Avery Brewing The Beast Grand Cru
Much like Avery Brewing’s Mephistopheles’ Stout, this Belgian Grand Cru (appropriately named The Beast) is just flat out mean. This 16.83% ABV brew packs a wallop and is not for the faint of heart or faith. Delivering hints of rum, dark fruit and honey, among other flavors, the beer is meant to be enjoyed slowly, preferably after a few years in the cellar.
This particular bottle is from Batch #9, released in August of 2011, and is much to hot and young to be enjoyed thoroughly. Also, much like it’s stout counterpart, the beer not needs time to mature in the bottle and mellow out a good deal for it to fully come into it’s own. That said, enjoying it fresh is still a wonderful experience, but I suggest waiting a couple of years before cracking one open.
Appearance
The Beast pours a reddish brown (like volcanic rocks that must line it’s netherworld home) with a tan head that fell rapidly to thin surface patchwork.
Aroma
Rummy booze, caramel, honey, pine and raisins fill the nose along with a subtle yeast presence.
Taste
Whoa. They certainly got the name of this one spot on. A solid helping of rummy alcohol washes over the palate before leaving a glowing warmth through the chest. There’s a surprising amount of piny hops that bring a moderate amount of bitterness to help balance out the sweet caramel malts that first greet your tastebuds. Hints of honey, molasses and dark fruits come and go as they please amongst the alcohol and Belgian yeast.
Overall
As it stands right now, this is a beer that’s fairly young and, as a result, a bit raw. It definitely requires a little time in the basement to relax and mellow out. If it’s anything like the vintage Mephistopheles’ Stout (3 years old) that I’ve had, it’s still going to be a beast after a few years. I cannot wait to see how the couple of bottles I still have turn out.
Rating:3.5/5