Judge’s Review: 86 Rating – Ape Hanger by Big Ugly Brewing

Imperial Stout | Year-Round | USA

By Michael Heniff

Judges Rating: 86.00
Aroma: 21.00
Appearance: 6.00
Flavor: 34.00
Mouthfeel: 8.00
Overall Impression: 17.00

Ape Hanger by Big Ugly Brewing is being evaluated as an Imperial Stout (category 20C from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Imperial Stouts are known for strong, rich chocolate and roasted malt flavors, black color, full body, and a smooth mouthfeel. Ape Hanger comes in at 10% ABV.

Ape Hanger Russian Imperial Stout pours black and opaque, with a huge brown head. The aroma is strongly roasted, with chocolate and burnt malt leading the way. Hop character is absent, and caramel remains very low in the background. The flavor follows suit, showing moderate-strong chocolate, roasted malt, and burnt malt character, with lighter caramel underneath.

The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a light creaminess, moderate-light carbonation, and a light warmth that never turns harsh. The beer finishes moderately bitter, with moderate chocolate and burnt, slightly ashy malt character, and a dry, lingering finish.

Ape Hanger Russian Imperial Stout is a very good strong beer. There are no technical flaws, and it drinks exceptionally well for a beer at 10% ABV. That said, the prominence of the burnt and ashy malt character does take a bit away from the overall malt complexity. The beer is also somewhat thin and could use a little more creaminess, though those same qualities do aid in the beer’s quaffability. The artwork on the can is fantastic, though!