Apocalypse Later
Great Lakes Brewery

Apocalypse LaterApocalypse Later
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Great Lakes Brewery
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
Black IPA
ABV:
9%
Score:
89
Avg:
4.01 | pDev: 5.99%
Reviews:
22
Ratings:
50
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 29, 2021
Added:
Jan 15, 2012
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  6
An Imperial Black IPA that is big and black, loaded with a wonderful array of aroma's that consist of coffee, chocolate, roasted malt, citrus, pine and more. Much the same in the taste while finishing very dry and deliciously bitter.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by stevergca:
Photo of stevergca
Rated by stevergca from Canada (ON)

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%

Jul 10, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of leaddog
Reviewed by leaddog from Canada (AB)

4.43/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Another gem from my sister-in-law.

Appearance - Pours a dark chestnut mahogany brown with five fingers of frothy tan mocha head.

Smell - earthy, leafy, floral, weedy, and hint of piney hops, coffee bean, cocoa, dark fruits (plum, raisin, fig), and earthy yeast.

Taste - earthy, leafy, floral, weedy, and hint of piney hops upfront. The bitter coffee bean, cocoa, and pine resin make their presence known next. The dark fruits (plum, raisin, fig), and earthy yeast round out the brew.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Finishes sticky and roasty with the bitter hops and coffee bean lingering.

Overall - A well done black IPA. All elements are spot on and this one is one of the best ones I've sampled in a while. Great job with this one Great Lakes. Perhaps they can ship some of their one offs to Cowtown.
Dec 29, 2021
 
Rated: 4.04 by bixby1971 from Canada (ON)

Feb 18, 2018
 
Rated: 3.93 by deonreds from New York

Aug 15, 2017
 
Rated: 4.6 by StormAles from Canada (ON)

Jun 29, 2017
 
Rated: 4.06 by Cycle69 from Canada (ON)

Feb 20, 2017
Photo of portwood
Reviewed by portwood from Canada (ON)

4.11/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Smell: loads of chocolate, coffee, citrus, & toasted aromas.
Taste: very creamy, slightly boozy citrus.
Finish: dry & bitter chocolate, pine resin, grapefruit.
(can 2/18/16)
Jun 22, 2016
Photo of MasterSki
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)

3.87/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Can from the brewery. Served in a Bellwoods snifter.

A - Dark tan foam settles to a thin cap, collar, and a plethora of tiny speckles of lacing. Dark brown body that resists translucency.

S - Piney hops, and nutty malts, with some notes of roast and char in there for good measure. As it warms notes of cat pee, grapefruit, and perhaps a touch of alcohol creep in. A bit muted considering the ABV.

T - The taste is surprisingly mellow, but in a good way. Not overly bitter or charry. Drinks like more of a regular Black IPA than an Imperial one. Again, the flavor is also understated, with nutty and roasty malts supporting some herbal hops, with a sprinkle of baker's chocolate tossed in. Still pretty hoppy considering I bought this a while ago (March I think?).

M - Medium-full body. Chewy, with light alcohol warmth. Pleasant, creamy, soft carbonation. Finishes pretty cleanly for such a big beer.

D - Wish I had gotten to this sooner to experience the full hop aroma, but it's still one of the better black IPAs I've had in recent memory. It's not a style I love, but this one manages to avoid most of the major pitfalls. Would definitely have it again if I saw it around town on-tap.
May 20, 2016
Photo of taxandbeerguy
Reviewed by taxandbeerguy from Canada (ON)

3.92/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
473ml can served cool and served into a tall pilsner glass at Rib Eye Jacks in Burlington.

Appearance - pours a dark chestnut brown from the can and appears black in the glass. Nice finger and change of fluffy tan head. Good retention lasting a few minutes and some sticky residue lingers around the glass.

Smell - dark and roasty with lots of sweet citrus. Some pineapple and guava perhaps. Oodles of caramel malt. Nice balance and quite welcoming.

Taste - big and bold with substantial bitterness. Less citrus and more burnt grain than initially expected. A good balance but flavors were substantially more muted than expected.

