Avery - Salvation

Ok, so technically this isn't a winter seasonal or Christmas beer, but with a name like "Salvation" this beer may be lie nearer to the heart of the Christmas season than any other.  Avery's religion-themed beers have earned a great deal of respect from me for their hop accentuated, malt-balanced beers, so I am more than willing to pry off the top on another one and see how it drinks.  Let's pour!

Look.  It's glowing!

Aroma 12/12
No questions about this score.  If there were more points available, it would get those too.  This beer is a spot-on perfect interpretation of what a Belgian-style Golden ale should smell like.  It has a robust, muffled Belgian yeast ester, a vanilla-laced cream, a good spicy clove, and a lesser alcohol warmth that all come together into a aroma that is near floral as any beer I've experienced.  They even throw in a little apricot to keep the drinker on their toes and a brighter grassy hop note comes along to make us believe all the more that we are in some flower strewn meadow.  Salvation indeed.

Appearance 3/3
This pours like liquid gold.  Not some alloy, I'm talking a bright, shining yellow, just-came-from-the-earth, the-Aztecs-would-have-owned-this-if-they could, type gold.  I mean, look at the above picture.  This beer is borderline incandescent.  The high clarity on top of it all just seems wonderfully excessive.  The eggshell colored head was satisfying in size, retention, and enjoyed a modest amount of lacing.  To be frank, it's the first thing this beer has done modestly.

Flavor 19/20
The beer enters the mouth with a fanfare of thick, cream-flavored beer.  It rolls quickly to the backbone and shows hints of its warmth while displaying that wonderful Belgian yeast that is lessened a bit by some newly introduced caramel malts.  Held in the mouth, the caramel and warmth seem to dominate the profile, but a slurp quickly strengthens the Belgian yeast flavors.  More spices are present in the mouth than in the nose, most notably the nutmeg, but not the clove from the aroma.  The spices lend another layer of complexity to place on top of the caramel.  None of the floral esters from the aroma are present, but the finish tries to make up for that with a strong hop presence.  The finish begins with a caramel flavor that I swear I was going to have to chew first.  Thankfully the hops are there to balance by giving more bitter than one would expect in a Golden and a nice peach/apricot note which compliments this beer superbly.  The aftertaste is a fairly distinct hop bitter, a noticeable warmth, hints of the caramel, and a spiciness on the tongue.

Mouthfeel 5/5
This beer is as thick a Golden as I've had.  It's surprising it can be so hearty and still showcase so many delicate flavors!  The carbonation is a perfect match to its big body and the warmth, while never camouflaged, never threatens to overwhelm any other aspect of this beer.  It sits at 9% ABV, but tastes lower.  The hops are very drying despite the robust caramel malts.

Even the label glows!  Crikey!

Overall Impression 9/10
Sure, there is room for improvement, but not much!  The aroma was flawless as was the appearance.  The flavor did not play at quite the same level, but left little to be desired.  More of the floral notes would have been quite a treat and may be my only valid "nit-pick" about this beer.  The beer also introduces more hops than one would expect into a Golden ale.  What else would one expect from Avery?

Total 48/50
This review wrote itself for the most part.  It was all I could do to type fast enough as my mind could gush praise.  Things slowed down a bit in the flavor, but only because there is SO much going on there.  I struggled to grasp it all at once and feel that in addition to my wish of "more florals from the amazballs aroma," my only other aspect at which to nit-pick would be that of an overall theme of flavor.  Not that this beer is all over the place or that it has combined seemingly random ingredients.  Only that I had trouble picking out everything that was going on in this beer!  Each ingredient seemed to grab for my attention at a different time instead of drawing me in together.  In the end, even those grabs for attention were pretty gentle since the beer as a whole is fantastic.  What a tasty, perfume-like, full-bodied bottle of goodness!

While finishing this beer, it seems that Avery has blended the styles of Golden Ale and their big IPAs.  The golden happens in the mouth, but the finish is all about that "big malt" that Avery is so fond of mixing with a pronounced, delicious hop profile.  Very neat and something I'll look for again next year.

