Avery Anniversary Ale - Eighteen (Dry Hopped Rye Saison) - Avery Brewing Company

barczar

Kentucky

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Not expecting much from the dry hop at this point.

Pours a clear amber with a frothy half inch cream head that lingers. Bubbles of effervescent carbonation rise from the bottom of the tulip.

Caramelized malt, slightly buttery, along with pear and green apple firm the initial aroma. Fairly yeasty, slightly funky notes emerge. There's a hint of peach.

Flavor is less impressive. There's an underlying green apple note, along with peach and a bit of yeast character. The toasted malt backbone is present, but fairly banal. Finish is slightly dry and has a touch of rye bitterness. There's a plastic flavor that is offputting. Sweettart flavor emerges late. Rye flavor becomes more prominent as it warms.

Body is moderate, with almost sparkly carbonation and significant alcohol warmth.

Wish the flavor was as intriguing as the aroma. Definitely more malt character than most saisons. The malt character seems a little stale, likely due to the rye contribution.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 20:48:40 | More by barczar

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nice creamy foamy 1 finger head fades at a med pace, tons of soapy lacing, hazy copper sediment laden colored

Nose spicy rye, saison spices, candy syrup and candi sugar, Belgian malt, light grass and straw, light bready malt yeast, light lemony hops. Little floral, hint phenolic.

Taste starts with copper grainy malts, biscuit, reddish toasty malt, light sweet syrupy malts, some spicy rye, hint if booze and phenols, light ester fruits, light saison spices, floral grassy hops and saison spices, little cough medicine thing, fair bitterness.Finish is sticky and syrupy, medicine and light phenols, little grassy rye and bready flavors lingering.

Mouth is med bodied, some phenolic booze, decent carb.

Overall meh, probably better fresh and wish I had it back then.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 12:35:33 | More by jlindros

hackmann

Michigan

3.45/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: hazy deep caramel colored body with a one finger beige colored head that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Aroma: very faint, touch of caramel malts, earthy yeast, sweet yet spicy grains, a little fruity note as it warms up; reminds me of apple and pear

Flavors: much better than the nose, spicy rye, earthy notes, toasted caramel note, undertone of over-ripped stone fruit, dry grassy hops, herbal like,

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, nice fizzy feel, moderate bitterness, dry on the back and finish; is it the rye or the dry grassy hops on the finish? The alcohol did not really come into play.

To the Point: it’s okay to good; I won’t be running out to buy out the rest; if you find it and want something a little different try it – otherwise I’ll skip it. I did enjoy it a little more when I didn’t think about it.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 20:31:48 | More by hackmann

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled in May 2011. Pours hazy reddish copper color with a 2 finger dense cream colored head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of big orange, pear, apple, grape, pepper, clove, caramel, toast, honey, spicy rye, floral, herbal, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of malt and fruity/spicy ester notes. Taste of caramel, orange, pear, apple, grape, toast, clove, pepper, floral, honey, herbal, brown bread, spicy rye, and yeast earthiness. Lingering notes of caramel, citrus, light fruits, toast, pepper, clove, floral, honey, herbal, brown bread, spicy rye, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice complexity and balance of malt and fruity/spicy esters, with tame rye flavor; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a fairly creamy, slick, and lightly crisp mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent saison style. Great balance and complexity of flavors; and very smooth to sip on. Really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 06:50:42 | More by superspak

Boto

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

22oz bomber: This one pours a fairly opaque caramel color. There was a pretty decent pop when the cap came off, and a fair amount of a beige head that lingers awhile. Nice nose. Rye, citrus, yeast, breadiness are the most notable. Very nice taste. Just a bit of the rye flavor, and some spiciness. A little citrus, some breadiness, and a touch tart with a hint of bitterness. A very nice offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 22:33:41 | More by Boto

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3.4/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

P: Copper amber body with floating specks and timid bubbles. Head creates a offwhite layer of thin bubbles that settle to a silky film.

