Old Jubilation - Avery Brewing Company

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter. 2007 vintage, so somewhere in the 5-6 year old range.

3.5 A: Deep brown borderline black color. Just a short frothy head formed and fell quickly. No lacing. In any case, I'm happy about the carbonation level at this point.

4.5 S: Seems that this has aged quite nicely. Still quite potent, but also with smooth, well integrated aromas. Big toastiness, dry caramel, light tobacco, and a pleasant spiciness. Dry overall, but balanced. Not a ton of complexity, but that tends to happen when a beer is aged so long. Despite this, it smells amazing.

4.5 T: Like the nose, it's hard to find any problem in the taste. Lots of toastiness, caramel, and dry graininess. No hints of booze at all. Fairly dry, but again, balanced.

4.25 M: Medium body. A little undercarbonated compared to what I'd expect fresh, but easily enough for a beer this age. Goes down super easy, but a bit more body and creaminess would be nice.

4.5 D: This drinks like a session beer. So easy to drink. I'm furious that I don't have another. Tons of flavor, great balance, and no problems.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 01:29:38 | More by DavoleBomb

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in an over-sized wine glass. (Grabbed the first thing I saw in my cabinet...Chimay signature glass).

Appearance: A very dark copper, body is still transparent creating a 1/4" off white head with little bubbles and sediments on the body.

Smell: Right from the pour you are smell this and from strength alone you feel

Taste: Light cinnamon with an easy alcohol feel and I can't be the only feeling the dark fruits, berries and plum all over the body subtle but evident.

Mouth: Medium and crazy smooth feel, not bad at all.

Overall:Saw a six-pack of this asking for me to buy it just a week ago at my local beer shop and though I can't say too much about this beer but then again I can't say too little...it's subtle and hit's you in the end. That is definitely when you appreciate this "winter warmer". This beer plus your favorite glass equals one pretty good time. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 06:35:54 | More by BlurryVisi0n

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

The Old Jubilation is a big strong beer and I probably did not try it at the best time. I was having lunch at our local watering hole and it was a warmer day , which I think plays against strong ales. The beer poured a rich deep amber color with thick foamy head that laced. The smell was like a dark malt and alcohol. The taste was malty mix that seemed to give the presence of subtle spices like a cinnamon, ginger, etc. along with big alcohol. The mouthfeel was full body with smooth carbonation. Overall it was ok....not a huge fan of strong ales.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 03:08:45 | More by WoodBrew

Smurf2055

Washington

3.71/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3.5

Bottle into Chimay glass.

Pours a dark mahogany with very minimal head.

Can detect faint hints of cherry in the aroma.

Mostly fruit. Rich, full flavor. Malty backbone. Almost nutty flavor.

Very smooth and drinkable.

Overall, a very good winter ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 20:21:52 | More by Smurf2055

AmitC

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter. Limited release.

Brown color inside the glass. About one finger thick tan colored dust like head. Excellent retention. Super lacing. Some ruby hues. Hazy appearance.

Aroma is a little subdued in strength. Some faint malt flavors and somewhat more strong caramel notes. Not much warmth or booze in the nose.

Taste is better. Strong alcohol burst for a 8.3% ABV brew. Good warmth. A good amount of hops that are very well suppressed by hops. Hops are still apparent somewhat may be due to booze and carbonation, which has not died yet. Caramel and light roasted smell.

Mouth feel is medium bodied with a little more carbonation than there should be in old ale. Warm and solid. Nothing really exciting about this brew.

Very average stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 22:42:13 | More by AmitC

tut2528

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

shout out to Jaap for sending this one my way

A: pours a dark brown that is almost opaque, and when back lit you can barely see through it. very nice carbonation, and the pour created about a fingers worth of thick creamy head that had small tints of tan.

S: pick up on tons of hazelnut, subtle brown sugar, roasted malt backbone, slight toffee sweetness, and some bread notes.

T: very similar to the nose, but it also adds a nice vanilla creaminess in the finish and a bit more toffee/caramel sweetness. for the style, its quite unique with the hazelnut aspect and the drinkability is quite high.

M: lighter side of medium bodied, and it leaves a light touch of vanilla sweetness and hazelnuts on the palate.

O: decent brew and I enjoy the take on the holiday season with the addition of the nuttiness. just a bit off balance, but its still a nice drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 02:01:49 | More by tut2528

barczar

Kentucky

3.79/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

It's been on tap for quite a while.

Pours a clear deep brown, almost opaque, with amber highlights and a frothy one inch head reminiscent of cappuccino froth.

Brown sugar, lightly nutty toffee, booze, raisins, toasted malt, and bruised cherries form the aroma.

