Apocalypse Cow - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

beertooth

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On the beer engine at the Maproom.
$5 for a 14.75oz goblet.

This beer is a hazy, ruby orange with a thick and creamy two fingers of off white head.

I'm not getting a lot out of the nose. There's some candied orange, tropical hop sweetness.

The first sip kills half of the head and leave some cow spot like lacing(ha!). The sweetness of the lactose sugar really combats the bitter hops. I'm getting some acidic pineapple juice and maybe a little dreamsicle, quite interesting. It starts off really creamy and sweet and finishes a little boozy, bitter and dry, but not drying.. I can feel all of the alpha acids on my teeth and tounge.

I've had this glass for about 5 minutes and it's already half gone. This beer on cask is leaps and bounds better than on tap or bottled. I'm going to have to grab another glass before I leave. Seems to me like a beer of udder destruction would be harder to put down, go figure.

Serving type: cask

06-25-2009 02:02:02 | More by beertooth

HopHead84

California

3.9/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On cask at Pizza Port Real Ale 2009.

Imperial pint glass. Appears honey orange with a whispy beige head.

The aroma is sweet and bitter grapefruit, orange pith, and a significant bready/caramel malt backbone. It's pretty well balanced, almost tilting in favor of the malt. Not too bitter and not too sweet. That's a clever little saying I have here in my notes. It sounds pretty stupid now that I've typed it, but I'm going to let it ride.

The flavor is bitter up front with notes of sugary grapefruit, lemon, and orange. The malt is pretty damn sweet. This beer has quite the imposing malt profile. The finish displays the highest level of bitterness yet, but the malt ultimately has its way with the hops.

Serving type: cask

06-19-2009 04:29:59 | More by HopHead84

TomTown

Texas

4.26/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

22oz. bottle shared with a friend and poured into tulip glasses.

Nice orange hue with a decent and somewhat rocky head.

Smells of sweet citrus and mango, maybe some pine and pineapple.

Tastes literally like a creamy IPA. I was surprised by how much character the lactose actually contributed.

Mouthfeel was probably the most interesting part. The creaminess of the body of the beer helped to carry the bitterness much longer than I would have expected, but in a very pleasant way.

A beer truly unlike anything else I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 02:22:55 | More by TomTown

macher0

Kentucky

4.18/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass. Likely not fresh.

A: Dull copper color. A finger of head that retreats to a frothy rim and film. A little cloudy. Very nice lacing.

S: POW. Very fragrant, right off the bat. A lot of pineapple, less citrus, a little hops.

T: The taste does not follow the smell. Bitter hops, pine, and booze. Floral at the end.

M: Full bodied. High carbonation. Not very smooth.

O: A very good IPA (double). The smell is the best aspect of this beer. The taste and feel fell a little short. For hop heads that enjoy a tropical fruit/citrus aroma, this is right up your alley. I will certainly try this ale again. It is a good substitute for zombie dust.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 23:14:57 | More by macher0

imscotty

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A: A nice cloudy golden color. Poured with a fair head that died down slowly. Nice lingering lacing. Medium carbonation.

S: Pleasant light malty hoppy floral citrus sweet aromas.

T: Nicely malty and complex. Raisons, floral hops, citrus, slightly bitter, well balanced. The carbonation lingers on the tongue with a nice light bitter, sweet finish.

M: Medium body, finely carbonated

Overall: A great beer overall. On the sweeter maltier end of the DIPA spectrum. The alcohol is amazingly well hidden. Very drinkable and tasty. I think I prefer the Dreadnaught, but that is not a slight. I highly recommend Apocalypse Cow.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 03:19:45 | More by imscotty

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From bottle to tulip pint.

A - yellow-to-orange, looks gorgeous actually...frothy white head at about a half-inch, some obvious lacing retention

S - citrus fruit, caramel notes, bready, floral pine

T - slightly sweet, floral, grapefruit, bubblegum, herbal, piney, some caramel sweetness too

M - while this beer might be a little 'not-so-fresh', it was smooth, pleasantly carbonated, medium bodied, creamy

O - this is a really interesting DIPA...I honestly get no burn from that high %, so I'm not sure if it's the lactose added or something else that keeps the booze from being noticeable; it's a slightly sweeter version of Dreadnaught imo; it's extremely smooth and really good.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 22:49:55 | More by SkeeterBoganski

Shibbykaiyai

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I bought this in a trip to a small liquor store in Blue Island, Il.

Pours into a nice golden yellow-ish orange color. The smell is great, slightly piney with some floral notes.

This brew starts kinda bitter up from, but then has a nice hoppy middle and finish.

