Brabant - Avery Brewing Company

MEsquandoles

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A very interesting brew and def. worth seeking out!

It looks like I didnt rate it before, so here are some impressions...a few days after 6 months in the bottle.

It's still pretty woody; can taste the Zin, which is really nice. But the Brett has definitely increased, noticeably more sour now too--all of which have masked most of the chocolate and roasty malt flavours that used to be more prominent. Still some nice grape and plum flavours, blackberries, and some sour cherries. A lot going here, but they've certainly come together now.

The Brett is def. funkier now, still very similar to their 15 Ale, but this one has some added sourness.

Highly drinkable.

12/05/2009 update - Same progression as stated before. Very drinkable but still very complex. Love the wine-like qualities.
I kick myself for not buying more. It's a tragedy one-off rare beers like this don't get re-made.
Tastes like Cran-Pome-Grape juice then fades into wine flavours and some cacao and oak. Earthy, musky, clovey with the finish. Some vanilla not noticed previously
Perfect with French cheeses and dark chocolate.
I agree with my former ratings.
Edit: it's still pretty oakey and esp. wine-like after pouring the last inch of the bottle into the snifter.

7/24/2010 - Almost 1.5 yrs in the bottle - More sour now (not just Brett), a little thinner, not as velvety. Very wine like. I think it was more interesting before. Feels more like wine and reminds me more of wine than any other beer I've had.
Went great with some wild mushroom and goat cheese pizza on whole wheat, along with some earthy brie, including the rind. Dark malt flavours as described before come through if you seek them out. More raspberry than before.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2009 03:42:52 | More by MEsquandoles

drummermattie02

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +11%

05-13-2013 14:29:16 | More by drummermattie02

superspak

Michigan

3.35/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 2/10/2009. Pours hazy very dark brown color with a 1 finger fairly dense khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin lace cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with some moderate streaming carbonation. Aromas of tart cherry, sour apple, grape, clove, pepper, oak, leather, red wine, hay, funk, light vinegar, bread, and yeast earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of the wild yeast notes with barrel character. Taste of sour cherry, sour apple, grape, clove, pepper, oak, red wine, leather, toast, light roasted malt, hay, funk, light vinegar, and yeast earthiness. Light earthy tartness after the finish; with lingering notes of light tart fruits, clove, pepper, oak, red wine, leather, funk, toast, hay, light vinegar, and earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Solid flavor balance and complexity of yeast ester flavors and barrel notes; some moderate astringency with light oxidation; and lightly cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium full bodied; with a crisp, lightly acidic, and lightly slick mouthfeel that is ok. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a pretty solid wild ale. Some nice aromas with solid flavor complexity and balance; and fairly smooth to sip on. A moderately enjoyable offering; had no problem finishing it.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 03:58:02 | More by superspak

Kevlee722

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

04-19-2013 06:05:47 | More by Kevlee722

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

04-15-2013 06:04:17 | More by Kelp

MasterSki

Illinois

3.71/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

I've had this a number of times over the years, but never bothered to review it. Thanks to ChrisPro for busting out a bottle and enabling my ticker tendencies. Served in Närke snifter.

A - Off-white foam settles to a thin collar and a few wisps, leaving behind minimal lace. Dark brown body with minimal translucency to it.

S - Lots of vinous oak, light zinfandel notes, dirty and lightly medicinal brett strain that seems to be a favorite at Avery. Dusty and earthy, with light chocolate malt character. Interesting in that it's ostensibly a dark brett beer rather than dark sour.

T - Fruity, with tropical notes, along with cocoa, and nutty malts. Like a brett fermented brown ale, with a light vinous character in the periphery. Vaguely reminiscent of Surly Pentagram.

M - Dry, medium body, with well-hidden alcohol, as is usual with Avery. Lightly chewy texture, and a dry and crisp finish.

D - An interesting mix of fruit, chocolate, funk, and wine. This bottle was surprisingly palatable, but others I've had were drain pours, so your mileage may vary; either that or this beer has finally turned the corner into Decentville. Not one of my favorites from the series, but certainly better than infected Black Tot.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 22:26:34 | More by MasterSki

bsuedekum

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +11%

02-27-2013 03:45:50 | More by bsuedekum

GRG1313

California

4/5  rDev +4.4%

01-20-2013 02:11:15 | More by GRG1313

uturn

Florida

4/5  rDev +4.4%

01-16-2013 03:42:42 | More by uturn

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Received this in my first trade ever, with the beer manager at Russell's in Amherst, MA. Think I traded a ghoulship for this and a few more beers. Been holding on to this for a while. Thanks Chris!

A - Poured into my Duvel tulip a deep dark brown, stout/porter looking hue with a half finger light tan head that faded to leave light side lacing and a good thin blanket. Very nice to look at.

