97....The Beast

NLT: Now like the first Avery beer I was expecting a HUGE hit to the face with something so fiercely named the Beast. Boy was that wrong. Instead I almost puckered from the semi-sour cherry flavored beer. I have had fruity tasting beer before, but this one tops the cake, I detect candied pineapple, lots of sour cherry, and maybe a teeny tiny taste of orange. This beer tastes like a cherry that has been soaking in rum for the past year. And come to think of it, the color kind of looks that way as well! I must say though, this beer is very much misnamed in my opinion. I have never met a demon that reminds me of fruit. Well come to think of it I have never met a demon, but I think The Beast belongs in a different series other than the Demon. That being said, I really enjoyed the beer and think it would be tasty with high end Chinese.

JFT: The Beast is listed as a "Grand Cru" style. Grand Cru is translated to "first born". Not only is it a Belgian style sour brown, but it has also meant that the Grand Cru beer is (and always has been) the very best beer a brewery makes. Tart, sour and full of fruit… (NLT: OOOOH! NOW I TASTE RAISINS!!) JFT: Yes dear, you do taste raisins. The flavor profile mirrors what you would find in a quality tawny port; Lots of sweet golden raisins. And if that weren't enough then on the back of your tongue you get hit with figs and an herbal thing that I can't even describe. It is, for lack of a better term, fascinating. While not a high in ABV as the Mephistopheles, you taste more booze, but somehow it's not as hot, because fruits like cherries, and raisins and figs CAN mask high octane beers. This is a perfect dessert beer, and would pair beautifully with a creamy cheese and walnuts.


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