First Posted: 7/14/2014

Beer: Karma

Brewer: Avery Brewing Company

Style: Belgian Pale Ale

ABV: 5.20%

Description: Avery’s Karma pours an amber hue with fluffy white head that leaves behind a fine lacing on the glass. The aroma is a mixture of bready and caramel malts, spicy and herbal hops, and Belgian yeast, bringing notes of bubble gum and that wonderful Belgian funk aroma. The taste is very balanced and simple, yet complicated at the same time. The strong flavors of bready and caramel malts linger throughout with the spicy and herbal hops appearing in the middle; the Belgian yeast is more of a background note, imparting a faint taste of pears and oranges. The medium body and medium-light carbonation give the beer a semi-dry finish and does not cause any amount of palate fatigue. Karma is a wonderfully light and refreshing beer that is great to have on hand for hot summer days spent lounging by the pool.

Food pairing: The light body, subtle hop aroma/flavors, and fruity characteristics from the yeast make this beer a prime candidate for a wonderful array of light summer foods. Try pairing Karma with grilled pork chops or seasoned chicken, as the spicing from the hops and yeast will add a layer of flavor and meld with the seasonings, while the malt sinks into the fat and the carbonation easily cleanses the palate. Also try pairing with any traditional Belgian dishes, such as Chicon Au Gratin, a dish made with endives.Each piece is wrapped in a slice of ham, topped with béchamel sauce and covered in melted cheese, and is a particularly fantastic pairing. If you are more of a meat fanatic, try pairing this with another Belgian dish called Boudin Blanc, a white sausage that’s made with milk and has particularly delicate flavors and fine texture unlike any other sausage. The traditional Belgian dish of mussels is also wonderful and light and makes for an enjoyable pairing.

The final word: Avery Brewing Company has grown to be one of the most dependable breweries through consistently brewing well-made beers, and Karma is no exception. The balance between the hops and the Belgian yeast can be a difficult act to pull off, as some flavors may mesh well together and can contribute to a wide array of “off” flavors in the beer, which are certainly undesirable to all. However, when that balance is refined and in check – as it is with Karma – the result is a light and refreshing beer that quenches thirst and has a wide array of flavor combinations that occur at the same time. If you are on the lookout for some good karma in your life, pick up a six-pack of Avery’s Karma and drink up the good vibes.

Rating: W W W W

Where can I get it? Currently available in 12-ounce bottles at: Backyard Ale House, Scranton; Cooper’s Seafood, Scranton; Wegmans, Dickson City and Wilkes-Barre; Krugel’s Georgetown Deli, Wilkes-Barre. Currently available on tap at Cooper’s Seafood, Scranton.

Remember, enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

– Derek Warren is a beer fanatic, avid homebrewer, and beer historian. Derek can be heard weekly on the Beer Geeks Radio Hour on 102.3 FM Saturdays at 10 a.m. and his beer blog found at IdTapThat.org.

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