Avery The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest

Brewed by Avery Brewing Company
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Boulder, Colorado USA

2008 bomber bottle. 10.03%. Pours a see through burnt orange/red (pretty much copper) with a small, fizzy, white head that dissipates quickly. A little bit of lacing on the glass with a swirl on the surface that remains throughout the session. A plethora of sweet caramel malts in the aroma. Some hints of spicy and floral hops with just a trace of alcohol in the smell. Definitely dominated by the maltiness though. Wow! I wasn’t expecting this flavor after smelling this...much more intense than the aroma leads it to be. Strong and complex sweet malts right away, closely followed by the alcohol taste. A little overpowering, which I kind of enjoy...I was just surprised after not really picking up too much alcohol in the aroma. I know its a 10% ABV beer, but still...a surprise. A rather full feeling beer with a dry and sticky finish. The medium bitterness and oily hops kick in at the end and linger along with the alcohol for a good amount of time. Overall, and in my opinion, despite the almost "kick in the face" surprise that the initial taste presented me with, the strong alcohol is balanced very well with the intense malt backbone and the bittering hop finish. I am a fan of this rather tasty, unique beer. It goes down nicely for a beer this big too.

Now I know why I was so buzzed when I left Old C’s after having a few beers. I was unaware of this beer’s abv and did not notice a strong alcohol taste. On tap, copper color, this is the best lager I have had. Slightly sweet malt taste with some dryness. But still has a lightness that macro drinkers may like.

Bottle at EBF 2008, Friday September 12
Clear copper color, tan head. Sweet and alcohol scent. Sweet malty, caramel taste. Smooth mouthfeel, medium nitterness.

On tap at Oldsmar Tap House. Pours tea-colored, creamy white lacing, and a nice head. Some floral notes, candy, sugary sweetness. Sweet flavors, oily hops, somewhat oxidized. Sharp bitterness, smooth but not that drinkable. Odd style.

22 oz Bottle, 2008 Vintage, purchased at Lukas Liquors in Kansas City, Missouri. Pour is an almost clear copper auburn with a nice fluffy 2 inch tan head. A few very fine carbonation bubbles slowly float their way to the top of the glass. Patchy lacing lines the glass and is quite lasting. Aroma of caramel maltiness, damp ground and some alcohol vapors. Taste is initially sweet spicy floral hops and caramel syrupy maltiness. Behind that is some nutmeg. Then mid palate is a big slap of harsh alcohol. The finish is boozy and lingers. Taste picks up a toasted quality as it warms, and somehow becomes somewhat more integrated. The thin to medium palate of this really allowed the high alcohol content to shine - for me, this is not a good quality. Oh well, this one is not for me.

Bottle. Poured a clear amber/copper color with not much head at all. Aroma is sweet malts and brown sugar. Flavor is caramel, brown sugar, spice and a nice sweet malty finish. Enjoyed this one.

draft @ papago... almost clear copper color with an off white head and light spotty/webby lacing. super malty sweet aroma... lots of caramel, butterscotch, crystal malt, brown sugar and earthy/spicy hops. rather sticky and overly sweet on the palate but it somehow retains incredible drinkability. lots of sugary flavors... honey, caramel and butterscotch lead the pack with grass, light bitterness, earthy spice and savory yeast bringing up the rear. alcohol vapors somehow manage to show up on the finish. full sticky body with a creamy buttery texture. way too sweet but i like the idea.

pours amber with a medium off white head. malty spicy slightly earthy aroma. some dried fruit tones. Flavour is raisiny sweet, malty, medicinal bitterness. Slightly sticky alcohol finish. Not terrific for me.