The Kaiser - Avery Brewing Company

Hex92

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is the 2nd or 3 rd beer that I have tried that has been billed as an 'imperial lager'. I must be a fan of the style since I have liked all three.

A- reddish orange. Nice lacing.
S- not much of anything.
T- I like it. I can taste/feel the alcohol....which I like. It has that Marzan flavor only more.
M- somewhat flat, very few bubbles. Kinda syrupy, but not overly so.
O- a very interesting beer. I would buy this one again.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 04:12:17 | More by Hex92

scratch69

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured a bottle into a mug.

Appearance- Clear copper color with two fingers worth of tan head. Nice amount of lacing.

Smell- Bready malt aroma with hints of caramel and pumpkin.

Taste- Malty sweetness with some herbal hops for balance. Slight amount of alcohol warmth.

Mouthfeel- On the heavy side of medium bodied. Nice amount of carbonation. Fairly smooth and creamy.

Overall- Not bad, but just a little too much alcohol warmth to be great.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 14:43:49 | More by scratch69

StoneTSR

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

APPEARANCE: Copper-penny red with a half-inch head that quickly recedes. What is left is a cap with a thicker ring around the edge of the glass. Lacing is solid.

SMELL: Not as strong as I would like, but bready, with a touch of spice and maybe, just maybe, some pumpkin?

TASTE: This beer is a delicious malt bomb. Caramel, toffee and a bit of molasses provide the backbone of this beer. Orange, banana bread and an earthy spiciness round it out.

MOUTHFEEL: Sweet, sticky, syrupy. Somehow, though, this is a relatively lighter bodied beer.

OVERALL: This isn't my favorite style, but it may be my favorite beer within the style. Leave it to Avery to make the second-highest beer in ABV in the category. They really did well with this.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 08:46:21 | More by StoneTSR

Momar42

Maryland

3.2/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber with one angry German scowling back into standard pint glass.

A - clear, deep amber with thin, dense off-white head that lingers a bit.

S - nose is very minimal. Mild fest aromas but it's a struggle to find.

T - sweet, thick malt. Very indicative of an American märtzen style but a little too sweet for my palate. Mild bitterness only offsets the least bit of sweetness.

M - creamy and on the medium/heavy side. Finish is moderate with the slight hoppiness coming thru then. Sweetness builds and becomes too much for me.

O - I really wanted this to be a märtzen I could enjoy but the sweetness is just too much in the end. Still prefer the German offerings. I think the guy on the front is grumpy cause he can't find a decent German fest bier in the states like me :). ABV is well hidden and the beer is pretty smooth. But for me, just average. Still an Avery fan though.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 23:45:18 | More by Momar42

southeastmat

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This was bottled in Aug. 2011 and I enjoyed it in Aug. 2012.

A: Ruby. Copper. Ruddish red. Good head on first pour. Great lacing as you go.

S: Big bready, yeasty notes. Some grain bill on the back and just a touch of sweet malt.

T: A classic Marzen. Huge malts up front and sweetness galore. Barely any hops. Given that this is a year old I think the malts have just conquered this brew. For a 10% beer this drinks quite easily. You can taste the alcohol as the beer warms.

M: A little too syrupy for me. Thick. The year of age hasn't dampened the carbonation either.

O: Not my favorite style of beer, but a nice change of pace. If you whipped a huge stew in the winter this beer would be perfect.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 00:35:59 | More by southeastmat

Viciousknishs

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- pours a ruby tinged amber color with superb clarity. A finger of off white head is produced from an average pour. Solid head retention.

S- toasty doughy malt aromas with a note of caramel and dried fruit. Spicy alcoholic aroma on the finish.

T- doughy bready malt with notes of caramel and dried fruit. Alcohol heat in the middle that carries on into the crisp sugary finish.

MF- smooth silky mouthfeel with a heavy body. Average carbonation.

D- decently drinkable

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 01:22:00 | More by Viciousknishs

elNopalero

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is Avery’s version of an imperial Oktoberfest, Batch 8, bottled August 2011 and shared April 2012.

It pours an amber color with a golden ruby hue in the setting light of an afternoon sun. There’s some light foam, but not a whole lot. More than I was expecting for such a big beer. 10% ABV!

It has an aroma of figs, raisins, and dark cherries (but not quite any of those). There’s a sweetness around the edges, almost like a bourbon-esq note on the aroma.