Mouthfeel - smooth and very creamy with just enough astringency and prickly carbonation.

Overall - A nice Black DIPA, but the flavors didn't quite pop the way I was expecting and the aromas and feel just aren't quite up to the near cult-like following other Tank X beers have garnered. Nonetheless Apocalypse Later is worth a try if you can get your hands on it.
May 15, 2016
Photo of Bunman3
Reviewed by Bunman3 from Canada (AB)

4.02/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This really is a lovely beer. It definitely sinister looking stuff - deep and dark, with a persistent brown head that leaves serious rings as it recedes. The smell is a bit lighter than expected - mostly orange and pine, with mild roasted flavours lurking beneath. The big char, coffee and sweet flavours emerge later. This is a dandy beer, right up my alley. Thanks again to @msjpearson for hooking me up with this tasty brew.
May 04, 2016
 
Rated: 3.84 by Corson from Canada (AB)

Apr 03, 2016
Photo of SSS
Reviewed by SSS from Canada (QC)

3.71/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A-Black color with a sexy brown head
S-Dank hop aroma on top and subtle malt not too apparent
M-Thick mouthfeel with carbonation medium to high
T-There is a distinct charred taste, and smoky flavour that kind of over powers and makes this almost more of a smoke beer than BLACK IPA
O-Unfortunately the smoke was too much for me :(
Apr 02, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by TerryW from Canada (ON)

Mar 12, 2016
Photo of Coronaeus
Reviewed by Coronaeus from Canada (ON)

4.04/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Can from brewery.

Jet black with a thick tan head that leaves moderate lacing as the beer is consumed. Strong pine resin and mild citrus on the nose. Bitter orange rind and pine flavours dominate. The bitterness is forceful yet pleasant. Medium body. My 'weak constitution' would prefer a lower ABV on this one, but very enjoyable nonetheless.
Feb 26, 2016
Photo of twiens77
Reviewed by twiens77 from Canada (ON)

4.29/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This is THE only Imperial Black IPA I have ever tried...but it is far superior to any previous Black IPA including 21st amendment's offering out of SF. So black and so so good. This is one of my new favorite Tank Ten releases from GLB.
Feb 26, 2016
Photo of DaveBar
Reviewed by DaveBar from Canada (ON)

3.99/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Purchased at the brewery $4.50 for a 473ml can. A bit steep. Served at 7deg C in a draught glass

A- Opens well and pours a 2" high brown head that lasts forever before film out. The head looks rather creamy and liquid black.

S- Heat and malt. Some hops

T- Traditional black IPA. Nicely balanced with roasted malt and bittering hops. Nothing overpowers but there is a lot of heat and not well hidden which is a good thing as it's pretty easy drinking and can get you in trouble if you don't watch. The roasted malt imparts a bit of a bitter aspect to the brew and it's the roasted malt type of bitter, not hop bitter although that is there too.

M- Nice and creamy but bitter on the tongue at the end.

O- Nice brew. Enjoyable for one that night and will buy again. It is a respectable brew.
Food Pairing

This nice little brew went well with..... BBQ hot sausages topped with something tangy like sauerkraut and olives.

Enjoy
Feb 20, 2016
 
Rated: 4.49 by kristinc from Canada (BC)

Sep 26, 2015
 
Rated: 4.19 by andrenaline from Canada (ON)

Jun 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Whatup14 from Canada (QC)

Jun 26, 2015
Photo of SebD
Reviewed by SebD from Canada (ON)

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

Appearance: It has a nice jet black color to it. It has a nice tan head that dies down moderately and leaves light lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of citrus, dank pine resins, roasted malts, light coffee and faint chocolate.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has some citrus/piney hops followed by an earthy bitterness, roasted malts and light coffee.

Mouthfeel: It has a low-med carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied by good flavors and aromas. A very nice Black IPA.

Serving type: can
Jun 03, 2015
Apocalypse Later from Great Lakes Brewery
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 50 ratings