Old Jubilation - Avery Brewing Company

ruckzuck

Georgia

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

Had on tap last night. Good thing I had it when I did as it ran out later in the evening!

A - lovely red color, nice head

S - citrus, sweet, pine from hops

T - malty sweetness up front, a bit of hoppiness

M - medium bodied, smooth yet nicely carbonated

D - really enjoyable; too bad it wasn't a bid colder out last night for this winter warmer! I could definitely see hunkering down in the pub and rocking a few of these though; it wasn't available in bottles around here (hardly anything from Avery is it seems like) but I would've picked it up

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2008 21:02:15 | More by ruckzuck

woemad

Washington

3.8/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz pint at The Elk in Spokane for $4.25.

Dark brown color with an off-white head that left lots of lace.

The nose was malty and, especially, boozy, in a bourbon-y sort of way. Some spiciness was detectable as well, but the boozy scent was definitely the most dominant component of this beer's scent.

The taste started out with a dark fruit flavor reminiscent of prunes and raisins, then was joined by the warming alcohol noted above and a peppery spiciness. There was a mild dryness at the swallow.

Medium bodied, with a slightly prickly mouthfeel.

Due to it's high abv and resultant "heat", this beer comes closer to truly being a winter warmer that any other beer I've had this season. For that reason, I'd probably decline several of them at a sitting. But as a night cap or a beer to revivify meself with after being out in the cold, I'd happily quaff this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2007 08:31:58 | More by woemad

Kendo

New York

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: On-tap at the Lionheart in Albany. Body is dark amber with a bubbly off-white head that leaves plenty of lacing behind.

S: Not terribly strong on the nose, especially at first -- inhaling deeply I get a bit of fruity malt and some floral, spicy hops. As it warms I get more malt and a bit of alcohol.

T: Fruity malt early in the sip -- plums and raisins come to mind. There's a bit of spice and what I described as a "bite" to it, and it finishes somewhat hot from the alcohol. A bitterness sneaks in there from somewhere as a lingering aftertaste, serves to balance it nicely.

M: Heavy in weight, but there's a real good feel to this one -- fine bubbles give it an almost spritzy feel in the mouth, resulting in a nice clean, dry finish. Oddly enough, this seems to become even more pronounced as it warms.

D: Pretty good. For a pretty heavy offering, I didn't feel myself getting bogged down.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2007 21:16:24 | More by Kendo

letsgopens

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another winter warmer to get my holiday juices flowing. This one pours a very dark woody brown with some ruby highlights. The off-white head holds decently well and leaves a bit of spotty lace.

The aroma is well pronounced and very attractive. Fruity, sweet and primarily malty. Some sweet toffee notes are present as well as toasty caramel. There is a bit of a vinous quality along with citrus, apple, and dark fruit. Very appetizing and increases the anticipation.

Very much what the nose implied. Sharp and sweet with some light, toffee, roasted malt. Good floral hops are prevalent. Also lots of fruit; again citrus and dark fruit. Complex and very flavorful. A good warmth in the finish rounds out the whole experience. One of the better examples of the style I've had; probably the best this season. Nicely done.

Crisp and clean mouthfeel initially with a nice warm finish. Medium to full bodied with moderate to high carbonation. The carbonation and the fruity finish make for a refreshing example of a winter warmer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2007 05:36:38 | More by letsgopens

mrasskicktastic

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Deep auburn wiht a medium sized head and only small splotches of lacing.

S - A light fruity cherry with some dates and strong (dominant) toffee. A touch of chocolate malt. Alcohol is very faint, but detectable . . . at leas tif you are looking for it (I for one have a tendancy to figure out how intense the abv is every Avery beer, since often it has proven overbearing).

T - Coffee and toffee with a strong nutty flavor. A touch of chocolate, but not much, sort of a hazelnut praline sort of flavor. The aftertaste is burnt and nutty. Good flavor overall.

M - Smooth, medium bodied, very refreshing.

