Archive for June 22nd, 2009

• Dinner: @chachahut stork sub-BBQ pork tenderloin,coffee cinnamon flank steak,grilled peppers&onions + espresso maple BBQ sauce. #
• @smashtransistor so true. Have to find more. in reply to smashtransistor #

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Brewery: Avery Brewing
Location: Boulder, CO
Style: Double IPA

Though I do not remember there being any for the Bush elections, I cannot blame breweries for jumping on the inaugural bandwagon and putting out special release ales. I sadly missed the Ommegang Obamagang release – though I hear some does still exist out there if you look in the right place – so I was pleased to come across the Avery Ale To The Chief Presidential Pale Ale on a recent cellar stock up.

This is – without a doubt – one of the most beautiful pale ales I ahve ever had. A gorgeous clear dark gold color with a thick pale yellow head. This is got to be the creamiest head I’ve seen on a pale ale. The scent is a great balance of hops and malt with the hops being dominant. There is a fair amount of carbonation helping to raise that scent up.

This is a rolling taste beer. You start with a hop kick at the beginning followed swiftly by the malt. It is a sweet mellow malt taste that is replaced by a final hop burst at the finish. Each comes and goes at the right proportion making for a pale ale that is not too hoppy but not too sweet. The hoppiness is more in the citrus than flower realm adding to an overall excellent crisp ale experience. It is somewhere between light and medium body and the 8.75% ABV gives it a solid kick. Luckily, the alcohol does not overwhelm the flavors.

As it was brewed in two batches in 2008 – as with many other inaugural beers – what’s out there is all that is left. My suggestion is pick a couple up if you see them – especially if you are a fan of double IPA.