S - Nice aromas. Still pick up the faint belgian notes hereof the base beer. Subtle funk, light malt, old dusty grape skins. Slight lightly sour dark fruits. Interesting.

T - Well, taste is definitely past its prime. Roast malts (lightly chocolate), old dark fruits (cherries), sweet subtle malts, old brett, wood from barrels, along with some minor alcohol heat. Meh. Should have drank this a while ago...

M - Mouthfeel is solid for a wild ale. Good carbonation. Slightly, slightly syrupy. Glad there was carbonation here as I'd feared it would be flat.

O - Overall, this probably was once a tasty wild. now though time has not done this well. There is a lingering aftertaste that clings to me as I type this. Like dusty chalk. Ugh. not too happy.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 04:11:09 | More by rudzud

bauermj

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%

01-10-2013 03:30:57 | More by bauermj

Gobzilla

California

4.25/5  rDev +11%

01-01-2013 22:49:56 | More by Gobzilla

kscaldef

Oregon

2.28/5  rDev -40.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A: A very dark brown. As dark as many stouts. Raises a moderate head on the pour but doesn't stick around for long.

S: Strong wine aromas. Musty cherry, a bit of prune. Light acetic notes.

T: Earthy. Mushy fruit, coffee grounds, overripe banana.

M: High carbonation. Medium-to-low body.

O: Seems like this is well over the hill (or wasn't good to start with). Disappointing as I'm usually quite fond of the Avery barrel-aged beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 21:30:41 | More by kscaldef

brystmar

Texas

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

Bottled Feb 10, 2009. Thanks blatantdream!

Dark brown hue, tan head, beady lace.

Oaky wine barrel aroma meets soured yeast, barrel character shines through brightly in both the nose and taste. Can really taste the Zinfandel remnants as they soak through the oakyness. Only mildly sour; dark and tantalizing.

For batch #1 of Avery's barrel series, this is a big win. Glad I got to try this.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 01:32:18 | More by brystmar

jheezee

Texas

4/5  rDev +4.4%

10-04-2012 15:08:19 | More by jheezee

rapidsequence

Virginia

4.48/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle, Feb 2009. Waiting patiently for 3.5 years in my basement.

Appearance: Pours a very dark red-brown. Light tan head with good retention.

Smell: Sweet, sour, fruity, and funky. Oaky red wine, malty sweet dark fruit, grassy brett funk. Very interesting.

Taste: The tartness and vinous flavor are very prominent, but they don't completely hide the fact that this is a Belgian dark beer underneath. It tastes less funky than it smells, but its still funky. Oaky, leathery, and a little musty. The finish interestingly isnt super dry, but long, sweet, and fruity.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation is lively, but not sharp. Again, it feels like its going to dry out, but stops short and stays a little sticky sweet and a little tannic.

Overall: This beer gets points both for being different, and for just being good. I put off drinking this for a long while because thought it sounded a little too weird, but its great. Wish I had another. Buy it if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 01:44:33 | More by rapidsequence

t0rin0

California

3/5  rDev -21.7%

08-18-2012 22:56:29 | More by t0rin0

CelticAleMan

California

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

08-16-2012 17:48:08 | More by CelticAleMan

drewone

California

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%

08-07-2012 23:27:59 | More by drewone

womencantsail

California

3.15/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a murky dark reddish color with an off-white head. Smells like red-wine vinegar, oak, and cherry. A light funkiness to it, sort of musty, maybe a little cardboard, and a light lactic note. Taste is sort of muddled and muted. Light fruitiness, hints of wine, a bit of vinegar and leather, maybe some wood. Cardboard, musty oak, and some light barnyard. Not really a fan.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 17:59:44 | More by womencantsail

steph1974

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +4.4%

06-22-2012 23:16:21 | More by steph1974

billab914

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into my Allagash glass. It poured a dark brown, cola like color with a modest, tan and fizzy head to it. Nice head retention to it.

The aroma has a tart, sourness to it with notes of sour cherries, grapes and a touch of vinegar. Pretty nice sour and tart fruit profile to it, but it could have used a little more funk to it.

The sourness is a little sharp and acidic up front. The finish is where more of the tart, sour cherry and grape flavors come out. There is a hint of darker malts to it in the finish as well.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied for the style with carbonation being high. Overall, it was a pretty good but not outstanding beer. It was a little sharp and acidic at times and could have used a little more funkiness give it some added complexity. Overall it had some good flavor and was pretty drinkable though.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 23:10:04 | More by billab914

WeisGuy

New York

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%

03-31-2012 20:33:12 | More by WeisGuy

freduardo

Alabama

4.25/5  rDev +11%

03-25-2012 21:17:10 | More by freduardo

theminutemen

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

03-24-2012 01:13:13 | More by theminutemen