Avery Ale to the Chief

Brewed by Avery Brewing Company
Style: American Strong Ale
Boulder, Colorado USA

The pour was copper and the head was white. Almost two fingers tall, good retention and nice weblike lacing. The aroma was caramel, sugar cookie, pine and citrus hops and a whiff of alcohol. The flavor was more hop forward than the aroma. Pine and floral hops blanketed over sweeter caramel malts and a bit of unchecked booziness. The mouthfeel was fine, nothing exciting.

Pours a clear cooper with a thin white head. Citrus aroma, and some alcohol present in the aroma as well. Good flavor though, the hops actually dominate the flavor fairly well. I really liked it, especially since I didn’t like my last couple of Avery beers all that well.

Tap at Barcade: Pours a deep orange with a sticky off white head. Very sweet nose with sticky/sweet resiny notes, honey, sugary grassy hints and an underlying leafy/earth note. Slick and thick body. Sweet flavor, slightly cloying. Sticky sweet American hop notes lay under a thick sweet blanket of vanilla wafer and honey, with a mild nutty character (crystal malt?) A subtle spicy citrus hop hint comes through when it warms, but can’t balance the sweet body. Too sweet in my opinion. (I tasted hops most when I burped, 20 minutes later. I guess my body broke down all the maltose)

Well enjoyed and even enjoyed the silly play on the concept. For me it rather surfed the edge on the all too often rather too sweet beers by having the hops ride along and beat the sweet down with a grin. Not absolutely crazed by it, but it kept me on the edge of my seat like it had its own debate going on of exactly what it was and how I felt about it. Doubt it’s one to cellar, but do think I’ll go get some more while I can and keep my patriotic spirit well lubricated.

Copper color with a big beige head. Aroma of pine and resinous hops. Flavor of piney hops and a little caramel malt.

Bomber. Pours clear copper with a thick and firm off-white head that leaves sheets of lace. Big citrus aroma with a dash of resin and spice. Medium body and light carbonation. Lightly sweet taste that really focuses on the citrus and floral hops with just enough caramel and melon to prop them up correctly. Grapefruit rind finish. A pretty solid effort regardless of the style, but why call it an ASA rather than a DIPA?

Bottle (22oz) shared with GregClow, jerc & mabel -- courtesy of jerc & mabel. Pours a clear orange, quite bubbly, with an average size diminishing off-white head. Aroma: Oh yeah, that smells nice! Lots of Cascade hops, which I love -- it just may be my fave hop. Sniff, sniff! Flavour: Yeah! Again, it’s Cascades so...yum! Simple but delicious. Hops are nicely backed by bready caramel malt, it’s fruity and ends with a long, lovely bitter finish. Alcohol’s considerably well hidden. Medium bodied. Very good stuff, I want more!!

Holy Hops Batman! This hazy amber brew has all the hops a growing boy needs in the aroma. Flavor follows through with a strong hop zest, but with a solid malt backbone. This handles the bitterness quite well, not too bitter, considerably sweet and very very enjoyable.