Avery The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest

4.3/5

AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20

22 ounce bottle into snifter, batch 8, August 2011. Pours crystal clear golden orange color with a small dense khaki head with very nice retention that reduces to a thin lacing cap. Not much lacing clinging to the glass. Aromas of big caramel, raisins, bread, sweet malt, molasses, apricot, figs, and a bit of booze. Some very nice and balanced aromas here with good strength. Taste of big caramel, bread, toasted malt, raisins, apricot, molasses, spices, and some bourbon. No noticeable bitterness on the finish as expected. Fairly dry finish, but some lingering sweet notes of caramel, bread, molasses, bourbon, and spices. Big sweetness here, but not cloying at all. Fantastic balance of all flavors. Alcohol is incredibly well hidden, only a slight warming on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy and fairly slick mouthfeel. Overall this is a truly outstanding imperial Oktoberfest. Great balance, flavor, and smoothness.

Another fantastic high gravity brew from Avery as I was hoping. I will pick it up again sometime for sure, probably next year.