Avery - DuganA

Avery has definitely laid down some pretty highly regarded IPAs.  Maharaja is generally accepted as an IPA that goes above and beyond to satisfy its drinkers and I'm hoping that Dugana follows in that trend.  It is listed as DIPA, though it never says that anywhere on the bottle; instead choosing to be labeled as a simple "India Pale Ale."

I actually tried to find what "duganA" means.  Was it a person?  A rank of nobility?  A god?  A saint (any of which the label seems to imply)?  I even searched it backwards (hoping the awkward capitalization was a clue), but I was grossly unsuccessful in my search.  If someone out there happens to know, I'd be more than grateful if you put it in the comments.  That mystery aside, let's get to the mystery in this bottle.  Let's pour!

Picture is my own.  Bottle image art used without permission for educational purposes only.

Aroma 10/12
This is a solid representation of an IPA.  It starts out with resinous dark pine and plenty of spice before showing its sweeter malt side of sweet Hawaiian bread and hints of the alcohol within it.  As it warms it fades in between a brighter pine and the one to which we were initially introduced.  Very fundamental in an encouraging way.

Appearance 3/3
Bright gold, high clarity, and a generous, sticky, ivory-colored head make this beer look just about as refreshing as an IPA can. There is plenty of lacing to silence any detractors who might think otherwise.

Picture is my own.

Flavor  17/20
This beer slides from light milk caramel into dark toffee and piney, herbal hops.  Based on color alone, I did not see the dark toffee flavors coming.  The flavors reside there for the majority of the backbone, but do allow some brown sugar and grapefruit notes to shine through alongside plenty of resin and bitter flavors.  In fact, if held in the mouth this becomes solely a medley of bitter and alcohol tingles on the tongue.  Hop heads will be pleased.  The finish allows for a bit of the malt, but is no surprise that it mostly is a continuation of the bitter, resin, and a slight prick of pepper spice.  The aftertaste (and 8.5% ABV) leave the mouth somewhat dry and with a great deal of bitter on the sides of the tongue.

Mouthfeel 3/5
The medium body still contributes to the impression of a "refreshing beer" that this brew has given off since the beginning.  However, it receives no assistance from the carbonation.  Halfway through the bomber this carbonation is all but absent, and leaves the beer feeling thick.  The peppery hops try to lend a false carbonation by pricking the tongue, but their efforts are also in vain.  The warmth is not intrusive and even goes to compliment the hops on several occasions.  Any creaminess felt is likely a symptom of the lack of carbonation.

Overall Impression 8/10
Hop heavy and bitter, but not completely forsaking of hop flavors and a attractive aroma.  This offering is not nearly as balanced as many quality IPAs on the market, but that might be exactly what you are looking for.

Total 41/50
This offering is not nearly as sweet as the Maharaja.  That said, it can also be inferred that it also makes almost no attempt to achieve balance the way Maharaja does.  While I personally prefer the Maharaja's style, a lot of hop heads (and friends on the west coast) will probably prefer this brew and its unapologetic hoppiness.  While this style usually is not my cup of tea, I could not give it lower than an 8 in the "Overall Impression" category and, frankly, that is a pretty subjective category.  It is remarkably well-made (minus my issue with the carbonation) and is a good example of what it claims to be.  While it is scored behind its counterpart (41 compared to 45) its score still ranks it as "Excellent," and has nothing of which to be ashamed.  Kudos to you Avery!  I knew you wouldn't let us down.

Partial nudity and beer?  Sounds like a good weekend.

