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Avancé

Allagash Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Sour Ale · One of 34 Sour Ales in hopIQ

Avancé is a strong sour ale that Allagash has brewed since 2010. Molasses, date sugar, white cane sugar and dark candi sugar go into the wort alongside barley, Munich and caramel malts, and four Belgian-style yeast strains ferment it before it spends a year in a large oak foudre with Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. The beer then rests on fresh local strawberries. Strawberry preserves and toasted oak open the aroma; berries, more oak and a dark, molasses-like depth follow in the flavor, ending in a warm, gently sweet finish.

ABV
8%
Bitterness
Mild
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden5
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How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Crisp and dry.

A trim frame with a clean break — the beer says what it needs to and moves on.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Sour Ale.
Malt character
toasty
Fermentation & yeast
sour
tart
Distinctive notes
berry
oak
dark fruit

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Avancé

◎ Appearance

Avancé displays a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright translucency. The head is modest but persistent, with fine lacing that clings to the glass throughout the drinking experience. Carbonation is gentle and restrained, appropriate to the beer's contemplative character.

pale goldclearfine lacinglow carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with vivid strawberry preserves and toasted oak, creating an immediately inviting entry point. As the beer warms, deeper notes emerge: fresh red berries meld with dry oak character, while hints of dark molasses and caramel sugar add complexity and warmth. The overall impression is fruited yet woody, with no sharp vinegar notes—the Lactobacillus and Pediococcus have integrated fully.

strawberry preservetoasted oakdark molassesfermented fruit

◐ Taste

The palate leads with bright berry fruit and a subtle tartness that frames rather than dominates. The mid-palate develops deeper, almost molasses-like sweetness from the blend of candi sugars and date sugar, balanced by the dry woodiness of the foudre aging. The finish is warm and gently sweet, with no harsh tannins or acidic bite; instead, a lingering softness that suggests careful microbial management.

berry-forwardoak-derived drynessmolasses undertonebalanced acidity

◑ Finish

The finish is long and contemplative, fading gradually into a warm sweetness and subtle oak spice. No sharp edges or solventy heat—despite 8% ABV, the alcohol integrates seamlessly into the overall profile.

long, warmingsweet decay
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
86
Taste
84
Appearance
82
Finish
83
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Avancé

Serve at 6–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 6–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Avancé

About Sour Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Sour Ale?

Sour Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Sour Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same sour, oak, berry character as Avancé will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Sour Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Sour Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →