Avery Brewing Company - Ellie's Brown Ale

Ellie’s Brown Ale label features president/brewmaster Adam Avery’s 4 year old chocolate Labrador retriever and was created to appeal not only to the taste of beer drinkers but to their lifestyles as well, in this case, to dog lovers. The beer’s name and label underwent a facelift as Elle Magazine threatened suit to the beer with the same name claiming that some of their readers might confuse the two products. It could happen. I’ve often mistaken my dog for a woman’s lifestyle magazine. In any case, the extra letter was added to appease Elle and avoid that favorite American past time of being sued.

Ellie’s Brown Ale is brewed with a combination of Two Row Pale, Munich, Caramel and Chocolate malts. Adam adds Cluster hops at the beginning of the 60 minute boil primarily to add bitterness. Cascade and Fuggles hops are added at the middle and end of the boil respectively for their aromatic contributions. Note a very pleasant roasted character in Ellie’s nose (it should be wet too if she’s healthy!). No hop character is evident as appropriate for an English Brown Ale. We found a very rich maltiness and a complex caramel and roasted combination in the flavor profile of this very nicely balanced beer. Overall, a very flavorful and sweet brown ale. Bottom line? We loved it!

The Avery Brewing Company of Boulder, Colorado, is a small, family-owned and operated microbrewery dedicated to brewing the finest quality English-style ales. Founded in the fall of 1993 by the father and son team of Larry and Adam Avery, the brewery has grown from an initial capacity of 1,000 barrels a year to its current capacity of 5,000 barrels a year. The family team expanded in 1995 to include daughter/sister, Angie, who heads the brewery's marketing effort. Adam brews with a 7 Bbl. brewhouse, (3) 30 Bbl. and (1) 20 Bbl. fermentation tanks, and (1) 30 Bbl. bright tank. We really like this brewery. They’re great people making some of the best handcrafted beers produced in states. Simply put, the Avery Brewing Co. kicks ass.

Adam currently brews six year-round ales along with seasonal specialties available in limited quantities throughout the year. All of their beers are brewed in small, seven-barrel batches to assure the highest level of quality and consistency. Pure Rocky Mountain water, fine American malted barley, fresh Washington hops, and English yeast are carefully blended to bring you these world-class, hand-crafted ales. You’re in for a treat this month as we’re featuring the best two ales (their top 2 sellers!) from a brewery that makes great beer across the board, Ellie’s Brown Ale and Avery India Pale Ale. You’re gonna dig them both!

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (303) 440-4324 or check out their web site at www.averybrewing.com.