Old Jubilation | Avery Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Avery Brewing Company
Colorado, United States | website
Style: Old Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.30%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 04-05-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 796 | Ratings: 1,656
3.19/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Brown pour with a nice ruby edge to it. Came up around 1/3" of off white head, retention fell through roof. Aroma was winter warmer meets old ale kind of warming alcohol and nuttiness vibe going on.
Taste brought more of the roast and brown/chocolate malt feels, slight holiday spice like cinnamon in a super miniscule way. Very malty. Mild hop mouthfeel contributes decent bitterness.
Would recommend if winter warmers of an almost imperial nature are your jam.
★ 471 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Brown pour with a nice ruby edge to it. Came up around 1/3" of off white head, retention fell through roof. Aroma was winter warmer meets old ale kind of warming alcohol and nuttiness vibe going on.
Taste brought more of the roast and brown/chocolate malt feels, slight holiday spice like cinnamon in a super miniscule way. Very malty. Mild hop mouthfeel contributes decent bitterness.
Would recommend if winter warmers of an almost imperial nature are your jam.
★ 471 characters
4.12/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not sure when this was bottled but I've been holding it personally for at least a year and 3 months, so it's at least 15 months old. Never had it before, but I figure with a bit of time on it is a good way to go with this moderately-high-strength old ale. Served between cellar and room temperature.
Pours a gorgeously-deep ruby red that appears to be very close to brown-black until held to light. Head is slightly tan and builds up to a solid 3-4 fingers before falling to about one-and-a-half, leaving behind adequate sheets of lace as it evaporates. Quite nice looking.
Nose is very deep and evocative with molasses, earthy tobacco, dark treacle, roasted nuts, toffee and bourbon-like notes. Kind of like the definitive "strong dark beer" sampler without much in the way of typical "roasty" malt character (not much coffee, chocolate or acridity for instance), all in one beer. Very, very nutty. Hazelnut is notable, as the label foretold, but I also get roasted chestnut and almond as well. Apropos of the winter season, which we are thankfully about to leave behind, hopefully for good this time.
Some chocolate on the tongue, but it's mainly swept away by residual sugar notes of blackstrap molasses, slight fig or prune-based jam/dark fruit, a wisp of smokiness and a dusty yeast note. Less nutty on the palate, instead opting for a more traditional malty English strong ale focus. Quite warming as expected; this is basically like an "enhanced Winter Warmer" with no spices and more deft malt composition to make up for the lack of adjunct flavors. In that sense, this is very nice.
Light carbonation with medium-heavy body. Slightly oily and viscous; pretty chewy and carries itself across the tongue well. Not dry but not watery or too thick either. A nice middling palate that lingers with tobacco and earthy tones until the very end.
Turns out this is quite good with some time on it. Glad I randomly saved a bottle I got. I don't think I've ever had it fresh, so I'll add that to my requirements for the 2016/2017 winter season!
★ 2,047 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not sure when this was bottled but I've been holding it personally for at least a year and 3 months, so it's at least 15 months old. Never had it before, but I figure with a bit of time on it is a good way to go with this moderately-high-strength old ale. Served between cellar and room temperature.
Pours a gorgeously-deep ruby red that appears to be very close to brown-black until held to light. Head is slightly tan and builds up to a solid 3-4 fingers before falling to about one-and-a-half, leaving behind adequate sheets of lace as it evaporates. Quite nice looking.
Nose is very deep and evocative with molasses, earthy tobacco, dark treacle, roasted nuts, toffee and bourbon-like notes. Kind of like the definitive "strong dark beer" sampler without much in the way of typical "roasty" malt character (not much coffee, chocolate or acridity for instance), all in one beer. Very, very nutty. Hazelnut is notable, as the label foretold, but I also get roasted chestnut and almond as well. Apropos of the winter season, which we are thankfully about to leave behind, hopefully for good this time.
