Avery Anniversary Ale - Seventeen (Dry Hopped Black Lager) - Avery Brewing Company

mgironta

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

his brew poured a dark brown color. This had a two finger off-white head. The carbonation was not visible due to the color of the brew. There was also significant lacing on the glass. On the nose, there was a bit of sweet smoke. I also got a touch of earthiness to this. Others have said that they get chocolate, but I didn’t get much of that. On the first sip, I got some bitterness and a malty sweetness. There’s also a bit of citrus going on in this. I really don’t get the bacon taste that the bartender said would be there. Also, the alcohol in this is pretty well hidden. Despite the color, it’s lighter than I expected. I assumed this would remind me of the porter, but it’s definitely lighter. The smoke is understated, but still would go nicely with barbecue or burgers. Not a bad brew, but not something I would search out again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2012 18:34:43 | More by mgironta

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Transcribed from notes dated T, 24 Aug 2010. Had on-tap at (now) Anthony's Micro Pub.

It looked as though it had come out of an N2 tap what with its thick finger of deep-tan head and great retention. Color was a deep, dark brown with ruby highlights at the edges. Nose had a roasty chocolatiness to it. Mouthfeel was super creamy, causing me to again glance at the tap. CO2, no boostin', yo! Jodi then reminded me that this was a Black Lager. No effin' way! Zounds! Taste was rich with notes of dark chocolate, smoke, a chipotle pepper smoky spiciness and even some alcohol heat on the tongue. Finish was mainly chocolate but with a bourbon-coconut heat. Phew!

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 20:14:10 | More by woodychandler

ktrillionaire

Florida

2.6/5  rDev -34.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

On-tap at Ale+Witch

A - The beer pours a coffee-brown hue, hazy, and is capped with a bone-white head.

S - The brew initially has a bunch of charred grain and burnt coffee in the nose, really fairly heavy malt, and is tempered by a very spicy hop that reminds me almost of root beer.

T - I am not a fan from the first second this touches my lips. Subsequent quaffs have not quelled my disdain. There is a healthy dose of roasted malt and a touch of smokiness and peat, all of which is fine with me; there is also a very bad (unpleasant) bitterness, reminding me of scorched and over-strength jasmine tea. I really can't manage more than a few ounces of this stuff.

M - Medium body with nice tooth, I just don't like the flavor much.

O - Bottom line, I do not like the hop addition; it seems to clash heavily with the malt. therefore, this beer in not very enjoyable, and I don't think it turned out very good.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2011 07:59:37 | More by ktrillionaire

emmasdad

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We had this on tap yesterday at the Avery Brewing Taphouse. Poured a rich dark brown with a good layer of light brown foam. Big piney hop aromas lead off, followed by roasted malt and coffee. Flavors of dark fruit, fresh brewed coffee and dark chocolate.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2011 07:02:29 | More by emmasdad

Spider889

Ohio

2.3/5  rDev -41.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Had this on tap at Jackie O's the night before the "One Funky Afternoon" release.

Black color with a coffee and cream colored head.

Smelled very sour and acidic - this is a very unpleasant quality that some smoked beers seem to exhibit. Sweet chocolate and dark fruit aromas. The smoke itself is very potent but somehow artificial smelling; I was reminded of the liquid smoke my wife has tried cooking with in the past.

The taste is quite malty with lots of gritty char. Again, the smoke becomes acidic and souring, a big turnoff. I also detected rye type flavors. The finish is dry and bitter.

Good carbonation. Though my notes also mention that the beer was "dry as ass." Whatever that means. Super dry beer with harsh smoke is a suitable way to sum up this beer.

Some smoked beers can be quite tasty for me, but some are overpowering, unbalanced, and a chore to drink. This one was the latter, and I seem to recall not finishing my pint of this.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2011 08:46:59 | More by Spider889

claytong

Vermont

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I was pretty impressed with this one. Most anniversarys are barleywines and I'm happy about that but this black lager was hardly anything to complain about. Very smooth, nice malt flavoring but by no means dominating. The hopping is more moderate for Avery beers.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2011 01:05:43 | More by claytong

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at Mikro in Hamden, Conn.

A: Black body with a two-finger head of creamy white foam which settled to a thin ring, leaving behind spotty lace.

S: Roasted malts, herbal, citrusy hops, licorice and musty wood aromas make up the nose.

T: Rich, full-bodied blend of creamy, roasted black malt which delivers tobacco, chocolate and dry, earthy sweetness. A nice, grapefruit and herbal hop finish is dry and bitter, with a slight alcoholic sting.

