Avery Pump[KY]n

Avery Pump[KY]n - Porter brewed w/ Pumpkin and Spices and Aged in Bourbon Barrels (2014)

Limited Release (First Batch).

12 fl. oz. / $12.99 USD / 17.22% ABV

About: "What’s in a name? Sometimes the simplest can be the most descriptive, and in this case, derisive and divisive! After much internal debate (ad nauseum! Bourb[KY]n, anyone?), we decided a single letter change was the best way to embody the bourbon barrel-aging that adds layers of complexity to an already exquisitely spiced pumpkin porter."

Thoughts: Last night while watching Hell in a Cell, I drank a 2014 bottle of Avery Rumpkin (original review HERE) and I'll tell ya, the shit was absolutely glorious! Even better than I remember from the last two years. But this one's about Rumpkin's brand new sister beer! I almost didn't even buy this beer because I thought it was Rumpkin on the shelf. It was right next to it and the area was a bit cluttered since many people must have picked up the bottles and set them back down after considering the price. Plus, I didn't know that this even existed since it's been about a year since I payed attention to any real beer news. When I noticed it on the shelf, I just said fuck it and bought both their pumpkin brews because that's what a guy like me would do.

Pump[KY]n porter poured a dense black with a soft light-brownish tan head on top. A little smoke came out when I cracked it, but other than that there's not really much to describe. The smell is on par with other Avery works of art and by that I mean that this beer is obviously a masterpiece. Having the Rumpkin last night I will say that I do enjoy the scent on that one a bit more, but that's only because I'm more partial to ales than porters. This one is super rich, like an alcoholic chocolate cake... there's tons of barley malt here and it's so strong you could drown in it. There's also some cinnamon and spices on top of oatmeal. It's absolutely fucking beautiful! Oh, and it smells dangerous as a motherfucker too.

It's still a bit cold, even though I've had it sitting for 45 minutes without touching it. How do I do that you ask? I don't know, but I think I may like torturing myself. Let's try it! Yes. First gulp and IT BURNS! IT BURNS!!1 Avery you sadistic bastards, you've done it again. Yeah, there's a ton of heat on this... but it's sweet, spicy and just ripping with barley. This one really reminds me of Dogfish Head's World Wide Stout which is brewed with a shit-ton of malted barley as well. Oh, on a side note I should probably tell you that yesterday I aslo drank a 2014 DFH WWS earlier the last evening (the Rumpkin was my nightcap) so yeah I'm going a bit nuts with these high ABV brews but that's what I like to do.

The Bourbon barrel aging on this is off the fuckin' chain though. It's got a strong presence that hits the hardest after the swallow, leaving a fiery haze down the gullet and igniting your fuckin' ass, man! While in the mouth however, you get all of those pumpkin spices and that sweet oatmeal. This is the definition of a sipper beer. It's the real deal, and this one and Rumpkin are two pumpkin beers in which all others should be judged. Just looking to my right at these two empty bottles I've gotta say, that I feel blessed! No joke. I know these beers are about $15 each, or could be 10-18$ depending on where you are, but it's totally worth it because Pump[KY]n and Rumpkin are not just beers but experiences.

Despite how enjoyable this beer is fresh, I would definitely suggest aging it a bit since it is extremely hot. That, and the sweetness is a bit much. If I ever pick up another bottle, it's going in the back of the fridge for a year or two.

Avery Old Jubilation Ale

Avery Old Jubilation Ale (2012)

Winter Seasonal.

12 fl. oz. / $2.45 USD / 8.3% ABV

About: "Our winter strong ale has a gorgeous mahogany hue, a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five specialty malts. Hops: Bullion / Malts: Two-row barley, Special roast, Black, Chocolate, Victory / Food pairing: Old Jubilation Ale is comfortable being sipped and quaffed alongside many large cuts of meat you typically find around the holidays. Roast duck, crown roast, rack of lamb, prime rib, herb- and honey-crusted chicken and all manner of gamebirds are great choices, as are seasonal soups made with spices like nutmeg and cinnamon."

Thoughts: Old Jubi poured a dark and hazy copper tone with shades of ruby red and had a fluffy, light-tan colored head atop the thing.

Getting a lot of chocolate and black malt here... toffee, peanut brittle and very little bits of coffee way in the background. It smells raw and wet. It's got a really fruity tone to it that's a bordering on funky. Kinda like a homemade oatmeal with raisins and apricot chunks, and coffee milk poured into it. Something weird about it too, but it's hard to finger.

Heavy spicy malt, grassy hop background, vapor, dirt, heavy bitterness and a bit of tartness. It's like an evil generic Dr Pepper with stinging hazy booze fumes. This kind of reminds me of a porter, or an woodsy brown ale. There's a major roasted thing going on that's taking over much of the beer and it's got a gentle smokiness to it. That being said, I'm not really all that much into this beer. I appreciate the strength to it and that makes it a head above other brews like this I've tried, but it's far too nutty of a beer for me. If you like brown ales with a bit of smoke and a lot of nuts that are really strong, then this one is for you.