Some chocolate on the tongue, but it's mainly swept away by residual sugar notes of blackstrap molasses, slight fig or prune-based jam/dark fruit, a wisp of smokiness and a dusty yeast note. Less nutty on the palate, instead opting for a more traditional malty English strong ale focus. Quite warming as expected; this is basically like an "enhanced Winter Warmer" with no spices and more deft malt composition to make up for the lack of adjunct flavors. In that sense, this is very nice.
Light carbonation with medium-heavy body. Slightly oily and viscous; pretty chewy and carries itself across the tongue well. Not dry but not watery or too thick either. A nice middling palate that lingers with tobacco and earthy tones until the very end.
Turns out this is quite good with some time on it. Glad I randomly saved a bottle I got. I don't think I've ever had it fresh, so I'll add that to my requirements for the 2016/2017 winter season!
★ 2,047 characters
3.79/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Poured from can a dark ruby with a big head of off-white, almost tan suds. Nice loopy lace.
Aroma: Fruity, nutty…very nice.
Taste: Big! Thick in body, this one’s flavor-rich, with notes of dried fruit, fruitcake, a bit of citrus bitterness, toffee. Old Jubilation is a hearty and rich brew, with a well-hidden high ABV. Quite enjoyable.
★ 354 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Poured from can a dark ruby with a big head of off-white, almost tan suds. Nice loopy lace.
Aroma: Fruity, nutty…very nice.
Taste: Big! Thick in body, this one’s flavor-rich, with notes of dried fruit, fruitcake, a bit of citrus bitterness, toffee. Old Jubilation is a hearty and rich brew, with a well-hidden high ABV. Quite enjoyable.
★ 354 characters
4.39/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Welcome to my Bonne Bière d'Hiver Nouveau Dimanche (Happy New Winter Beer Sunday)! Of course, it starts with CANs in furtherance of The CANQuest (tm), beginning with Iron Hill's Rudolph's Revenge and followed by this beauty! The elation that I feel at all of the CANs hitting the market is boundless. I got an extra bottle & CAN to cellar as directed, but for now, it is a fresh CAN.
From the CAN: "Winter [-] Seasonal Selection"; "Est, 1993"; "Please recycle This CAN and Its Plastic Carrier"; "HO, HO, WHOA! Our winter ale has a gorgeous mahogany hue, a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five specialty malts. Cellarable for 3+ years."
The Crack! just made me laugh! Imagine filling a cooler with this bad boy. It was loud and jolted me back to reality. I remembered to be oh, so gentle with my Glug, but I still got a skim of wisps across the top. A hard swirl raised a finger of fizzy, deep-tan/light brown head that seemed determined to disappear. Shy? Aww, I'm friendly! Bye. Color was Dark Brown to Very Dark Brown (SRM = > 27, < 34) with button brightness & the most beautiful ruby highlights ever! Nose was quite nutty, and while I agree with "hazelnut", I may not have identified it on my own. It also had a dark breadiness and a slightly-burnt caramel smokiness. When I was a HomeEc student, I came to hate making CANdy! It was a vigorous, rigorous task with molten-hot malleable sugar and it was like an avocado in that it was ready for consumption for a millisecond and then it was no good. Caramel was especially prone to this & I CAN recognize the smell instantly. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was spice-free, thank goodness! I get that many Winter beers are spiced, but when you segue from Fall Pumpkin-spiced ales into spiced Winter beers, it CAN get old very quickly. Instead, this was really nutty and now I could have intuited "hazelnut" without any prompting. At the same time, the slightly burnt/smoky caramel flavor was licking at the edges of the nuttiness. I wonder what this will become with the suggested cellaring. I'm betting on a sherry-like dryness since it was already dry on the finish in this young iteration. It tasted of dark nut bread and it lingered beautifully. The only thing(s) that I lacked were a roaring fireplace in front of which to enjoy it & a young lady with hair the color of the embers to acCANpany me in our drinking & watching hockey. I promise to revisit both the cellared CAN & bottle in 3+ years. In the meantime, it is on to the next one! Cheers, friends.
