Avery 2011 Eighteen: Review

A Dry Hopped Rye Saison Ale

Anniversary Edition

Avery Brewing Company

Boulder, Colorado, USA
averybrewing.com

1pt 6oz bottle

$8.50 a bottle

Bottled May 2011

Retired – no longer made

8.12% abv

I never reviewed this ale before so I don’t know how it has aged.  Let’s see what it is like today. 

Appearance: hazy deep caramel colored body with a one finger beige colored head that leaves some lacing on the glass. 

Aroma: very faint, touch of caramel malts, earthy yeast, sweet yet spicy grains, a little fruity note as it warms up; reminds me of apple and pear

Flavors: much better than the nose, spicy rye, earthy notes, toasted caramel note, undertone of over-ripped stone fruit, dry grassy hops, herbal like,

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, nice fizzy feel, moderate bitterness, dry on the back and finish; is it the rye or the dry grassy hops on the finish?  The alcohol did not really come into play. 

To the Point: it’s okay to good; I won’t be running out to buy out the rest; if you find it and want something a little different try it – otherwise I’ll skip it.  I did enjoy it a little more when I didn’t think about it.    

Avery Anniversary Ale Fifteen: Review

Ale Brewed with Spices, Herbs and Figs

Avery Brewing Company

Boulder, Colorado, USA

Averybrewing.com

22 oz bottle

$7.99 a bottle

7.68% abv

RETIRED

I have not had the Fifteen before so, I have no frame of reference to see how it is aging.  The bottle is marked Bottled in April of 2008.

Appearance: pretty golden-orange body with a white head on top; now I got some of the sediment off the bottom of the bottle pouring the second half of the bottle and the body is a hazy orangie light amber with a solid one finger white head.

Aroma: a light tart apple note hits the nose first followed by some fruity notes, light floral

Flavors: light-moderate sour-tart bite that reminds me of lemon meat and tart apple; herbal biscuit, golden fruity notes with a musty white pepper and light earthy yeast

Mouthfeel: firm carbonation, tartness on the mid and finish,

To the Point: I would buy another bottle of this.  This is a good example that beer can be aged.  If you find a bottle still around it is worthy of buying. 

Avery The Maharaja Imperial IPA: Review

Dictator Series

Avery Brewing Company

Boulder, Colorado, USA

averybrewing.com

Batch no. 13

March 2011

1pt 6oz bottle

$8.99

102 IBU’s

10.54% abv

Appearance: deep copper-ish caramel body? Amber burnt orange? Damn what is it … it is mesmerizing … it almost glows in the light.  If I made up names for a paint company I would call it copper glow. Just sheets of lacing hanging on the glass. 

Aroma: the glass has to be a foot and a half away from my nose and I can smell from here.  Let’s get up close and personal; I was expecting a hop blast to the nose but, I pick up fruit first; mango, peach, orange, a touch of pineapple; then a whiff of rich caramel malt; then some ruby red grapefruit meat

Flavors: the malts are sure in the picture here for a 102 IBU (international bittering units) ale.  What is going on here for it is almost hypnotic.  Sweet on delivery, rich caramel and earthy grains hit the mid, then some hoppy bitterness mix in the mid and hold on thru the finish – the fruit reminds me of pink and red grapefruit mixed in with some mangos, and then there is a dusty bitterness on the long lingering aftertaste

Mouthfeel: somewhat thick, almost creamy, sticky oily hops, low-moderate carbonation – on the low side, earthy yeast on the front, grapefruit like bitterness on mid and finish, the alcohol was not a factor in this 10% abv – no boozy feel to me. 

My Strength Rating: 8.5 –full

To the Point: a super DIPA, I can think of two others that I like better.  This is the first beer out of 540 reviews on my blog that I have used the words ‘mesmerizing’ and ‘hypnotic’ during the review.  If you are a hophead what do you think?  If you have not tried it get to the store.  Leave a comment by clicking on the comment button below.   

Batch 13 March 2011 on the bottle; it is aging just fine

The Beast Grand Cru Ale: Review

Annual Release

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Avery Brewing Company

Boulder, Colorado, USA

AveryBrewing.com

12 oz bottle

16.83% abv

I think it seemed closer to 16.84

August, 2011 Batch No. 9

619 Cases

Made with Raisins, Dates, Molasses and Honey

Appearance: murky, sludge brown body with a thin tan head

Aroma: dark fruit, rich, sweet, and malty, oh yeah – a little boozy ... only to become stronger as it opens

Flavors: my palate is smacked with a very rich and sweet taste profile; the sugar, burnt sugar, honey and molasses just tear right into my palate, the dark fruits cut across the mouth and then the alcohol slashes the tongue, the malts are very rich in style and just dominate, the hops leave a bitter bite on the back and aftertaste, man I wish I was out in my cigar lounge this ale should go well with a strong cigar.

Mouthfeel: Wow, you want a full bodied, full flavored, strong ale … this is it.  Low carbonation, overpowering richness, very strong sweetness, alcohol burn, BIG time sipper,

To the Point: not for the faint of heart and make sure to plan when you are going to have this … you will need time on your side.  I had no idea about this ale and I did not read the label (except for the name) until I wrote my review and found my glasses.  17% alcohol … damn …    

This is not one I will be running out to find anytime soon nor will I wait for the next release.  One 12 oz bottle in a year is good enough for me.