Avery Anniversary Ale - Twenty One | Avery Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Avery Brewing Company
Colorado, United States
averybrewing.com
Style: American Brown Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.70%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
None provided.
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 84
| Ratings: 506
2.4/5 rDev -38%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Look something was off with this a few years ago when I tried it, dunno if it was the tap lines or what.
Comes out a ruddy brown, weird bubble formation, loose bubbled didn't really hold much of a head down. Aroma was popcorn city breadiness, sourdough factory.
Taste was diacetyl city. Underneath that was just a hodgepodge kind of beer that feels like it was leftover ingredients mashed up into one of these beers. Brown malt, hops, dark fruit yeast impressions, just all over the place.
498 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Look something was off with this a few years ago when I tried it, dunno if it was the tap lines or what.
Comes out a ruddy brown, weird bubble formation, loose bubbled didn't really hold much of a head down. Aroma was popcorn city breadiness, sourdough factory.
Taste was diacetyl city. Underneath that was just a hodgepodge kind of beer that feels like it was leftover ingredients mashed up into one of these beers. Brown malt, hops, dark fruit yeast impressions, just all over the place.
498 characters
3.73/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pulled this May 2014 bottle out of the back of the beer fridge. I've been holding on to it to share it with my neighbor and last night it finally was popped. It poured a muddy brown with white head that left a spotty lace. The scent was sour dough. The taste was bready with slight hop flare. The mouthfeel was medium in body with subtle carbonation. Overall it was ok....it probably would have been better fresh.
418 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pulled this May 2014 bottle out of the back of the beer fridge. I've been holding on to it to share it with my neighbor and last night it finally was popped. It poured a muddy brown with white head that left a spotty lace. The scent was sour dough. The taste was bready with slight hop flare. The mouthfeel was medium in body with subtle carbonation. Overall it was ok....it probably would have been better fresh.
418 characters
3.76/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
On-tap 1/31/2016 at Natty Greene’s Tavern in North Attleboro, MA, served in a snifter glass.
A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma is faint but contains brown sugar, dark fruit, caramelized malts and some hops.
T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel, dark fruit and brown sugar. The malt character is hearty and there’s a decent hops presence that create some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, strong kick, decent representation of style, it’s a decent beer but there are definitely better choices available within the style.
803 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
On-tap 1/31/2016 at Natty Greene’s Tavern in North Attleboro, MA, served in a snifter glass.
A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma is faint but contains brown sugar, dark fruit, caramelized malts and some hops.
T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel, dark fruit and brown sugar. The malt character is hearty and there’s a decent hops presence that create some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, strong kick, decent representation of style, it’s a decent beer but there are definitely better choices available within the style.
803 characters
4.02/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Enjoyed from the 22 oz bottle in a snifter. This FINE brown pours a muddy brownish mahogany with a firm head of light khaki foam that settles to a thick ring and thin layer with very nice lacing. Nose of chocolate malts, pineapple, heavy citrus fruits of grapefruit, sweet malts, and bitter hops. Flavors follow the nose with dark bitter chocolate awash in grapefruit and pineapple on all sides finishing with a blast of bitter hops on the back and aftertaste. Coating but with enough carbonation to keep it lively with warming booze on the back. Very nice with a lot going on....almost too much. Love this brewery, and enjoyed this brew, but somewhat outside of my palate.
679 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Enjoyed from the 22 oz bottle in a snifter. This FINE brown pours a muddy brownish mahogany with a firm head of light khaki foam that settles to a thick ring and thin layer with very nice lacing. Nose of chocolate malts, pineapple, heavy citrus fruits of grapefruit, sweet malts, and bitter hops. Flavors follow the nose with dark bitter chocolate awash in grapefruit and pineapple on all sides finishing with a blast of bitter hops on the back and aftertaste. Coating but with enough carbonation to keep it lively with warming booze on the back. Very nice with a lot going on....almost too much. Love this brewery, and enjoyed this brew, but somewhat outside of my palate.
679 characters
4.17/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottled May 2014. Still had a lot going for it. Malty but not overwhelmingly so. Slight bitterness, but a strong fill the center of the mouth character and body comes across most.
179 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottled May 2014. Still had a lot going for it. Malty but not overwhelmingly so. Slight bitterness, but a strong fill the center of the mouth character and body comes across most.