★ 2,584 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Welcome to my Bonne Bière d'Hiver Nouveau Dimanche (Happy New Winter Beer Sunday)! Of course, it starts with CANs in furtherance of The CANQuest (tm), beginning with Iron Hill's Rudolph's Revenge and followed by this beauty! The elation that I feel at all of the CANs hitting the market is boundless. I got an extra bottle & CAN to cellar as directed, but for now, it is a fresh CAN.
From the CAN: "Winter [-] Seasonal Selection"; "Est, 1993"; "Please recycle This CAN and Its Plastic Carrier"; "HO, HO, WHOA! Our winter ale has a gorgeous mahogany hue, a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five specialty malts. Cellarable for 3+ years."
The Crack! just made me laugh! Imagine filling a cooler with this bad boy. It was loud and jolted me back to reality. I remembered to be oh, so gentle with my Glug, but I still got a skim of wisps across the top. A hard swirl raised a finger of fizzy, deep-tan/light brown head that seemed determined to disappear. Shy? Aww, I'm friendly! Bye. Color was Dark Brown to Very Dark Brown (SRM = > 27, < 34) with button brightness & the most beautiful ruby highlights ever! Nose was quite nutty, and while I agree with "hazelnut", I may not have identified it on my own. It also had a dark breadiness and a slightly-burnt caramel smokiness. When I was a HomeEc student, I came to hate making CANdy! It was a vigorous, rigorous task with molten-hot malleable sugar and it was like an avocado in that it was ready for consumption for a millisecond and then it was no good. Caramel was especially prone to this & I CAN recognize the smell instantly. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was spice-free, thank goodness! I get that many Winter beers are spiced, but when you segue from Fall Pumpkin-spiced ales into spiced Winter beers, it CAN get old very quickly. Instead, this was really nutty and now I could have intuited "hazelnut" without any prompting. At the same time, the slightly burnt/smoky caramel flavor was licking at the edges of the nuttiness. I wonder what this will become with the suggested cellaring. I'm betting on a sherry-like dryness since it was already dry on the finish in this young iteration. It tasted of dark nut bread and it lingered beautifully. The only thing(s) that I lacked were a roaring fireplace in front of which to enjoy it & a young lady with hair the color of the embers to acCANpany me in our drinking & watching hockey. I promise to revisit both the cellared CAN & bottle in 3+ years. In the meantime, it is on to the next one! Cheers, friends.
★ 2,584 characters
3.86/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a nice creme colored head that dissipates very quickly. The beer itself is very interesting in terms of optics. At first glance it appears to be an opaque black but, held in the light, is a dark brown color that is clear. It's actually quite a view to behold.
The beer has a good smell to it. It has a strong caramel sweet malt note as well as light floral bitterness but that gets lost in the other malt notes. Additionally, there are some decent butterscotch notes and a bit of a nutty smell as well. The smell is pretty interesting but a bit weak, which is kind of a shame because the notes are so interesting.
The beer taste is more or less the same as the smell. It has a variety of malt notes with a flowery and light hop note. The caramel note is there and the butterscotch is as well.
The feel is decent. It's very smooth with some light carbonation that gives it some texture and makes it a bit light as well. It's a medium bodied beer but on the lighter side than you would expect from the style. However, the smoothness more than makes up for it.
Overall, a decent old ale and worth getting. It's nothing super special but it's good enough to get a pint of. Go for it.
★ 1,200 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a nice creme colored head that dissipates very quickly. The beer itself is very interesting in terms of optics. At first glance it appears to be an opaque black but, held in the light, is a dark brown color that is clear. It's actually quite a view to behold.
The beer has a good smell to it. It has a strong caramel sweet malt note as well as light floral bitterness but that gets lost in the other malt notes. Additionally, there are some decent butterscotch notes and a bit of a nutty smell as well. The smell is pretty interesting but a bit weak, which is kind of a shame because the notes are so interesting.
The beer taste is more or less the same as the smell. It has a variety of malt notes with a flowery and light hop note. The caramel note is there and the butterscotch is as well.
