Avery Anniversary Eleven

Formerly brewed at Avery Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Boulder, Colorado USA

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

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Reviewed on 6-20-05. The first time that I tried this beer, I found it to be a total cacophony of hops. I won this more recent sample in a raffle from Courtney at the Hop Shop in Indy. Many thanks! This beer totally overwhelms my Duvel tulip with foam despite a gentle pour from the bomber. It is colored with amber and orange and leaves a sticky lace from the top of the glass to the level of the beer. A quarter inch foam remains. The smell is of sharp, spicy hops. I am once again dissapointed by this beer. I think that although this was a mess when young, it has mellowed far too much for the style. The hops taste spicy and dry. I detect very faint citrus flavors, and none of the juiceiness I have come to expect from this style. The malt is just noticeable. The finish is quite clean for a double IPA, which is actually refreshing. I am putting this down rather quickly, and I know how to guzzle a double IPA. I wish I had procured this about six months ago.

This was a slap in the face with hops, and takes a chunk out of your palate. An amazing array of hops from earth to spicy, to citrus, this beer runs the gamut of fresh hop flavor. A very big malt background balances out all the sharp flavors of the hops with some caramel sweetness. Nicely done!

22 oz Bottle - I’m not sure when they stopped making this - but I think I have bought the last bottle in Indianapolis! It was a little pricey, but it was definitely worth it. I have never been disappointed with Avery in any way, shape, or form and this time was no exception. Poured a hazy golden with off white head. Aroma is hops, citrus, foral, earthy tones, spice, etc... Taste is killer hops, really fresh, kinda grapefruit/citrusy sweet - great balance of bitter and sweet. Drank a Stone Ruination in the same night, made the Ruination taste bland, boring, and just a little bitter by comparison (and I LIKE Ruination!). Absolutely, positively look out for this one in a dark corner of the liquor store shelve.

I really enjoyed this at Jimacks. Cornboy had it stored. Aroma very hoppy and earthy. Some pine and wood with fresh hops as well. Taste is also very hoppy and delicous. Well balnced hops with some more hops. Different hops, sweet hops, citrus hops, hoppy hops. Rich body balanced this one out nicely.

Tasted 9/16/2007. 22oz bomber. Heavily sedimented with a murky brown bronze hue. Moldy off white head. Strong nose. Sugary. Citrus undertones. Touch of maple in the malt profile. Full bodied with an ultra smooth palate. "Festive August candy caramel" was the responce from the buddy I split this with. Warming with a minimal hop profile. Caramel and slightly woody. Earthy. Medium malt roast, but big. Obviously different than when fresh, but tasty none the less.

Had on 5/13/2004. Aroma is like smelling a bag of fresh hops. Color is a pale orange gold. Carbonation seems light with a thin head. Taste is very citrusy and almost fruity. Starting with a medium body it goes down with a bright fresh feel. Finish comes on with a citrusy flavor that reminds me of grapefruit, then a mild hop spiciness and a mild crisp bitterness. OK this is a hoppy beer, but they may have gone a bit over board on the fresh dry hopping, the grapefruit like flavor is almost too much and over powers all the rest. Now I like a hoppy beer and I do like this beer, but I think it may be a bit much.

Jimmack Invitational’07, shared by Cornboy (thanks John). He says its been in a fridge since it as purchased, very cool. Aroma is a very green hops, sticky and resiny. Think almost like green herb like hops. Flavor is not old and very lively still, oily shops and sweet biscuit maltiness. Long leafy hops aftertaste. Very enjoyable and surprising.

Date: 01/02/2005
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting

fresh grapefruit hop aroma, rich sweet malt flavor balanced by lots of good hop flavor and low bitterness, well balanced
-------- /> Date: 08/04/2005

ditto

Aroma: 9/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Score: **4
-------- /> The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

Sampled at Noogfest 3. This Imperial IPA pours a golden yellow color from a 22oz bottle. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is grapefruity and citrusy. Medium bodied Imperial IPA. Malts are fruity, caramel and sweet. Hops are citrusy and grapefruity. Smooth tasting, some bottle aging has mellowed the hot alcohol flavors that usually dominate Avery big beers, its still there its not just as hot. Hops are still very evident in this beer that is around 3 years old at sampling. Very nice. The malts are a little more prevalent. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Appearance: Pours a very cloudy, copper body with a thin, bubbly white head. Smell: Orange blossom honey, lemon zest, light toffee, and a good bit of alcohol fumes. Taste: Sugary sweet honey and caramel maltiness upfront followed by plenty of strong citrus and pine notes leading into an intense, sharp finish. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Mild carbonation. Sticky mouthfeel. Drinkability: Three years later, this double IPA has managed to age fairly well, with the hops still retaining much of their former potency.