Apis IV - Elevation Beer Co.

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle 848: This poured out as a hazy brown color. The head is tan in color with a solid retention and sticky lacing. The smell is sweet, plenty of honey and malt. The taste gives off lots of malt as well as more honey. The mouthfeel is highly carbonated, the bottle actually foamed out over the after removing the cork. It's medium bodied with a good drinkability. Overall it's an interesting Quad, it's more of a a Braggot in my opinion, which I love both style so this is pretty good in my opinion. Really nice brew here.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 04:12:11 | More by Knapp85

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Bottle #05987. 5,987 BEES! Anyway, this stuff pours a deep ruby-brown topped by a finger of sandy khaki foam. The nose comprises fig, raisin, light molasses, light maple syrup, clove, pumpernickel, dark fruits, a pinch of brown sugar, and a light dip in a vat of chocolate. The taste brings in more of the same, with the chocolate and spices leading the charge and the fruits coming through a bit muted in comparison with the smell. The body is a lithe medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a relatively smooth feel. Overall, a very nice quad, one littered with nuance and character in every Thomas-brand nook and cranny (it matters to those who know...). Good times.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 22:29:15 | More by TMoney2591

Dope

Massachusetts

4.06/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle 05035, bottled summer 2012

A: Pours a very dark reddish-brown. Good sized fluffy and fizzy tan head. Head fades slowly and sticks around nicely - great retention. Fluffy slashes of lacing everywhere.

S: Very fruity. Lots of grapes and cherries and raisins in fact. Honey is distinct and noticeable and combines nicely with some caramel. Maybe a touch of brown sugar?

T: Again, dark fruits up front as mentioned in the aroma. Honey comes up in the middle and is quite distinct. Combines with some earthiness in the middle. Decent bit of caramel with some toffee and toast into the finish. Fairly drying in the finish and aftertaste; hints of earth and dried fruits with just a touch of honey. Get just a touch alcohol in between sips; the only thing betraying its ABV.

M: Honestly, not nearly as thick or heavy as you'd expect for a 10.7% beer. Nice and smooth, drying in the finish.

O: A nice example of the style. Honey adds a nice layer of complexity. Typical belgian yeast earthiness with dark fruits layering over everything. Tasty and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 05:00:49 | More by Dope

Hex92

Virginia

4.23/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my second beer from elevation and I think I have found my new favorite brewery. Unfortunately my nose is stoppedup tonight, so i can't taste or smell as well as I would like.

From what I can tell this is a great beer. Smells great and tastes great. The honey comes through nicely in both the smell and taste. Very smooth flavor, nice mouth feel. This is an excellent beer. I will have to update my review when I open the next bottle..

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 03:21:13 | More by Hex92

barleywinefiend

Washington

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a dark, slightly hazed crimson red with a modest tannish cap

S: The nose is overcome with sweet honey notes and dark fruits

T: The taste buds are met with an initial wallop of dark fruits in the way of purple grapes, figs, raisins and dates. The honey plays second fiddle as it should and masked just underneath dark fruits. A bit of Earthiness on this beer with a subtle booze sting is noted. The finish is dry, some heat and a tad sweet

M: Medium body, well carbonated

O: Good. No major flaws found

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 23:08:25 | More by barleywinefiend

mactrail

California

3.38/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Dark brown with a golden glint in the squat CIney snifter. Plenty of foam on pouring. Fruity and honey aromas along with a hint of sourness.

Rich and dark flavors with that interesting zing of honey flavor. Dried figs along with the dark roasted malt. Something dank and earthy to go with the sweetness and the caramel. The Belgian yeasty flavors emerge out of the darkness to provide the trademark dry finish. Still that honey tang at the very end. Label says there are Northern Brewer and Tettnang hops. They are not very forward, but maybe that's what keeps the sweet honey flavor from cloying.