A great brew. i have had a couple of the Three Flods that didn't live up to the hype, but this is a great brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 03:32:46 | More by Shibbykaiyai

IrishHockey

Indiana

4.63/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I think this is my favorite beer that I have had from Three Floyd's. It's kinda like a kicked up, sweeter Zombie Dust IMO. Has some citrus notes to it and its kinda sweet, but not over powering sweet. I paired this with the pulled pork sandwhich from the brew pub (I recommend this too).
This is one that I would have to be careful with though. It drinks easy and has a fairly high alcohol content.

Served on tap at the brew pub in a snifter 8/2012

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2012 14:04:24 | More by IrishHockey

ngeunit1

California

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a hazy golden-orange color with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is full of grapefruit, orange, pine, and floral hops with some sweet caramel malts and a hint of booze.

T - Starts off full of grapefruit, orange, and citrus hops with some bitterness and some sweet caramel malts. Through the middle, some pine and floral hops come through with some more bitterness and some biscuit malts. The finish is a mix of grapefruit and pine hops with some resiny bitterness, sweet caramel malts, and touch of booze.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry, bitter, and warming finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nice big DIPA. Good overall balance with a nice hop profile and bitterness throughout.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 05:55:17 | More by ngeunit1

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. 22oz bottle poured into a New Belgium globe. Thank you Wes.

A: Hazy golden-orange. Rocky eggshell white head retains at a good two fingers and doesn't budge. Thick collars of lacing affix themselves to the glass.

S: Earthy and citrusy hops. Leafy, slightly herbal and spicy. Mango puree, faint pineapple and blood orange. sweet on the nose. Bready with hints of vanilla cake and perhaps even custard.

T: Sliced mango, tangerine, pineapple, blood orange, pine resin, leafy and herbal. Slightly estery and peppery. Malt base is sweet with tastes of cake and vanilla. Finishes with earthy and spicy hop tastes and hints of cake and custard.

M: Medium bodied, but very full and well rounded. Very creamy and silky smooth. Mild supporting carbonation. Great.

O: Definitely a different sort of beer. I'm digging the hop profile, but I'm not so sure about the lactose. It adds a lot to the mouthfeel, which is great, but it also sweetens the beer. It isn't off-putting per se, just different. I suppose I like it, but others may find it too sweet for their liking. Final verdict: good, though it's not something I'd reach for every day.

Notes: It actually paired fairly well with St. Agur Blue.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 01:59:20 | More by ryan1788a5

codysjb

Florida

2.98/5  rDev -29.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow
From a Bomber into my Duvel tulip
A: Pours a nice orange with a decent head.
S: Orange, lemon, zest. Smells like an IPA or Farmhouse ale that has a lot of citrus notes.
T: Watery, some lemon, not a lot going on here.
M: More of the same, a slight note of hops.
O: Very unimpressive, although this bottle may be a little older.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 19:58:49 | More by codysjb

lurpy1

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

This was lugged back from a trip to Chicagoland by my wife. Unfortunately when we shared the first bomber, it was far too hoppy for her. Second bottle was split with a very ill friend. Unfortunately on that one, he is also diabetic, and after 2 sips, the sugar was too much for him, so it would be more accurate to say I drank the bomber solo. Notes are as follows.

Apocalypse Cow has your standard beer commercial pour, light amber of color, and plenty of near-white head.

The smell is a pleasant mashup of sugar and spicy (not bitter) hops. 100 IBU though? Really? I'd buy half of that.

First gulp. Nice. Hoppy. Complex. Second gulp. Picking up on more of the sugar. The hops are starting to drown. Man, this is as sweet an IPA/DIPA as I've ever had, and I'm not sure it's a good thing. Seems like the Floyds were going for balance and tipped the scales the wrong way.

But oh, this drink has a great consistency. As thick and frothy as a mug of root beer. Really great.

I found the sugar somewhat overwhelming, and that's the takeway from this beer. We wound up paying about $10.99 for this bomber, which is comically overpriced for the modest level of enjoyment I had from it. At this price, hell no, not recommended, but at a saner price, sure. But I would be more interested in trying other FFF beers first.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 14:25:54 | More by lurpy1

sleuthdog

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2012 Vintage poured into FFF Teku glass

Appearance: Cow poured a light copper-orange color with two fingers worth of head. Head is fluffy and a great brilliant white color with very tight small bubbles. It settles quickly and leaves some nice lacing behind.

Smell: Up front there is a definite tropical fruit presence with mango, melon, pineapple, some honey. Not at all resiney in the nose to me and to be honest smells "smooth" to me. It's as if the lactose milk sugar has thrown in a very unique twist here even in the nose.

