Old Jubilation - Avery Brewing Company

Billolick

New York

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

12 ouncer sampled, no freshness dating. Pours very dark almond, clear, dark tan head, tiny bubbles , frothy, well dispersed sticky lacing. Nose is malty, spicy, oats. Rich,creamy solid mouthfeel. Bold malty body, some winter spice picked up, nutmeg,cinimon,ginger. Tasty and warming with alcohol well in background. 2 or 3 of these and I'll be seeing two old Saint Nicks! Fine winter warmer, seek and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2004 15:17:57 | More by Billolick

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Now that fall is over, and I'm basically done reviewing the pumpkin and harvest beers, its time for the winters. I plan to try to hit as many winter beers as I can this year as well. The first on the list for now, Old Jubilation from Avery.

A: Pours a huge 3 finger head with lots of fluff that takes its time fading, perhaps too long as I want to drink the damn thing. A toasty reddish brown color darkens as light passes through making it pretty dark in color, otherwise its pretty clear.

N: Mostly sweet malts. I get a slight fruit raspberry flavor, and some molasses syrup, a little bit of spices, but mostly just a dark sweet malt aroma. Some brown sugar also comes out.

T: Wow! Taste starts like a smoked porter. I get a lot of roasted malt, chocolate malt, and some smoked malt! Crazy. Its pretty creamy and roasted with some dark fruits, and great malt flavors. Some nutty flavors begin to rise but don't get far. A slight alcohol taste and warmth bites. After a few sips the smoked, roasted, and chocolate flavors seem to dissipate, or just blend in. The creamy flavors never seem to fade, and a slight bitterness creeps up. I think I even get some molasses flavor.

M: Semi thick, creamy, decent carbonation. A slight alcohol warmth.

F: Finishes slightly sweet with some lingering creamy flavors and chocolate malt, as well as roasted malts and dark fruits. A slight hop bitterness comes through on the finish, but its not very heavy. It finishes slightly clean, with a sticky feeling around the mouth that never really fades.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2009 01:18:53 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 12/1/11 notes. Had on tap at the Chuurchkey Avery tap takeover event. 2011 vintage.

a - Pours a dark transparent amber color with two inches of white head and moderate carbonation evident. Some spotty lacing left on the glass.

s - Smells of dark fruits, sweet fruit, apples, alcohol, caramel malts, light vanilla, light toasted malts. Alcohol is a little strong, but still nice.

t - Tastes of apples, sweet dark fruit, caramel malts, light vanilla, light roasted notes.

m -Medium body and low carbonation. Pretty smooth and easy to drink.

o - Overall I thought this was a really nice old ale. Lots going on and lots of fruit. Alcohol was present in the nsoe but not really in the taste. Something I'd certainly have again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2011 19:09:36 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle purchased as a single from Julio's, Marlboro, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1" tan head over the clear reddish brown brew. Head lasts very well, with sticky lacing. Aroma is ample grains, little else, maybe the lightest of spicing. Taste is hearty maltiness, with light fruitiness and alcohol present as well, with the aftertaste a bit boozy. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both pleasing. One of the better winter warmers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2006 19:20:33 | More by ppoitras

Zorro

California

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Sampled due to the kindness of gbontrag.

This is a clear dark brown colored beer with a good light brown head. The appearance is a lot like coke in the glass.

Smell is sweet malt and spicy. Lots of cinnamon and ginger in the aroma and a nice woody base aroma. Vanilla and chocolate are nice and strong here and there is a slight scent of menthol or mint.

Taste is medium sweet and very malty at the start along with a strong hit of dark roasted malt that comes through as chocolate. This ale stings the tongue a little bit from what I interpret to be ginger; I am mildly allergic to ginger so your sensation might differ some. Good warming sensation from this ale which is sort of the point of a beer called a "Winter Warmer." Spicy and woody with a decent amount of bitterness the hop level is about perfect here. Spices are vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and a little orange peel. Good amount of chocolate flavor here and just a trace of scorched sugar.