To me this tastes like a Dubbel amped up to something stronger and Quad-like. An interesting and sippable beer, but you have to like honey. From the 750 ml bottle bought at Grapevine Liquors in Denver.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 05:21:52 | More by mactrail

bigaltemple

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Corked & Caged 750mL Bottle #07460

A - Pours dark brown, with some crimson hues appearing at the edges. Thick, khaki colored head builds quickly and easily before settling to a thin cap. Shows some good retention though, as sheets of lacing are left after every drink.

S - Slightly "inspired" by bottle description as to what I'm getting in the nose. However, I feel aspects of this one all come out fairly easy and quite identifiable. I didn't expect the honey and molosses to be so pronounced, but they lend a nice sweetness along with caramel malt, plum, and raisin. There's an underlying floral hops presence that really gives this a nice balance.

T/M - Honey and bready malt dominate at first before mingling with dark fruits and the definite twang of Belgian yeast. Very mild sense of hops in the aftertaste. Medium-bodied with some prickly carbonation. I would prefer a little less carbonation, but that doesn't detract from this brew at all.

O - Definitely a loose interpretation of the Quad label, but I found this beer to be one of my favorites this year. I think there is a great group of people behind the brewery and I'm excited to see what else they come up with.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 04:25:56 | More by bigaltemple

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle, an extra from skycracksopen. It was allowed to warm a bit before being poured into my Brooklyn Breweryl tulip.

Apis IV pours a very dark mahogany, with scattered cherry highlights. There's about two fingers of khaki colored foam left sitting atop the beer, albeit briefly. Neither head retention nor lacing impress at all. The nose is straightforward, but nice. Lots of dark fruit aromas and just a little bit of honey present as well. The flavor profile is a little bit more varied. Honey drizzled plums form the basis for everything, but a subtle, yet distinct rumminess is present as well. A light phenolic clove flourish joins the proceedings for the finish. The body is solidly light for a beer that tops 10% alcohol, but the carbonation disappointingly dull. It leaves the mouthfeel just a little too ponderous and chewy. I've been perfectly content to pass this evening with Apis IV in my glass, though it does lack the depth and complexity of the truly world class quads.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 03:04:29 | More by axeman9182

KajII

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

[Suggested Glassware: Trappist Glass]

The pour was a muddy dark brown with some mild red highlights and a small (1 finger or less) tan creamy head that was mostly diminishing down to a thin film and small collar, which did create excellent sheeting of lace that totally engulfed the entire glass.

The aroma was of a toasted sweet caramel malt and a chewy doughy yeast with notes of milk chocolate, molasses, honey, banana and dark fruit (figs, raisons and plums).

The taste was extremely malty with a very nice caramel sweetness, and had hints of molasses and slight fruity ester early on. Then a strong dose of dark fruit took hold along with a touch of honey, with the ending having a serious chocolate and a mild alcohol presence. Flavor lasted a average amount of time with a lingering taste of chocolate hanging on a bit longer.

Mouthfeel was medium in body and quite creamy in texture with a nice soft carbonation.

Overall this was a scrumptious tasting brew, which did not allow for any one flavor to overtake another. Also the creamy chocolate finish did an awesome job of concealing the high ABV, this is one that you really need to watch yourself with...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 19:25:32 | More by KajII

GilGarp

Colorado

4.53/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle #6656, Summer 2012.

Served chilled into a goblet, Apis IV is a redish brown amber odor with great clarity. The head is creamy but short-lived and leaves no lace behind.

Aroma is sweet, malty, and complex with dark fruits, brown sugar, and a nice Belgian yeast. Molasses or honey is in there too.

Flavor is big and full of depth. It has a nice sweetness from the big malt bill and the addition of honey. It's slightly balanced out with hops, partially with toasted malt. The alcohol is very well integrated to the point that it really doesnt show it's strength. The yeast is able to shine better since the flavors in the beer aren't too strong. The same could be said for the honey, which is nice since the beer seems to be a homage to the bees that helped to make it.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and nicely carbonated in the bottle. Sweet but balanced and very drinkable despite the high ABV.

