Posts Tagged ‘Avery’

After a rather crazed Labor Day weekend (wherein the Cha Cha Hut made its official commercial debut), we decided to journey to Oliver’s Discount Beverage in Albany to restock a quickly dwindling cellar. I once stated the selection here is much smaller than Half Time in Poughkeepsie, but what is there is truly amazing. I always find a ton of interesting new brews when dropping into Oliver’s So much so, I can’t remember the last time we made the trip to Half Time. Plus – the Oliver’s staff seem to be really excited to be selling something other than the endless stream of BMC we see going out the door.

Bombers
Southern Tier Imperial Pumking Ale
Southern Tier Imperial Mokah (chocolate & coffee stout)
Southern Tier Imperial Cherry Saison
Southern Tier Imperial Heavy Weizen
Dogfish Head Fort (brewed with pureed raspberries)
The Bruery Black Orchard
Brown’s Whiskey Barrel Aged Porter
He’Brew Rejewvenator Harvest Ale
Avery Fifteen Anniversary Ale
Avery Collaboration Not Litigation Ale
Red Hook DB Double Black Stout with Coffee

40 oz.
People’s Pint Tap & Die Malt Liquor

6 Pack
Wolaver’s Certified Organic Will Stevens’ Pumpkin Ale
Brown’s Oatmeal Stout
Sierra Nevada Kellerweis
Atwater Block Brewery Vanilla Java Porter
Boulder Beer Mojo IPA

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.

A recent client meeting meant a trip to New Paltz, NY and a return visit to K & E Discount Beverage. Our mission was to add a few more bombers to the cellar and begin the transition to ale drinking season. I did end up buying one six pack.

Six pack
Troegs Hop Back Amber Ale

Bombers
Troegs Flying Mouflan
Wells Banana Bread Beer
Avery Ale To The Chief
Docs Draft Black Currant Hard Cider
Smuttynose Really Old Brown Dog Ale
Smuttynose Wheat Wine Ale
Smuttynose Gravitation Ale
He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.
Long Trail Brewmaster Series Coffee Stout

A run into downtown Roxbury for some chips to accompany some grilled chicken added another – and quite unexpected – six pack to the cellar. (Trust me – Roxbury is not known for any store having a fine selection of craft beer…)

Six pack bought locally
Hook & Ladder Backdraft Brown Ale
(very surprised to see this in our local convenience store)