D - Okay. It is an enjoyable beer, component by component there isn't much to complain about, but the gestalt of the beer just didn't click with me for some reason. I might try it again and find it more enjoyable at a later date.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2007 05:11:17 | More by mrasskicktastic

goodbyeohio

Oregon

2.63/5  rDev -32%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

on tap at the dirty truth

clear, dark brown with ruby sparkles. no head, but cavernously cascading lace lingers in lascivious layers. aroma is plum weird. speaking of plums, they're there.. plus grapes. something creamy like an artificial vanilla milkshake complements an almond nutty waft. confusing, not really appetizing. scotch aley at first, then the grape takes over followed by scratchy hop earthiness. sorely lacking in a resiny juiciness which would provide some balance and cover the sweet astringency here. unbalanced and existing blandly between strong ale styles. fails to define itself with substance or spice. there might be some bitterness like raw nutmeg or cinnamon stick, but it's not flavorful. will not repeat.

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2007 16:20:58 | More by goodbyeohio

morayeel

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +29.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This one should be among one of the best BIG Daddy Ales. Pours a very dark amber color with a very frothy thick head over the ale.

You receive a nice hint of the malts in your nose with a sugar and spice accent

Very nice sweet smooth taste up front with the spice flavoring hitting you at the end. I thought this ale might have been to sweet at first but after further review its perfectly balanced.

The mouth feel is very nice medium to full with a very little hit of dryness at the end.

Over all this is one of the more perfectly balanced ales, the balance of malts and sweetness keeps you coming back for more. The brewing was very well done you could not ask for anything better. This is the perfect ale for the holiday season. I would recommend this to everyone.

Ale style: Strong English Ale
Hop Varity: Bullion
Malt Varity: Two row barley, special roast, black, chocolate, vistory
OG: 1.074
Alcohol by Volume: 8%
IBU’s: 30
Color: Very dark Amber

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2006 10:30:59 | More by morayeel

GnomeKing

Pennsylvania

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

The initial impression is of prominent hops. Drinking blindfolded, you might take this as an IPA at first. But the beer's alluring, dark appearance tips you off that there's more going on. After a few sips, malt flavors leap out...mostly a dry, semi-sweet chocolate, but also some coffee flavors. There's a slight impression of spices, but not nearly as much spice flavor as many other winter seasonals.

This is a nice entry into the winter beer field.
(Swigged at McMenamin's in Philly's Mt. Airy section.)

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2005 15:41:15 | More by GnomeKing

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dim prune mahogany hued with a 1/4" dark khaki head, peppered with bubbles rising. Despite being dark, some light wisps through the pour, with lace 'o plenty scattered across the surface.

Some non-descript scents of malty candi fruit that, with a few swirls evoked a Vodka like aroma.

First Swigs: Dark fruit. BArk woody & some dry sort of hop flavor balance. This strong ABV leads to awl-kee-hawl detectable taste. Marascino cherry and fig fruit. Malty dry Fig Newton aftertaste. Brown sugar and rum cake with maltiness.

Medium feel and body at best. Sugary, and a buttery coating of tacky lolipop.

Last swigs: Sherry awl-kee-hawl with maybe whiskey malt? This would be good by the fireplace going. Vodka in a carrot cake.

Beer is good. Happy beering.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2005 20:05:44 | More by blitheringidiot

clvand0

Kentucky

4.28/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Rich O's Public House. Pours a medium brown color with a tall head and doesn't leave much lacing on the glass. The aroma has lots of citrus hops but also has a nice malty backbone. The flavor has a great caramel malt character, but is joined by the citrus hop flavors. More hoppy than expected, but very well balanced. Very enjoyable. Drinkability is great for an 8% brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2005 23:28:34 | More by clvand0