179 characters
4.12/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Ballast Point's Three Sheets Barleywine - tasted on tap at Free Bridge Wine & Spirits. Brief review from notes. This brew has an extraordinary amber gradient-like look to it, topped with a sudsy khaki head. The aroma is quite fruity, with strawberry, kiwi, and grapefruit notes. Although Three Sheets has a juicy hop profile going for it in the flavor, we predominantly get the sweet fruity and floral malts, that are also very heavy on the caramel, to my palate. Overall, this is a fantastic example of the style, and although strong, it doesn't knock me out of my seat. Highly recommended from a top microbrewery.
615 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Ballast Point's Three Sheets Barleywine - tasted on tap at Free Bridge Wine & Spirits. Brief review from notes. This brew has an extraordinary amber gradient-like look to it, topped with a sudsy khaki head. The aroma is quite fruity, with strawberry, kiwi, and grapefruit notes. Although Three Sheets has a juicy hop profile going for it in the flavor, we predominantly get the sweet fruity and floral malts, that are also very heavy on the caramel, to my palate. Overall, this is a fantastic example of the style, and although strong, it doesn't knock me out of my seat. Highly recommended from a top microbrewery.
615 characters
3.65/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From 22 oz bomber to pint glass
I had this cellared away and didn't realize it was dry-hopped. I'm sure some of the citrusy, nuanced aspects have diminished, but the brew still tastes about proportional to its score. Here's the breakdown:
A: Dark copper-brown, clear, as the pour yields a small, wispy head that quickly dissipates.
S: Caramelly malts, nutty. Notes of oak and raisin, along with a grassy, floral tone. Booze is not at all masked and warms as you breath it in.
T/M: More bitter on the palate...not quite the malt-bomb I was expecting. Grassy astringency along with caramelly, toasty malt character. Kindy stodgy in it's texture, helping to accentuate the sweet aspects. Long finish with lingering sweet residue between sips.
755 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From 22 oz bomber to pint glass
I had this cellared away and didn't realize it was dry-hopped. I'm sure some of the citrusy, nuanced aspects have diminished, but the brew still tastes about proportional to its score. Here's the breakdown:
A: Dark copper-brown, clear, as the pour yields a small, wispy head that quickly dissipates.
S: Caramelly malts, nutty. Notes of oak and raisin, along with a grassy, floral tone. Booze is not at all masked and warms as you breath it in.
T/M: More bitter on the palate...not quite the malt-bomb I was expecting. Grassy astringency along with caramelly, toasty malt character. Kindy stodgy in it's texture, helping to accentuate the sweet aspects. Long finish with lingering sweet residue between sips.
755 characters
3.81/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Brewed May 2014:
Pours hazed brown - some ruby highlights. A foamy, lasting head tops it off. Lacing sticks down the glass.
The smell is of caramel/toffee with brown sugar and pine.
The taste is of caramel/toffee with herbal/spicy, piney/resinous hops. A hint of alcohol in the finish.
I have to admit, I didn't look at the brewing date when I picked it up a few days ago. I had never seen it where I purchased it (my regular place), so I assumed it was new. It still has a fresh hop character, so it does hold up well, though not having it fresh I will never know. Still, there was something that wasn't so smooth about it. It's still a very good beer though. A strong, hoppy brown ale, it still is.
705 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Brewed May 2014:
Pours hazed brown - some ruby highlights. A foamy, lasting head tops it off. Lacing sticks down the glass.
The smell is of caramel/toffee with brown sugar and pine.
The taste is of caramel/toffee with herbal/spicy, piney/resinous hops. A hint of alcohol in the finish.
I have to admit, I didn't look at the brewing date when I picked it up a few days ago. I had never seen it where I purchased it (my regular place), so I assumed it was new. It still has a fresh hop character, so it does hold up well, though not having it fresh I will never know. Still, there was something that wasn't so smooth about it. It's still a very good beer though. A strong, hoppy brown ale, it still is.
705 characters
3.99/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a black color. 1/3 inch head of an off-tan color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of strong alcohol, strong yeast, strong sweet malt, strong earthy malt, hint of roasted malt, hint of pickle, hops, and a hint of black pepper. Fits the style of an American Brown Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of strong alcohol, strong earthy malt, sweet malt, hint of roasted malt, hint of caramel malt, hops, grass, and slight biscuit-y burnt flavor. Overall, wow, a very intense beer in both body and aroma. Good appearance, aroma, and blend, but not a big fan of the biscuit-y burnt flavors.
