It's Easier To Ask for Forgiveness Than Permission.


Brewery and Country of Origin: Blue Point Brewing Company of 161 River Avenue Patchogue, NY 11772, USA

Date Reviewed: 8-14-12

You know the feeling. It's late on a weekend night. As they are out for dinner, and you just turned 16, your parents have given you run of the house for the evening. "There's $20 bucks for pizza, feed the dogs at 5, and call us if something goes wrong. No parties." Fine, no problem. Everything has been great. The Jiffy pop didn't catch fire, the pizza man wasn't a criminal, and Jackass The Movie turned out to be even better the 23rd time. But there's just one thing. After being inspired by your recent birthday, all of these new responsibilities, and of course, Johnny Knoxville, you decide to take the keys to your mom's SUV (dad drove to the restaurant). Though you haven't taken (or passed) your road test yet, you figure that because you are now of legal age to operate a motor vehicle, what harm could a couple of laps around the block do? Well, about one mistaking the throttle for the brake, one Virgin Mary statue, three hedges, a mail box, a Prius, and a fence later, your beginning to realize that this whole GTA IV idea was a bad one. Of course, you drive away from the scene before anyone can find out it was you, parking your mom's now mangled Nissan Armada back in the garage. After you close the garage door thinking you'll hide the damage (for about a few seconds until dad pulls in), you begin to remember the glorious get out of jail free card. Your parents never said you couldn't drive! Yes! You're Free! All is forgiven, and all you have to do now is say, "I'm sorry" then Bingo, all of your troubles will magically disappear! Of course, reality eventually trumps wishful thinking. So for the next year or so, it looks like the only shifting you'll be doing is with your handlebars on the hilly section of the road. As we all know, sometimes doing something extremely bold (or maybe careless) has negative consequences, and it is up to us to deal with them. But when you choose to lie, ignore, or play dumb, that's when the real problems arise.
Date Sampled: 8-11-12 At: Amanda Lubin's House, Syosset, NY, USA
Beer Style: American Strong/Double IPA
Alcohol by Volume: 10.00%
Serving Type: 22 oz Bottle, 16 oz Weizen Glass
Rating: 2.52

Look

No Apologies features a glowing, hazy appearance with a bold, dark amber color. This is a smooth pouring beer with only moderate carbonation action and a medium density, half inch tall foam head with a short longevity. A very small amount of lacing occurs.

Aroma

This beer has a fairly strong aroma which starts nearly all malt. Alcohol smells are present through the entire aroma. This beer's smell finishes with a fair bit of hops, indicating a slightly bitter character and a lingering, hoppy finish.

Feel

The higher alcohol content in this brew delivers a sublte, yet very detectable warming effect after the lingering finish. This beer has a wet, and unrefined finish which lingers for a good amount of time. This is a medium-full bodied beer with an average viscosity level, and lower amounts of carbonation. Though this is an unfiltered beer, it drinks smoothly.

Taste

This is a sweeter, maltier beer with some grainy/cereal, and caramel notes present. A overcasting alcoholic effect (including warming) makes its way into the flavor profile. This beer finishes with a hoppy character and lingering bitter, and slightly malty aftertaste. Alcohol is present through the finish, delivering a warming and bite like flavor throughout.

Our Take

In many ways, this limited release from Blue Point is just an excuse for trying, and falling short of expectations. By adding a fair bit of malt and an unforgivable amount of hops to the brew, No Apologies is almost unpleasantly bitter, and intolerably alcoholic in taste. We have had beer with ABV values several points above this brew's 10.00%, with the sweet or hoppy flavor of a beer with only 4-6%. Unfortunately, the only apparent attempt Blue Point has made by disguising their strong ale's more than modest alcoholic strength was to add an amount of hops exceeding the level which makes this a balanced beer. Too bitter, and too much alcoholic burn, especially for a beer whose character is mostly defined by the use of more malt based ingredients. Should we beg for an apology from Blue Point? No. We should demand a better double IPA. Simple as that.