[schema type=”review” url=”http://34.233.121.37/2013/01/07/avery-odio-equum/” name=”Avery Odio Equum Beer Review” description=”Craft beer review of Avery’s Odio Equum” rev_name=”Avery Odio Equum” author=”Steve” pubdate=”2013-01-07″ user_review=”7.5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”10″ ]
AVERY ODIO EQUUM
Our first taste of a limited release barrel-aging sour program from Boulder Colorado’s Avery Brewing.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SOUR?
Avery, known to me for their amazing double IPA the Maharajah and their bourbon barrel-aged Uncle Jacob’s Stout, apparently has a huge lineup. Their limited barrel-aged series sours do not make our market so I had no idea they even attempted sour beers. Having had some really unpleasant experiences at a brewer who has been experimenting with sours with sub-optimal results. But Avery rarely disappoints, and at batch 13, like MTV releasing Buckwild, here comes another proven winner, releasing yet another take on craft beer.
Commercial description: Such a strong and ugly word, but unfortunately true. Our vintner friend just doesn’t appreciate the depth and character of the aromas and flavors that Brettanomyces creates like we do. Like you do. But the dude has some seriously fine Cabernet Sauvignon barrels that he shared with us to help create this wondrous sour ale. Our lucky #13 in this series. Aged for 12 months in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.
TASTING NOTES
Pours a cloudy, ruddy orange with minimal tan head that dissipates quickly. Nose brings oak, huge lactic acid, raspberries, some funkynesss, and wine. Sparkling carbonation. Taste is quite sour, tart with raspberries, with potent acid, covered mostly with the fruit and funk. Not nearly as funky as the nose would indicate though. Like the bitterness of an IPA, sours will build up their primary flavor with each sip. The Avery Barrel-aged Series #13 Odio Equum however, has enough sweetness to minimize this effect, making the drinkability quite high. Finish is tart and dry. Overall, the complexity is a bit less than expected, but this is a delicious beer.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first taste I’ve had of Avery’s barrel-aged series, and it has me excited to drink more of the Odio Equum and whatever comes next. The sour or wild ale is a style that can go wrong in a number of ways, and Avery has passed the hurdle of not making a drain pour. While not quite on par with Belgian lambics, or Russian River, Avery Odio Equum far exceeded expectations. Barrel aged #13 is truly a delicious beer that uses raspberries and the cabernet barrels to balance the sour notes. Seek out this delicious experiment from Avery.
7.5/10