648 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a black color. 1/3 inch head of an off-tan color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of strong alcohol, strong yeast, strong sweet malt, strong earthy malt, hint of roasted malt, hint of pickle, hops, and a hint of black pepper. Fits the style of an American Brown Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of strong alcohol, strong earthy malt, sweet malt, hint of roasted malt, hint of caramel malt, hops, grass, and slight biscuit-y burnt flavor. Overall, wow, a very intense beer in both body and aroma. Good appearance, aroma, and blend, but not a big fan of the biscuit-y burnt flavors.
648 characters
4.68/5 rDev +20.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Appearance: Pours a beautiful, completely opaque, deep, dark, almost black, but not quite, mahogany color, speckled with touches of reddish highlights and a full finger of white-colored head that quickly dissolved away into a thin lacing of foam that completely covered the top of the beer.
Aroma: Very aromatic, with tons of rich, earthy aromas of bready, toasted malt, imparting notes of freshly baked sourdough bread. There’s also strong aromas of candied sugar, touches of stone fruit, such as prunes, dates and figs, as well as spices of black pepper, clove and garam masala. Finally, there’s quite a bit of floral, piney hops.
Taste: Delicious! There’s tons of rich, earthy flavors of bready, toasted malt, up front, imparting notes of freshly baked sourdough bread, followed by strong flavors of candied sugar, and touches of stone fruit, such as prunes, dates and figs, as well as spices of black pepper, clove and garam masala, dark chocolate and roasted chestnuts. Finally, there’s quite a bit of floral, piney hops at the finish, but its beautifully balanced and not at all overly bitter.
Mouthfeel: Chewy and extremely smooth, as there is very little in the way of carbonation. With an ABV of 8.7%, there is just a touch of a pleasant alcohol warmth on the palate.
Overall: This is a very complex, rich, earthy, inviting beer, with an extreme depth of flavor and great mouth feel. Excellent beer! Another grand-slam from Avery!
1,463 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Appearance: Pours a beautiful, completely opaque, deep, dark, almost black, but not quite, mahogany color, speckled with touches of reddish highlights and a full finger of white-colored head that quickly dissolved away into a thin lacing of foam that completely covered the top of the beer.
Aroma: Very aromatic, with tons of rich, earthy aromas of bready, toasted malt, imparting notes of freshly baked sourdough bread. There’s also strong aromas of candied sugar, touches of stone fruit, such as prunes, dates and figs, as well as spices of black pepper, clove and garam masala. Finally, there’s quite a bit of floral, piney hops.
Taste: Delicious! There’s tons of rich, earthy flavors of bready, toasted malt, up front, imparting notes of freshly baked sourdough bread, followed by strong flavors of candied sugar, and touches of stone fruit, such as prunes, dates and figs, as well as spices of black pepper, clove and garam masala, dark chocolate and roasted chestnuts. Finally, there’s quite a bit of floral, piney hops at the finish, but its beautifully balanced and not at all overly bitter.
Mouthfeel: Chewy and extremely smooth, as there is very little in the way of carbonation. With an ABV of 8.7%, there is just a touch of a pleasant alcohol warmth on the palate.
Overall: This is a very complex, rich, earthy, inviting beer, with an extreme depth of flavor and great mouth feel. Excellent beer! Another grand-slam from Avery!
1,463 characters
3.39/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Sweet Malty, and Carmel notes, Heavy mouthfeel, some licorice,
vanilla, a bite of hops which quickly disappears on the end. A bit heavy mouthfeel, and lacking balance. Smooth, and sweet tasting, lots of carmel, roasted malt, grain, and low carbonation.
254 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Sweet Malty, and Carmel notes, Heavy mouthfeel, some licorice,
vanilla, a bite of hops which quickly disappears on the end. A bit heavy mouthfeel, and lacking balance. Smooth, and sweet tasting, lots of carmel, roasted malt, grain, and low carbonation.
254 characters
3.71/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Clear brown colored ale with a small light brown colored head.
Smells mildly sweet with with a bit of piney hop. Scents of brown bread. Not a real aromatic beer.
Starts out mildly sweet and fairly malty. Medium bitterness and mildly hoppy.
Mouthfeel is good.
Overall a decent hoppy brown ale.
299 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Clear brown colored ale with a small light brown colored head.
Smells mildly sweet with with a bit of piney hop. Scents of brown bread. Not a real aromatic beer.
Starts out mildly sweet and fairly malty. Medium bitterness and mildly hoppy.
Mouthfeel is good.
Overall a decent hoppy brown ale.
