Jul 17, 2015

Avery Brewing Fortuna

And the Avery Brewing barrel-aged sour train keeps on rolling. This is the third review of a series of beers I purchased a while back (there’s one more to go for next Monday, so bear with me). Fortuna is an 8.1% ABV wild/sour ale that’s been aged in former tequila barrels along with the additions of salt and lime zest. And it’s good.

I’ve never been a fan of tequila. it’s never been a flavor that I’ve particularly enjoyed, but I’ll be damned if it’s not becoming one of my favorite barrels in which to age beer. The influence of that particular liquor and wood combination that presides over Fortuna (and other beers I’ve enjoyed) is incredible. The barrel-aging’s affect on Fortuna makes for one hell of an experience.

Appearance

Fortuna pours a lightly hazy, vibrant copper with a short-lived head of off-white foam.

Avery Brewing Fortuna photo

Aroma

Oh my. A wonderful tequila and lime zest combo rises from the surface with a soft tartness and distant fruits. Wood, vanilla and a touch of alcohol also linger in the background.

Taste

Well, hello there sour tartness. For as soft as the sour notes were on the nose, they more than make up for it here. More lime than tequila also shows through as a quick surge of tartness peaks, slowly fading to a long lasting finish. The tequila and soft wood notes rest comfortably in the background. The beer’s texture is sharp and lively. The salt added maybe appears late in the finish, though I’m not 100% sure that I entirely pick it up.

Overall

Fortuna is an astounding beer. I could sit and sniff this beer all day long — the aroma is, and excuse the pun, intoxicating. I may not be a fan of tequila as a liquor, but I do love its impact on barrel-aged beers. Fortuna is just another well crafted example of why these particular barrels seem to work for beer so well.

Rating: 4.25/5

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