Peak Light Cider Lineup Review
October 14, 2020
Ciderboys “Fruitful Pairing” Variety Pack
October 20, 2020
When it comes to the Chicagoland area two things we know for sure are food and beer. That is why we were delighted to hear that Affy Tapple and Phase Three Brewing were collaborating to make an apple ale. Yes, we know, CiderScene is reviewing a beer but, hey, it’s an apple ale made in collaboration with a caramel-covered apple company. Apples, people!
Affy Tapple is the creator/originator of the caramel apple and has been a Chicago staple since 1948. Phase Three Brewing, out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, is a brewery that focuses on high-quality hand-crafted beers ranging from IPA’s to Oktoberfest beers and everything in between. This brew brings together the best of these Chicagoland brands all in one can.
The Can
From the can, you can see that this is a 16Oz can that comes in at 6% ABV. The art style is very true to Affy Tapple’s normal caramel apple packaging. You have the bright yellow color with red and green accent colors. To drive the point home, the side of the can has a caramel apples on it. It’s simple, but it evokes all you need to understand where you are headed.
The Look
This beer pours out with a nice foamy head and a slightly hazy caramel brown color. The color brings the ale golden look with a slight haze of an apple cider.
The Smell
Right away on the pour you smell the typical ale beer aroma with huge notes of caramel and a bit of roasted peanuts. The caramel is the definitely the most forward scent but it follows with a tart apple cider smell.
The Taste
This beer is packed full of flavor. On the first sip you get the deep caramel flavor that leads into a sweet apple cider flavor. The ale is in the background adding crispness to the equation which compliments the apple flavor. We tasted this back to back while eating a Affy Tapple and found it very similar and pleasant, although slightly more tart and sweet. This beer was pleasing not only as a beer drinker but as a cider drinker. This would be a great fall experience for any beer or cider drinker!
If you want to grab this collaboration beer make sure to stop over at Phase Three Brewing or visit these retailers while suppliers last: https://www.affytapple.com/phase-three/. If you want to pair with an Affy Tapple, make sure to buy from their website, your local Chicagoland grocer, or from their store in Niles, IL. Visit their website at: https://www.affytapple.com/ or Phase Three Brewing at https://www.phasethreebrewing.com/