Dark fruit and slightly bitter hops dominate the initial sip. Deeply toasted malt, slight molasses sweetness, and hints of prunes and raisins add complexity. Much more bitter than expected, with a bit of roasted coffee bean shell at the finish. Chocolatey notes emerge as it warms.

Body is full and creamy, with low carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

Not as much character as I recall from the bottle. More bitter than anything, which is surprising for the style. Lacking in big flavor and esters.

Serving type: growler

02-08-2013 03:20:51 | More by barczar

C20Percent

Virginia

4.09/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a dark amber, caramel color with a just okay head of light-tan color foam. The body is littered with sediment. But, some definite complexity. So, better than average for sure.

S: Vanilla, raisins, oak, vanilla, caramel. Doesn't quite nail perfection, but the aromas that should be there are there with some force.

T: Richness, vanilla and dark cherries -- semi-bitter finish. Little oaky. Mostly malty. Not bad. Pretty good. Not on the same level as Curmudgeon or Old Stock, but better than Hibernation and Yankee. Pretty good.

M: I think they nailed the body. Brew is smooth and creamy. Nice carbonation. Could have a more buttery, oily, feel -- maybe some more chewiness. Body kind of thins out when you chew it, but is doesn't distract from the positives.

O: Really good brew -- this is a 2011 Vintage. So, ages well -- I think it gets extra points for that. Great smell, nice flavor -- this is a good one from Avery.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 17:35:15 | More by C20Percent

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter.

A: Clear red-brown with one-finger, off-white, creamy head that lasted a minute or two. Pretty good lacing.

S: Coffee and nuts.

T: Light sweetness and moderate bitterness. Toasted malt, chocolate and nuts. Alcohol.

M: Medium bodied with fizzy carbonation. Smooth and warm going down.

O: Good example of an Old Ale. The taste was less complex than I was hoping for, but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 00:14:59 | More by SolipsismalCat

SPThirtyThree

Colorado

3.33/5  rDev -14%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

No yeast at the bottom. $7.99 for a sixer. Served at fridge temp.

A: Dark, ashen ruby. Bright red when viewed through light, but when left to hide under its cap, the color is replaced by darkness. An aggressive pour forms a two-and-a-half-finger, eggshell foam head, with varying bubble sizes. This beer globs itself onto the sides. Hazy, doesn’t let you see through. Head falls to a cream, and it tries briefly to cling to the side, but doesn’t leave any lacing.

S: Very malty and hoppy. Biscuity breadiness….. Raisins and figs, all subdued. Grains, wheat, a sliver of banana. Just not much going on. Woody. Nutmeg.

T: really bitter, and hot, too. Fusels and phenols. Bandaid. Cherry, cinnamon, walnut. A bit rough.

M: Dry and astringent. High carbonation, medium body.

D: Low. I don’t want a second bottle. C-.

Interestingly, there are no hops, but only bullion hops, known for their distinctive black currant flavor.

I've never tasted bullion hops, but I get a hot, piney flavor, like that of an evil pineapple. In a way, it reminds me of Chinook, as it has some grapefruit and a distinctive note that I can only describe as cat piss.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 23:56:25 | More by SPThirtyThree

ksimons

New York

4.29/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A-very dark brown with ruby highlights and a fingers worth of cream head

S-rich malt, caramel, light dark fruit of cherries and plums, and getting some light chocolate notes

T-taste matches the smell very well. Malt is dominant with caramel. Getting some dark fruits as the beer warms and light hop bitterness to finish it out.

M-very nice mouthfeel, solid medium body and good carbonation

Overall even though this beer isn't classified as a winter warmer, to me this is what all winter warmers should taste like. Really nice drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 22:29:37 | More by ksimons

tkail

4.45/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Dark carmel color with thick foam. Nice lacing that hung on. Scents of chocolate, caramel, and some slight grassy citrus aroma. Taste hits you right away. Extremely smooth, medium chocolate flavors with toasted barleys. Really smooth - could knock back several of these. High alcohol content makes 3-4 just perfect.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 00:34:37 | More by tkail

chinchill

South Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Served from a growler via a Unibroue snifter, it has a dark chestnut brown body with some deep red mahogany. Clear, with a small tan head (no penalty for lack of a decent head given serving type).
Aroma: Malty with a surprisingly clear hop note. Very good dark fruit tones with a bit of booziness (more upon warming) and hints of smoke and hazelnuts.
Taste: Rich and complex flavor of mix malts becomes increasingly hoppy into and after the finish. Hints of figs, dates and raisins. Finishes with a light bitterness, and a bit too much earthiness for my taste (but suitable for style).
Mouthfeel: Good, albeit rather light, carbonation; smooth; the 8.3% alcohol barely comes through.