Mouthfeel is good.

A mighty and tasty beer here that is among the best of the winter warmers. The main feature of this beer is it is perfectly in balance with all its parts. A tasty beer that isn't overly sweet, bitter, spiced or dumbed down to suit the Budweiser fans. One of the better beers that Avery makes probably the best one in fact.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2006 04:37:57 | More by Zorro

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew is a deep dark ruby. A one finger creamy tan head tops the brew and sticks around for awhile. Sweet malt dominates on the nose, but there are also some hints of flowery hop notes. This is a solid old ale, but just a notch below some of the great old ales that come out around X-mas time (like Summit's). The malt presence is very firm and almost dominating in this beer. Sweet caramel like tones. There is a bit of a lingering bitterness though. And it's just a little "off." That is what dropped the drinkability rating to a 3.

Thanks once again to cokes for landing my a solid brew that I can't get my hands on here in the Twin Cities.


Some additional notes on Feb. 11, 2003:

I also recoginize a slight dry roasted character to this brew. And I upped the drinkability since I no longer notice the lingering off bitterness. Thank you to Davo for my second sampling of this brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2002 21:22:20 | More by Bighuge

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.25/5  rDev -16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dark brown, slight ruby appearance to it. Head and lacing were nothing special. Aroma is nutty, warming alcohol presence.

Taste, alcohol presence is not big now, nutty roast flavor, potential for a tinge of cocoa in this one, cinnamon. Maltbombesque. A decent hop mouthfeel comes on later than keeps this only in the -esque category when it comes to malt bombs.

Not my favorite offering from Avery, too reminiscient of Deschutes winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 16:50:25 | More by Beerandraiderfan

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

DoubleJ

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle served with a pork chop dinner, on to the beer:

1/2 inch thick creamy head on top a body of dark orangish amber. The beer has a fruity aroma of oranges, a kick of anise, more orange, and more spice. Into the mouth it goes, the beer knocks down the door with a kick. Strong malty flavor upfront. Burnt sugar, syrupy, passionfruit...and what's that spice called I'm tasting? Piney too. I like this winter warmer...once you get passed how strong it is.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2008 03:19:37 | More by DoubleJ

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this one from SaCkErZ9 as part of Black Booty. Thanks!
Clear and dark brown, perhaps a reddish tint. A hard pour produced a thick cap of tan foam about a half inch thick. Good head retention, lots of clinging lace. Malty aroma, lots of chocolate/cocoa, toffee and caramel. Mild fruit tones and faint hops, maybe citrusy, maybe floral, hard to tell. Nicely balanced flavour, still a lot of malt character but with mild bitterness and fruity notes. Faint mint in the finish along with subdued alcohol and lingering chocolate/toffee malts. Medium bodied with lowish carbonation, fine bubbles, slight dry astringency from the dark malts. Pretty good overall. A tasty winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2009 02:40:35 | More by DrJay

plaid75

New York

3.28/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a very deep, dark amber, with a one finger cramy head, Little retention and lacing.

The smell was all toasted malt with hints of clove, raisins, coffee and gingerbread.

The taste started of mildly sweet but finished with a very nice spicy, toasted finish. Dry finish.

The mouthfeel was clean with sensations of both sweet and dry.

A good drinkable winter.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2006 02:34:23 | More by plaid75

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Old Jubilation has the faint flicker of a dying candle light. Its hue is soft and resembles that of ground nutmeg. It is by no means clear, despite that at some angles one can make out their finger on the other side of the glass. It's charming except that it has absolutely no head what so ever; a pepper of snow-flake lacing would also have been appreciated.

The aroma is quiet but by no means is it dull. It has an incense-like balm and gentle notes of herbs and spices (despite that none were used). Burning leaves, mildly smoked malts, nutmeg and hazelnut, very earthy hops, cinnamon roll, dried apricot, burnt brown sugar - most normal descriptors don't apply, capturing the scent requires close attention to detail.