299 characters
4.28/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
$7.99 for a 22oz bottle @ BevCo. Brewed withTwo-row barley, Chocolate malt, Caramel 120, Honey Malt. Hopped with Columbus, Chinook, Amarillo. Dry-Hopped with Amarillo, Simcoe, Chinook
ABV: 8.3%
Pours out to a brilliantly clear deep mahogany, forming a nice yellow head with very good retention and solid lacing. Moderate carbonation, ~2.5 carbs or so. Beautiful looking beer. The nose is great. Lots of fresh dry hops with pine, grapefruit on top of a nice fruity fermentation (apples, cherries), honey and a distant touch of roast. The mouthfeel is big, smooth, slightly cloying, rich. The taste is great...opens with aggressive hop flavor, followed by the cherries and apples, then a touch of carob, and finishing with leather and a touch of toast, more hops, more fruit, and a moderate piney bitterness lingering in the aftertaste.
A nicely done anniversary ale. One bottle is plenty for one person, as it's quite rich. Avery does a great job and I wish them the best at their new facility. They brew some great stuff!
1,036 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
$7.99 for a 22oz bottle @ BevCo. Brewed withTwo-row barley, Chocolate malt, Caramel 120, Honey Malt. Hopped with Columbus, Chinook, Amarillo. Dry-Hopped with Amarillo, Simcoe, Chinook
ABV: 8.3%
Pours out to a brilliantly clear deep mahogany, forming a nice yellow head with very good retention and solid lacing. Moderate carbonation, ~2.5 carbs or so. Beautiful looking beer. The nose is great. Lots of fresh dry hops with pine, grapefruit on top of a nice fruity fermentation (apples, cherries), honey and a distant touch of roast. The mouthfeel is big, smooth, slightly cloying, rich. The taste is great...opens with aggressive hop flavor, followed by the cherries and apples, then a touch of carob, and finishing with leather and a touch of toast, more hops, more fruit, and a moderate piney bitterness lingering in the aftertaste.
A nicely done anniversary ale. One bottle is plenty for one person, as it's quite rich. Avery does a great job and I wish them the best at their new facility. They brew some great stuff!
1,036 characters
3.61/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark brown in color with a fingernail of beige head. Brussels lacing. Aroma is of hazelnuts and amber malt. The flavor is strongly comprised of hazelnuts and amber malt. There might be some piney hops but they are overwhelmed by the hazelnut and amber malt intensity. The mouth is very dry and crisp.
305 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark brown in color with a fingernail of beige head. Brussels lacing. Aroma is of hazelnuts and amber malt. The flavor is strongly comprised of hazelnuts and amber malt. There might be some piney hops but they are overwhelmed by the hazelnut and amber malt intensity. The mouth is very dry and crisp.
305 characters
4.36/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
delicious hoppy brown ale...I love a good brown ale and I love a good ipa....this is a perfect hybrid between the two styles...plenty of hops... not too bitter and the right amount of malt to balance everything out
overall a hell of a india brown ale and one of the better examples of the style out there
Happy 21st Avery...Cheers!!
Heres to 21 years of delicious beers and to 21 more...
388 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
delicious hoppy brown ale...I love a good brown ale and I love a good ipa....this is a perfect hybrid between the two styles...plenty of hops... not too bitter and the right amount of malt to balance everything out
overall a hell of a india brown ale and one of the better examples of the style out there
Happy 21st Avery...Cheers!!
Heres to 21 years of delicious beers and to 21 more...
388 characters
2.88/5 rDev -25.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
This beer ironically was a 21st birthday gift. Brown ales have never been a favorite. Smell of coco, choclate, coffee and rich dark fruits. Decent mouthfeel, the hops are subtle but do complement the malts. Overall fair beer.
225 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
This beer ironically was a 21st birthday gift. Brown ales have never been a favorite. Smell of coco, choclate, coffee and rich dark fruits. Decent mouthfeel, the hops are subtle but do complement the malts. Overall fair beer.
225 characters
3.67/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
No real standout flavors and seemed a little bland...mostly nut, burnt caramel and a faint coffee and even a little tobacco...good hop / malt balance but overall pretty flat, needed one of the flavors to stanc out more.
219 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
No real standout flavors and seemed a little bland...mostly nut, burnt caramel and a faint coffee and even a little tobacco...good hop / malt balance but overall pretty flat, needed one of the flavors to stanc out more.
219 characters
4.25/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This one defies categorization. "Imperial India-Style Brown Ale"? Imperial, yes. Brown, very! Not so sure about "India-Style," except for the pic of the Taj Mahal on the label. Nevertheless, a sturdy malt backbone with enough hop zing to beg repeated sips all the way through 22 ounces of a very interesting brew, quaffed from my trusty Southern Tier tulip. Thank you, Avery, and Happy 21st Birthday!
