Fallout Dust - Apocalypse Brew Works

Yesdog

Illinois

3/5  rDev -16%

03-10-2013 02:18:47 | More by Yesdog

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev +5%

03-16-2013 22:48:02 | More by TwelveOunces

JPlo

Maryland

4/5  rDev +12%

02-06-2013 06:00:44 | More by JPlo

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

"What's that?... a Peppered Pale Ale?"
"Yes Please!"

With a brewery persona that celebrates all things of fire and brimstone, it makes sense that Apocalypse Brews' classic American pale ale takes a firey left turn that the tastebuds were not expecting.

But in classy pale ale fashion, the beer pours with a medium amber hue that shines through a standard hoppy haze. Well headed with a mid-structured froth, the white meringue is unusually exuberant at the edges, but confidently rocky toward the center. Long standing and stickily laced, the head character is very inviting to both the nose and taste.

Balanced aromas never favor the malts nor hops, but both converge with a mid-range caramel, pecan, and toasty malt underpinning with a counter of citrus and pine in support. But then there's a tingle of pepper that rises from the center that catches the olfactory senses off guard, similarly to that of twangy Belgian ales.

Flavors follow suite, first with the dedicated dialogue between malt and hops. Light caramel sweetness fuses with grainy-sweet character of graham cracker, mild toast, pecan, and fresh barley mash. The counterpart of white grapefruit, curacao oranges, and woodish pine balances the malt beautifully and ushers in a refreshing taste. But the middle palate introduces a mild and spicy note that at first seems of alcohol or yeasty bite, but as the beer traversed toward its finish, the peppercorn spice grows to a mild heat that outlives both the malt and hops in aftertaste.

Medium-light in texture, the beer's early sweetness is quickly shed and its dry drinkability comes quickly. Hop bitterness takes hold at middle palate and accompanies the growing peppercorn warmth and alcohol spice for light complexity and powerful evocation.

With its light and easy drinking demeanor and the spicy additions, the stage is set to pair seamlessly with spicy fish tacos, jerk-seasoned chicken, or Cajun cuisine. These foods beg for a beer like this!

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2012 17:49:07 | More by BEERchitect