M: Full-bodied, smooth, creamy and dry in the finish with a bit of crisp, lingering bitterness.

D: A big, bold black lager clocking in at about 8.7% ABV, it's a nice sample of a jacked up Schwartz and a dangerously drinkable brew. I'd like to get my hands on a bomber to do a comparison.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2010 01:05:05 | More by Gambrinus1184

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dry hopped Schwarz beer. Draft pour into pint glass for $6.

A: Served with 2 fingers of well retained creamy/foamy light-medium brown head that throws a soapy sheet of lace on to the upper edges of the glass. The body is a void of darkness and no light passes through. Lacing continues nicely. Little is left to be desired with this fine looking brew.

S: Nose is full of dark roasted chocolate malts with a bit of oatmeal raisin cookie. Malts are heavy with additional aromas of dark, sweet bread and grains. Rich rendered caramel. Yeastiness is evident with doughy notes and fruity esters highly noticeable. The dry hopping isn't a prominent feature although this brew might seem incomplete if it were missing. Lightly earthy, lightly woody. This nose is fantastic.

T: Taste follows and continues to impress. Although alcohol does make an appearance on the palate, but at nearly 9%, it's forgiveable.

M: There really isn't a weak aspect to this brew. Avery nailed the mouthfeel too. Enlivening on the tongue, medium creamy body. Tingling carbonation. Long flavor duration.

D: A very drinkable beer in any season. In my opinion, Avery has a few hits, a lot of near hits and a few misses. Seventeen is one of their more complete offerings.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2010 23:31:46 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.93/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap 10/8/2010 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a very large beige head that fades very slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains dark fruit, coffee, chocolate, lager yeast, roasted malts and a faint touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out with bready flavors from a hearty roasted malt character and lager yeast. The some flavors of licorice and dark fruit come in. The hops presence is strong for the style and creates a good balance but takes a little while to exert itself. The after-taste is bitter-sweet.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium-to-heavy body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, slightly filling, good kick, good enhanced representation of style, this is a decent beer to drink for a while if you're looking for something a little bit different.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2010 15:48:25 | More by TheManiacalOne

jsanford

Georgia

3.6/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes taken on 6/29/10. On-tap at the Lodge in Hilton Head.

A - Very dark black with a thin white head.

S - Dark malt, raisins, molasses and earthy hops.

T - Follows the nose closely with a spicy finish.

M - Creamy with medium carbonation.

D - Moderately drinkable, I was happy with my one pour. Overall a good beer, but not particularly memorable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2010 16:04:43 | More by jsanford

jskoog

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Light black with a dirty white head.
S: Lacking here. I didn't smell much at all on this and I really think that hurts this brew.
T: Bitter chocolate/cocoa up front with booze back end. Not much in the form of Hops.
M: Nice and thick
D: Not something Ill try again. It may have been my expectations as I was hoping for more of a hop bite.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2010 19:22:42 | More by jskoog

david18

New York

3.53/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had a twelve ounce pour of this at the Amsterdam Ale House on Manhattan's upper west side. I did not expect a style such as this from Avery, especially for one of their anniversary ales. I enjoyed it a lot. Not as dark as I'd expect a schwartzbier to be but in general very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2010 17:33:47 | More by david18

Tone

Missouri

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a black color. 1/4 inch head of an off-tan color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of sweet malt, slight roasted malt, alcohol, slight citrus, and hops. Fits the style of a Schwarzbier. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation. Tastes of hops, slight floral, slight citrus, sweet malt, slight alcohol, and a hint of earthy malt. Overall, good appearance, aroma, body, and blend.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2010 19:36:11 | More by Tone

BrewnZ

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Caught this on tap at The Monk's Kettle. Listing it as a Schwartz beer is a bit miss leading given it's high alcohol (menu suggested 7.7% abv) which I noticed only after ordering.

A: Served in a tall slighly bulky pilsner like glass that showcased its deep black color and mouselike tan head. Good foam stand.

S: Rich malts with a clean neutral yeast character. Low to no hop aroma, not getting the dry hops here.

T: Rich complex malt with a low roast character, low hop bitterness, and low hop flavor. Perhaps the dry hops have faded or the use was minimnal. Lots of bready malt behind the chocolate like roastiness.

M: Full bodied with medium carbonation. All that malt makes for a silky pallet

O: A huge black lager with malt sweetness and melanoidins balanced by ethanol & low roast. Lots of bready malt has me thinking of an Imperial Munich Dunkles more than a schwartz beers. Desert like - tasty - just not my idea of a schwartz but I guess you gotta call it something.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2010 15:31:47 | More by BrewnZ

mklinger

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

At the J Clyde in Birmingham. Served in a 12oz snifter. A small head off white head formed over a jet black liquid. Nice looking beer.

