Golden Censer
Apocalypse Ale Works

From the can, it pours a nice hazy amber with a modest, for a wheat ale, head. The head slowly diminishes to a ring. Scent is light and pleasant, some citrus in it. Taste is also light, with a bit of tanginess.

 

Served on tap in a sample glass.

Appearance: Golden in color with a thin white head.

Smell: Light hops and sweeter citrus.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Smooth light bodied. Taste of sweeter citrus and slight bitter finish.

Overall: Suprisingly good brew. Refreshing, great for a hot day.

My novice pallet doesn't especially love this beer. The color and feel was appeasing but the overwhelming scent of honey masked everything else, and the sweet citrus left a soapy after taste.

I might not be fair in critiquing this beer but it did confirm I'm leaning further away from sweet.

I will certainly try more by Apocalypse Ale....I dig the name, it's a Virginia brew, and it gives me cause to drink more :)

 

Poured a clear golden body with one-finger head and bits of lace. A grainy, dry, veggie and medicinal aroma with barely any wheat or honey. Smooth and light bodied, the beer has a slight toffee/caramel sweetness to it more than honey and there's a touch of fluffy wheat twang. Finished bitter and funky and I think this beer turned in the can or something b/c it's off-putting.

I am both proud & embarrassed by tone77's mentioning me in relation to this beer. I clearly purchased some in support of each of our CANQuests (tm), but I am embarrassed to say that I have no reCANlection of it before it appeared in my backlog.

From the CAN: "Virginia Crafted"; "Honey Wheat Ale"; "Recipe By: [undersigned] Rosalie F Johns[,] Artwork By: [undersigned] Adam Valentine".

Actually, I am CANfounded by said artwork since none of it depicts a censer. The reverse has a chalice. Hmmmm.

The Crack! revealed another brimful CAN with nowhere for the tongue to go when pushed in by the tab. This not only led to a fingertip spray, but then I was getting a LOT of foaming through the vent. Time for a gentle Glug, if I knew what is good for me. I was glad that I made that decision as I ended up with about a half-a-glassful of foamy, rocky, tawny head with good retention. In fact, the beer's evident carbonation in the glass was creating more foam from below! Color was Deep Amber/Light Copper to Copper (SRM = > 13, < 17) with NE-plus quality clarity. Nose was evident that honey had been incorporated in the brew along with a biscuity maltiness. Mouthfeel was medium, but there was a prickliness on the tongue from the intense carbonation. The taste CANtinued to provide a honey sweetness along with a treacle-like flavor and a biscuitiness, the last two undoubtedly courtesy of the malt(s) involved. Finish was semi-sweet, which made it all the more enjoyable. The yeast had done a nice job with the honey, leaving it just sweet enough to be noticeable without leaving it a sweet, cloying sugary bomb.

 

Poured on tap in a snifter, the beer is a slightly hazed, copper-gold coloring, with a thin, wispy, white head. Aromas of toasted grains, crackers, subtle berry fruit, wet grass, and pine. Flavors are roasted and toasted forward, with a grain overlay pulling back on a toasted caramel sweetness that is funky and awkward. Subtle piney hops and pepper spice, but that tangy sweetness hits a citrus component and the palate goes off the rails. Light and crisp body, with a heavily roasted and tangy malt dominated aftertaste. Crisp, dry finish overshadowed by the lingering tangy-sweet character. Not for me.

 

 

 

 

A: Chardonnay in color, fairly clear, with a gigantic white head.

S: A light malt aroma with honey, and a touch of a tart aroma.

T: Some nice light malt, a touch of a peppery note, and a decent amount of citrus..

M: Light with moderate carbonation. Slightly tart, with a finish that is semi-dry.

O: Overall tasty, light, and refreshing. Would be killer on a hot day to cool down.

 

Orange against my off white walls, but more golden against my review screen. A 1 1/2 finger whitish head dissipates rapidly leaving decent, but quickly disappearing lacing..

Smells of lemon and spice.

Taste is way tart with subtle honey. A bit of coriander here. Like lightly sweetened, lightly spiced lemon water except for the bite.

Mouthfeel is borderline frothy and maybe a bit hot. Moderate in body. Drying.

I didn't see a date anywhere on the can, but I'm thinking this was past it's prime. I got a six pack from West Lake Kroger at Smith Mountain Lake when I was on vacation, and it was the last one on the shelf. Tasted more like a sour ale than a witbier to me. Still, I enjoyed it I'll give it another chance if I happen upon it again.

 

 

 

A shout out to the founding father of the canquest, woodychandler, for this beer. Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a dark golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of mild wheat, honey. Taste is malts, honey, some lime, hints of coriander. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall a little different flavor than most witbiers, but a refreshing and highly drinkable beer.