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The Reverend, Avery Brewing Company, Boulder
Style: Belgian-Style Quadrupel Ale
Serving Type: 22-ounce bottle
ABV: 10 percent
Malty? Hoppy? Malty
Reviewed: January 2014
Right around this time of year, the usual rotation of winter-warmers (think: porters, stouts) starts to feel a little stale. Thankfully, you don’t have to go far for a bevvy that is both a break from typical offerings and fit to sip during the snowy season. My most recent such discovery: Avery Brewing’s the Reverend. I might be late to chapel—this bomber was born in 1999—but I’m glad I came.
The Belgian-style quadrupel ale was inspired by Chicago Reverend Luther Tucker, who had a close relationship with an original founder. The middle child of Avery’s popular Holy Trinity series, the Reverend recently became the highest seller of that series. Its quad-style is characterized by fruit, higher alcohol content, and spice notes. The Reverend hits all three pillars, without being overpowering (a common occurrence for quads). It pours a red-amber, and on the nose contains hints of citrus, cherry, clove, and biscuit-like yeast. It’s taste profile is complex, without being too big, and offers a balanced blend of malt and spice, with a silky and sweet takedown. Despite it being one of the first Belgian-style quads—in fact, it is the second-ever of its style to be distributed—it holds its own in the ranking of joiners. To note: Sip slowly, its 10 percent ABV is hidden suspiciously well.
Would we buy it again? When we’re looking for a welcomed change, or a conversational brew worth sharing with others at our next get-together.
Follow digital assistant editor Jerilyn Forsythe on Twitter at @jlforsyt.
