Monthly Archives: July 2026

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, The Ale Apothecary, USA, Wild Ale - Dark

The Ale Apothecary Be Still

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Brewery: The Ale Apothecary
Country: USA
ABV: 8.53%
Style: Wild Ale – Dark
Other Notes: 1600 bottles

Brewer Description: (from hanging neck tag) .wild & open fermented in the woods of OR. .Mecca Grade Estate Malt + roasted barley. .infused with cocoa nibs & cascara. .aged in OR pinot + rye whiskey barrels. .presented barrel-quiet without carbonation. .1600 bottles.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.12

Intro: A 500ml corked bottle, batch from 7th September 2017, poured into a Tilquin stemmed glass.
Appearance: A clear dark orange brown colour, with a thin head most likely from the pour, and sparse to no lacing.
Aroma: Very aromatic as soon as the cork was removed. Tart, fruity, red currants, fig, cherry, fruit vinegar, with finishing notes of chocolate and cocoa.
Taste: Light tartness, fruity, dark fruit, red berries, plum, fig, red currant, cherry, light notes of chocolate and cocoa, and a splash of spicy rye whiskey.
Mouthfeel: Medium to light bodied, with no carbonation “this beer is still”.
Overall: Great aroma that just wanted to burst out. Some nice complexity and flavours that work together. This is clearly an Ale Apothecary type beer in my book.

4 - Good (buy), 8 Wired Brewing Co., Beer Reviews, New Zealand, Stout - Imperial

8 Wired iStout Double Espresso

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Brewery: 8 Wired Brewing Co.
Country: New Zealand
ABV: 13.5%
Style: Stout – Imperial
Other Notes: 15th Birthday. Imperial Stout brewed with coffee

Brewer Description: (from can) Søren has always wanted to brew an espresso imperial stout, so for 8 Wired’s 15th birthday, he finally got around to making one! We’ve taken the base recipe for the iconic iStout, and cranked the ABV right up. Using an intense, rich, espresso blend from our friends at Rush, this is truly one mighty coffee experience!

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.33

Intro: A 330ml can, with a best before date of July 2027, poured into a Bokke tasting glass.
Appearance: Dark dark brown to black in colour, with a half finger brown head that had good retention and left some nice lacing.
Aroma: Roasty, freshly ground coffee bean, espresso, chocolate.
Taste: Roasty, espresso, coffee, dark chocolate, with a nice bitter finish.
Mouthfeel: Rich, full bodied, with soft carbonation.
Overall: An enjoyable sipper with old school coffee Imperial Stout aroma and flavours. Nice strong roast, coffee, and a lasting bitterness that compliments and rounds it all off.