The Avery Black Tot was a brewery only release, only 300 case we available to the public.  I got lucky and was sent 2 bottles by a fellow beer connoisseur in Colorado. The Black Tot is an Oatmeal Stout that has been aged in Rum Barrels.  There are so many types of barrel aging going on now; it is wonderful to see so many new flavors being introduced into the market place.  The only think that sucks is the limited quantity available, but I can understand that.

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Beer Brawl™ 30 was the brain child of Kevin Malavarca from the Liquor Outlet in Boonton NJ. Since we are right around the corner from the Super Bowl, what better way to prepare then to figure out what is the best session beer. The Session Beer Challenge, each of us brought our two favorite session beers to the table for a winner take all (bragging rights) challenge.

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I usually don’t do another review of the same style of beer from the same brewery so close to one another, but with all the comments left about the Avery DuganA, I had to review the Maharaja fairly quickly while I could still recall the DuganA.  The DuganA was Avery Brewing Companies double IPA, the Maharaja it its big brother, and Imperial IPA weighing in at a hefty 10.6% abv.  Lets see if it trumps its little brother, which I might add was pretty darn tasty. (more…)

I found this beer at my local Stew Leonard’s Wine shop in Clifton NJ.  I bought this beer for two reasons, first I’ve never had an Avery IPA and second I didn’t have any IPA on my shelves at home.  No IPA’s on hand for a hop head is a problem; I seem to have every other style of beer at the ready.  The DuganA IPA is Avery’s Double IPA, which they proclaim to be “brutally bitter”.  Lets see just how this beer holds up!

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Ok, with a name like “The Beast” you have to try it, how could you not?  Avery brewing Co makes this 14.9% abv monster of a Belgian Strong Ale.  I had to try it, I love monster beers.

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After Beer Brawl 17, I was looking at the Simply Beer Cellar trying to decide what Beer Brawl 18 would be.  I saw the 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheat and I wanted to include it in the next Beer Brawl.  I didn’t want to do wheat beer or fruited beer again, so I decided that it would be unique and interesting beer.  Watermelon in beer and this craft beer in a can, it works for me.  So this Beer Brawl is all about beers that are Unique and Interesting; unique ingredients, packaging, and/or interesting stories behind the beer.

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