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This weeks Brew Treat was "The Beast" by Avery Brewing Company. As a point of reference, a normal Budwieser will have an alcohol content of 5%, and most of your stronger imports and microbrews will still fall in at under 7% abv (alcohol by volume). The Beast measured in at a whopping 16.4% ABV!!! That's like 3 normal beers in one bottle, it's Brilliant! On the down side, you pay for all that alcohol, as The Beast set me back about $9.00 a bottle at my local specs store. That's a $54.00 6 pack for those of you who need help with the math. Ouch.
Avery says that "The Beast is a seducer", and they don't lie. It's a rich beer, with a golden redish hue, deep lustery aroma, and a thick $9 a bottle flavor that leaves you wanting more. It also doesn't hurt that you're on your way to a pretty decent buzz by the time you have finished your first glass. I enjoyed my Beast on the couch infront of the television, relaxed and peaceful, it was the perfect companion, I was sad to see it go.
What is it that Avery is doing to concoct this highly potent brew of theirs? The secret behind this, their second installment of the "Demon Ale Series" of seasonal brews is in the massively sturdy yeast strain they have bred for themselves. Yeast are the primary alcohol producing organisms in everytrhing from beer and wine, to ethanol, and the common varieties of brewers yeast used in beer production tend to breakdown and sputter out when the ABV hits the 5-7% range. Avery's thick skinned workhorses smash through that barrier with great results, I'd like to get my hands on a culture of those little beasties myself.
It was a fine brew, enjoyed not only by myself, but by the fellas at the craft brew club I belong to as well. If you have the means, I would highly reccommend picking up a sixer, and adding some to your collection. It's seasonal, and rare, so it might take some doing to find it, because this demon brew won't be hiding on your grocery store shelves any time soon.
By hank on 19. October 2007 01:55 | Comments (0)
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