Elysian Barrel-Aged Avatar Jasmine IPA

On tap around the beginning of February this year at the Cap Hill location. MUCH THANKS TO AFTER4EVER FOR THE TIP OFF! What just happened? Did my hometown really just make me this proud? YES! As far as I was told they aged the Avatar in an unknown white wine barrel for around 6 months. The floral jasmine notes blend perfectly with whatever white was previously held in the barrel. The tannins of each flavor melt into one another! The oak is prevelant through the continued regular hop blast from the Avatar. What is nice is it apparently RateBeer deleted the rest of my rating, will update when I remember.

On tap at Capitol Hill brewpub. A very unique and interesting beer. A very fruity and complex beer. The oak and fruit, while there, is understated and gives a nice flavor to this. There’s definitely some white wine in there somewhere--maybe a pinot grigio? A very interesting and refreshing beer, even if it is February and refreshing isn’t exactly at the top of my priorities.

On tap at Capital Hill location. Aged in white wine barrels, but not sure what kind. Great, big white head on top of golden orange. Fruity, white grape aroma blends nicely with citrus and oak. The blend of lightly bitter citrus, grapes and pronounced oak is truly divine. Nothing overwhelms. Its is smooth, balanced and sessionable. Easily the best result I’ve tasted from a BA IPA; the hops often clash in these experiments it seems. The normal Avatar is a solid summer thirst quencher, but this turns it into a completely different beer. The flowery taste is much more subtle and the barrel flavors are just perfect. They’ve hit a home run with this one, and I just wish this would become a regular offering...