Exceptionally smooth flavor. No roast nor cloyingly sweet malts either. More of the dark fruits, with a light touch of figs and cherries. I get some hints of candied orange peel and marmalade. It has a sweet finish with a flavor profile similar to some of the other Avery beasts. As far as I know it’s not barrel aged but it has a an oaky smoothness. Strong, yet smooth—I can taste the alcohol but its mellow and gentle. Delicious and the perfect desert beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 17:53:24 | More by elNopalero

rsdaugherty

Colorado

4.28/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bomber into pint glass
A – Minimal 1 finger dusty white head on a clear red-brown amber brew, foam did stick to the glass as it settled but I would not call it lacing 4
S – A doughy mildly spiced caramel malt nose with plum/fruit, floral and alcohol notes 4
T – Lots of really well done caramel malts, a mild spiciness throughout the sip, finish had a nice hop showing, throw in a bit of brown sugar, alcohol is present, overall very good balance 4.5
M – Moderate body with a good carbonation, exceptionally smooth which eases drinkability which is pulled back by the 10%abv, creamy but with light carbonation well done 4.5
O – Adding to my best of Marzen list, mouthfeel adds to this well balanced brew, I’ll put this beer almost in my sipping category and buy again to break out for friends on the back patio 4

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 00:14:39 | More by rsdaugherty

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured unto a Pint.

Appearance: Transparent amber with a white 1/3" head off the body. Not too bubbly.

Smell: Malty, in reality if I were to compare to another type of beer maybe barley wine meets your dubbel.

Taste: Like most marzens this is creamy but slightly, the over powering taste of alcohol is just wow.

Mouth: Perfect balance of carbonation, medium to heavy which works out incredibly well for this beer.

Overall: For me this wasn't a beer that I loved off the bat, it is a beer you slowly want to take in and the patience will pay off. Little heavy on the alchol flavor but you will find few to no complaints from me. Salud.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 07:22:03 | More by BlurryVisi0n

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Vintage 2010
Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a big mug. Pours a dark orange color (looks like non-alcoholic apple cider). Pretty much no head, so nothing to retain, no lacing. It is a very attractive color however.

Smells delicious- a good dose of malty sweetness, a round pumpkin scent, a little bit of cloves, and maybe cinnamon.

Tastes great as well- huge malty flavor, pretty sweet. I taste a good bit of pumpkin along with cinnamon and a little bit of the cloves. It's definitely not too sweet and rounds of very nicely at the end- not a dry finish but doesn't finish sickeningly sweet.

Mouthfeel is good- I'm still getting used to lagers of all styles so I still think this could use a little more carbonation. Has a great medium body and has a tiny bit of carbonation. This is a fantastic beer- incredible smell and flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 23:52:36 | More by Hopdaemon39

RuckusDu

Colorado

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Batch 8, 2011 from bomber to Duvel tulip glass.

A - Body is mostly cloudy orange - with a little red - medium amber. Head was about a finger tall with moderate pour. Only slightly off-white with hints of orange.

S - Almost like a barleywine. Sweet and boozy. Good caramel flavors. A little bit of pumpkin spice. It does burn the nose a bit though.

T - This is good. More bready than a barleywine with malts and a good hops profile. Provides the right amount of bitterness on the backend. Alcohol is well hidden. I do get some pumpkin and spice as on the nose.

M - Body is fairly thick with moderate carbonation. Sticks in the back of the mouth for a while afterwards.

O - This is good. I drink a lot of barleywines (which is why I kept comparing this to them, and this was a little similar) and this was a nice change from that. Great malts and a balance of hops (English bw can get too sweet and American bw are often too bitter for my preference).

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 00:02:21 | More by RuckusDu

beagle75

Iowa

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.
2007 vintage

A: Slightly hazy, medium amber color with no foam head. No lacing remains on the glass.

S: Toffee-candied bread pudding, with a deeper but less obvious thread of husky, savory malt. No alcohol is detected.

T: Begins sweet, with aggressive brown sugar and layered crystal malt. Acidity is mild, slightly citric, into the toasty yet sweet and slightly spirituous middle. Heavy flavors become transformed, mature almost to the point of being leathery, during the second act. Earthy and sweet malty flavors linger on the palate. The absence of fruit flavors is noteworthy.

M: Medium viscosity, surprisingly wet on the palate, with low carbonation.