Avery - The Maharaja Imperial IPA

What have I gotten myself into?  I generally do not find myself drinking IPAs as much as other beers, let alone Imperial IPAs.  They are usually proud to unapologetically destroy your mouth with hops.  While I do look for intense experiences in my beer (read: intense, rich flavors), I am generally not one for an exercise in painful endurance.  If that were the case, I would train to swim the English Channel or watch a marathon of "Sex in the City."  For the record that is the only Sex in the City reference I will ever make in this blog.  However, I found myself buying this bottle of Avery Brewing Co's - The Maharaja Imperial IPA for several reasons.
          The first is that I wish to develop my own palate.  I like to think I can tell a good IPA when I get it, even if they are not my "go to beer."  The second is that this looks like an amazing example of the style.  It lists the following things on the label:
1.  102 IBUs
2.  10.54% ABV
3.  "Supremely Limited"  (Yes!)
4.  Batch no. 13.  Mar, 2011 (Batch numbers are almost ALWAYS a good sign)
5.  Big shiny label.
6.  Apparently it is part of their "Dictator Series."

While I have not yet looked the "Dictator Series" up online, usually when a brewer introduces a series it means they are pretty damn serious about what they are doing.  It usually takes extra time and money to make as well as new marketing costs.  It is usually something that the brewer is proud of and I am ready to find out if they should be.  Let's pour!

Picture is my own.  Bottle art image used without permission for educational uses only.

Aroma 11/12

Despite the beer's rating of 102 IBUs the primary aroma is not that of hops.  In fact, it is rather sweet carrying with it floral hops and fruity esters of apricots.  A bit of caramelly malt can be detected behind the esters and is an excellent companion to the apricot (caramelization & apricots are both in a good cobbler, right?).  After the head dies down, more traditional hop aromas arise, adding some pine and spice to the mix.

Appearance 3/3

Maharaja pours a translucent, bright, burnt orange.  The more than adequate head is the lightest of beige and leaves copius lacing on my glass.  Head retention is also excellent and leaves a thick collar, even toward the end of my glass.  EBC: 29-30

Picture is my own

Flavor 19/20

There are so many taste sensations that I hardly know where to begin.  Initial sips offer slightly tangy hops, but are overall a bit mellow and belie the IPA style.  There is a lot of the caramel malt that was only faintly present in the aroma, and quite a lot of malt going on here for an IPA, let alone a IIPA.  The caramel flavor blends nicely into the backbone of the beer where the hops become more present and eventually take their rightful and primary role.  The hops are spicy, grassy, and even some herbs are present.  They are all strong, but not overpowering and do not destroy the other flavors in the beer.  What a boquet of hops!  The finish emphasizes more of the spicy hops and brings back the piney notes from the aroma, while the caramel malt still clings to the tongue.  The aftertaste starts with the bitter of the finish, but fades nicely to a pleasant level - a very neat sensation.  The aftertaste is also the only point where the alcohol level of the brew becomes truly present as the warmth can be detected, despite its prior camouflage.

Mouthfeel 4/5

This is a medium-high bodied beer with a higher level of creaminess.  This texture when combined with the rich flavors and the high alcohol content, truly make this beer a "sipper."  The carbonation is spot on and provides the brew with plentiful, tiny bubbles that last until the end and never become prickly.

Overall Impression 9/10

A fantastic beer on several levels.  The hops are featured in several distinct styles and yet are balanced out with a complimentary malt sweetness.  The appearance is near perfect.  Body, carbonation, creaminess, and warmth are all a fantastic aspects of this beer.  Furthermore, one bottle (1 pt, 6 fl oz) on an empty stomach will get you feeling pretty darn good.

Overall Impression 45/50 (Outstanding)

This beer is not only BIG, but it is also appropriately balanced for the style and technically sound on almost every level.  I am pleasantly surprised that this IIPA did not attempt to murder me with hoppy bitterness, but instead featured the flavors of the hops with their bitterness and displayed the malt as well.  For those IIPA or DIPA fans, this will not disappoint.  For those who are reluctant to be slaughtered by hops and bitterness, I strongly suggest you give this one a try.  It is not a mild hop flavor by any means, but it does offer more than punishment.  In fact, it is a damn good beer.  It offers sweetness, body, a complex hop bouquet, and a nice balance.  It is too bad it is only a "supremely limited" release because although strong IPAs are not my #1 choice, I would certainly purchase this again.  Big kudos to Avery for this effort!