S: Hefty dose of spice with rye bread, tannin, barley, oxidation has set in, very timid funky yeast that is more powdery than funky. Orange, lemon and tart pear sprinkled with crushed pepper corns. Clove, old leather, booze and faint banana arrive once warmed. Musty and earthy like crawling around in the attic.

T/M: Orange oil, rose petals, soapy citrus, grapefruit, caramel malt, tons if rye, barley, cardamom, hibiscus leaves, jasmine, fruit wax and aggressive spices. Floral hops and bitter fruit round out the super dry and chaulky finish. Medium-full creamy body with spicy carbonation. Hop bitterness is unpleasant and distracts from the blend.

O: So I have to say that I was excited for this beer. This didn't age well at all. Stale spicy rye is the forefront on this beer. It really shows more like a rye IPA than a saison. Super aggressive flavor profile that is really rough and messy. Not a triumphant success of the style but still glad I was able to try this. If fresh this would have blown me away and would have done better in my eyes.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:11:02 | More by Hopswagger

ngeunit1

California

4.23/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a cloudy orange-brown with a finger of frothy slightly off white head atop. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of grapefruit, citrus, and pine hops with sweet caramel and rye malts, some Belgian yeast, spices, and lemon zest.

T - Starts off with a mix of grapefruit and citrus hops with some bitterness, sweet caramel malts, spices, and lemon zest. Through the middle, some spicy rye comes through with some pine hops, a bit more bitterness, and some Belgian yeast flavors. The finish is a mix of grapefruit and pine hops, bitterness, rye, sweet bready malts, Belgian yeast, and spices.

M - Medium-plus bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet, dry, and spicy finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nice overall balance with the rye being a nice touch.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 04:08:12 | More by ngeunit1

Greywulfken

New York

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: deep amber/amber brown body, a thin layer of ivory head; drops some lacing and motes

S: sweet, chewy caramel and rye bread

T: this may be more for a rye ale lover than a saison lover - a definite dark, sweet, chewy malt base - lots of rye - which I loved; toast, booze, grains, caramel, toffee; herbal rye has an upfront chewy sweetness

M: can I say chewy again? Thicker-feeling than most saisons, and a richer, heartier beer; not as carbonated; the rye truly changes the character into something different. Fairly low-key aftertaste - almost clean-finishing.

O: I really liked this beer, but as you can see, in my experience at least, this was more of a rye ale than a farmhouse ale - but maybe I've only run into lighter-tasting and feeling saisons - I don't know. I've only had a few rye ales/ales which feature rye, but for me this beer was the rye-est beer I've had. It really rocks the rye - so fans will enjoy. Think: caramel rye ale.

I'm thinking I'm way above the average rating because I really liked the rye, and while I love saisons, I wasn't disappointed or thrown off by this beer's flavor profiles. If I was dying to have a saison - and it was in my heart and mind that it was what I was going to have, this beer probably would have gotten a different review.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 15:51:18 | More by Greywulfken

SHODriver

California

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

A: pours a nice reddish amber hue with a small off white head and minimal retention into a duvel tulip
S: smells slightly fruity, a bit spicy from the rye and yeast, a little citrus, and an underlying sweetness
T: fruity esters up front, rye spice and yeast, a little hop bitterness, rich and sweet malt flavor. swallow brings a bit of oily hop flavor, spicy rye and some more fruity esters
M: light carbonation and a slightly syrupy feel in the mouth. a bit too viscous for the style
O: Not a bad beer, it probably would have been a bit better fresh due to the dry hopping but it isn't bad. Definitely drinkable but it misses some things I'd have liked to see out of it.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 20:27:02 | More by SHODriver

Etan

Illinois

2.93/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22oz into a stout glass.

A: Pours a darkish orange-brown, murky, with a small white head. Bit of lacing.

S: A nice bit of sweet brett, some grape-like aromas, and ghost of faded hops.

T: Very dry. Charred rye grain, mild funkiness, dark spice and a tiny touch of bald fruitiness from the old hops and esters. Alcohol and a heavy smoky astringency on the back end.

