Avery and Russian River's Collaboration not Litigation Ale

Alright, I'm hesitant to dive into another Avery. The chance for a miss with their beers has been pretty high, at least by my tastes. However, the opportunity to try something from RR is enticing. We shall see.

The pour is a coppery caramel, with a fluffy off white/tan head. Decent retention, and some moderate lacing. Looks promising.

The nose is enticing. Scents of dark fleshed fruits (figs, etc.), candi sugar, cocoa, caramel, and toffee. There is a bit of yeasty breadiness going on as well, with some minimal hops hanging out in the dark corners of the nose. At the tail end there is a touch of something sour.

Taste follows with fruits, chocolate, caramel. The bready character comes out a bit more. The sourness comes out right before the finish, and adds an interesting balance. The finish is surprisingly bitter. This doesn't give much of a hop bitterness, but more just a straight bitter taste. Odd. What surprises me the most here is that the flavor is not particularly full. The tastes are all apparent, but all are somewhat light. This is not a particularly heavy beer. The alcohol content is completely hidden.

Mouthfeel is slightly sticky, but again, lighter than expected. Decent carbonation keeps the beer lively on the tongue.

Overall, not bad, in fact, and there is nothing negative going on here. However, nothing particularly grabs me. 87/100.

Sleepless

Now that it is 5:36 in the morning, and I can't sleep, I figured I would tag on a couple of beers that I'd tried recently but hadn't given the attention of a full review.

Sam Adams Irish Red Ale:
Really caramel malt oriented. A touch sweet for my taste, and there was something a little odd going on in the finish. Not bad, will probably develop some cult status, but nothing to write home about.

Avery New World Porter:
Oh Avery, you do so love your hops. First sip made me think IBA (India Black Ale). Lots of pine oriented hops. Some chocolate and coffee came through as well, but this felt like a hop showcase. Tasty, but not what I expect when I see the word "porter". I'll have to give this one another go, and give it a full review.

Also, thinking of going back to the goatee. Not sure yet.

Avery Mephistopheles Russian Imperial Stout 2008

These just arrived today. This is in the Avery Demon serious, and is the second strongest, pulling in at 16% ABV. The two previous entries that I've tried have been... challenging. Intense, flavorful, but not easy drinkers at all. This one promises to be no different.

This pours like motor oil. There is no splashing here, just a thick syrupy stream of brown-black liquid. A minimal cocoa head crops up, and fades away immediately into nothingness. No light passes through this beer. Lacing? Pffffff...

The nose is dark and sweet. Dark mixed berries, 90%+ cocoa, smoke, and some hot alcohol. Overwhelmingly rich.


The flavors all follow the nose in kind, with a distinct flavor of beef jerky. This is one of, if not the heartiest beer I have ever had. A resounding warming sensation hits after the first swallow. This is like drinking a melted chocolate pudding. Huge!

This is not the most drinkable beer, that is for sure. However, giving it considerations for being a 16% RIS, it is more palatable than expected.

86/100.