SheepNutz

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On-tap poured into a pint glass. It pours a deep brown-red color with two fingers of head. There is no lacing on the glass. The smell is sweet and malty, with a touch of chocolate and some candied plums. The taste is fairly light. Nice and sweet with more dark fruit and just a hint of caramel as well. The mouthfeel was fairly nice and strong. The drinkability was unlike anything I've ever seen from Avery. This is an 8% beer, and it drinks like it's under 4%. I could easily have a few of these.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2005 06:01:15 | More by SheepNutz

kmpitz2

Tennessee

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

This beer poured a deep ruby brown color with a small head that didn't have much retention at all. Citrusy and spicey hops dominated the aroma, with a sweet caramel background in there as well. The flavor was much the same as the aroma, wtih sweet citrusy hop and nice spicey hop laying over a nice caramel backdrop. The feel was moderate to thick. Overall, I enjoyed this beer. IT was very smooth and I could easily have had a full 20 oz pint.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2005 16:44:02 | More by kmpitz2

oracle

Indiana

4.58/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

clear deep brown color. Large head that practially coated the glass with lacing.

Smell largely hops, with a unusual spiceness and sweetness to it.

This is a pretty well hopped beer, yet for all those hops there is a really unusual spicyness to it that makes it absolutely wonderful.
Slightly sweet, but not cloying or overpoweringly sweet.

A fantastics example of the winter warmer style

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2004 16:49:09 | More by oracle

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer arrived at the table crystal clear deep amber with an extremely long lasting head which laced and almost coated the glass.

The aroma was deeply malty with camael and dark fruits and a very nice floral hop presence which was slightly citrusy. The alcohol content led to an estery component of the aroma.

The flavor was lightly spicy with a dark caramel and candy presence. The flavor had a nice malt backbone and a nice bittering component. The maltiness was deep and full of dark fruits.

The finish was just dry with lasting bittering lasting long into the aftertaste. The body was medium full. The alcohol warming was present and appreciated...

Pint on tap at Bass Lake Draft House in Holly Springs, NC. Yee Haw! I don't know how this one got by the alcohol police in NC, but keep 'em coming...

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2004 23:20:53 | More by GCBrewingCo

Jarod

Pennsylvania

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

This beer came to me a rich mahogany red color that was crystal clear, and well carbonated. The head that was created was a light tan/beige color, creamy and bubbly in consistency, and it lasted fairly well considering it sat at the bar for a few moments before it made its way to me. The lace that was produced was fairly intricate and present all throughout the glass down to the last sip. The aromas that came forth were on the non-complex side, sweet malts, grains, dark fruits (raisons, prunes, plums), some earth notes as it warmed, hops and some alcohol notes. The flavors showed more complexity then the aromas, notes of chocolate malts (tad bitter), dark fruits (raisons, plums, prunes), which complimented the bitter chocolate, light hops (spice) tad on the alcohol and hops throughout. If finished on the slight bitter side (chocolate malts) with slight spice and on the dry side. Body was on the fuller side. Again one of those beers that become more complex as it warms. A good seasonal beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2004 11:56:31 | More by Jarod

maybrick

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Now this is one I could drink all darn day! Beautiful. Pours with a nice head. Head doesn't hold that long which invites a lot of swirling of the glass. The nose is exquisite. Spicy, sweet, a real nice blend of aromas.

On to the good stuff, the taste! Wonderful, bold, and quite complex. Very balanced between hop, malt and yeasts. This is one smooth brew. Did I say great color? Well it's richly dark and mysterious. I'll be buying more of this stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2003 14:50:29 | More by maybrick

Gusler

Arizona

4.3/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draught @ Papago
Another great beer I’ve only had in bottles, so it’s always nice to sample the Tap/Cask versions, and it was with great anticipation I sampled this excellent beer from one of America’s best breweries.

On the pour a transparent bruin with a majestic crown of creamy head that is a beauteous beige color and the lace an all encompassing sheet to obscure the glass. The hop floral aroma greets you first, followed by the fresh and slightly earthy malt sweetness; also a fine brandy like top also present in this magnificent nose, start is ambrosial, rich in malt, with the top middling to full in its feel. Finish is moderate in acidity, the hops forceful in their spicy presence, bittersweet aftertaste ends this great work of the brewer’s art, with each new beer I sample from this brewery, my admiration grows by leaps and bounds.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2003 16:07:12 | More by Gusler

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

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