405 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This one defies categorization. "Imperial India-Style Brown Ale"? Imperial, yes. Brown, very! Not so sure about "India-Style," except for the pic of the Taj Mahal on the label. Nevertheless, a sturdy malt backbone with enough hop zing to beg repeated sips all the way through 22 ounces of a very interesting brew, quaffed from my trusty Southern Tier tulip. Thank you, Avery, and Happy 21st Birthday!
405 characters
3.56/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Body is dark brown with ruby highlights. Thick finger of tan head.
Nose is earthy and bitter. This one is neither a citrus bomb nor a pine tree.
Flavor is stoutly bitter, with a solid malt backbone. Reminds me of toffee or caramel in the dark sweetness, but the profound bitterness on the finish dominates.
Mouthfeel is medium and slick with a tooth-stripping finish.
Overall, a solid drinkable brew. Glad I am having this one on a cold winter's eve, it is pretty warming!
477 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Body is dark brown with ruby highlights. Thick finger of tan head.
Nose is earthy and bitter. This one is neither a citrus bomb nor a pine tree.
Flavor is stoutly bitter, with a solid malt backbone. Reminds me of toffee or caramel in the dark sweetness, but the profound bitterness on the finish dominates.
Mouthfeel is medium and slick with a tooth-stripping finish.
Overall, a solid drinkable brew. Glad I am having this one on a cold winter's eve, it is pretty warming!
477 characters
3.76/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Had a 22 poured into my usual mug, my second review of an Avery beer. I found the color to be lighter than others, more of a chocolate brown with a lighter head than I would have expected. The taste was a mix of spices, rye bread, mad slight toffee notes. The flavor was actually fairly mild, which was surprising given the alcohol content. Pretty good, I guess I was expecting something a bit more robust.
406 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Had a 22 poured into my usual mug, my second review of an Avery beer. I found the color to be lighter than others, more of a chocolate brown with a lighter head than I would have expected. The taste was a mix of spices, rye bread, mad slight toffee notes. The flavor was actually fairly mild, which was surprising given the alcohol content. Pretty good, I guess I was expecting something a bit more robust.
406 characters
3.37/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served from tap in a tumbler at Firkin.
Now Avery can order an Avery at the bar. Anyway, this stuff pours a dark midnight amber-sienna topped by two fingers of khaki foam. The nose comprises dry caramel, fig, dark bread, musty grapes, light treacle, and a vague mix of spices. The taste mostly brings in more of the same, though the treacle is now bitterer, and there's a bit more stonefruit notes. Not sure where any of these came from, given the style, but whatever, I guess. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, an interesting beer, to say the least. Rather than a hoppy brown (I ain't callin' it an "India Brown" anything, daggummit!), I got something akin to a brown spiked with a healthy Belgian yeast and some spices. Weird. Not too bad, though...
827 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served from tap in a tumbler at Firkin.
Now Avery can order an Avery at the bar. Anyway, this stuff pours a dark midnight amber-sienna topped by two fingers of khaki foam. The nose comprises dry caramel, fig, dark bread, musty grapes, light treacle, and a vague mix of spices. The taste mostly brings in more of the same, though the treacle is now bitterer, and there's a bit more stonefruit notes. Not sure where any of these came from, given the style, but whatever, I guess. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, an interesting beer, to say the least. Rather than a hoppy brown (I ain't callin' it an "India Brown" anything, daggummit!), I got something akin to a brown spiked with a healthy Belgian yeast and some spices. Weird. Not too bad, though...
827 characters
4/5 rDev +3.4%
Bottled May 2014
A: poured into a nonic pint to a barely translucent brown with some red highlights and topped by a two finger dense and rocky light tan head that is slow to fade and leaves excellent lacing
S: smells of dank, resinous and oily hops with some pine aroma. slight toasted malt aroma but it's very well hidden
T: taste is toasted malt and citrusy hops plus some pine resin. slight malty sweetness but a lot of bitterness. a little brown sugar in the middle but the hops provide a nice balance and there's some woody flavor. swallow is roasty malt with some oily pine hops and some lingering citrus
M: medium in the mouth with soft carbonation and a oily hop finish that keeps things from drying out
O: Probably a little too heavily hopped for a brown ale but this beer has it going on. Even after almost seven months this beer still brings a lot of hop flavor. There's still some solid complexity and the flavors are good as well. Avery's yeast doesn't seem to attenuate very well so there is still a good amount of sweetness to this beer.
