Collaboration Not Litigation Ale - Avery Brewing Company

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

reviewed from a Batch 3 bottle from 2009 last night.

A-chestnut colored with a thin uneven head

S-dark fruits and fairly sugary and creamy caramel. strong and good scent

T-comes in with a strong taste of dates and prunes. mainly this. there are some small tastes of caramel sugars and other dark fruits. very high quality taste. some chocolate notes. it makes up a good but not long lasting after-taste. its quite complex and rich!

M-smooth medium carbonation with a crisp finish

O-oh wow i'm a fan of this. much more so than i expected. i actually enjoy this more than the Russian River Salvation itself. its a great BDSA and does a great job setting itself apart from others. this is so much more than a cute little concoction of the 2 breweries striving to be clever, its an outstanding example of the style. its so smooth and can either be quaffed or sipped for extended enjoyment.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2011 17:42:54 | More by AdamBear

cheers2beers

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: This beer pours a reddish brown hue with a slightly off-white head that only rose up half an inch tall. Minimal amount of laceing and has a hint of cloudiness.

Smell: This has nice raisin and figgy aromas, toasted bread, smells like a little brett. This also has really nice fruit cake aromas and perhaps roasted apple skins. Very pleasant.

Taste: The flavors consist of lots of toasted breads, fruitiness remains here as well. Sweet red apples. Im also getting some Christmasy spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and some all spice. There is a slight alcohol bite throughout the palate but nothing to harsh.

Mouthfeel: Easy to drink. With its spritzy mouthfeel I am left to believe that this is high in carbonation . Medium bodied. Smooth and creamy. Finishes with a slight bubblely finish.

Drinkability: This was a delightful drink indeed. I wish I could get ahold of a few bottles for myself to enjoy over and over, but being the limited release Its just not that easy. So if you can get some of this at your location I would suggest you try this before its no more.


Cheers2Beers

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2007 00:30:39 | More by cheers2beers

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Well here's a winner!

Not unlike my usual self, I poured this beer without knowing what it was. I noted the huge frothy head of yellowish foam and the slightly hazy (I was careful with the pour of the long-standing bottle) amber/copper body. As I raised it to my nose however, my eyes must have popped open wide! Brettanomyces!? How could it be? I had to look at the label. I thought it was a collaboration with Left Hand (even the cross-cut saw at the bottom of the label seems to indicate that...) but then I noticed the bottle of Russian River on the right hand side. I took a sip... heaven!!! And that's why my review starts with the first words that popped into my head... "Well here's a winner"!

After I started writing this I had to read the label, and learned - as you no doubt already know - that it's a blend of Salvation from both breweries. Vinnie's of course stands out, but the rich malt base of Avery's makes it something completely different. I thought of a comparison to the sweetened versions of Flemish Red, but that passed quickly as they're completely different - as is this beer! Another American original? Perhaps.

The nose is not nearly as full and rich as the flavor, and expresses more of the clean, tart and metallic character of the Brett. Some grainy, dusty malt does come through, and there's a light note of clove, some dark fruit, and a mild vinous side.

The flavor is malty, mineralish, sweet (soft light caramel, brown sugar, sugar candy), spicy (lots of clove, some coriander), sweaty, metallic, tangy, fruity (red grape, plum/prune, cherry, fig), hoppy, earthy, straw-like, lightly cheesy, and bitter. The alcohol never shows, and it finishes dry and gently lingering with a mineralish blanket of dull malt and some lingering bitterness and soft clove. It's so complex though without really showing it, and the flavors vary in their placement throughout the glass like a game of musical chairs... which, I guess, actually adds even more to its complexity.

Really unique, and really enjoyable!!! However, I should note that this is one of those beers that you either love or hate. If you're on board for Orval and clovey-phenolic Belgians, then you'll probably go ape-shit for this one. If not, avoid it like the plague (to use another cliche). For me, I'm going to stock up on as much as I can afford right now. A new personal favorite :)

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2007 01:15:48 | More by NeroFiddled

ndekke39

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Split a bomber of this with my good friend kboett77. Poured into a tall, rounded white wine glass. Great retention and decent lacing. It's a cloudy reddish-copper with a thin, off-white head. I can see sediment suspended in the beer. Looks like a fresh apple cider. Smells like one, too. Green apples, burnt sugar, tea, and a very green hops. Very fresh and malty character. Flavors of the cider and tea, plus a slightly biscuity malt. Again, the fruity and malty character. Slight hop bitterness on the middle and back of the tongue. Almost like the bitterness of a very strong tea. Medium-bodied mouthfeel. Very drinkable beer. One the most enjoyable Belgian Strong Darks I've ever had. Glad to see what came of this collaboration, and I look forward to more!