O: A fine Strong Ale and Winter Warmer, although not a favorite.

Serving type: growler

01-12-2013 19:08:40 | More by chinchill

shand

Florida

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Old Jubilation pours a muddy brown-red color with a small head. The aroma is malty, boozy, and slightly fruity. To attempt to get notes further than that is an effort in futility. The taste also hints at complexity that never quite makes it's way out behind the thick wall of lightly roasted malt and fruit. A very light booziness and a light amount of citrusy hops adds a bit of life to the beer. The mouthfeel is on the light side of medium, and the drinkability is very good. Overall, Old Jubilation is a good beer. It's best aspect is probably it's drinkability, this goes down very easily for the relatively high ABV and strong malt flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 03:33:06 | More by shand

theruckus33

Kansas

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Serving type - Bottle poured into pint glass

A: Pours a chestnut brown color. 1/2 inch head quickly dissipates and, slight lacing around the edge of glass.

S: Disappointing. Slight mustiness from the hops with a faint smell of toasted malt. Nothing to coomplex

T: Heavy alcohol taste right off the bat. Followed by a dry hops flavor - no citrus overtones, just that classic bittering hops flavor. Concluded with a toasted toffee malt flavor. Overall taste not that bad.

M: Thick, heavy, subtle carbonation.

O: Not a bad beer, just average. I am not sure I would buy this beer again but I wouldn't discourage the purchase.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 02:39:30 | More by theruckus33

mjurney

Texas

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance:
Deep mahogany color. Good amount of carbonation rising up to the top. Beige color head, looks fairly creamy.

Aroma:
Deep malty aroma. Sweet, hazelnut, dark fruit, faint chocolate.

Taste:
Bready, toasted, caramel, nutty. Alcohol is present, almost rum like. Hop bitterness is mild-medium. Dark roasted finish. Body is full, warmth, semi-dry, easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 02:12:17 | More by mjurney

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass. 2012 Bottle.

Appearance: Pours a deep mahogany amber with a lot of rising bubbles. Big three finger off white head with good retention. Leaves a good amount of lacing clinging to the glass.

Smell: A deep malty and nutty aroma. Toasted malts with big hints of bready biscuit, toast, caramel, toffee, and some chocolate and hazelnut. A fair amount of brown sugar. Subtle undertones of fruits including citrus orange and dark figs and raisin. A little hint of smoke along with some earthy hops. Not really any spices, just a good malt aroma.

Taste: It the smell indicates, a good mix of baked bready malt flavors. Toasted malts with a good taste of baked biscuit, toast, yeast, caramel, toffee, and hazelnuts with some nice notes of cocoa. Mild sweet presence of brown sugar and some subtle smoke. Some fruit undertones with some light citrus orange and a good dose of raisin, fig, and prune. Moderate amount of earthy hops adds some drying bitterness in the finish. Its the bready malts that shine the most.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Creamy, toasty, and fairly drying in the finish. Alcohol is hidden very well.

Overall: A very good winter beer. Really nice use of malts that give a complex mix of flavors. Sweetness and body is just right.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 07:19:50 | More by MattyG85

phishsihq

Colorado

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This Old Ale pours deep mahogany with crimson highlights, half an inch of tan colored head, and a decent lace. Smells like winter! Warming aromas of caramel, toffee, spice, hazelnuts and citrus create a wonderful bouquet. Malt flavors dominate at first, with caramel, toffee, and dark fruit bringing forth a sweetness that is eventually met with a hint of grapefruit that provides some bitterness that battles with the sweetness through the finish. Medium-full in body, this Avery brew is moderate in carbonation. Christmas is in the air!

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 02:20:43 | More by phishsihq

ElderPuma

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a mahogany deep red color with a tan one finger head that does not last. Laces well down the sides with some alcohol legs to boot.

Aroma is a variety of booze like warmth, toffee, vanilla, roasted malts, and hazelnut. It certainly smells like the holidays and makes you envision a cool night around a hot fire.

Taste is bold chocolate up front that quickly mellows to expose the vanilla, toffee, and hazelnut notes that were initially hidden. The roasted flavor leaves a crisp finish to the palate that makes you want to come back for more. A touch of heat exists but is just right for the beer.

Mouthfeel is very middle of the road in that it is not too thick and creamy yet also not light. It is moderately carbonated. In total, it is everything it should be and nothing it shouldn't be but doesn't leave any wow sensation.