Likewise, the taste is distinct and it's hard to say exactly what makes it that way. A solid chunk of caramelly sweet malts conjure notes of toffee, sponge cake and figgy pudding alike, perhaps a little hazelnut-infused coffee as well. Beyond that are the less typical flavours, including peat, dried apricot, cinnamon and even a splash of rich cream.

I'd be tempted to call the mouthfeel a little thin except that it manages to hide the alcohol quite well. Not to say that it isn't observed here and there, but largely speaking it's been wrapped up tight in a hefty, well-rounded maltiness. I wouldn't recommend cellaring - with the booze already well under control the only thing likely to fade is the flavour.

'Jubilation' is another word for celebration, festivity and merriment - all things you're likely to experience while drinking this beer. The holiday season is full of fantastic things: feasts, presents, traditions, acts of good will and, naturally, seasonal beers. Avery's winter offering is warming, hearty and flavourful; it is fantastically designed for this time of year.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2009 03:02:41 | More by biegaman

kojevergas

California

3.4/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a Uinta pilsner glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are above average given the brewery and style. 8.3% ABV confirmed.

Served straight from the refrigerator and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a four finger khaki/light tan colour head of nice cream, thickness, and retention. I'd estimate retention time to be about four minutes - pretty impressive at this high an ABV. Body colour is a transparent copper-amber. Not particularly vibrant, but nonetheless appealing. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Heavy toasted malt character, caramel, biscuit malt, some cream, hazelnut, toffee, and minimal hopping. A mild strength, subtle aroma. I'm excited to try it.

T: Heavy toasted malt dominates the climax, with some emergent caramel. It's definitely malt-centric, with minimal hopping coming through. Biscuit malt is certainly present. Well layered and balanced, but lacking multiple dimensions. It comes off simple - especially for the style. Some toffee and hazelnut help lend it needed character, but it still comes off lacking. An evocative and interesting brew that feels held back by its simplicity. No alcohol or yeast comes through.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Nicely thick. Good carbonation. No problems here. Suits the flavours nicely. A bit chewy. Very smack-your-lips luscious.

Dr: Quite drinkable for the well-hidden ABV. It feels like more of an underspiced winter warmer than an old ale. I like it, but it's not great for the style. I'd have it on-draught. I could definitely drink this repeatedly over the course of a night. A solid offering from Avery, but it does need work.

B-

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 04:21:06 | More by kojevergas

Brad007

Vermont

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

I've had this stashed away for a while. Feels a bit cold enough to give it a crack.

Pours a nice brownish-red color with a two-finger head that fades down, leaving lacing in my fluted glass.

Aroma is full of raisin, spice and cream in the nose. Interesting mix. Seems good.

Taste is full of raisin, mild spice and not much else. Alcohol is still present but somewhat muted. Not volatile and a bit sweet.

Mouthfeel is full of lingering raisin, spice and alcohol heat. Somewhat thin for the style.

It's still quite drinkable but otherwise, i don't see much to rave about here. A solid winter warmer worth your consideration.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2009 22:39:03 | More by Brad007

Georgiabeer

Georgia

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

Pours a dark reddish brown with a short head. Spotty lacing.

Smell is dry, alcoholic, and with stone fruit and apples.

Taste is very dry, and a little sharp with alcohol. Hops are quite strong and bitter, but not unpleasantly so. I taste tart apricot on the finish, and there is a late lingering predominance of spicy hops.

Mouthfeel is dry and a little light for the style.

Fairly drinkable, but there is something curiously lacking here.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2006 22:44:44 | More by Georgiabeer

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Found at Jungle Jim's in Fairfield, OH. Avery's brews have all been pretty good so far and this is no exception. This is a pretty good seasonal ale to boot. Pours a pretty amber color with a medium thin beige head. Spicey aroma of connamon and hops. The flavor was a mixture of malts, brown sugar, cinnamon etc and was surprisingly rich. Good stuff!

