Middle Ages Apricot Ale

Brewed by Middle Ages Brewing
Style: Fruit Beer
Syracuse, New York USA

AKA Dinosaur Ape Hanger Ale, a house brew at the legendary Dionsaur Bar-B-Que of Syracuse, NY. Ape Hanger Ale is a fantastic beer to match with a number of styles of BBQ available on the Dinosaur menu. I went with a lunch of Tres Hombres which was BBQ pulled pork, ribs, and beef brisket, and Ape Hanger went extremely well with all three styles of BBQ. You will only find this beer on draught at the Dinosaur, with an occasional appearance at the Blue Tusk as well. Ape Hanger has lots of good malty, fruity, and hoppy character that works well with the tangy, spicy, smoky flavors of BBQ. Ape Hanger Ale pours to a beautiful, bright, deep golden to light amber color with a bubbly white head that fades, and a good bit of carbonation. The nose on this beer is very inviting, with aromas of hop, estery fruit, hints of sweet malt, and light earthy yeast aroma. The body is crisp on the palate, with good biscuit malt flavors, paired with a wonderful, fruity, apricot flavor. Ape Hanger finishes with more apricot flavor up front then ends with a nice hop bitterness that balances out the malt and fruit character of this beer. This is an excellent beer with good malt, fruit, and hop aromas and flavors. It is a great beer to match with BBQ, and one that you must try when you visit Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. The apricot fruit flavor in this beer is very distinct, which leaves no doubt that this beer is actually Middle Ages Apricot Ale which is brewed with apricots. It is a common practice for a restaurant to serve a local brewery’s beer as a "house beer" with their own label and name, and I believe this is the case with Ape Hanger Ale. It is not surprising as Syracuse Pale Ale was on tap at the Dinosaur as well, as I am sure a number of other Middle Ages beers make it into the rotation. Call it what you will, this is a great beer from a great Syracuse brewery, served up at a great Syracuse BBQ joint. If in Syracuse, a pint of Ape Hanger and a meal at the Dinosaur is a must.

Clear orange/gold color with white soapy head. Nice lacing. Nice mild apricot aroma. Flavor is like a nice english pale ale with apricot hints. Smoot, refreshing and different. I liked it.

Traffic-light amber color. Ivory head disappears quickly. Clear and watery. The sweet fruity apricot smell is balanced by a bready, wheat-like yeast. The fruit smells fresh and not saccharine. Excellent for style. The taste is an excellent handshake between the slightly sour and sweet apricot, and the bready, estery yeast. The balance is crucial and keeps this beer from tipping toward saccharine. A nice, solid brew. The feel is thick but smooth. The yeast adds a necessary dryness. It’s a solid fruit beer. Balance is the key, and the sweet/dry sides make it repeatable.

Slightly hazy with a light orange hue. Huge head that diminshed to a thin foam with nice lacing. Fairly strong nose of apricot, peach, grain and others. Medium-thin bodied, fairly creamy feel, slight apricot flavor, slight bitterness, grainy malt, slight stale bread flavor. Not bad but needs to pull out of that "slight" rut. Nothing to write home about. Add some more body and some nice hop presence and this could be something IMO. Points for potential.

[2349-20090731] Tap. Fruity apricots aroma. Lightly hazy, light brown body with quick creamy off-white head. Lots of sweet apricot and fruit flavour. Medium body. Nice and refreshing, judging from the ratings here it looks like it may have improved slightly.
(@ Middle Ages; Syracuse, NY)

Pours a clear pale gold, with a touch of orange tint. Head is fluffy and white, emitting a light apricot and crisp hop aroma. Light maltiness to the nose, as well. Flavor is very similar to Magic Hat #9, but with a bit more emphasis on the apricot. Body is very light, the flavor is very clean, and I'd definitely like this as a summer, mid July type of beer. It'd be great for the beach or working around the yard. Flavor is mild, fruity, and light, but with enough to keep me interested. Good.

Orange haze color, smells very sweet. Nice smooth peach, apricot taste with a good balance of hops. Mild flavoring nice for a hot summer afternoon when you want something lighter.

Clear orange-brown body with a fair sized head. Nice peachy,apricot aroma. Dry slightly bitter. Not alot of apricot flavor and finishes a bit watery.