Mouth feel is very smooth, easy drinking, it's got a little heat at the back of the throat and there's no bad aftertaste... if you don't mind a little char. Aside from being a strong version of a plain tasting beer, this one is still a bit too plain for me.

Avery Rumpkin

Avery Rumpkin - Ale Brewed with Pumpkin and Spices and Aged in Rum Barrels (2012)

Limited Seasonal Release.

12 fl. oz. / $10.99 USD / 18.1% ABV

About: "We wondered what would happen if a monstrous pumpkin ale, plump full of spicy gourdiness, were aged in extremely fresh Gosling's Rum barrels to add suggestions of delicate oak and candied molasses. Rumpkin is what happened! This first member of the Annual Barrel-Aged Series was brewed with roasted pumpkins from a local Boulder County farm, and spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Barrel Type and Time: Dark Rum Barrels, 6 months / Malt Variety: Aromatic, Honey Malt… and Pumpkins!"

Thoughts: Rumpkin poured a thick, murky, dark burnt orange color with medium carbonation (very unexpected) and a head that dissipated during the pour itself.

The scent on this monstrocity is heavy, dangerous and pretty damn good. Up front it's strong booze and rum. Once you get past that barrel aging though, the strong ale starts to come through. It's mildly sweet and the spices are blending well. There's a mix of dark fruit notes here, but the longer you take it in, it mellows out to an earthy mild pumpkin puree.

First gulp, here we go. It starts off with a strong haze of rum, a blast of booze, it's instantly warming and wow... its a "dooozy". After the swallow, the blending of tastes start to really come through. As I breath in I'm getting the wood from those barrels. It's pretty cool. This beer starts off very spicy, and not only is it spicy, but it's hot! I'm getting tons of burnt sugar, brown sugar, molasses, figs and raisin. After the swallow the spices hit hard and heavy with a single peppery cinnamon explosion, then the strong ale comes through and slowly rides out, exposing flavors of nutmeg and ginger. Caramel comes in strong about halfway in, once the tongue adjusts to the strength. It's got a sort of cold pumpkin pie slice with french vanilla ice cream on top drizzled in steaming hot caramel type vibe. Slight hints of cocoa and cinnamon rolls.

This beer is pretty light on the tongue. It's silky and very coating, but not too heavy.

Aside from being a great pumpkin beer, this is a great beer in general. While I absolutely love the strength in this one, and while the flavor is superb, this one doesn't raise above the ranks of Pumking for me. They are two totally different beers mind you, and I'd grab a bottle of each no matter what... but as far as Pumpkin Beer goes, nothin' beats the King.

Avery The Beast Grand Cru Ale

Avery The Beast - Grand Cru Ale - Batch 7 (2009)
Brewed and Bottled by Avery Brewing Co., in Boulder, CO. USA.

Yearly Extremely-Limited Release (August)

12 fl. oz. / $9.49 USD / 15.07% ABV

About: "The Beast is a seducer – accommodating, complicated, powerful, dark and created to last the ages. With a deep burgundy color and aromas of honey, nutmeg, mandarin orange and pineapple, this massive and challenging brew has flavors akin to a beautiful Carribean rum. Dates, plums, raisins and molasses are dominant in a rich vinous texture. Cellarable for 10+ years. The Beast is the first installment of “The Demons of Ale” series.

Hop Variety: Bravo, Magnum, Bullion, Sterling, Hersbrucker, Tettnang / Malt Variety: Two-row barley, Honey malt, Dark Aromatic, Pale wheat, Roasted wheat, Special B / Sugars: Dates, Molasses, Dark Belgian Candy Sugar, Colorado Honey, Raisins, Turbinado / Food pairing: Pineapple upside down cake pairs nicely with the sweet, rum-like flavors found in our Beast Grand Cru."

Thoughts: Avery's Beast poured redder than the devil's dick! An extremely murky burgundy, caramel toned, with a very light tan cream colored head of froth. The thickest lacing I've ever seen on a beer is going nowhere.

Fire and maniacal laughter. The smell of this thing is dangerously sweet and heavily intoxicating. Picked up dark fruits immediately: plums, raisins, dates. Then mainly caramel, sugar and booze... afterwards some honey and a shitload of molasses. And smores too.

This is some sinister shit right here! Hell fuckin' yeah. Indeed a fire is ignited in the belly upon consumption. Sugary sweet graham crackers fill the mouth, then a stinging booze tickles the throat just before the swallow and afterwards a blistering attack of dark fruits explode in every direction before a gentle tingle of burnt sugar and honey slowly ride out. It's got a rum taste, wine like finish, little bit of smoke from the fire being extinguished, lingering tropical fruity notes in the aftertaste while breathing in.

Mouthfeel is extremely smooth, and tingly.

I knew nothing about this beer before I picked it up, the only thing I knew is that it had been calling out to me from up on that shelf behind the counter, where the few bottles aren't in direct visibility. The last few weeks that I've been picking up swill, I can't help but look up and over there at it while I pay for my shit. This is my first beer from Avery Brewing, and after I looked on their website now I see that they're also the providers of this pumpkin beer Rumkin that's I've been hearing so much about. I. WANT. IT!