The feel is decent. It's very smooth with some light carbonation that gives it some texture and makes it a bit light as well. It's a medium bodied beer but on the lighter side than you would expect from the style. However, the smoothness more than makes up for it.
Overall, a decent old ale and worth getting. It's nothing super special but it's good enough to get a pint of. Go for it.
★ 1,200 characters
4.15/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a can into a pint glass.
L: Pours a deep mahogany, clear with a finger of tannish head that falls quickly. Great lacing.
S: Malts and spices... dark fruits and brown sugar.
T/F: Definitely a malt forward beer... great complex flavor with dark fruits and figs, spices like cloves and nutmeg, Molasses and brown sugar... and crisp at the finish. Good carbonation.
O: A great winter-time beer. Lots of flavor, and well worth checking out.
★ 459 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a can into a pint glass.
L: Pours a deep mahogany, clear with a finger of tannish head that falls quickly. Great lacing.
S: Malts and spices... dark fruits and brown sugar.
T/F: Definitely a malt forward beer... great complex flavor with dark fruits and figs, spices like cloves and nutmeg, Molasses and brown sugar... and crisp at the finish. Good carbonation.
O: A great winter-time beer. Lots of flavor, and well worth checking out.
★ 459 characters
4.19/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On draft into a snifter. A thin creamy head but nice lacing.,a beautiful mahogany brown. Sweet warming smell. The tastes was nutty and malty, with dark fruit like raisins coming through upon tasting. A bit of coffee and candy like toffee comes through toward the end. Get better as it warms! Enjoyed it!
★ 303 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On draft into a snifter. A thin creamy head but nice lacing.,a beautiful mahogany brown. Sweet warming smell. The tastes was nutty and malty, with dark fruit like raisins coming through upon tasting. A bit of coffee and candy like toffee comes through toward the end. Get better as it warms! Enjoyed it!
★ 303 characters
3.01/5 rDev -22.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Blech. Weird vegetal malt notes on first pour that probably improved a bit over time but ever lingered. Some spice, some very tea-like hops, and oodles of fruity esters. The can claims mocha in the finish, though I find none, only that off-putting tea+fruit combo on the palate, and all bogged down by limp carbonation. There are SO many better winter warmers out there, I can't imagine why you'd bother with something like this.
★ 429 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Blech. Weird vegetal malt notes on first pour that probably improved a bit over time but ever lingered. Some spice, some very tea-like hops, and oodles of fruity esters. The can claims mocha in the finish, though I find none, only that off-putting tea+fruit combo on the palate, and all bogged down by limp carbonation. There are SO many better winter warmers out there, I can't imagine why you'd bother with something like this.
★ 429 characters
3.96/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A-pours a deep amber with an off white head with good retention
S-dark fruit, prunes, caramel, toasted biscuit
T-prunes and dark fruit up front, followed by a sweet caramel and toffee, dry finish with lingering bitterness
M-medium bodied, soft and smooth
O-tasty winter beer.
★ 275 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A-pours a deep amber with an off white head with good retention
S-dark fruit, prunes, caramel, toasted biscuit
T-prunes and dark fruit up front, followed by a sweet caramel and toffee, dry finish with lingering bitterness
M-medium bodied, soft and smooth
O-tasty winter beer.
★ 275 characters
4.52/5 rDev +16.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer pours a deep brown with a solid head. The complex aroma consists of chocolate, dry yeast, prunes, figs, golden brown toast, wintergreen, sasparilla, licorice and oak. The flavor leads with mildly sweet toasty flavors, chocolate, prune, and figs, and then a slightly yeasty finish. The mouthfeel is rich but understated. Overall this is a very enjoyable beer for a cold day.
★ 383 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer pours a deep brown with a solid head. The complex aroma consists of chocolate, dry yeast, prunes, figs, golden brown toast, wintergreen, sasparilla, licorice and oak. The flavor leads with mildly sweet toasty flavors, chocolate, prune, and figs, and then a slightly yeasty finish. The mouthfeel is rich but understated. Overall this is a very enjoyable beer for a cold day.
