Avery Oak Barrel Salvation

tap at the brewery - Apparently it’s not that retired as they had it at the Karma release party. It pours deep gold with a thin white, lingering head. It has a mild malt aroma that includes some wild yeast funkiness. The flavor is at once sweet malts and tart wild yeast and/or bacterium (beasties!). It definitely works better here than it did in the Bad Karma, but I still wonder if earlier batches of this one were better. It’s just okay.

Sampled at the second annual Bistro’s West Coast Barrel Aged Beer Fest as "Salvation Crucified": Clear golden bronze color has a nicely-lacing white head. Aroma of sweet biscuity Belgian malt and a hint of mint and orange peel along with a light fruity tartness. Body starts with a nice oaky chardonnay complexity and sweet Belgian maltiness with a good balance of coriander and clove spices toward a crisp oaky vinous finish. Nice choice of barrel and good balance throughout.

On draft @ Falling Rock during ’06 GABF weekend Citrus, floral aroma as well as some brown sugar and spice. Mild oak aroma as the beer warms. Initial taste is brown sugar, yeast, and spice followed by some chardonnay. Finish is tart, lemon, and spice. As the beer warms, it shows a moderate bitterness. Cloudy gold color. Moderate to full bodied.

Tasted on tap at the 2007 Bistro West Coast Barrel Aged Beer Festival. This Belgian Strong Ale poured a medium gold color. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is fruity and sweet with a touch of brett sourness. A medium bodied Belgian Strong Ale. Malts are fruity and sweet, with some cherries and apricots. There is a nice sweetness to this beer, yet there is also a nice understated sourness and oakiness as well. Nice balance. Smooth and clean, this beer does not have that Avery alcohol hotness character to it. Very drinkable beer, kind of understated, but very nice. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.