Overall a really impressive quad and easily one of the best domestic ones I've had.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 02:02:57 | More by GilGarp

beergoot

Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a great dark, ruby red color with a long-lasting one-finger thick and creamy off-white head. Smell consists of smoky, burnt sugar and caramel concoction; lightly charred toast; some toffee. Creamy, rich, syrupy mouthfeel, medium body. Lightly burnt sugar combines with sweet chocolate for the taste; caramel flavor reinforced; subtle alcohol warmth.

I didn't come across any strong phenolic flavors, and the alcohol wasn't very pronounced (as per the BA style description). It did have a very strong, very tasty malt character. Smooth, balanced, and easy drinking for a big beer. I think the honey adds a distinguishing note to this beer. Definitely worth seeking out...

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 01:22:31 | More by beergoot

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a much less wintery quad than most, and actually pretty seasonally appropriate for late summmer. pours an enticing mahogany color, more red than brown, with a mellow caramel colored head of big frothy bubbles. smells like caramel malts, candy sugar, wood, and wildflower honey. the malt profile is big and sweet, but not thick in feel. there is a honey flavor thats really ncie in this beer, and it brings out some elements that might otherwise be less noticable. i picked up cherry and apple notes in this too. the feel is good, not thick and sticky like some quads can be, but rather thinner in body and quite drinkable, despite the high abv. the alcohol in this comes out as it warms up, but its never too much, just another layer. i will buy this one again as it has all kinds of culinary potential for fall.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 17:44:27 | More by StonedTrippin

schlimenhaumer

New York

3.5/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750mL bottle into a "Belgian Independence Day" tulip at high altitude near Denver, CO. Never heard of this brewery, so I'm excited to give it a try.

A: Pours a dark ruby red with a very light brown three-finger head of good retention. Nice lacing here as well.

S: Honey is by far the most prevalent scent here, with dark fruits in the background and some yeast quality.

T: Opens with dark fruit notes, followed by honey sweetness that contrasts with the fruit notes to some extent and finishes with yeast flavors. Has the key elements of a quad, but I'm not sure if adding honey was the right choice.

M: Medium-bodied with a dry finish. Suits the flavors and the style well.

O: Overall, a passable quad. Nothing to write home about or seek out, but it's pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 04:28:12 | More by schlimenhaumer

kojevergas

California

3.15/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

750ml brown glass bottle with hood and wire cap over a cork served into a La Chouffe tulip in me friend's gaff in Castle Rock, Colorado. Reviewed live. Expectations are average. I believe this is me first beer from this brewery. Black Diamond series.

Served straight from the refrigerator and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonaton issues are anticipated.

Not paired with any food.

A: Pours a three finger khaki head of good cream, good thickness, and great retention for the 10.70% ABV. Lacing is decent. Colour is an extremely dark nontransparent ruby. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Heavy honey, yeast, dark fruits way in the back (very buried), clean malts, and some raisin. A mild strength aroma.

T: Some dark fruit (fig is most notable, but I guess I get plum when I look for it). Caramelized malt. Cream. Light stale raisin. The honey works against the dark fruit, negatively impacting the balance. It's a decent little quad. The balance is off but it's built alright. No real complexity or subtlety. I do like the dark fruit, but it needs to be more prominent.

Mf: Smooth and wet, suiting the flavours generally. Somewhat thick. Carbonation is passable. Moderate on the palate.

Dr: Hides its ABV well. It's a drinkable little quad, but it's far from fantastic. I wouldn't get it again, but I look forward to trying more beers from this brewery. Quad fans can safely skip over it, but it's not bad. A bit pricey for the quality.

C+

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 03:21:54 | More by kojevergas

kiki3drt292

California

4.28/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage 750 ml bottle poured into pint glass

A- 1" tan head, pours a very dark red (looks like it is brown).

S- Sweet malts, a bit of vanilla. Like beer candy.

T- Like the smell, sweet malts dominate. The honey lingers for a bit, coming through at the end in perfect form- not too much- not too little. A bit hot at end, almost tastes as if it were barrel aged.

M- light, bubbly, and smooth.

