Avery Collaboration Not Litigation

On tap at 1702 in Tucson. Pours amber with a white head. Aroma is a little earthy with hints of fruits and sweet malt. Flavor adds a nice note of smooth caramel to this that is most welcome and lingers pleasantly.

At one time I was just a simple beer drinker, blissfully unaware of the political turmoil, corruption, back-stabbing, and cold litigation that also makes up a large percentage of the beer world. That large percentage of bullying is thankfully limited to a large few, with the smaller and in general more friendly craft brewers choosing the more civil and prosperous path of working together. Goals attained hand-in-hand are far more rewarding and lasting than those gained with guns pointed and blood-soaked remains trampled underfoot. For two craft breweries, there came a deciding moment when they could have walked the down-and-dirty path of lawyers and general bitchiness. Instead, they joined hands, brewer to brewer, wife to wife, and forged an alliance that is now celebrating its third anniversary of beery communion. The beer is the Collaboration Not Litigation Ale, featuring a joyous union between Avery Brewing and Russian River Brewing.

Hazy oranges with a touch of earthy browns float suspended in my glass while a gentle khaki head settles comfortably atop her liquid bounty, lingering long into our intimate session. There isn’t much lace to speak of, but that’s ok, because her nose is all I need at this moment. A touch of tartness leads directly into a tropical fruit paradise where the waters are pristine azures that bleed into a sky so blue, decorated with cotton puffs. Apricots, peaches, tangerines, nectarines, mangos, pineapple, kiwi, and cantaloupe, hold the umbrella please. The snap of peach skins break upon fresh cinnamon and nutmeg sprinkles which highlight more tartness. Green bamboo makes for an interesting addition, and right before I take my first quaff, some warm butter rolls come steaming out of the oven. Tart and juicy. Sweet and spiced. Wet and dry. Her soft, velvety, frothy mouthfeel exudes warm brown spices and sticky butter rolls. Dry wood is now a finishing highlight versus the green wood of bamboo in her nose. The top of my tongue immediately starts to dry under a tropical assault of tart and sweet fruits. The acidity is all fresh fruit skins, and I am left refreshed after each quaff, my breath is replete with a beautiful sunny fruit essence which lingers long into the empty depths of my glass.

Standing on their own, Avery and Russian River both brew phenomenal beers, so it comes as no surprise to me that their collaborative work is a beautiful marriage of both their passions. Once more, the specialty beer world is better because two brewers chose their shared love for beer over selfish grubbery.

From Havnens Vin, Vejle, DK. Bottled, 240709. Amber with small head. Aroma of ripe fruit and malt. Flavor is caramel, alcohol and yeasty esters.

Batch 2 bottle pours a murky copper with a thin head of small, loosely-packed off-white bubbles. Complex aroma of pumpkin, spice, banana, and lots of sweet malt. Creamy texture brings the malty flavor with a bit of yeast, a slight hoppy twang, and a touch of the ~9% ABV, but somewhat falls apart in the finish, becoming weaker and a bit unfocused. As others have said, good but nothing too special, and not exactly what I picture from a strong Belgian.

On tap @ Brass Tap Wesley Chapel. Pours gold with a soapy off-white head. Nose is sweet malt, orange, citrus, spice, raw honey, and some pepper. Smooth with lingering sweet malt. Medium to light bodied and nice occasional beer.

On tap at the Brass Tap. Poured a deep brown with ruby notes. Nose was sweet malt, earthy hops, spices, flowers, dark fruit. Flavor is a smooth combo of sweet thick roasty malts, floral hops, spices, candy and yeast. Real nice!

Bomber thanks to Soonah. Pours a cloudy orange with a fluffy two finger head. Aroma is of some horse barn, some pancake, a little dirt, and some spice such as coriander. Flavor follows suit with the addition of some caramel malt, brown sugar and some apple. Palate is borderline cloying...there is something funky about this beer I cant lay a finger on....but theres something off...light alcohol presence as well. Not bad, but a touch of strange there.

Beer was a good. Nice belgian strong ale. Poured amber brown with thinnish head. Very sugary malty smell, some hops underneath. Flavor is quite nice. Typical fruit, some alcohol. Good brew.