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2007 02:29:55 | More by ndekke39

DavidSeanNJ

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bomber picked up at Wine and Beverage Depot. in Totowa.

***Batch Number 2***

Poured this one into a tulip glass. The liquid was a bright orange/red color. There was a small two finger head which lingered throughout the glass, never going away. Smell was spicy and yeasty with a hint of fruit (maybe apricot?) The flavor was peppery, extremely spicy (cloves, cardamom?), fruity- grapes, apricot, peach, raison, prune. Mouthfeel was clean and fresh. I was getting some burning towards the end, but not much detection of the alcohol. I thought this beer was so well done. Great interpretation of the style and an easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2008 02:22:52 | More by DavidSeanNJ

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sadly I've never tried each of these two on their own, but I'ave had Avery Salvation. This brew was late years better than that brew, anyways appears a murky mahogany amer ruby hued slightly clouded cider like tone as you pour more sediment into the glass. Head forms thick brown nice and smooth velvet texture fine bubbles form nice lacing around the chalice after each sip. Aromatics bring heavy spices with apple cider and raisin complexities. Matched with lactic notes of wild yogurt and thick yeast infused bread notes rolling on. Flavor is refrehsingly tart and creamy with more signature yougurt and lactic notes, pepery and citrus with raisin and caramel sweetness. Solid fruity healhty balance from all aspects more mild spice flavor comes through as it warms, Mouthfeel is a full medium body with even carbonation that comes across the palate with a soft and smooth presence. Drinkability was excellent really effortless to share this with my BA buddy jcdiflorio awhile back, can't wait to try any Russian River brews. By the way thanks to SurlyDuff for this fine offering.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2008 16:23:35 | More by WVbeergeek

Arenbeer

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured out of a 2007 vintage bomber into a tulip glass.

I warn you before you read this review, I think because of the age this beer had a slight funk to it but not to bad.

A- Dark dark brown with a thin white head.

S- Real sweet malts and almost a strong woody smell to it. Slight alchohol with a great hops backround.

T- Bitter hops and malt hit you up front with a good sweet dark fruit backround. Unfortunitely had a stale dusty flavor to the finish but i think that's due to the age. Wish my store carried a newer bottle but still awesome. Glad I got to taste the original batch.

M- Medium body thats insanely smooth with real low carbonation.

I took a chance in buying due to the age but I got to say I'm glad i did, real great beer overall. Alot of flavor and i think the age of it made it so good. Avery made a good choice when they decided to team up and make a badass colaboration strong ale.

Skål!

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2010 05:26:29 | More by Arenbeer

Immortale25

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass. Label says Batch #6 Bottled JAN 2012.

A- Pours a medium brown color with a 1/2 inch off-white head that retains before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and a honeycomb-like pattern of surface foam. Full ring of draping lacing.

S- Faint aroma of dark fruit and an even fainter aroma of malt. Trace notes of banana and some spice.

T- The dark fruit is much more vibrant in the flavor. Cherry, honey, blackberry and even some apricot layer on top of notes of rosemary and more banana. There's also a sort of meaty, robust flavor I can't put my finger on. Whatever it is, it's great.

M- Medium carbonation and a bit vapory from the yeast.

O- Quite awesome, but I would expect nothing less from two first-class breweries.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 02:04:51 | More by Immortale25

ski271

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap at Zeno’s in State College. Dark, cloudy amberish-brown with a medium-sized, creamy, off-white head that slowly diminishes to a tenacious film. Smell is fairly busy with prune, alcohol, clove, earth, cherry, and a little raisin. The Taste follows suit with it’s flavors. Wonderful, long, sweet finish of prunes and cherries with a nice bit of alcohol warmth. It has a medium body and lightly syrupy texture. Just a little bit cloying, but still I found this to be a fantastic beer. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2007 19:52:24 | More by ski271

brdc

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 2, bottled February 2008.
Large capped bottle poured into a goblet.