Taste: Oh WOW I think I just found my favorite DIPA to date! I am getting the orange-tangerine, grapefruit, peach, melon, and mango. Just a ton of citrus and tropical notes but this is followed up by an awesome caramel and honey sweetness in the backbone that smoothes everything and makes this highly drinkable in a dangerous way! Alcohol is so well hidden I can't believe this is 11%.

Mouthfeel: Like I've said a couple times before this is one smooth DIPA and I'm thoroughly enjoying it! Hops are most definitely there but not in an in your face way. Carbonation is moderate and adds a slight prick on the tongue.

Overall: Well what more can I say? Simply amazingly well done FFF! Everything works in this beer and I really can not find anything wrong with it. Just plain stellar!

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 00:43:45 | More by sleuthdog

rldavis1116

4.68/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is probably my newest favorite IPA! I can only hope the one I just brewed will come close. Bold aroma with a creamy mouth feel. Awesomeness in a pint sized glass. Wish there were more barrels coming to Wisconsin soon. What a great beer to come out of Indiana.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2012 02:43:34 | More by rldavis1116

suspect

New York

4.08/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a Duvel Tulip.

A: Crystal clear golden color with touches of orange hues. Aggressive pour leads to a thin one finger head that disappears quickly. Lacing is consistent yet relatively spotty.

S: Big time hops up front with the citrus variety first followed closely by the piney variety. Malt character is subtle yet balance the hops perfectly.

T: Follows the nose di-rectly. Wonderfully balanced yet hop forward beer.

M: Creamy finish - hop oils coat the mouth leaving me forever wanting more.

O: A delicious and solid DIPA. Would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 21:53:11 | More by suspect

prototypic

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Apocalypse Cow pours a lighter gold color. It is a tad hazy. Backlighting gives it a bit of an orange tint. A modest, soft white head covers the top. It rises to just above a surface covering and falls back rather quickly. Lacing is a little sticky, but is light and spotty overall. Not bad. Not great, but not bad.

The nose is good. It definitely smells sweet and sugary, but it doesn’t smell much like caramel. I like that a lot! There might be a bit of toasted malt, but it’s tough to tell. Hops jump into the mix quickly and are definitely the focal point of this one. They’re very fruity. Grapefruit, orange, and mango scents are noted. There’s a slight floral note there, but it is secondary. Alcohol is definitely noted. I’m not sure what the exact abv is on this, but it smells sizeable.

The flavor is damn impressive! The malt base is definitely sugary and very sweet, but I’m not getting caramel. Excellent! Hops are very flavorful and satisfying. Citrus flavors of grapefruit, mango, and orange rule the day. The malt base really allows the hops to work their magic. There’s a bit of a floral note that emerges. It is a tad bitter, but it’s far from palate wrecking. The excellent hop flavor really shines. Alcohol is there and it is a bit strong. A little less might be more there. But it’s hard to complain when the flavor’s this good! Finishes with an excellent citric hop flavor!

The body is medium. Carbonation feels light and relatively smooth. It goes down rather easy for a beer of its size. This bottle won’t be much of challenge despite the alcohol.

Three Floyds Brewing Co. sure as hell knows how to make a fine DIPA. While Apocalypse Cow may not be as stunning as Dreadnaught, it is very impressive! I think a little less in the alcohol department really would be more, but that’s nitpicking. This is great stuff!

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 02:39:43 | More by prototypic

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.73/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a clean golden yellow / orange pour with 2 fingers foamy white head, excellent amounts of lacing and great retention.
smells of piney and floral hops, grapefruit citrus, and a slight caramel sweet odor.
bitter up front, pine taste, grassy, sweet molasses type taste, definitely feel the lactose in the backbone.. this is super hopped up and ridiculously tasty.
medium body, creamy, high carbonation content, the flavors mask the abv well.

this is my favorite 3f ipa to date. fantastic in every way.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 20:49:14 | More by facundoCNB

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer poured a hazy, medium orange gold and produced a off whit creamy head about two fingers high. Great retention and nice lacing.
The smell is citrus fruits like lemon,mime pineapple orange. Some malt in the background.
The Tate up front is very fruity hop notes like mentioned above. In the middle the malt flavors and some faint sweetness like caramel balance the beer nicely. At the end soe more bitter hops give the beer the expected bite.
Nice dry, but not to dry mouthfeel prepares for the next sip.
A very well designed beer, as well as label on the bottle!

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 02:45:02 | More by Hopfenpeter

jeonseh

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a FFF glass

A - Light tangerine and copper. Slightly reflective and only mildly opaque. Rocky, white head that settles down quickly and leaves nice lacing down the glass.

