Apex Predator Brewing (Bench Creek Brewing) Whiskey Gap English Strong Ale at 10.5% ABV (C$6.93 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 22-Apr-2019, acquired 8-May-2019, reviewed 4-Jul-2019)
Appearance: clear ruby brown with one fat finger of fluffy light beige head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, moderate stringy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: sweet caramel, bourbon, red grape must, molasses, vanilla, slight metallic upon warming. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate-lively carbonation, sticky lingering bitter warm (tending hot) finish. (3/5)
A bit underwhelming, if I’m honest. The aroma doesn’t strike me as particularly harmonious, with the red wine notes playing less than nicely with the bourbon. Maybe the intent here was for the sharpness of one to temper the heat of the other, but it just seems like they’ve ended up with both. Not only that, but the vinous notes start to become somewhat metallic upon warming. As well, the body, already surprisingly light for the style, exhibits a thinning slickness from the high alcohol content that’s only emphasized by the unexpectedly high carbonation. Nothing here is really objectionable, but it somehow ends up being less than the sum of its parts, and is OK at best. (13/20)
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
