Jul Øl
Dragonmead Microbrewery

 

 

 

 

 

 

$2.79 for the 12oz. Single bottle at Copper Vine. No bottle date, poured into a Duvel tulip.

A- Dark brown body with a lighter brown head that's rather thin. A little sediment came out of the bottle. Light stick left on the glass.

S- Lots of baking spices and some sort of herb or spice that's more difficult to place (like a cardamom or something).

T- As aroma suggests. Lots of baking spice, but with some dark, bread like flavors. Maybe some lighter, spicy hops as well. A little bready and sweet in the finish.

M- Medium feel is lighter than expected. A little residual sweetness in the finish tends toward a sticky feel in the end.

O- A good winter warmer. The spiced nature tends to get lost amongst the numerous options within the style. That said, it's a good example, though maybe a touch spendy given said options.

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 11/6/2014. Pours hazy deep ruby red/brown color with a 2 finger dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings around the glass, with a light amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big caramel, brown sugar, toast, light chocolate, raisin, plum, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, orange peel, wood, and herbal/spice earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/bready malt, spices, and fruity yeast notes; with good strength. Taste of big caramel, brown sugar, toast, light chocolate, raisin, plum, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, orange peel, wood, and herbal/spice earthiness. Light spice bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of caramel, brown sugar, toast, light chocolate, raisin, plum, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, orange peel, and herbal/spice earthiness on the finish for a while. Damn nice robustness and complexity of dark/bready malt, spices, and fruity yeast flavors; with a great malt/spice balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth and lightly creamy/bready/chalky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice spiced dark ale style. All around good balance, robustness, and complexity of dark/bready malt, spices, and fruity yeast flavors; and very smooth to drink. A very enjoyable offering.

Good go to beer, would buy again