Huck’s Habanero Apricot Wheat
Mark Twain Brewing Co.

This is a back of the fridge beer. I honestly don't know how long I've had it, but it is well over 5 years old, maybe closer to a decade. Luckily, for nearly all of that time it has been stored at refrigerator temperature. The beer itself pours a golden yellow color. Some suspended floaties and a nice head. The It didn't smell stale. Instead, it smelled interesting. I get fruit first, followed by crackers, followed by peppers. I didn't place the fruit as apricot or the pepper as habanero, but it clearly lasted longer than expected. The taste has a pleasant heat, but it isn't overwhelming. The fruit and a pale malt flavor remain as well. Interesting, but not something I'd have every day. The brewery is now gone, so I'm glad that I hung onto a can.

 

 

I received this in a trade with @swenny916. Poured from undated can into a pint glass. It pours a cloudy apricot color with a thin, milk-white head and a creamy film of lacing. The nose consists of apricot, wheat cracker, and light hops. At first sip I'm tasting sweet apricot. Then, the habenero peppers hit like a freight train. This is one of the most peppery beers I've ever had but the apricot provides a nice balance. Nonetheless, there is a strong peppery after taste. The mouth feel is lite and crisp with pleasant carbonation, and the moderate ABV (the can says 5.5%) allows for easy drinking. Overall, I can understand the wide range of ratings for this ale. If you like pepper, then you should really like it. If not, then Huck's is not for you. I will say that a second pour is tough given the heat but this is well worth trying.

 

12oz Can. Pours a slightly hazy copper color with a small head. Aroma of Apricots, grain and pepper. Taste of pepper, fruits and grain. Peppery feel that lingers into the finish. Fairly light body, The habaneros seems to overwhelm the apricot/fruity style. Definitely not for the meek.

On tap at the brewery - Hannibal, MO
Pours a hazy yellow-golden color with a foamy white head. Aroma is wheaty and fruity, but I wouldn't guess apricot. Taste is subtle at first with wheat and lemongrass and a touch of fruitiness, but the habanero kicks in with progressive heat on the palate and throat. Apricot is muted by the habanero pepper. Lighter body, ample carbonation. Overall, nothing I'd order again, but was interesting to try.

Not overpowering on heat. Apricot is very subtle. Very nice easy drinker.

(Written a few weeks after drinking)
12oz can bought from Clayton CBC, on a recommendation from staff.

I was really impressed with this beer: it was smooth, flavorful, and well-balanced. I could taste the heat, but it was not overwhelming, and worked well with the other ingredients. Definitely worth getting again.

I am happy that Mark Twain is putting out such good beer!

Don't be disappointed with the seeming lack of habañero heat at the beginning. It really does build and becomes mouth coating, but never lights you totally up so you can keep drinking it.

Draft at the brewpub.
Pale hazy gold, thin froth of foam with minor spotty lacing around the edges. Aroma is pretty nondescript, no indication of chile heat or fruit, just some ale yeast. Taste has a tingling burn of heat, but little of the fruitiness associated with apricots and habaneros. If apricot wasn't mentioned I wouldn't have guessed it was brewed with them. Kind of a standard chile pepper beer, more heat with a bigger sip. Thin bodied, a little watery. Overall wasn't my favorite.

 

 

 

 

On tap. Poured out a clear, golden color with a small, white head of foam. Subtle apricot aroma with hints of spice. Pretty strong habanero taste with sweet apricot and hints of wheat.

Love the spicy habanero flavor start of the beer followed by the Apricot flavor to tone things down. Overall a good beer to have on special occasions.

Poured at 2015 GABF. I was reluctant to taste it and wouldn't try it until my colleague told me that it was really pretty good and not hot. He was absolutely right. It's actually quite good all around with an amazing balance of hop bitter, wheat characteristics, fruit tones and, yes,....Habanero pepper. But, this is not a hot spicy beer. The pepper is really well balanced and simply gives this very good and well balanced beer more character.

This is a good one.