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2002 08:57:11 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nice deep translucent firey glowing brown color, thin sandy colored head thats firm and crusty only to fade somewhat quickly to a semi-fluffy thick collar, lace in minimal strings and spots. Aroma is quite roasty, dry and coffeeish with a nice malt tone thats a touch sweet. Which becomes more evident as it sits, plus some alcoholic warmth seeps through as well once it warms; quite nice with a bit of added dried floral hop notes too. Taste has a warm roasty maltiness thats a tad sweet, touches of spice, molasses, and a favorable little coffee-like dryness and mild dried leafy hoppyness. The only thing is thats its a wee bit flat and doesn't last for very long. The finish has a nice light effect of sweetening dryness. Feel is just shy of medium body with a thinner side to its creamyness. If this weren't 8% this could be one fine dandy session of an Old Ale, but that detours it a bit from being so, other then that its still fairly drinkable. Not bad actually, just a bit short lived.

Thanks goes to Gusler for the sample of Avery brews!

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2004 01:08:54 | More by tavernjef

JohnGalt1

Idaho

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

12oz picked up tonight at Brewforia for $2.50ish... Boxing beer for a local buddy and wanted a nightcap.. poured into my Old Guardian goblet.

1 finger lite tan head... the brew is dark brown until held to a light and it shows beautiful deep ruby.

Nose seems a tad muted... toasty with hints of roasty malts.. even hints of smoke.

Flavor mirrors the nose with bits and pieces of something that I can only describe as nutty.. a tad astringent toward the finish.. the roasted malts move from cocoa toward char.. like a lite porter.. really pretty yummy... hops lend a spicy component that I am having a hard time pinpointing..

Medium bodied with a touch too much carbonation for my liking in such a big brew.... I feel hiccups coming on... Overall, "Winter Warmer" seems like a bad division.. It has a nice "English" quality to it.. Good complexities without ever verging on American balls to the wall massiveness. I may buy some of these to hang on to for a while.

4/3.5/4/3.5/4.5

Edit: No spices are used in this beer and I think that is skewing some of the ratings/palates..

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 08:38:27 | More by JohnGalt1

RoyalT

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – Murky dark brown in color with a nice brown head that went down slowly and pooled on top of the liquid.

Smell – I couldn’t get much from this until it sat, but the aroma is malty in nature with a big cocoa powder influence. There’s some (kind of minty) spicing in there and some serious sugar of sorts. Also, I’d swear there were some big time hops in this brew.

Taste – The peppermint comes out more at the taste, nicely complimenting the huge, darkish malt backbone. There definitely is a hop balance here, strongly supported by some quality raw sugars.

Mouthfeel – Very creamy and a bit fluffy in the mouth. This one is a bit over medium and actually has a touch of dryness (somehow – don’t ask me).

Drinkability – This has “winter warmer” written all over it. It harkens back to memories of log fires, Christmas trees, and frosty window panes. You’ll want to sip this hearty ale for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2004 03:14:07 | More by RoyalT

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a clean deep amber/ copper color with an off white head. In the aroma, cinnamon and nutmeg spices. In the taste, primarily cinnamon and nutmeg spices. A spicy bite in the mouthfeel and a semi dry cinnamon spice in the aftertaste. Big in cinnamon, very nice, yet nothing to out of the ordinary for a winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2008 17:39:41 | More by OWSLEY069

avalon07

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a copper color and clear texture. There was a large amount of foamy, long-lasting head and good lacing.

S: A very understated aroma of malt and some spices.

T: Tasted of toasted malt, spices, maybe a little caramel. Alcohol was noticable, but not overbearing. A solid taste.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a slightly slick finish. Light- to medium-bodied.

D: A nice, well-balanced, drinkable Winter Warmer.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2009 16:39:42 | More by avalon07

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- Poured a small, biscuity head that had very minimal retention. No visible lacing through thhis russet brown and tawny color.

Smell- A subdued toasty malt aroma with a sharp hop backbone.

