Hey! Hey! Hey! I had this beer today. No, I am not breaking into song but I wanted to share this written review with you, since I didn’t share any with Scott. It’s called Apocalypse IPA from 10 Barrel Brewing Company. What? You never heard of 10 Barrel Brewing? Well, neither have I so let’s find out more about this brewery.
10 Barrel Brewery is from the beautiful state of Oregon. It was originally, in 2006, a small start up called “Wildfire Brewing” founded by 2 brothers Chris and Jeremy Cox (insert Beavis & Butthead laugh.) Chris & Jeremy were already successful bar owners in Bend, Oregon but had a desire to make their own beer and sell it to other local restaurant establishments. In 2009, they changed to the name “10 Barrel Brewing,” teamed up with 2 award winning brewers and things started to take off.
In 2011, they were able to hire brew-master Jimmy Seifrit, who helped them grow from a 10 barrel brew house to a 50 barrel brew house.
Chris & Jeremy’s 10 Barrel Brewpub has become a local favorite near downtown Bend, OR. With their popularity and success growing, they expanded and opened a place in Boise, Idaho in 2013. And why not, Boise is awesome (I’ve never been) and this move helps them reach more of the Northwest.
Some honoree notes: 10 Barrel Brewing Co. was named Best Pub & Brewery in Central Oregon by Source Magazine 2010, they were named Best Pub by Central Oregon Magazine 2011, and their beers have won plenty of awards as well.
As for Apocalypse IPA, quickly becoming one of Oregon’s top IPA’s, it’s aroma has that grass and citrus smell that immediately lets you know it’s an IPA, and looks a golden amber, clear but not see through. Whoa! It’s bold! Hops right up front, followed by citrus, malts, sweetness and than a little more hops. I get a slight taste of cameral and roasted/toasted flavor. Not a lot, but enough to let you know it’s there.
I have to say it’s a pretty unique taste. I am not sure what to compare it to, so in my book that is a good thing! After a long, hot day in the sun, it’s pretty refreshing, though I wouldn’t go crazy as it packs a 6.8% abv. that will definitely sneak up on you.
If you are anywhere near the Northwest of the United States, you might want to give this a try, or maybe get to the Cox brother’s (insert Beavis and Butthead Laugh) 10 Barrel Brewpub. Maybe in the future they’ll expand to the Southeast and their future does look bright.
Cheers
-Brendan
Brendan & Scott are The Beer Critics at TheBeerCritic.com. They write articles and reviews for their website and are the hosts of TheBeerCriticTV on YouTube. Have a question, recommendation or a donation? Just contact us:
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