet with a certain strength. Wheat and a touch of lemon make for a well-rounded, balanced, and fairly complex beer.
The flavor follows suit with a bit of lemony fresh tartness coming out more strongly along with a green apple taste. The malts are a bit bready as well.
This beer is light and crisp and quite dry, though not entirely. It seems like it needs to crispness in order to have any smoothness to it. It's not thin, per se, but verges on it.

Serving type: can

06-13-2012 08:47:17 | More by Brenden

smakawhat

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the can into a wheat ale style glass.

A real nice orange and yellow body color highlighted nicely through the glass, with some cola bubbles, opaque and cloudy, this is not clear like a Kristalweizen. Head is classic white and a bit soapy with some good retention, and some creamy character. Fairly attractive looking beer.

Real nice emphasis on dry clove, has a witbier orange citrus character to it also. Smells like a classic Hefe with a bit of orange twist, heh heh, I made a pun.

Real interesting here. First palate rush is a juicy orange and tangerine, and then a giant blast of fruity classic estery banana. Chewy malt backbone with a good texture, finish brings a nice soda orange character and walloping bread punch. There's even just a hint of playful carbs to go with a mild soda action but nothing that disturbs the taste. Aftertaste really lingers and provide much of the palates richness.

Overall pretty solid brew here, and real easy drinking too. Interesting take on this sort of style.

Serving type: can

05-08-2012 01:57:37 | More by smakawhat