Avery Anniversary Lager Seventeen: Dry-Hopped Black Lager

Avery Brewing Company
Boulder, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 3/3
BLACK–opaque coffee color. Creamy, espresso-like head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Chocolatey–caramel notes, roastiness, a hint of vanilla. No hop aroma.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Lingering hop at the very end–hop is masked by roasted malt (dominant).
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Strong chocolate, some caramel coffee, sweet vanilla. An unexpected grassy finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Smooth, malty and very sweet. Could use more hop character.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Unique–a good beer with a mellow hop flavor. A good after-dinner beer.

TOTAL: 17.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Tough to classify–a nice alternative to a heavy stout. Dark, sweet, hoppy–good.
Ben: Clean, crisp chocolate espresso with a hop finish. A unique beer–I'd have another.