Nice looking dark amber, somewhat hazy brew despite the small, short lasting creamy white head.
Aroma is quite intense, flowing out of the glass as you pour it with a number of unexpected notes including cloves, pepper, cinnamon, tartness, bubblegum and bananas. The fruity notes are quite potent, and add dark fruits to the bananas.
Very nice, creamy mouthfeel, opening to a very nice, if rather unusual combination of tastes including a certain tartness, sweetness, fruitiness and spiciness that is something like a combination of a wheat beer, sour and a belgian dark.
Quite an unusual beer, but after getting used to it, the flavors blend surprisingly well. A worthwhile experience.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2009 00:47:08 | More by brdc

giblet

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

poured a nice amber color into the glass. a bit over an inch of rich head. good steady carbonation. smells of malts and sweet fruit. flava...ah the flava! tastes wonderful, complex, malts, roasted malts with a nice finish. excellent lacing down the glass. a very nice beer indeed.

suckem up and movem out.

giblet

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2009 14:31:26 | More by giblet

dfried

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark ruby and toffee like in color, thin off white head. The aroma is quite sweet, of candy sugar and caramel, some spices, and dark fruits like cherry, fig, and raisin. There was also almost a floral feel to it, and some yeast. Up front the taste is very sweet, full of candy sugar. The alcohol was kind of spicy and biting at first, but smooths out quickly to belly warming. I think the brett from the Russian River side of this brew added to initial "wow" of the first sip. Definitely some dark fruits, figs raisins plums, but some lighter fruits too, sweet and tart brambles and strawberry. Some yeasty and caramel/molasses comes though as you sort out the flavors.

Verdict: more collaboration please. One or two of these are more than enough, but damn that flavor is awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2007 04:29:02 | More by dfried

naterock

Missouri

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served into a Delerium Snifter
Pours a nice clear Brownish-red, small head
S: smells of banana and sugar candy, with a yeasty nose. a hint of alcohol.
T: sweet caramel candy and banana is in the forefront. with a fig undertone. doesn't taste too much of alcohol.
M: nicely carbonated and medium bodied. well balanced but a little light on the hops for a belgian.
D: This is a very nice belgian ale. a nice Collaberation between Russian River and Avery. probably the closest I'll ever get to trying any Russian River beers. very nice

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2008 17:30:05 | More by naterock

KaptinKrunches

California

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance:The color of the beer is a dark, murky brown. This is due in part to yeast floating around the beer. It has little hold.
Smell:It smells like dark chocolate with a slight fruity smell to it.
Taste:It tastes just like it smells, chocolate. It has a very sweet, subtle chocolate taste even though there is physically no chocolate put into it. It is very malty and is not bitter at all but when you swallow it, there is a slight burning sensation. There is very little/no carbonation.
Mouthfeel: It has a medium mouth feel as it coats your mouth just ever so slightly.
Overall: I overall enjoyed this beer a lot. The chocolate flavor is what made this beer great. This is the first beer that i tried where I can see live yeast which adds aesthetic appeal to it when poured. I can only imagine how much more flavor will come out of it if it was aged even longer.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 02:48:07 | More by KaptinKrunches

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Sampled February 2007
Aromas of cloves, bananas, allspice and an intense fruitiness waft from my glass as I pour this brew. The beer is a dark, deep amber color that shows an almost brilliantly clear hue when held up to the light. The head is a frothy light tan color that starts out at three-fingers in height and even leaves a nice lace pattern on the sides of the glass. The aroma on this brew is quite beguiling; I think some of this has to do with the beer I had before this (DD SN Reserva 2005), but still it does have quite an interesting aroma. Notes of figs, prunes and raisins really jump out as part of the fruit aromatics. There is a touch of something like tart plums and tart, yet aromatic apples here in the aroma as well. As the beer warms, and my palate get used to it, the aroma picks up notes of earthy spice like coriander, cinnamon bark but with more woodiness, and even some light ginger notes.

The beer has quite a thick mouthfeel to it; it is chewy and sticks to the palate with a concentrated fruit-like character that reminds me of figs and prunes. A nice spiciness anchors the fruit notes and adds flavors of definite ginger, clove, allspice, celery seed. As I get used to the flavors, and as the beer warms up, the sweet fruity notes mellow a bit and the spicy notes serve more as a balance to the flavor profile. It is rich and satiating, yet is not at all syrupy, sticky or too much; the mouthfeel might be the best part of this beer.