★ 383 characters
3.74/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Definitely more of a winter warmer insofar as its flavor profile, but not bad for an old ale, either. Very smooth and easy drinking, its dark and the flavor follows the nose with malts and spice but without the slightly acidic, tangy finish I usually look for in an old ale.
★ 274 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Definitely more of a winter warmer insofar as its flavor profile, but not bad for an old ale, either. Very smooth and easy drinking, its dark and the flavor follows the nose with malts and spice but without the slightly acidic, tangy finish I usually look for in an old ale.
★ 274 characters
3.78/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A deep dark brown and slightly hazy. Our pour from a can with date code 5287 produced a thin head despite an energetic pour into a tulip glass. A light aroma of toasted malt s all we could get. The taste is very nice, great layers of roasted nuts, toffee and a trace of bitter chocolate linger and develop on the palate. Let this one warm up, it's not nearly as good when straight from the fridge as it is when it sits for bit on the counter.
★ 446 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A deep dark brown and slightly hazy. Our pour from a can with date code 5287 produced a thin head despite an energetic pour into a tulip glass. A light aroma of toasted malt s all we could get. The taste is very nice, great layers of roasted nuts, toffee and a trace of bitter chocolate linger and develop on the palate. Let this one warm up, it's not nearly as good when straight from the fridge as it is when it sits for bit on the counter.
★ 446 characters
4.18/5 rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle, I bought this in the early fall, and it is stamped with '14269B8', which I believe translates to being bottled roughly in September 2014 (269 days into 2014).
Look: Pours a light amber, with a nice frothy, beige head.
Aroma: dark candied fruits.
Taste: Sweet up front, dark candied fruits mid-pallet, with a bit of hops on the finish.
Feel: Medium body, with a very smooth finish.
Overall: This beer has lots of complexity. I did a side-by-side tasting with Deschutes Jubelale, and I liked this one better in that this beer was more unusual in what it had to offer, but that may very well be in part because it has a year of age on it, giving it an opportunity to take on more complexity. I have a few more being cellared, and I look forward to seeing how they age.
★ 784 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle, I bought this in the early fall, and it is stamped with '14269B8', which I believe translates to being bottled roughly in September 2014 (269 days into 2014).
Look: Pours a light amber, with a nice frothy, beige head.
Aroma: dark candied fruits.
Taste: Sweet up front, dark candied fruits mid-pallet, with a bit of hops on the finish.
Feel: Medium body, with a very smooth finish.
Overall: This beer has lots of complexity. I did a side-by-side tasting with Deschutes Jubelale, and I liked this one better in that this beer was more unusual in what it had to offer, but that may very well be in part because it has a year of age on it, giving it an opportunity to take on more complexity. I have a few more being cellared, and I look forward to seeing how they age.
★ 784 characters
4.39/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
had this on tap at crosscut pizza in nederland co in a pint glass
pours a deep amber brown and somewhat opaque with a thin off white head that stuck around the whole beer and left some minor lacing on the glass
smell is complex notes of fruit, caramel nutmeg and sweetness
taste is similar sweet fruity with caramel notes and a tangy aftertaste
feel is chewy viscous and very warming
overall solid except for the tangy aftertaste
would have again
★ 446 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
had this on tap at crosscut pizza in nederland co in a pint glass
pours a deep amber brown and somewhat opaque with a thin off white head that stuck around the whole beer and left some minor lacing on the glass
smell is complex notes of fruit, caramel nutmeg and sweetness
taste is similar sweet fruity with caramel notes and a tangy aftertaste
feel is chewy viscous and very warming
overall solid except for the tangy aftertaste
would have again
★ 446 characters
4.56/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass. Pours a dark mahogany with a 3 inch off white head that covers the glass with lace.
Smell is nutmeg, toffee, caramel, cinnamon, and pine pitch.
Taste is so nice, nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, toffee, hazelnut, and pine all meld together in harmony.