1,066 characters
Bottled May 2014
A: poured into a nonic pint to a barely translucent brown with some red highlights and topped by a two finger dense and rocky light tan head that is slow to fade and leaves excellent lacing
S: smells of dank, resinous and oily hops with some pine aroma. slight toasted malt aroma but it's very well hidden
T: taste is toasted malt and citrusy hops plus some pine resin. slight malty sweetness but a lot of bitterness. a little brown sugar in the middle but the hops provide a nice balance and there's some woody flavor. swallow is roasty malt with some oily pine hops and some lingering citrus
M: medium in the mouth with soft carbonation and a oily hop finish that keeps things from drying out
O: Probably a little too heavily hopped for a brown ale but this beer has it going on. Even after almost seven months this beer still brings a lot of hop flavor. There's still some solid complexity and the flavors are good as well. Avery's yeast doesn't seem to attenuate very well so there is still a good amount of sweetness to this beer.
1,066 characters
3.74/5 rDev -3.4%
Pours a brown body with one finger head and an aroma that is more hops than malts but the earthy, citric hops don't overpower a roasted, bready, malt base.
More of a brown IPA than a hoppy brown ale, the dominant taste profile to me is the dirty, citric hops, while not unbalanced, do overpower the roasted and more bready, nutty malts (no real sweetness coming from these malts at all).
Finishes with a dry, crisp, even bitter finish. Not a bad beer and at times it was an enjoyable hoppy beer, but the malts and hops never really come together and it's just an alright beer.
578 characters
Pours a brown body with one finger head and an aroma that is more hops than malts but the earthy, citric hops don't overpower a roasted, bready, malt base.
More of a brown IPA than a hoppy brown ale, the dominant taste profile to me is the dirty, citric hops, while not unbalanced, do overpower the roasted and more bready, nutty malts (no real sweetness coming from these malts at all).
Finishes with a dry, crisp, even bitter finish. Not a bad beer and at times it was an enjoyable hoppy beer, but the malts and hops never really come together and it's just an alright beer.
578 characters
4.25/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A: deep brown beer and I'm pretty sure it's clear... Two fingers of tan head, slimmed but never departed; some spattered lace down the glass trailed behind...
S: roasted brown malts - a distinct and earthy aroma - hints of deeper pine resins and moldering fruit; herbal accents, brushes with something medicinal...
T: the rich brown malts are immediately assertive, but followed soon thereafter with muddled hops of citrus and pine, all browned and mellowed, conjuring a rustic character; sugars are brown and molasses, perfectly applied...
M: smooth and warming; mellow but with a spicy brown edge; medium-bodied, mildly carbonated; great drinkability...
O: I liked this plenty, but since I prefer hoppy pales to malty browns, this may skew my review. Perhaps it appeals to some specific taste in me, as I seem to be far above the norm in my review. Only one way to find out.
Recommended. Give it a try...
911 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A: deep brown beer and I'm pretty sure it's clear... Two fingers of tan head, slimmed but never departed; some spattered lace down the glass trailed behind...
S: roasted brown malts - a distinct and earthy aroma - hints of deeper pine resins and moldering fruit; herbal accents, brushes with something medicinal...
T: the rich brown malts are immediately assertive, but followed soon thereafter with muddled hops of citrus and pine, all browned and mellowed, conjuring a rustic character; sugars are brown and molasses, perfectly applied...
M: smooth and warming; mellow but with a spicy brown edge; medium-bodied, mildly carbonated; great drinkability...
O: I liked this plenty, but since I prefer hoppy pales to malty browns, this may skew my review. Perhaps it appeals to some specific taste in me, as I seem to be far above the norm in my review. Only one way to find out.
Recommended. Give it a try...
911 characters
4.5/5 rDev +16.3%
On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.
Poured a dark brown hue with a one finger frothy off white head. There was good retention and lacing.
The smell featured roasted malts, a touch of caramel and a light hop spice.
The taste offered a clean roasted malt, charcoal, and a neat herbal hop.
The mouthfeel was clean and dry.
Overall a superior dry, hoppy ale.
371 characters
On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.
Poured a dark brown hue with a one finger frothy off white head. There was good retention and lacing.
The smell featured roasted malts, a touch of caramel and a light hop spice.
The taste offered a clean roasted malt, charcoal, and a neat herbal hop.
The mouthfeel was clean and dry.
Overall a superior dry, hoppy ale.
371 characters
Avery Anniversary Ale - Twenty One from Avery Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.87 out of
5 with
506 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.