This beer is quite a bit better than it was the other night when I had it (and it was certainly not shabby then). Not quite sure why, but my palate is just really digging this right now. I can't believe I like this better than the Batch 01 Salvation from Russian River. I so think the Avery version is lackluster, but this is just hitting the spot right now. As time passes the more this beer grows on me. Somehow this manages to be a spectacular beer, despite my initial "Avery" misgivings.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2007 00:26:06 | More by Gueuzedude

jjayjaye

New York

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a darker amber color (when you look through it from the side it's just about the same color as the bottle) with a full finger whispy light tan head that fades quickly. Some lacing observed.

The smell is primarily Belgian yeast, fruity, spicy and some of the alcohol. Quite nice actually.

The mouth feel is full bodied, nicely carbonated, smooth and creamy with a clean finish.

The flavor is malty sweet dark fruit. The creamy mouth complements it quite well.

Very drinkable. Note to self...ought to be sitting down for this one. The 8.999 AVB is pleasantly hidden, a tad of warmth in the crest along with a not so subtle surprise if you're not sip'in this one (that's got to be a miss print). Russian River and Avery; you've gotta love it when we all get along!! Cheers!!

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2007 17:30:48 | More by jjayjaye

GClarkage

California

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

08/16/07- Purchased at Ledger's Liquors in Berkeley, CA.

Presentation- 22oz bottle with a bottled on month on the lower part of the label (January of 2007). Poured into my Damnation tulip.

Appearance- Deep caramel brown colored pour with a 3/4 inch slight off white head. Leaves pretty nice lace patches and streaks.

Smell- Really nice deep roasted caramel nose with various dark fruits. Light prunes, but mostly figs and some raisins. Smells like it's going to be fairly sweet. Maybe even a bit of chocolate in the nose.

Taste- Soft tasting mix of plums, prunes, raisins and figs. A nice bit of hops awaits in the finish. About the sweetness expected out of the nose...some semi-rich roasted caramel. No metal taste at all which is always nice.

Mouthfeel- Medium carbonation level, nice slight hop aftertaste.

Drinkability- About what I expected going in. A very tasty beer that I would definitely have again in a minute. Not sure how much aging would do to this one though. May drink my other fairly soon.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2007 16:53:48 | More by GClarkage

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Rust orange with a hint of brick red and a fine yeasty haze. The whipped creamy crown is an appealing shade of golden beige and has enough stickiness to maintain multiple foam bridges between itself and the glass. Meandering fingers of thick lace look good as well.

The nose contains all sorts of wonderful things. It's sweet and tart fruity, as well as being impressively clove spicy. I guess that's what happens when two such different beers are blended. At least when the brewers of those beers are as talented as Vinnie Cilurzo and Adam Avery. So far, the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

The same notion applies to the flavor profile, although I'm not yet convinced that the taste score will reflect it. Having said that, I still have a long way to go. First impressions suggest that what was best about each individual Salvation counters what was less than ideal about the other.

I found Avery Salvation to be slightly lacking in complexity, a bit too boozy and probably too highly hopped for the style. On the other hand, it was enjoyably sweet and orchard fruity. I found Russian River Salvation to be lacking in complexity as well, to be too sour for the style, but to be pretty tasty in all other respects.

CNLA is beautifully balanced. It isn't too sweet, too bitter or too sour, but is just right. Actually, this is what I'd hoped Russian River Salvation would taste like. That beer just needed more sweetness and less sourness.

The brewers won't divulge the proportions of each beer used, so I'll take a stab at it. How about Russian River Salvation (68.43%) and Avery Salvation (31.57%)? The flavor profile consists of bruised bananas and ripe apples swimming in a cocoa, caramel and candi sugar syrup, sprinkled liberally with ground clove. I don't know if this fine ale was this delicious initially, but I have the feeling that one year of rest has done it a world of good.

It isn't a bit surprising that two beers with good mouthfeels would equal one beer with a good mouthfeel. I didn't expect improvement here and didn't get it. To repeat something that I might have said in the other reviews, the body/mouthfeel is more than satisfactory for an American ale, while falling short of what is expected from a Belgian or Belgian-style ale. It's medium with a less than completely volumizing carbonation and a light stickiness on the finish.

