Brew Review - Avery Maharaja

Every now and then you “stumble” across a beer that surprises and completely changes the beer-drinking game for you when you least expect it. A relatively low key, random Thursday wasn’t really the backdrop I had in mind for putting a new brewery on my map, but in the same breath the twenty fourth of May, 1976 in Paris began much the same way (the “Judgement of Paris”, FYI – go Google it).

The setting for this beer really couldn’t have been more perfect – my virgin happy hour at the new Blanc Burger + Bottles on the Plaza with nice, late February weather (which in the winter of 2010 in KC means “not shitty”), a certain uncertainty in my brain with the Avery Brewing Company having only sipped one or two of their delicious brews to date, and a new hipster hoodie, western style shirt, and pair of checkered Van’s slip-ons creating an especially dashing ensemble.

Upon the first pour, being an IPA/DIPA junkie, the brew’s color and initial foam consistency was as expected and comparable to a few of my favorite hoppy beers. Maharaja poured a nice, golden color with a slight orange hue and a well formed ¾” white head. That’s where comparisons to “every other” IPA stopped. The smell was an overpowering one of heavy citrus fruits, floral notes, and a slight grassy, clean finish. The hops were so prevalent that I thought it might rip my tongue off (which in this case, is a delightful thing) and at 10.3% ABV it is a beer that can be sipped instead of bonged.

Most importantly, the atmosphere directly contributed to how much I enjoyed this beer. The music at Blanc wasn’t being narrated by Spider Harrison and the weekly top 40, Bryan at Blanc stopped to explain some of his favorite beers and talk about how well their new location was doing and why, and liquidsunshine and I were busy making new, slightly not sober friends.

Musically, only one genre could ever fit such an intense, energetic, and chaotic beer like this one – punk. As I kept drinking this beer all of the greats flashed by in succession – The Stooges to the Ramones and Clash to the Misfits and onto a newer generation led by Titus Andronicus. From New Jersey, their self titled track “Titus Andronicus” is on their debut full length album called “The Airing of Grievances” and is an ode to a past musical age that channeled heavy distortion, raw energy, and disregard for the well being of society. This is what flashed in my head:





Serving Type: 22 oz bottle
Glassware: tulip glass
Color (hue and head): golden with a slight orange hue
Clarity: slightly cloudy
Aroma: heavy heavy citrus notes, "clean" smell, herbal
Taste: hops galore, citrus, slightly bitter after taste
Grade: 93 (A-)
Musical pairing: Intense, unbridled energy..."Titus Andronicus - Titus Andronicus"
Surroundings: Blanc on a Thursday during Happy Hour