M: Light-bodied, tingly carbonation, oddly astringent bite to it.

O: This is sort of odd and not very good. Too dry, too much astringency and charred flavor/feel, not enough lightness or fruitiness to the saison.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 04:07:00 | More by Etan

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A-cloudy amber with a thick light tan head

S-very herbal and spicy. Pale Belgian spices. Has a touch of syrupy caramel to it. 

T-comes in with an odd mix of spice and herbs. it's not a very well balanced mix. It has some bitterness and a touch of dog breath rawness to it. Has good after-taste of spice and rye. 

M-medium carbonation with dry finish

O-it's a very interesting concept for a beer, though I dont think it was quite carried out all too well. The bitterness is just off to me. Has a weird side taste to it. I'm not a fan.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 20:55:49 | More by AdamBear

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.3/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a tulip. Bottled May 2011. Apparently Cincy is the biggest importer of old Avery as I can still buy Fifteen and Sixteen if I want to.

4.0 A: Big carbonation in this. First pour was 60% head. Eventually I got a full glass. Moderately hazed dark orange amber color. Big off-white, pillowy head. Retention is very good and tons of lacing is left.

4.0 S: Smells mainly of a very tasty saison. The dry hopping isn't very intense now if it every was. The rye plays a complementary role, rather than dominating. Flowery and herbal overall, which is just how I like my saisons. Not a whole lot of pure funk, but it doesn't need it. Spicy earthiness, which is amplified by the rye.

3.0 T: Taste is good, but it has a few problems. The herbalness and floweriness is solid, but there's an excess of astringent herbal-type bitterness. Earthy spicy rye is less intense than I'd like. For the most part, this is lacking all fruitiness, which I don't think I've ever encountered in a saison. That mixed with the dryness of the style and you get an earth bomb. Not that that is such a bad thing, it just doesn't work all that well in this case.

3.5 M: Lighter medium body. Good moderate carbonation that is lightly spritzy. Reasonably smooth despite the bitterness.

3.0 D: Not the most drinkable beer. The bitterness becomes trying over time and the lack of fruitiness makes this a bit more boring than I'd like toward the end of the bomber.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 03:27:15 | More by DavoleBomb

jrenn

Kansas

4.13/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Poured into a tulip, deep amber copperish color. One of those impressive belgian heads.

Smell: Belgian yeast everywhere. Very subtle hops and fruit. Can't really detect the rye.

Taste & Mouthfeel: It really is an interesting take on the farmhouse style. First you detect the belgian yeast and spice, then it moves to the rye and hop character. Subtle darker fruits from the hops. Very creamy and velvety. Pleasing.

Overall: I was really excited to try this. I was hoping it'd be somewhere between a belgian IPA and strong rye ale. Although it really seemed to present itself as just a damn-good saison. It wasn't as complex as I was hoping. Also, the high ABV is nice: if this brew were a Daniel Day Lewis film it'd be called "There Will Be Buzz".

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 23:45:33 | More by jrenn

RickS95

Indiana

3.7/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It's a light brown, kind of a burnt amber, color. Opaque with a rich look. The head is a beautiful thick off-white initially, but it dissipates quickly.

The smell is right up there with an authentic Belgian. A fruity, funky yeast mixed with candied sugar. I could only pick up the rye if I swirled the beer in the snifter.

The taste was a slight letdown after the smell. The rye is prevalent in the taste as it seems to fight with the yeast to see which flavor can dominate.

There are layers in the mouthfeel, but they're very abrupt, as opposed to gradual like in most beers. It's sweet at the beginning, but the rye cuts right into line, ending the sweetness and bringing about a spicy, slightly bitter feel. The bitterness lasts well into the swallow.

I'm not a rye fan and after having this I'm not sure rye belongs in a saison. It's certainly not bad, but the rye is just a bit out of place and maybe could have been tempered more so we could enjoy the farmhouse effect a bit longer.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 03:18:10 | More by RickS95

July2Nov

Hawaii

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Darker amber in color with a white 2-finger froth of a head.

