Jasperilla Old Ale - Independence Brewing Co.

Atlas1

Texas

3.53/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Saw this at Whip In in Austin and couldn't resist. This is the only old ale being done by any TX brewers, so far as I know. This is the 2008 edition.

Poured into a snifter, the Jasperilla is a light golden brown color. Thin head with big, porous white bubbles that dissipate quickly but cling to the sides of the glass. Sort of looks like a slightly darker ginger ale. The nose is malty sweet, with a slight citrus twinge. Orange rind, cold apple pie, and pepper. An odd aroma all around, but not necessarily bad. The taste is stronger, again with a peppery sensation. Sweet malts and light fruits (apple and pear) persist, but there is also a darker, murkier flavor here that I am having trouble identifying. Over-spiced bread, maybe. Strange for sure. Mouthfeel is firm and smooth, but also very prickly with lots of carbonation.

This is a strange brew. I'm not sure I would call this an old ale, exactly, but it is interesting. Big and adventurous, but it seems to miss its target. A good one to try, if you're into new, off-center brews, but it's a stretch to say this is like any other old ale I've ever had. Cheers to Independence for being creative, though.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2009 22:48:10 | More by Atlas1

Xzfgiimtsath

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +7.1%

05-10-2013 00:29:10 | More by Xzfgiimtsath

BGsWo22

New York

4.75/5  rDev +35.7%

03-09-2013 20:14:22 | More by BGsWo22

phishbone23

New York

5/5  rDev +42.9%

01-25-2013 14:27:52 | More by phishbone23

Djenx

Texas

3.5/5  rDev 0%

11-07-2012 22:51:38 | More by Djenx

GMB

Japan

3.65/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Independence's Jasperilla 2011 pours a tawny body with an off-white head that doesn't stick around or leave a trace.

The nose is of alcohol and sweet malt. Notes of unsulphured apricots, figs, and roasted dark raisins are palpable.

The taste is nice. Sweet apricot sustains the grainy and floral tastes that one expects from an aged beer. The beer is soft on the palate.

Overall, this is a fine Old Ale that probably won't drink again. Well done. Let's move on.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 00:21:43 | More by GMB

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev +7.1%

10-14-2012 16:21:58 | More by t0rin0

harpus

Alabama

4/5  rDev +14.3%

07-24-2012 14:31:11 | More by harpus

Hopmodium

Washington

3.5/5  rDev 0%

05-25-2012 16:40:50 | More by Hopmodium

Texasfan549

Texas

3.5/5  rDev 0%

05-22-2012 04:58:58 | More by Texasfan549

charlzm

California

4.1/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Consumed May 13th, 2012 at Whip In, Austin, Texas. 2011 vintage.

Clear dark golden beer, verging on caramel colored. Minimal head.

Aroma is butterscotch.

Flavor is sweet and esthery; lots of dark fruity flavors. Butterscotch and toffee/caramel notes up front on the palate. Significantly bitter on the finish. Alcohol is lurking but is well masked by the flavor.

Mouthfeel is slightly thick but has good carbonation to offset it. Slightly parching.

This is one well assembled beer! I would gladly have this again anytime, anywhere.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2012 18:47:10 | More by charlzm

Danielbt

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +21.4%

05-08-2012 20:57:08 | More by Danielbt

brentk56

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 bottling

Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy amber color with a decent enough head that leaves a nice trail of lace behind

Smell: Caramel forward, with undertones of dark fruit (fig and date) and oak

Taste: Caramel and fruit, up front, with strawberry, fig and date flavors; by mid-palate, there is a bit of an oaky, earthy/pithy tone that reduces the sweetness that was building from the outset; the fruitiness returns, after the swallow, leaving a lasting impression

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: While I would like to see more complexity and depth, this is a rather tasty old ale

Thanks, mhenson42, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 01:30:52 | More by brentk56

imasloth

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -7.1%

03-16-2012 01:17:23 | More by imasloth

kew

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -7.1%

03-10-2012 21:59:41 | More by kew

cdwil

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -7.1%

03-10-2012 20:33:24 | More by cdwil

kort27

Illinois

3/5  rDev -14.3%

02-04-2012 02:35:00 | More by kort27

Grebdioz

Texas

3/5  rDev -14.3%

12-28-2011 10:24:17 | More by Grebdioz

drummermattie02

Texas

2/5  rDev -42.9%

12-21-2011 03:47:04 | More by drummermattie02

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.8/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

aramel smell coming off of this, literally took me by surprise. Nice aroma of oak and alcohol mixing and swirling around with it now, really starting to pick up steam the warmer it got. So complex, with rich earthy tones running rampant through it. Warm oak infused notes of brandy like alcohol running over the tongue, so sweet and sugary. As you roll it around you start to notice there is a little bit of a bitter bite to this one. Way down deep under all of the malt, there was a subtle bitter hoppiness, very grainy and earthy, but it was there, and really pushed through on the finish. Long drawn out finish it was, soo complex, with every sip letting you discover more and more flavors. Deep dark fruit now coming through for me, really started to actually dominate the scene all together. Huge raisin and plum notes giving it that sweet but yet tart dark fruit flavor we all come to love

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 05:49:23 | More by mikesgroove

valkyre65

Texas

4/5  rDev +14.3%

12-08-2011 16:59:27 | More by valkyre65

dehjosh

Texas

4/5  rDev +14.3%

11-18-2011 01:50:03 | More by dehjosh

ATXRyan

Texas

3/5  rDev -14.3%

11-17-2011 19:19:23 | More by ATXRyan

Exiled

Texas

4/5  rDev +14.3%

11-14-2011 22:14:39 | More by Exiled

bentwookie

Texas

4/5  rDev +14.3%

11-14-2011 21:28:27 | More by bentwookie