Aroma wasn't as robust as I had hoped for a beer advertised as a dry hopped lager, though it certainly wasn't as fresh as it might have been. Some bready malt and some chocolaty roast. Also a bit of floral, herbal hop aroma.

Taste was very nice. Crisp bread crusts paired with some chocolaty roast malt. The chocolate seems out of style if they want to call this a schwarzbier, but I really liked the flavor combination, regardless of not being "to style". Some slight sweetness, too, all balanced by a decent dose of bitterness. Absolutely no hint of the alcohol in here. There is nothing in here that tastes like 8.7%abv.

Really nice light bodied, smooth beer. Plenty of carbonation to add to a slightly fuller feel. Pleasant beer. No great revelation here, but so well brewed and clear, crisp flavors. Nice stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2010 20:17:55 | More by mklinger

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Draft, just put on at Delaney's. Black with off-white head. Strong stuff. Lace sheet. Tad above average mouthfeel. Stoutish roast aromas. Rich, chocolately, roasty, and drying.Fine what what it is, but prefer something not so BIG BEER for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2010 21:20:19 | More by northyorksammy

ne0m00re

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

06/22/10- On tap at Bodega.
A: Black with ruby hues, a good head turned to a collar.
S: Oatmeal, sweet malt, raspberry, subtle chocolate coffee roast.
T: Blueberry bacon, roasted chocolate and coffee, green hops.
M: Thinner than expected.
D: Pretty good.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2010 01:03:48 | More by ne0m00re

nrbw23

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a dark brown almost black color with a foamy tan head. Head has great retention and leaves some nice lacing.

S- Smells of roasted, caramel and toasted malts. Quite a bit of citrus hops here too. Maybe just a hint of chocolate too.

T- I'm pretty shocked by this one. Much hoppier than I expected. I think it follows the nose really well and has great balance between the hops and malts.

M- Fuller side of medium for sure and carbonation was good.

D- I enjoyed this one for sure. Easy to drink and very well made. Try this one for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2010 08:38:29 | More by nrbw23

m1ked

California

4.35/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

At the BT Avery event.

A- at first blush looks like a porter, dark dark brown with a glimmer of ruby in the light. A cappacino like foam cap with big bursting bubbles, leaving behind some real sticky lace all around.

S- Thought I was going to get one thing and got something different. I get some subtle milk chocolate and black licorice, with a brown sugar throughout the background. Nice nose.

T- mmm-mmm so once I again I get a pleasant surprise. The black licorice ( a la mike & Ike) with a caramel tilt is the moat prevalent flavor I get. There is some low earthy hops bitterness near the end. With a little of that milk chocolate plus a tad of coffee near the end.

M- medium bodied with a crisp carbonation that evolves into a creamy mouthfeel which works well with coffee chocolate late hit.

D- totally caught off guard. With the term dry-hop I think I was anticipating something more like Stone 11th anni. What I got instead was a rich flavorful unique brew. Really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2010 22:28:38 | More by m1ked

drtth

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Served in a standard pint glass. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically.

Appearance: As served the beer is a deep black tinged with brown and capped by a 1/8" light tan head that recedes to a ring and small patches of foam. For about the first 2/3 rds of the beer, sipping leaves a complex pattern of lacing and foam patches that cling to the sides of the glass. By the last 1/3 of the beer the lacing is minimal.

Smell: The aroma is more complex than the typical black beer. It has some dark chocolate from the dark malts but the dry hopping has also left some earthy, slightly grassy notes. I'm not picking up very much alcohol despite the ABV of this beer.

Taste: The flavors, as anticipated from the nose, are a truly wonderful balance of the dark malt chocolate and coffee flavors along some restrained but definite bitterness and earthy taste from the hops. Some sweetness creeps in and that is possibly from the alcohol, but there is no burn or unpleasantness here.

Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is medium bodied and silky with continuous moderate carbonation that is prickly fine and fills the mouth. The finish is moderately long with some dark chocolate and bittersweet character that fades away into some nicely balanced dry bitterness that leaves me wanting more.