O- A fantastic beer, and maybe the one that turned me on to Quads. I always liked them, but damn, I didn't know they could be this good. The honey adds a lot.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 17:31:51 | More by kiki3drt292

Domingo

Colorado

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not a whole lot of US brewers making quads these days...and even fewer making good or authentic ones.
Pours medium to dark brown with reddish cherrywood highlights. Foamy, but not overly so.
The nose is definitely sweet. Bready, with dried fruits, caramel, and honey. A little fire, but still within what you'd expect from a "real" Belgian quad.
Tastes legitimate, too. Sweet up-front, with notes of fig, dates, raisins, and a little cocoa. The honey leaves the finish slightly drier than many, but still a little on the sweet side. Not too hot and fiery, and the yeasts give it just a tiny hint of tropical character. For a first major beer release from a new brewer, this is quite good! I'd actually like to do a side by side with some famous Belgians as it's pretty authentic based upon memory.
I'm curious what else elevation has up their sleeve.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 14:17:42 | More by Domingo

znichols

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Dark, dark brown; almost black unless held to the light. Off-white head with a good amount of lacing. Looks somewhat thin and dark for a quad, but not an awful looking beer.

S- Earthy woodchips, slight toffee and spice, and a slight hop edge. Not a whole lot of flavor, but it definitely presents itself in the nose. Not really any booze here.

T- Nice flavor of rich malt and light, herbal hops. Somewhat too much roastyness for the style, but not too off-putting. A little bit of floral honey in there if you look for it. No booze, which is nice.

M- Really solid, crisp and smooth mouthfeel. Medium body, maybe a little too light for the style. I prefer my Quad a little more syrupy, but this is nice.

O- A solid first offering from Elevation. After this beer which shows more roasty and toffy-like malt, herbal hops, and slight smoke than a traditional Quad, i expect their beers to sort of bend the style barriers, which im all for. Maybe could have used a little more of that belgian yeast and farmy flavor, but overall not bad. Oh, and the alcohol (10.4%) is damn near undetectable.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 02:37:25 | More by znichols

denver10

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A dark chestnut with a thumb and a half width foamy khaki colored head. A very nice aroma and matching flavor of caramel, honey, yeast, cherries, pomegranate, and apples. A slight hint of banana in the finish as it warms up. No alcohol noticeable in the flavor but there is a touch in the aroma. High activity to this from the carbonation, medium bodied. Overall, I was in the mood for a quad and this one definitely delivered. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the honey a lot; it cut the bold sweetness of the caramel and fruit and introduced a much more subdued and gentle sweetness to the beer. Highly enjoyable and dangerously drinkable at this abv.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 22:49:39 | More by denver10

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A new beer from a new brewery in Colorado
750ml corked and caged. Shared with co-worker who loves it.

A deep chestnut pour, ruby and amber hints. Nice fluffy, off-brown head. Looks great, lacing a bit thin

Aroma is weaker than the beer looks, but is still good. Lightly toasted biscuit and caramel. Some orchard fruit, apples. Semi sweet. No alcohol that I can detect

Which is what the flavor brings. The abv is well hidden in this one. The toasted biscuit and caramel do well together. Honey makes it sweet and smooth. Ripe apples. Some grassiness and spice throughout. Subtle banana.

Overall this is a solid beer. the feel is a bit thin with much carbonation. Very drinkable for the size and abv.
BA version due in July, methinks

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 00:52:54 | More by Mebuzzard

quirkzoo

Colorado

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a really nice deep mahogany brown with touches of red. Just a whisp of head that leaves a nice ring around the glass.

Tons of dark fruits, currants, raspberries, some nice caramel sweetness and a bit of lightness that I would attribute to the honey. Just a touch of lightly toasted malts.

Relatively light for a quad, but it sounds like the brewer wasn't exactly brewing to style, but brewing for maximum flavor. The taste follows the nose and is very well balanced.

Mouthfeel is very smooth with just enough carbonation.

Overall this is a solid first offering from a new brewery and look forward to trying this one again with a bit of age on it, I think some nice sherry notes could do wonders.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2012 16:04:17 | More by quirkzoo