D/O: This strong German-styled amber lager is a celebratory display of pure but heavy malt qualities. It could stand in as a fair approximation of Utopias, delivering similar qualities but with lesser intensity. It stands up well, in its own ways, to other American-brewed strong ales, such as Stone Double Bastard.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 14:41:28 | More by beagle75

Zraly

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a wide mouth Lagunitas glass. Nice, fluffy two-finger head atop of a rich, but glowing, amber lager. Huge smells of bread, malt, and ripe fruit. Smells delicious.

Tastes delicious, too. This is a malt bomb of the highest order. Malty, bready goodness is backed up by spicy hops. A touch of cherry juice and honey. Munich malt flavor comes out toward the finish. For a sticky, malty beverage, the finish is quite clean (although residual sweetness is there...just not as much as you think there would be). Lacing is tremendous.
Mouthfeel is a bit on the heavy side. Carbonation works hard to keep everything from cloying on the palate. Very nice.

I somewhat lose the categorical perspective of this being an Oktoberfest half-way through each sip. However, that touch of Munich malt and the subtle spice of the hops brings it home. I can see this aging well for a year or two.

Sticky, sweet elixir. Traditional German menu would work, although I wonder if this could work with a spicy hot pizza...? And props to Avery for pushing the envelope on this classic style.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 23:51:56 | More by Zraly

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this beer as a present from a friend and thought it a interesting bottle design. It poured a medium to dark clear gold with some copper. The creamy bone colored head builds about one finger high and leaves good lacing.
The smell is sweet malts, caramel and some fruits like peach.
Tasting this very flavorful palette, the sweet caramel, honey flavors dictate the front. In the middle some fruity hops somewhat balance the beer, but the sweet mats dominate through the end.
Nice beer, but a little sweet for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 04:57:40 | More by Hopfenpeter

TheAlamoWrocker

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 22 oz bottle, dated 11227, into a JFF is my BFF novelty Pint Glass.

A: Poured a half fingered creamy head. The carbonation appears extremely active rising amazingly in its nicely colored amber body. A nice minimal head circles, but none of it laces on the glass.

S: Great smooth malts with some spices hitting the nose. A small alcohol smell is present, but definitely not coming in strong.

T: The alcohol taste is definitely in that taste, but more so on the swallow rather than on the first intake. Toffee is blended in oddly with these malts. Dark fruits make a strong presence and feels out of place in this Oktoberfest because they creep up and dominate this drink.

M: The carbonation is shockingly light with all of its bubble, but the body is moderate.

O: I would honestly like for them to mask the alcohol taste more because it's obvious that when this warms up it will carry a strong alcohol taste. I can't truly say this is a Oktoberfest because it's just so different for the style. I admit that this does carry a complex taste, but this is simply an example that more is not always better. With the alcohol hitting this is not the easy drinker that I look forward to in a Oktoberfest, it makes me want to treat it as a sipper.
Don't expect this to taste like a Oktoberfest. If anything this feels like a Doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 02:09:49 | More by TheAlamoWrocker

Whadawookie

Nebraska

4.7/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled in 2010, this feller's gotten some good age'n time. This beer is delicious. Smooth and incredibly malty without being overbearing. I've never seen an imperial octoberfest anywhere before, it seems like a dopplebocks lighter cousin despite the fact that this is almost a 10%abv brew. It's basically a deep, hazy tan color. I'm not getting any head or lacing, but it might be because I drank another beer out of this snifter and rinsed without drying before pouring. I have another glass left in the bomber though, so I'll give it another shot.

I get a lot of apple and malt in the nose, caramel malts for sure.
When I take a drink, it seems to blast you with apples and vanilla and malt that almost beckon to mind a milkshake. It's no less filling than on anyways...

The aftertaste is mellow and enveloping caramel and an incredibly slight sourness. I am a definite fan of this brew, Avery strikes gold yet again.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 21:56:30 | More by Whadawookie

kbutler1

Minnesota

3.55/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle. Hmmm, Imperial Oktoberfest, huh? Pours a darker copper color with a nice slight light tan head that stays for a while. Rich aroma, caramel, slight spice, and biscuit. Medium mouthfeel. Nice lacing. Sweet upfront with notes of caramel, some fruit, and ever so slight booze. LIngering bitterness in the end. Probably not a true representation of the oktoberfest but drinkable and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 00:00:00 | More by kbutler1

jbonapar

Ontario (Canada)

2.78/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Purchased while on a trip to New York..Not fair, you Americans have such an amazing selection of beer! Anyway...

Pours a wondferul dark gold, amber with a thick thick creamy lacing head. Beautiful.