Taste- Starts off with a small whip-crack of hops that leads into a roasted malt flavor bearing a few nuances of Christmas with it like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Mouthfeel- A pleasant mix of christmas, malt, and hops danced around my mouth, but all subdued. I had to pay close attention to my beer to conjure these flavors. A medium bodied beer bordering on slightly heavy.

This beer was alright, but nothing I will probably buy again. Not to say its a bad beer, but this beer had no qualities that make it special.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2006 00:05:54 | More by scruffwhor

TheLongBeachBum

California

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

Presentation: As per the picture in the BA Database, this is a 12 ounce tall thin brown glass bottle, purchased as a single from a broken 6-Pack. The one obverse label has a snow covered Xmas scene. Strangely it has the words “Yeah, It Is!” in the bottom right hand corner – what’s all that about then? No freshness date or strength listed – but the Website states this is an 8% Seasonal beer.

Appearance: Served in my thick based old McEwan’s Scotch Goblet, it has a chestnut brown body, yet it portrayed a deep auburn body, with a deep rich red mahogany hue when held to the light. Lucid yet dark. The head strangely only started to appear half way through the restrained pour. A beige head that slowly disappeared and laced well, still, the beautifully rich deep color of the beer made up for the lack of a decent head at the end. Excellent conditioning in the body of the beer. I chose a fitting glass selection, because at times this looked like a strong Scotch Ale!

Nose: Deeply malty with a hint of hops. Apparently 5 different malts are utilized in this beer – I am no expert – but I would say that they all, to varying extents perhaps, shine through in the nose. Some dark fruits in the bottom of the glass at the end.

Taste: Lovely rich malt beginning. Hints of chocolate hazelnut spread and dark chocolate covered raisins in the middle peak through. The middle is still dominated by malts, but the latter third slowly exhibits some light bitterness, with a limited hoppy feel that feels bigger than it really is. Dark fruits occasionally peep through, more so as the beer warms. A clever beer, not complex – but very interesting nonetheless.

Mouthfeel: Solid levels of dissolved carbonation are superbly balanced with great poise and lend a smooth creamy feel on the tongue, and do a good job of holding the 8% off. In fact the alcohol rarely comes through in this beer at all. Smooth, rich chocolate malts are enticing yet never overpowering.

Drinkability: I easily finished this one, and its 1:39am (I can’t sleep) – but it’s a good job I don’t have a 6-pack of this stuff, it’s very quaffable. A very good example of a Strong Ale.

Overall: Fantastic, very reminiscent of some English Strong Ales that I drank in the UK. I must return to the beer store where I found this offering standing on its own, and pick up a whole 6-Pack if I can. Avery has yet to disappoint me.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2003 09:55:10 | More by TheLongBeachBum

ZAP

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very nice old ale....great nose of raisens/dark fruits and some floral hops....reddish borwn with a nifty little tan lace that rims the glass....great maltiness on the buds...has a bit of a Barley Wine flavor to it...dark fruits and also some nutty characteristic...the floral hop finish is wonderfull....some alcohol is evident but it is 8 %...pretty easy drinking...very solid overall

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2002 22:09:02 | More by ZAP

dirtylou

Washington

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

12oz single, Brennan's

This one used to slip through the cracks in the pre-pop the cap days in NC...remember having it on draft at 42nd street and bottled from 6-12. Drank a few in south bend last winter too.

appearance: a rich and dark mahogany, with wonderful ruby highlights...my eyes keep seeing some purple, but perhaps its the lighting...fluffy and creamy tan-beige head, pretty good lacing

smell: deep and sweet, red grapes, full malt sweetness aromas, nutty similar to an old ale, touch of caramel, syrupy

taste: full flavored, full malt backbone, sweet and fruity...grapes, plums, raisins. strong hop bitterness present, molasses, licorice, sugary, very woody, alcohol definitely present, rich with brown sugar, a touch of cinnamon, and a pinch of peppermint...pretty strong winter warmer

mouthfeel: medium-full, hop bitterness

drinkability: pretty drinkable, but a full flavored beer

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2005 02:26:45 | More by dirtylou