S - Citrus and floral hops dominate. There is orange and tangerine on the citrus hops and light lavender on the floral side. There is definitely a malt sweetness intertwined as well. The nose overall is strong and fragrant

T - Inital taste is orange with a slight grapefruit bitterness. There is sweet malt that comes in the middle and makes the orange sweeter. Really a nice, well balanced DIPA.

MF - Light carbonation but a thick, almost sticky body that goes well with the DIPA

O - One of FFF's most balanced DIPAs. Its not the palate wrecker of Arctic Panzer Wolf and not as sweet as Dreadnaught. Solid balance between the floral and citrus hops as well that bring a lot of different flavors.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 00:29:19 | More by jeonseh

Strix

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy golden, good head and lacing.

Caramel malt and grapefruit in the nose.

I pick up orange zest, pine, caramel, a buttery note, grapefruit, lemon.

Medium-high carbonation, full mouthfeel.

This was nice, but not in my upper tier of DIPAs. Buttery/sweet note in there overpowers the balance for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 02:49:13 | More by Strix

Nachojon

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- A pleasant looking beer without the haze of your typical IIPA. A nice amount of head and good lacing. A nice stream of bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass.

S- The nose here is very unique. The hope aroma comes through however it is tempered, balanced by the presence of a smooth vanilla.

T- Again the hops hit you first and it is mellowed out by the lactose milk sugars. Some good citrus comes through, orange peel, some mandarin.

M- Crisp, with a good amount of hop-burn. A little more lingering possibly due to the lactose.

O- A really nice beer. Not mind blowing but impressively different.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 03:34:30 | More by Nachojon

WoodBrew

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My neighbor had a friday night hot dawg fest and a buddie brought a bottle. I was very excited to try this brew. It poured out as a lightly hazy looking yellowish gold color with a foamy looking head on top that leave to scattered lacing on the glass. The smell of the beer is floral, sweet and hoppy. The taste is clean and refreshing with a sharp hop bitterness in there too. The mouthfeel is light, extremely easy to drink this brew. Overall a great IPA, I would love to have it again one day.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 19:03:29 | More by WoodBrew

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.2/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber sent by Will (thanks man!) poured into a New Belgium Globe.

A: Bright, brilliant clear orange, with a small amount of bright white head, some decent lacing, and ample carbonation.

S: Very midwest hoppy...fruity, tropical...pineapple, mango, papaya, honey, a bit of malt backbone, caramel, sweetness. Nice and balanced.

T: Excellent hop profile kept in check with a solid malt backbone and lactose. Initially the hops arrive with flavors of grapefruit, pineapple, peaches, mango and sweet pine, but they never overwhelm the palate. There is a good amount of creamy caramel breadyness.

MF: Creamy, medium-full, good carbonation, moderate dryness on the finish.

O: Very nice offering. I like how the hops play with the lactose and malt body. FFF is good stuff. Recommended.

Thanks Will!

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 02:14:17 | More by Scotchboy

dorianmarley

Ohio

4.48/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance is golden with a light white head and nice lacing.

Nose has a warm, syrupy-sweet hop aroma. There is also fresh mint, honey, and lime zest. Wonderful to smell.

Taste is honeyed hops, with pine, caramel, and tart grapefruit. There is also toasted marshmallow and pecan.

Mouthfeel is smooth, but not necessarily creamy; meaning that the lactose sugar isn't readily apparent, but definitely adds an overall fullness. There is plenty of carbonation. The hop bite is prolonged and not sharp.

Overall, 3 Floyds did it again. This is unique, flavorful, and fun to drink.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 02:50:32 | More by dorianmarley

tut2528

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: more is a light orange and gold, with high transparency. Thick and frothy head formation, about 2 fingers worth a, the retention and lacing is enormous. Carbonation is high as well

S: huge hops! Deep citrus and exotic fruits (mango, grapefruit, and peaches) are picked up. An ever so slight burnt malt character.

T: Hops and more tropical fruits (mango, grapefruit, peaches) are the main player here again. Lots of citrus. There is a nice slight burnt sugar malt that sits in there as well holding this one together. It’s actually a very unique brew and very well put together

M: solid medium bodied. The hops are excellent as they do not sit on the tongue for an epically long period of time like some other IPAs will. This allows me to want to hit the glass again. Alcohol is present on the upper lips and gums but it complements the beer quire nicely.

O: impressive. Really did not know what to think of this beer and I found it quite enjoyable. I am pretty stubborn when it comes to IPAs, but this one was definitely one of the nicer ones I’ve had in a while. Definitely a unique brew and thought that the balance of the tropical fruits and hops were amazing. And the backbone that keeps this all together was quite impressive as well. Well done FFF, well done.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 02:46:27 | More by tut2528