Avery Brewing Tangerine Quad
Avery’s Tangerine Quad is, you guessed it, a Belgian-style quadrupel (brewed with tangerine peel), but there’s more to it than just that. As part of the company’s “Botanicals & Barrels” series, the 11.2% ABV beer has been aged in Bourbon barrels for an undisclosed length of time. And, much like just about every other barrel-aged bottle that I have had from the brewery, the barrel influence here is spot on and damn near perfect.
Tangerine Quad looks like any other quadrupel style ale, pouring a rusty caramel in color. One sniff of this big beer, however hints at something more as yeast, caramel and bready malt are joined by wood and smooth bourbony notes. I personally don’t pick up much of the tangerine in the nose. As the brew flows across the tongue, it leaves a lasting impression of decadently smooth Bourgon, caramel, raisin, wood, yeast and a soft roast. The citrus peel arrives late in the swallow, lingering lightly at the edges as a glowing warmth spreads across the chest.
I’m a big fan of Belgian quadrupels and Avery’s work with barrels. This particular brew is a marriage made in Bourbony, yeasty heaven. This particular bottle has a slightly smudged bottling date, but looks like it may have been packaged close to a year ago. That age would explain the limited brightness and impact of the tangerine peel. Regardless, whether old or new, Tangerine Quad is an outstanding beer that I highly recommend folks check out, especially if you’re a fan of barrel-aged Belgian ales.