Smell is subtle of malt with flowery and herbal hops. A small sniff of alcohol.

Taste: Immediate malt that quickly dissipates into a strong alcohol flavor which then progresses to a strong bitter yet herbal hop flavor. Slight vanilla, slightly fruity...Very crisp, although the alcohol does seem to dominate a bit for me. I have a hard time drinking this.

Overall, very intersting. I do personally find the alcohol a bit overpowering. I really can't drink it due to the overpowering alcohol flavor. It really takes over as far as I am concerned.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 00:41:41 | More by jbonapar

Jules11788

California

2.68/5  rDev -30.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Pours a gorgeous clear red-orange color; one finger-width head, light lacing

S: Grassy, floral, slightly herby, lots of corn and cheap grain smell. Not too appealing

T: Corn, grains, and some grassy herbs. Kind of has that nasty Steel Reserve/Malt Liquor taste. Blegh, this stuff is terrible.

M: Thick, creamy, smooth, lightly carbonated

O: I was expecting a lot from this beer because I love everything Avery does, but this was terrible, just terrible. Would never buy this again

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 20:23:58 | More by Jules11788

mjurney

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottled in 2010.

Appearance:
Amber color, touch of haze. Nice amount of carbonation. Head looks pretty good.

Aroma:
Caramel malts, a little buttery.

Taste:
Very malty up front with a clean spiciness in the finish. Malt character is very rich, I'm getting lots of toasted caramel with a touch of butter. There some hint of dried fruits. Hop bitterness is mild, spicy-herbal.

Body:
Full bodied. Carbonation is very nice.

Finish:
Clean spiciness. A little alcohol warmth.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 00:49:16 | More by mjurney

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from bottle into a Spaten Optimator dimpled mug. Poured a hazy red-orange with a minimal off=white head. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, spices, pumpkin, fruit, and sweet alcohol. The flavor was of sweet malt, spices, fruit, subtle sweet alcohol, pumpkin, subtle citrus, and subtle metallic. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. I had this one sitting in my cellar for quite sometime if I remember correctly. It seemed to have held up pretty well over the past year or so in my opinion. All of the flavors that would define this one as a Marzen were definitely still present and were very well mixed together. Was surprised to see the alcohol aspect around, but you can't win them all I suppose. Worth trying, even if it is a vintage bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 17:38:33 | More by thagr81us

kkrez

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

It pours a hazy rich copper color.

Smell is dominated by caramel, bready biscuity malts and then a spicy noble hop scent.

Taste bombards the palate with malt, bready, nutty, caramel malt goodness. The noble hops bring the spicy, almost peppery balance before it finishes off with more malty flavors.

Mouthfeel is definitely thicker than most, a little sticky, and finishes pretty dry. This beer is devilishly drinkable at almost 10%.

This is not your average Oktoberfest to say the least.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 19:00:46 | More by kkrez

Crossmd

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured 55 degrees Fahrenheit into a Sam Adams pint glass. No born date.

Pours a lucid copper, almost no head, capped with foam. No lacing to speak of yet.

Strong blend of malts with a hint of yeasty spiciness. Well projected.

The Marzen claim is the key here. Don't think it's more lager than Oktoberfest. Caramel malts and spicy banana finish blend with a pretty intense booziness. Not hard to see why it's a malt liquor.

Overall, a great offering absolutely. I don't know that I'm going to shell out almost $USD again for another 650, but I'm glad that I tried it. If looking for a unique Marzen style, a good place to start in looking for deviation from the norm.

86.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 23:50:11 | More by Crossmd

jsulko

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into a tulip glass

Pours a darkish clear amber with a decent amount of off white head that lingers for a little bit.

Smell is carmel with malt

Strong taste matching the style. Finish has quite the burn of the alcohol.

A good Oktoberfest on steroids. Don't know I would seek it out again but enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 03:16:39 | More by jsulko

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Grabbed a bottle for 8.99 at the Shadyside Giant Eagle.

A - Darkish clear amber with minimal head that turns to a lace ring.

S - Caramel, German Malts, sweet bread, and some booze in the nose.

T - Not bad taste of a typical offering with slight hops, touch of sweet caramel soaked breads, and little to no burn. Sweeter than expected which is pretty great.

M- Medium bodied for sure but a great imperial Marzen

Overall taste is pretty nice for an Imperial Oktoberfest with more sweetness than expected, little hops, and well hidden ABV. Very great offering that opens me up to extreme versions of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 04:05:22 | More by DrDemento456