Body is almost large, light carbonation, not dry, and drinks very well and warms the entire body.
Overall this is what a winter warmer should be. Subtle holiday flavors that warms the soul.
★ 473 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass. Pours a dark mahogany with a 3 inch off white head that covers the glass with lace.
Smell is nutmeg, toffee, caramel, cinnamon, and pine pitch.
Taste is so nice, nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, toffee, hazelnut, and pine all meld together in harmony.
Body is almost large, light carbonation, not dry, and drinks very well and warms the entire body.
Overall this is what a winter warmer should be. Subtle holiday flavors that warms the soul.
★ 473 characters
4.27/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Old ale, huh? Thick, viscous, dark mahogany colored with short-lasting sticky opaque white head. Winter spices, nice drinkability, full flavored with an above-average abv. Probably would go well with warm chestnuts....
★ 219 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Old ale, huh? Thick, viscous, dark mahogany colored with short-lasting sticky opaque white head. Winter spices, nice drinkability, full flavored with an above-average abv. Probably would go well with warm chestnuts....
★ 219 characters
4.05/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: Deep ruby with foamy head.
S: Cocoa nibs, maple syrup, cherry cola.
T: Roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, nibs, molasses, some hop snap.
M: Sweet, but not over sweet. Warming, a little boozy. Similar to a stout, but that hoppy element knocks it on its side.
O: Is it a stout, a winter warmer, or some strange hybrid? Who knows, but it is delicious.
★ 357 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: Deep ruby with foamy head.
S: Cocoa nibs, maple syrup, cherry cola.
T: Roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, nibs, molasses, some hop snap.
M: Sweet, but not over sweet. Warming, a little boozy. Similar to a stout, but that hoppy element knocks it on its side.
O: Is it a stout, a winter warmer, or some strange hybrid? Who knows, but it is delicious.
★ 357 characters
4.17/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The light mocha taste was a nice change of pace. I got this beer free for going to Avery Brewery on cheesy Christmas sweater night, and I was not disappointed! Good holiday beer.
★ 178 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The light mocha taste was a nice change of pace. I got this beer free for going to Avery Brewery on cheesy Christmas sweater night, and I was not disappointed! Good holiday beer.
★ 178 characters
3.87/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Got this from my brother-in-law years ago and just came across it in my cellar. Dark mahogany-brown pour with a creamy two finger white head with decent retention and nice lacing. The nose is malt forward with hints of brown bread, raisins, toffee, subtle smoke, and a bit of booze. The taste is nutty and malty with the smoke emerging even more. Hints of toffee, raisins, brown bread, caramel, brown sugar, subtle cocoa, and a touch of black pepper on the finish. The mouthfeel is somewhat creamy and pretty chewy with light carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, this has really held up well and is a nice interpretation of the style.
★ 642 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Got this from my brother-in-law years ago and just came across it in my cellar. Dark mahogany-brown pour with a creamy two finger white head with decent retention and nice lacing. The nose is malt forward with hints of brown bread, raisins, toffee, subtle smoke, and a bit of booze. The taste is nutty and malty with the smoke emerging even more. Hints of toffee, raisins, brown bread, caramel, brown sugar, subtle cocoa, and a touch of black pepper on the finish. The mouthfeel is somewhat creamy and pretty chewy with light carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, this has really held up well and is a nice interpretation of the style.
★ 642 characters
4.18/5 rDev +8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Ive been sitting on this bottle for quite a few years in my cellar. At least 4 years aging down there. Im pouring a cellar temp 12 oz bottle into a snifter. The beer pours a fairly clear mahogany color with some ruby highlights. There is some small particulate floating in the beer. Frothy beige head fades to a bubbly edge layer very quickly after the pour.
Aroma is malty and kind of sweet with dark fruit and toffee. Some raisins and plums make up the fruit profile.
First sip reveals a fairly thick body with very mild carbonation. Texture is a little sticky and coats my palate after each sip.