I reviewed Russian River Salvation several weeks ago so that I could review Collaboration Not Litigation Ale having tasted each of its component parts. What I hoped would happen did, in fact, happen. The strengths of each beer collaborated and counteracted their individual weaknesses. This deserves to be a seasonal release if they can work out the logistics.

Avery Brewing Salvation: 4.0, 4.0, 4.0, 4.0, 4.0... ... 4.0
Russian River Salvation: 4.5, 4.0, 4.0, 4.0, 4.0... ... 4.05

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2008 16:30:06 | More by BuckeyeNation

dogger6253

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The body is a dark, muddy brown color. On top, there is a huge, tan head that just won't go away. The retention is pretty amazing. Very interesting to look at, the beer beckons me.

There is actually alot of sweet fruit aromas up front, such as bananas and oranges. Spicy too, cloves and coriander are not timid in the least. Lingering in the background is a sort of lemon zest smell.

I mostly tasted sweet bananas in this beer, but found lots of nutty almond flavor too. I was surprised by the lack of bitterness and spice. I thought a lot more of the orange and lemon zest I smelled would develop in the flavor, but that just wasn't the case. It didn't really take anything away though, I was just noting that.

A moderate amount of carbonation stayed in the body, but despite that, it was thick and velvety with a little bit of warmth going on. This stuff is a lot of fun to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2008 00:23:01 | More by dogger6253

MFOM

Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a deep reddish brown into my Unibroue glass. Tiny bubbles sprout from the bottom into a nice one finger head. Smells of bread and cinnamon and a slight alcohol presence.

Taste is sweet up front with a nice maltiness and dark fruits. Aftertaste of fruits such as feint cherry and apple maybe. Not much alcohol in the taste at first, but does appear after the beer warms a bit. Mouthfeel is great. Nice carbonation that somewhat makes me think of most tripels.

I think this is not only a good beer, but a good idea that I hope to see other brewers doing in the future. I will have to pick up a few more bottles before they are all sold out. Overall a must try.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2008 22:13:20 | More by MFOM

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a slightly cloudy dark amber with a restrained off white head that laced the glass. Aroma is heavy on the caramel malt and spicy, floral hops, but there is some clove, banana, and phenols hiding in the background. Taste is excellent! Kind of like and IPA mixed with a Belgian strong ale. You get all the goodness of the caramel malt and hops with a restrained Belgian yeast feel to it. Great brew, wish I had more bottles.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2008 22:52:01 | More by johnnnniee

bhalter8

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A hazy reddish tan color, with a solid head poured from a 22 oz. bottle.

A very sweet aroma, almost a fruity cake smell (I know weird smell, but very good)

Incredible taste, sweet without being overbearing in the flavor, no overwhelming carbonization either

The slightly lighter alcohol content allows it to go down easy

Overall, a great drinking Belgian dark, which is not always the case.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2008 01:18:40 | More by bhalter8

supercolter

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer was quite fantastic in my opinion. Dark in color- nearly brown/purple with sligh head. Lots of dark fruits: plum, grapes and dry malt. The Russian River influence is quite apparent and appreciated. Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation. Drinkability is great.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2009 17:54:07 | More by supercolter

rrski198

Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Lots of bubbles, nice amber color, huge fluffly white merange head. Nice lacing.

S: Lemon, banana, very fruity up front. Fresh malt. Smell is similar to lemon pound cake. Awesome!

T: WOW! Awesome. All sorts of citrus and fruit flavors going on here. Taste follows the nose. THe malt back bone is solid. The alcohol is hidden behind the outstanding balance.

M: Big time carbonation. Smooth. A little thick and the flavor lingers, but its so tasty, its welcome.

D: I could have quite a few of these. Outstanding offering. I will purchase again, if I can.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2010 02:48:48 | More by rrski198

Shaw

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had to try this beer, since Russian River's own brews are not sold anywhere near Florida.

This is a deep, deep ruby in color with a large, sticky foamy head. It smells of candy sugar and caramel with a hint of alcohol: very nice.

The taste is also very good. It's very complex, with sweet notes mixing with musty and earth flavors and just a bit of sharpness. This has all the classic flavors of the style, one of my favorites.

The body is also excellent. It's chewy and smooth and essentially coats my mouth.

Overall this is an excellent beer, as should be expected from the world class Russian River and the excellent Avery. Good work, gentlemen.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2007 03:03:09 | More by Shaw