Avery Brewing Co. (Boulder, CO)
(https://www.averybrewing.com/)
Belgian Strong Ale
16.9% ABV
"A Rum barrel-aged Belgian-style strong ale, our rendition of a “Quintupel” with spiced rum flavor"
I am a big fan of Avery Brewing, and their tap room in Boulder is one of my Happy Places. I've had the pleasure of being served by Adam Avery at their GABF booth for a tapping, so when I saw a new Gold Top bottle on the shelf I had to do some Science right away.
It didn't disappoint. If you see it, buy it. Maybe save it for a year or 5. If you can wait that long. I couldn't.
Self-described as a Belgian "Quintuple" (Nerd Alert - Belgian beer categories include Dubbel, Tripel, Quadruple, but no Quintuple....) that was aged in Rum Barrels. For good strong beers, barrel-aging almost always makes it better.
Poured from a bottle into a snifter. Pours dark golden with an aggressive carbonation forming a tall light tan head - be patient. Aroma has hints of rum, caramel, and vanilla which form into a rich, complex flavor. When you say Belgian Strong ale, I expect to note the unique belgian yeast dark fruit flavors to some extent, but here they are sublimated into the high gravity and rum barrel aging. A 16.9% ABV indicates a hefty malt bill in the brew, and the flavor backs that up, more like a good barleywine in its profile. After several sipps you can finish the pour, and you will feel the warming notes of this high ABV ale. For a barrel aged brew it was not too "oaky" - barrel tannins were nor prominent, and overall there was a nice balance between Barrel and Barley. Sip and Enjoy.
My Rating: 4.5 / 5
Untappd: 4.17 / 5
Prost!
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