Flavor is similar to the nose and is malty through and through, with toffee and brown sugar mixing with some plums and raisins. There is a bit of warming booze at the end of each sip. A sweet sticky flavor lingers after the swallow.
Actually fairly easy drinking for a bigger beer even with a little warmth on the finish. Might be able to sneak up on you if you drink it too quickly. A very enjoyable old ale and well made and interesting. Worth a shot if you like the style.
★ 1,084 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Ive been sitting on this bottle for quite a few years in my cellar. At least 4 years aging down there. Im pouring a cellar temp 12 oz bottle into a snifter. The beer pours a fairly clear mahogany color with some ruby highlights. There is some small particulate floating in the beer. Frothy beige head fades to a bubbly edge layer very quickly after the pour.
Aroma is malty and kind of sweet with dark fruit and toffee. Some raisins and plums make up the fruit profile.
First sip reveals a fairly thick body with very mild carbonation. Texture is a little sticky and coats my palate after each sip.
Flavor is similar to the nose and is malty through and through, with toffee and brown sugar mixing with some plums and raisins. There is a bit of warming booze at the end of each sip. A sweet sticky flavor lingers after the swallow.
Actually fairly easy drinking for a bigger beer even with a little warmth on the finish. Might be able to sneak up on you if you drink it too quickly. A very enjoyable old ale and well made and interesting. Worth a shot if you like the style.
★ 1,084 characters
3.63/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Malty aroma has fruity and subtle woody and nutty notes. Pours a clear chocolate brown with a fairly thick light cinnamon-tan head that doesn’t stick around too long but leaves some good lacing. Flavor has a malty core and nutty, caramel and woody hops notes plus a hint of sweet chocolate. Smooth texture has good body and fizz, quite lively. Start the party!
★ 362 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Malty aroma has fruity and subtle woody and nutty notes. Pours a clear chocolate brown with a fairly thick light cinnamon-tan head that doesn’t stick around too long but leaves some good lacing. Flavor has a malty core and nutty, caramel and woody hops notes plus a hint of sweet chocolate. Smooth texture has good body and fizz, quite lively. Start the party!
★ 362 characters
4.06/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a deep clear reddish brown body with a thin cap of head. Overall impression of appearance is true to style, quite nice. Scents of rich, sweet malt with notes of caramel, molasses, toffee, raisin and fruitcake in the foreground, supported by aromas of nutty malt, hazelnuts and coffee in the background with a mild warm alcohol also present. Overall impression of aroma is of a true to form, very complex example of an Old Ale. Malty, rich and warming. Very well done. Flavor begins malty sweet with notes of hazelnut, caramel and molasses upfront with medium-low levels of vinous and sweet fruity esters and a light roasted malt and chocolate presence. Middle continues these flavors, picking up more pronounced notes of raisins and hazelnuts, alongside a slight warming alcohol. Finish is sweet with notes of raisins, vinous flavors, caramel, molasses, light nuttiness and medium-light bitterness from roasted malt contributing flavors of coffee and chocolate and a light warming alcohol. Aftertaste is lightly bitter and nutty with notes of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee and hazelnuts. Overall impression of flavor is of a nice Old Ale, one that fits well to style, with just a touch higher bitterness than is usual. Still a good example of the style and quite pleasant. Mouthfeel is full bodied and chewy, with low carbonation and a sticky feel. Overall impression of mouthfeel is of a very true to style Old Ale. Overall this is a fantastic Old Ale. It has a pleasant aroma and a very nice flavor, aided by a pleasing mouthfeel. A very nice Winter ale, one of the better examples of the style.