Smell: Lighter in all aspects of the floral and hoppy aromas....as it warms up there tends to be a wet hay & mildew smell.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Dry hop taste with a medium body and a creamy mouthfeel is the initial feeling. Then the rye flavor comes into play and tends to dry the palette. A buttery biscuit flavor rises up and then the dry hops come back to get into the action. In the end the floral aspect lingers well into after the tasting.

Overall: While I had higher anticipation for this 18th anniversary ale, it is in no way a bad or mediocre beer. On the contrary, it is complex beer that is challenging in the aspect that it tends to be all over the place without melding together as I would have liked. It's still a very good Saison and unique for using the five Belgian yeast and the addition of the rye. Excited to see what the 19th anniversary ale has in store.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 04:38:53 | More by July2Nov

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle tried 1 Jan 2012. Served in the 0.4 L Augustiner snifter.

Large beige head. Well carbonated. Clear reddish orange in color with some floaties. Aroma is lightly spicy, yeasty, grapefruity. Starts quite fruity and sweet tart. Becomes a bit spicy towards the middle. A says syrupy. Spicy, rye with some champagne like qualities. Medium body, ethanol somewhat hidden. Finish is fruity tart. Lightly bittersweet aftertaste.

Overall an interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 19:50:17 | More by htomsirveaux

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Strong aroma has a fruity and yeasty overtone, rather like a good hefeweizen. It pours a clear, dark brownish amber with a typical pale golden-tan head. Malty flavor has firm fruity and hoppy notes, with just a little bitterness and a hint of caramel. Smooth, edgy texture has good body and leaves a woody, slightly sweet finish.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 02:52:25 | More by Cyberkedi

chadmoe1

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from review on 10/2/11

A -- Dark gold, 1/4" tan head that was quickly gone

S -- Fruity / Belgian yeasty aroma, some hops

T -- Smooth but crisp (saison flavors?) up front, spicy yeasty/ester flavors in middle, smooth rye/toasty finish with bitterness

M -- Medium carb, a bit chewy

O -- Not sure what to expect with a "dry-hopped rye saison" but smooth and tasty...my wife loved it; I felt it was pretty good

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 01:20:51 | More by chadmoe1

PDXHops

South Carolina

2.68/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bomber poured into a Maudite tulip. Hazy dark copper with an ample off-white head that leaves scattered soapy lace patches.

Any extra oomph the dry-hopping might have provided the nose is long gone at this point (this was bottled ~9 months ago). Smells like a saison should, if perhaps a bit on the tame side. Plummy, yeast, earthy and banana notes, all in fairly modest doses.

Seems rather sweet for the style up front, but a still-potent bitterness balances it out (still, it's not dry enough). Not sure if it's by design or oxidation, but the hint of cardboard doesn't jive well with bubblegum and banana. The rye brings some interest in an otherwise disappointingly watery finish. The lingering rye and mild funk are the highlights of this brew.

Overall impression: Approachable but forgettable take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 23:27:53 | More by PDXHops

beer2day

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reddish gold in color, with a thin layer of head. Light on retention and thin lace.

Banana cream nose with vanilla underneath and light toasted malt.

Strong rye flavor right up front. Very dry, fruity finish - think tart cherries and banana notes. Bready, malty overall flavor with touch of biscuit.

Light syrup in the body with just a touch of cream.

Interesting and glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 18:14:33 | More by beer2day

teromous

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I picked this up because it has a very interesting set of flavor descriptions. Dry hopped...rye...and saison. Here we go!

A: It has a dark copper color, with a pretty good sized (small finger) white head. The head stays up well with lots of different bubble sizes, and is already forming lacing. The beer is hazy.

S: I get that characteristic Saison smell, with a lightly sour smell, some fruity plums, and banana.