Drinkability: This is a delightfully drinkable beer. I could easily have another and another. Each sip follows the next quite naturally and easily and the beer is too soon gone. While I'll keep and eye open to try to have this one again before the stock is gone I do regret that it is a one-off and probably won't be brewed again. Given that dry hopping is not the usually thing with Schwartzbiers one might be tempted to down grade this beer in the ratings, but it is just too good and so rating to style takes a back seat when it comes to the qualities of this beer. It pushes the style boundaries in ways that deserve a high score.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2010 00:49:12 | More by drtth

atsprings

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Flying Saucer served in a standard pint glass a deep not-quite opaque black with a diminishing light-tan head. The aroma is mild dark malts and dried fruits. The taste is dried fruits and mild bitter cocoa, not really much from the dry hopping in the aroma or taste here. The beer is a tad heavy, but not too bad. This one was certainly better from the bottle, but I likely won't be picking it up again either way.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2010 01:19:13 | More by atsprings

adkirkish

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured very dark brown / on the verge of black, w/ a light foamy tan head. Excellent lacing as consumed.

A: A complex blend of (Piney) Hop aroma - couldn't exactly place the hop blend myself - combined with sweet dark toasted malts. No esthers, no diacetyl or off aromas.

F: Sweet and dark malts upfront and then finishes with a hop bitter finish as it creeps down . While the flavors don't combine, it's a compare and contrast between the malt and hops (Oil and Water), but they do it so nicely!! The balance is equal between the malt and hops respectively.

M: Medium bodied and carbonation and medium heavy mouthfeel. No apparent alcohol warmth.

O: I'm still unsure of style placement : Cascadian Dark Ale / Black IPA / and Schwarzbier now? Style aside, this is a tasty beer. I enjoyed it when I was steve mckennad out of bottle and out of draft. I only felt it proper to re-review the beer while I wasn't steve mckennad. Respect Beer right? Thought so. I would be tempted to stash one of these away for a year, but no longer than that. At 8.6 ~ A little iffy for aging, but worth a go. Happy Anniversary Avery !!

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2010 21:15:48 | More by adkirkish

thain709

Pennsylvania

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

A - The beer had a black body and when held to light it was penetrable...a creamy, light tan head formed...the retention was nice and so was the lacing

S - I thought this beer was dry hopped? I'm having a tough time picking up any hops on the nose...lots of dark, roasted malts

T - The flavor starts off with that dark, roaste malts...it's nice because it never comes to the point where it tastes burnt...caramel and chocolate stand out as the main flavors given off by the malts...here are the hops!...the finish of this beer presents a nice bitterness provided by citrus hops

M - Medium bodied...the roasted flavor makes you want more...nice bitter finish

D - This was my first anniversary ale from Avery and they did a nice job...I like schwarzbiers...my only problem was there wasn't enough hops on the nose for being dry hopped

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2010 13:20:18 | More by thain709

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Al's of Hampden.

A: The lager has the look of coffee, black from afar but much more nuanced up close. Brown shades share the stage with deep ruby reds, a visually appealing combination. A small off-white head sits atop the beer.

S: Citrus hops, the ample dry hopping referred to in the name, stand out near the end of each sip. Prior to that, strong, well-roasted notes linger around but they are very bready. The aroma is not overwhelmingly strong.

T: The lager starts off smooth, roasted without the overtly burnt bready flavors. Caramel and toast, a little syrupy, follow, adding depth to the roast. The hoppiness is a lush citrus bitterness that stands out against the dark background, a welcome flavor that most lagers fail to take advantage of.

M: The lager has a nic blend of bitter and roast, competing flavors that play well together. A steady stream of carbonation adds a little 'heat' to the feel. The darker breads linger on the palate for a while.

D: A surprise, I certainly wasn't expecting the strong dose of black beer and big hops.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2010 15:58:05 | More by akorsak

claspada

New Jersey

3.23/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Tap @ the Gingerman NYC. Decent frothy tan head, dissipated shortly after however.
Color is an almost total black with a brownish tint when held up to the light. Aroma is malty, much more than any Schwartz I've ever had, hints of coffee and a sweetness I can't quite place.
Flavor is like aroma with some nice bittersweetness standing out. Body is correctly carbonated and smooth throughout. Bitterness stands out much more as you consume. Much more body than the average black lager, which is a great quality for this style as I find most Schwartz's boring and thin. One of the first beers I have had which may be overly "sticky" from hops. Originally finishes smooth with a hint of hop bitterness, but as you continue to drink the hop profile dominates the malt. Drinkable in smaller quantities but in a 22 oz bomber, becomes hard to polish off. ABV level doesnt help. Some styles do not benefit from the Imperial bump, but this one def does. Had both on draft and in bottle and by far the draft is much easier to consume/finish/enjoy.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2010 15:31:12 | More by claspada