Avery Salvation

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

A solid snowbank of foam is equal in depth to the dull gold liquid... this impressive head has a lifespan of double-digit minutes, and the resulting lace is as persistent and sticky as cotton candy. Bouquet is intensely floral and rife with tropical fruit: papaya, honeydew, pickly pear, and bubblegum wrapper... puntuated by spicy/earthy hops. Fruity and estery, barely sweet, with gingersnap spice and a massive dose of herbal-minty hop flavor more befitting of an imperial pilsner. Obvious yet smooth alcoholic taste. Off-dry finish has notes of iron and tannins. Fullish, almost syrupy and pillow-soft platate sports low carbonation and lazy steel wool bubbles. Candied plum and marigold aftertaste. Delicious beer, far closer to a tripel than anything else... could stand to be drier and more carbed. I found the flavor hops a trifle overdone and distracting.

Poured from large bottle into a trappist glass. Aroma was good and diverse, with a yeasty nose. There were citrus and pine hops, caramel malt, and some sugary and candy notes; maybe some wheat notes too. The beer was a mostly cloudy, orange-amber color with a good shie. The head was bubbly and creamy, but had short retention. Taste was sweet and candy-like, with a subtle sour undertone, and a slightly bitter alcohol finish with a warming effect. It was wet and thin on the palate, a bit soft and oily, and had very mild carbonation. A bit dry at the end and some slight fizzyness. Solid beer overall, not bad for the reasonable price.

Rated 5/11/07: Good effort by Avery on this Golden Belgian Ale. Very aromatic with a thick malt nose along with honey, vanilla, banana, and a profound hop bitterness. Tip-top pour providing a rich golden yellow-orange hue with strong carbonation. A 2" thick head was instantly produced and only dwindled down a little bit leaving a full blanket of white lacing around the glass. Medium to heavy body, it’s borderline thick but drinks rather easily. The finish is slightly tacky which does detract from an overall solid mouthfeel. Flavor is warm and easy, not as rich as the aroma which seems odd. Heavy on the malt with a good familiar Belgian earthiness from the yeast. Mild fruits and clove are encountered along with a strong hop flavor. Peppery and mildly bitter. Very good but not quite great, I did enjoy the entire bottle.

poured yellow...yeasty, cinnamon aroma. yeasty apricot and clove flavors. hoppy bitter finish. something about this beer really turned me off. i let it warm and it actually got worse ( that’s a first )

22 oz Bomber-poured a clear golden yellow color w/no head. Crisp hopped aroma. Clean, crisp hop flavor w/a touch of citrus & spice. Has some honey type sweetness to it as well. A little touch of fruit-banana/peach/apricot. Alcohol is well hidden. Long dry finish, very enjoyable.

650 mL bottle. Hazy golden yellow with small foamy white head. Fruity aroma with notes of spice. Taste of tropical fruit, honey, and candy sweetness with a clean finish.

22oz. Bomber $4.99 Binny’s Orland Purchased this along with Collaboration to give them both a try. Salvation poured a hazy glowing golden/prange. Very fine carbonation bubbles rise to the half finger head that formed on the pour. The head fades quickly to a whispy swirling that thickens around the edges of the glass. Sticky lacing. The smell is loaded with candy sugar. A solid dose of fruity yeast esters show through in the form of banana. A bready malt is at the bottom of things creating a banana bread aroma. Mild caramel as well. Sweet. Smells wonderfully appetizing. The flavor has a definate banana bread characteristic. Mild caramel with a touch of sweetness. Mid-palate shows a musty quality and is quickly followed up by a lively powdery yeast and candy sugar finish. Mild spiciness on the swallow. Body is on the lighter side of medium with lively carbonation that tickles the tongue. Really comes alive on the swallow. Drinkability is good. Enjoyable flavors and nice carbonation compliment each other nicely. This is a solid Belgian Golden. Not as complex and unique as some but definately enjoyable and easy drinking. The price is good too at $4.99 a bomber. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this again. 2/25/07

Had on draft. Poured a sharp golden color. Could smell yeast, pepper and sugar candy. This beer had a sweet and spicy taste and the alcohol really stood out in the finish.