T: The beer does have a very unique flavor profile. At first I get this Belgian type of vanilla ester flavor, then it's taken over by a light resinous hop flavor. The hops aren't overpowering. There is a light fruitiness to the beer too. In the end there is this nice bitterness. It's not your typical Saison, but it's really good. I would have liked some more sourness or tartness from the beer but it's still very good. I don't get a whole lot of the rye character.

M: The mouthfeel is medium but leans a bit light. It is well balanced. The carbonation is good. The beer is fairly dry and the hop bitterness complements it well. It's not perfect but it's very good.

O: Overall I don't think this would go over too well with people who enjoy classical Saisons. I think the beer is still very good. It would be better suited for people who enjoy bitter beers and are also fond of Belgian-like flavors. I would drink it again, and I would recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 22:13:44 | More by teromous

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.1/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Re-post from my hacked "jmkratt" :(

look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I was very excited to try this! Avery's limited releases have proven to be well worth the price and this brew certainly sounded interesting! Bottled May 2011 to a globe glass.

A - The beer pours a dark yellow with a bit of dark amber red. A slight 3/4 finger white head with some retention and lacing as expected.

S - Pepper, spice and a bit of sweet malt. No hop presence. The yeast provides the familiar banana with just a bit of clove. Not a lot to report.

T - Similar to the nose. Begins with a a hint of light malt sweetness. A touch of toast with toffee and caramel character. Then the flavors come. First is the strong peppery spice of the rye found in the nose. Then the yeast provides banana and bubble gum esters. A slight presence of hops, which in my opinion don't provide any benefit to the flavor and seem to contrast the palate, slightly earthen in flavor. Finishes clean with a hint of bitterness. I really don't care for the flavor here, very average, too many competing flavors that don't seem to blend or work well together.

M - Light carbonation with a lighter end of medium body.

O - Interesting beer, though not for me. Too much going on. Not all that refreshing. Not what I was expecting from a saison. Rare Avery release that I don't care for.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 06-07-2011 15:44:53

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 14:39:18 | More by hopfacebrew

doucmehu

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle into a tulip. Yay, this sounds delicious - I like Saisons and Rye pale ales.

A: Pours a nice ruddy amber with a fairly clean white head, heavy pour gives it a nice look but robs me of a couple ounces.

S: Sweet and spicy up front, with some hop bitterness and a dash of funk.

T: Clean, crisp and peppery rye add a nice touch to a fairly straightforward saison, though the funk seems slightly off. There is that nice clean lemon zest and mild spiciness that works fairly well though, despite the off wild flavor.

M: Prickly and clean, but with more bite than a regular saison. Finishes crisp with some Rye and hops bitterness.

O: A solid beer, but not as good as I was hoping. All of the elements are there, but it is just missing something, both in the body and that saison funk being a bit off somehow.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 03:09:58 | More by doucmehu

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a reddish color with a nice white to off hire colored head. The smell is lightly spivey with a definite rye presence and earthy hops. The flavor follows suit with the earth hops up from follows by the eye malt and finishes with a nice bitterness. The mouthfeel is light well carbonated and dry. Overall this is a great beer that I look forward t having again.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 12:50:05 | More by rowingbrewer

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy amber with a thin, creamy white mousse. Lacing is decent, but not all that impressive.

S: Aromas of rye, caramel, vague fruits, and spicy, pungent yeast are present on the nose. You can really tell that Avery was going for an ale that was heavy on the malt and yeast.

T: Notes of rye bread, juniper berries, cedar, caramel, grapefruit, tangerine, white peach, bitter orange, and pungent, spicy yeasts immediately fill the mouth. The finish is fruity and yeasty with a mixture of cedar, citrus, and Belgian yeast flavors.

M: Medium-to-full in body and surprisingly creamy. Oddly, the rye imparts no harshness to the mouth, Instead, this ale is smooth with a very restrained alcohol presence. Carbonation is initially prickly, but drops off the table pretty quickly.

O: This is an interesting saison. There's almost so much going on here that it is impossible to process it all at one time. Avery Eighteen is definitely worth a try, particularly if you're a fan of the more eccentric takes on this style.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 18:16:52 | More by mrfrancis