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BOTW: Lost Abbey’s Avant Garde

Posted January 24th, 2009 by Chris

“Avant-garde means “advance guard” or “vanguard”. The adjective form is used in English, to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics.
Avant-garde represents a pushing of the boundaries of what is accepted as the norm or the status quo, primarily in the cultural realm.” – Wikipedia.com

Beer of the Week:  Lost Abbey Brewing – Avant Garde

Serving Type: 22oz. Bottle

Price: $7.99

ABV:  7.0%

Style: Bière de Garde

Avant Garde was suggested to me as a beer that had turned one friend into a craft brew fanatic.  He said, “This beer will change your thoughts on everything you know on beer and you will not be dissapointed.”  Well, I was dissapointed.

Avant Garde pours a beautiful hazy dark orange color with a bright white head.  The nose consisted of toasty malt, some citrus, and a little caramel.  Now on to the taste but first let me remind you that I am no beer expert nor do I have a trained palate that can decifer all the flavors that could be hidden.  I’m just a regular guy who likes beer.

Avant Garde tasted like a strong Budweiser with small hints of apple and pear at the end of each sip.  There was a definite bite and the alcohol was apparent but the taste was too familliar to, and I’m ashamed to say it, Budweiser.  Maybe it was a temperature thing, as it warmed it did transfer into something more unique and more flavors became apparent making it an overall ‘OK’ experience.

Avant Garde will need a second review soon but for now it sit’s on the lower end of my faves.

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