Overall this is probably my favorite of the holiday style beers that exist. I'm not a huge fan of the style to start with but this is the one beer I will reliably try to find a 6 pack of for the holiday season.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 03:12:59 | More by ElderPuma

chanokokoro

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into an Avery Brewing branded snifter

Pours deep, dark amber accented with copper highlights and capped with a fluffy off-white one and a half finger head. Average retention and some light lacing evident. Light cocoa, toffee, malt, and dark fruit on the nose. Fairly complex, caramel, molasses, raisins, plum, some anise, and finishes with a citric note and a note of warming alcohol. Semi-dry, medium bodied, smooth with a hint of syrup. Moderate carbonation. Very enjoyable and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 04:24:06 | More by chanokokoro

horshack7

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: On top is an off white head around a finger thick. Beneath that is a deep amber beer with some light copper hues.

Aroma: Very bready in the nose with a good touch of toffee. Raisins, dark fruit, twinges of citrus in the back.

Taste: Lots of toffee notes sticky mouthfeel. Molasses in the front, notes of licorice, very malty backbone.

Notes: A great malty backbone mixed in with good drinkabilty and quite good for a cold night. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 02:00:01 | More by horshack7

teromous

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Fairly dark shade of brown, allowing some light to show good clarity and carbonation. Thick fluffy white head, with decent lacing.

S: The malt scents definitely come through. I get roasted nuts, a kind-of caramel smell that you get when you bake brownies. Not caramel or chocolate, just that slightly burnt baked desert smell. Lots of malt. No hops smell, or alcohol.

T: There's the predominantly malty taste, with some malt bitterness coming mostly from its roasted character...akin to burnt popcorn. Some of the hops come through, which are slightly resinous and pine-like. The hops take a background to the roasted character of the beer. The roasted character of the beer develops more on the palate the more you drink the beer.

M: It's surprisingly light in the mouth, but I'd say it's about a medium mouthfeel. It's not heavy at all despite the appearance. It is refreshing and wet, with light bitterness. A very easy drinker. Lots of carbonation. It could probably have a much fuller mouthfeel.

O: Seasonal beers can be very interpretative. I would recommend this beer for people who enjoy beers with a more roasted and malty character. A person who enjoys Rauchbiers or Stouts would undoubtedly like this. It would go well with seared meats or sharp cheddar cheeses. I enjoyed the beer, especially because it was a different take on a Christmas beer. I felt that it could have been a little bit thicker on the mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 01:55:27 | More by teromous

Ryan011235

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into an Olde Hickory glass on 12/7/12

Stained cherry brown; clear, but rather dark. One finger head thins to a soapy layer of smooth foam. Tight rings of lace. An impressive appearance.

Aromas of toasted dark bread, nuts and terse sugars - molasses and maybe a little brown sugar. Hints of citric hops and an herbal hop twinge, too. Smells like a really good brown ale. The taste is aligned perfectly with the aroma. Lots of toasty dark bread and not sweet sugars. Mild hoppiness across the spectrum; slightly juicy. The finish is very dry. A shade or two above medium body. Carbonation is on the upper cusp of average. Coating finish that somehow seems enjoyable.

I'm pleasantly surprised and impressed. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 21:47:32 | More by Ryan011235

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark brown but yet opaque enough to see through. Two finger ivory colored head. Solid mouthfeel. Smell is awesome - all malts - rich, dark, some chocolate. Flavor reveals more of the same. I really appreciate this take on a holiday brew - no crazy spices - just a nice, thick, quality beer for warming up with by the fireside.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 21:45:53 | More by Oakenator

SerialHiker

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Notes:
Christmas/Seasonal Ale
12oz Bottle
8.3% ABV

Appearance: Pours a dark reddish auburn…some khaki color head did form, but dissipated rather quickly…though there is some still lingering making it visually pleasing…

Smell: Deep, bready malt aroma…hints of toffee, chocolate and caramel…sweet candy, brown sugar, fig, citrus hops and spices also evident…

Taste: Sweet candy and malt flavor in the beginning…candied cinnamon, clove and nutmeg are delivered by creamy, roasted, caramel malts…it’s sweet without being overly sweet and malty without being overly malty…there are some earthy hops tones as it warms in my hand…

Mouthfeel: Medium body with medium carbonation…it’s smooth without being watery…little bitterness, some alcohol heat…ends with roasted malt on my tongue, some cherry candy sweetness…

Overall: Very tasty…the dark, bready malts do dominate and are accented by the candy, sugar sweetness…the aroma brings a bit more than the actual taste does, I’m not getting all the toffee or chocolate that my nose picks up…the flavor though is solid and very drinkable, but I think it could be taken a step farther and would really separate itself from the others in this class…the spices do warm my belly and the higher alcohol content (which the flavor does mask) is more evident as I drink more and it gets a bit closer to room temp…great seasonal ale flavor, recommended for your consumption…

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 07:41:00 | More by SerialHiker