★ 1,606 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a deep clear reddish brown body with a thin cap of head. Overall impression of appearance is true to style, quite nice. Scents of rich, sweet malt with notes of caramel, molasses, toffee, raisin and fruitcake in the foreground, supported by aromas of nutty malt, hazelnuts and coffee in the background with a mild warm alcohol also present. Overall impression of aroma is of a true to form, very complex example of an Old Ale. Malty, rich and warming. Very well done. Flavor begins malty sweet with notes of hazelnut, caramel and molasses upfront with medium-low levels of vinous and sweet fruity esters and a light roasted malt and chocolate presence. Middle continues these flavors, picking up more pronounced notes of raisins and hazelnuts, alongside a slight warming alcohol. Finish is sweet with notes of raisins, vinous flavors, caramel, molasses, light nuttiness and medium-light bitterness from roasted malt contributing flavors of coffee and chocolate and a light warming alcohol. Aftertaste is lightly bitter and nutty with notes of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee and hazelnuts. Overall impression of flavor is of a nice Old Ale, one that fits well to style, with just a touch higher bitterness than is usual. Still a good example of the style and quite pleasant. Mouthfeel is full bodied and chewy, with low carbonation and a sticky feel. Overall impression of mouthfeel is of a very true to style Old Ale. Overall this is a fantastic Old Ale. It has a pleasant aroma and a very nice flavor, aided by a pleasing mouthfeel. A very nice Winter ale, one of the better examples of the style.
★ 1,606 characters
4.11/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottled September 24th 2014.
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into a Victory Donnybrook Stout nonick.
a: Clear dark copper/ruby with an inch thick offwhite head which receded to thick even surface foam and dense lacing.
s: Mild ripe dark fruit.
t: Caramel malt under ripe dark fruit notes. Light hop bite, sweet to dry finish.
m: Smooth medium plus with very good body and good carbonation tingle.
o; A very fine holiday and cold weather brew, pleasant, tasty and satisfying.
★ 481 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottled September 24th 2014.
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into a Victory Donnybrook Stout nonick.
a: Clear dark copper/ruby with an inch thick offwhite head which receded to thick even surface foam and dense lacing.
s: Mild ripe dark fruit.
t: Caramel malt under ripe dark fruit notes. Light hop bite, sweet to dry finish.
m: Smooth medium plus with very good body and good carbonation tingle.
o; A very fine holiday and cold weather brew, pleasant, tasty and satisfying.
★ 481 characters
4.56/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle, poured into a pint glass
Appearance: Poured an extremely dark, almost opaque brown color with no head what-so-ever.
Aroma: Malty and bready up front, like toasted English muffins. Some notes of black pepper, brown sugar and hops.
Taste: Delicious!! Tons of malt and freshly baked dark bread, like pumpernickel, followed by some notes of roasted nuts, black pepper, and some toffee-like sweetness. Some notes of dried fruit as well, dates, prunes, cherries. Good fruitcake in a glass.
Mouthfeel: Chewy and smooth, with no carbonation what-so-ever. With an ABV of 8.3%, there is quite the presence of pleasing alcohol warmth on the palate.
Overall: Damn, this is a great beer! I love the toffee and the malt and the nuttiness. Simply an outstanding Christmas ale! Highly recommended!
★ 813 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle, poured into a pint glass
Appearance: Poured an extremely dark, almost opaque brown color with no head what-so-ever.
Aroma: Malty and bready up front, like toasted English muffins. Some notes of black pepper, brown sugar and hops.
Taste: Delicious!! Tons of malt and freshly baked dark bread, like pumpernickel, followed by some notes of roasted nuts, black pepper, and some toffee-like sweetness. Some notes of dried fruit as well, dates, prunes, cherries. Good fruitcake in a glass.
Mouthfeel: Chewy and smooth, with no carbonation what-so-ever. With an ABV of 8.3%, there is quite the presence of pleasing alcohol warmth on the palate.
Overall: Damn, this is a great beer! I love the toffee and the malt and the nuttiness. Simply an outstanding Christmas ale! Highly recommended!
★ 813 characters
Old Jubilation from Avery Brewing Company
3.87
out of 5
based on 1,656 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A thanks to the creator of the canquest, woodychandler, for this beer. Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a very dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of spices, dark fruits and breads. Taste is bready, a good bit of spices, sugar, alcohol is present throughout. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a solid beer.
★ 329 characters