Avery The Beast Grand Cru Ale

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

Well, well, well. The hotshots at Avery have upped the ABV on this sucker to 18.1%. We’ll see how that turns out... Pours a nice, deep amber--we’ll call it blood red since the beer is called the Beast but, keep in mind, we’re not calling it blood red because it is actually blood red in color. If you try, you can get a head to form but it’ll be gone faster than your sobriety when your sipping on this monster. Nose is somewhat alcoholic of course but underneath there’s a really good belgian beer--dark, raisin-like malts and a spicey yeast character. This stuff’ll make you howl and breathe fire. There is no hiding that alcohol in there but it works pretty well helping to balance the slightly sweet malty body. If you look for it, there’s a nice inter play between whiskeyish vanilla flavors, spice and deep, deep malt but, in the end, this beast comes across slightly simple because the ghastly amount of alcohol masks a lot of flavor. I’m still digging it hardcore but, then agian, I’m drunk. Did I mention this has a lot of alcohol? I think I might just lay one of these down to see if the alcohol wanes a bit and get drunk again at a later date.

I think this is only my second perfect beer in rating them for over 2 years now. (I was keeping notes long before I joined this site.) 22 oz. brown bomber bottle, with a red foil seal over the crown. No freshness date seen, but none needed either at 15.7% ABV. WOW ! What a whopper of a beer! Poured out a deep burgundy / mahogany color into my Chimay chalice. (What else would you serve a Grand Cru in?!!!?) Extremely red in color around the edges. The head was a dark tan color, and lasted until the bottom of the glass. It’s a miracle they even got a head out of a beer this big. Aromas are of rum soaked dark fruits, prunes, raisins, dates and the like. Big hop aromas along with fresh malts. It smells like fresh ground malt in here. Molasses, dark brown sugar, and Belgian candi sugars round out the aromas. And, they are only the beginning of the flavors. Big, chewy malts here, along with the rum soaked fruits and the big hops make for an interesting combination. I’ve only had 2 or 3 sips, and I can already feel the alcohol kicking in. Funny thing is, there’s none in the flavors or tastes. It sneaks up on you, and literally takes your breath away. I’ve never had a beer do that until now. Thick, rich, chewy even in mouthfeel. This is most certainly a meal in a glass. Finishes rich and caramelly. One whizz bang of a beer here gang! Get some, IF YOU CAN. Does this beer deserve such a high score? Damn right it does. It’s THAT good. 2004 Batch Update (18.1% ABV) Well, let's see what this monster of a beer is all about, ok? Poured out a deep garnet color, with a huge head, once I used my beer engine on it. Aromas are mostly of alcohol, some macerated cherries & dark dried fruit as well. Tastes are of pipe tobacco, damp earthy basement, aged sweet potatoes, higher alcohols, lots of fusels, slightly dry oak barrelled brandy, some vanilla notes, lots of sugars, but not regular or Belgian Candi sugars, more like demera or palm sugars, and a slight smokiness to it as well. Very warming to the stomach, almost too much so. This beast is meant to be sipped slowly and savored, not gulped down for a fast buzz. It does need to be aged until Christmas. Christmas 2015, that is.

bottle from lonestar beverages in carrollton, tx. poured a clear dark amber with ruby highlights and a bubbly beige head that lasted very good. i made the mistake of sampling this one right under the fan. the nose hit me with some strong caramel and some hints of fruitiness. i thought the alcohol blended in nicely. almost seemed to have a whiskey aftertaste. the mouthfeel was thick and rich. when swirled it hung on to the side of the glass very well. Excellent Beer!

This just happened to be the next beer in line in my fridge...probably not the best one to have to end the night. Pours a cloudy brown. Amazing aroma of a dark sour fruits. Incredibly sweet and almost like a syrup. Just too sweet though, like drinking sugar.

12 oz bottle from Holiday Wine Cellar: Cherry amber color with a small light tan head. Aroma is fruity with cherries and a wiff of brandy. Flavor starts rich and sweet with dark fruit, black cherry and raisin followed by some plum a spicy bitterness, alcohol and a rather sweet finish. Full bodied, rich and smooth with soft carbonation.

Pours a dark mahogany, no head. Big sweet alcohol aroma. Very fruity but with a sweet alcohol kick, dark fruits, plums, raisens, apples, but the alcohol keeps overiding it and the more I drink it and it warms up the alcohol is just to sweet, bitter, and noticeable but at 14.9% I expected that. Unfortunately it stays a sweet alcohol taste to the finish that just doesn’t taste good to me.

this is a BIG beer. sweet and tasty for the alc. content. A little bit of fruit notes - that’s for sure. very good and deadly(14.5%)

Bottle. Pours a clear amber with a small light tan head that leaves decent lacing. Aroma of super sweet syrup, raisins, caramel, plums, and alcohol. Taste is way to sweet and cloying with strong notes of alcohol. I can almost feel granulated sugar in my mouth. Another disapointment from the “Demons of Ale Series”.