Old Jubilation - Avery Brewing Company

tastybeer

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ruby redish mahogany glows out of this dark glass of winter seasonal. Big froathy head of rosy beige color leaves a healthy layer over the beer along with sheety lace over the glass. Nose is pleasing. Aromas of light plummy flowers, aramel toffee, cocoa, offee, and hefty but soothing malts. Stout-like a bit. Taste shares the light delicate flavors and abundant malts with a more apparent roastiness and nice amount of hop bitterness. Slight alcohol kick becomes evident and is quite welcome. It fits with the hops and malt soaked fruits well. Though clearly bigger on the malts than the hops this pulls together and feels balanced. Mouthfeel is smooth and soft save for mild carbonation and body is a light feeling full. Drinkability is great for what this beer is. The glass has rarely parted from my hand since I poured this. 'Winter Warmer indeed' I think with a smile.

I like that its not overly-spiced if at all. Perhaps a little different than the norm for this style but up on my list. Seems like it could somehow possibly (though not likely) be a sessionable full bodied winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2006 02:54:03 | More by tastybeer

Beertracker

Oklahoma

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Avery Old Jubilation is best served at warmer cellar (50-55°F) temperatures from a brandy snifter or pint glass. This popular seasonal offering from Avery pours up with an ample cream colored head that sits craggily atop a deep chestnut-mahogony brown body. The sweet, firm malty aroma is filled with a nice intermingling of fruity (Shropshire plums, figgy pudding, candied ginger) estery notes. There's also some notable alcoholic warmth along with some delectable treacle notes which is accenuated by the roastiness.The rich, saturated flavor starts off right with some chewy caramel maltiness that gives way to a slightly earthy, spicy hop influenced bitterness that carries into a slightly burnt finish with surreptitious alcoholic warmth. Avery's Old Jubilation adds a bit of color to one's cheeks and does a fine job at keeping Old Man Winter at bay. Here's to a nice, long...cold Winter!

CHEERS! Beertracker

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2007 06:08:30 | More by Beertracker

mnapier

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Service Temperature, 40 degrees. Glassware, 8 ounce globe.

Appearance, is a nice deep reddish hue with some clarity. The head is a nice white foam, that recedes to reveal a tattered curtain of lace down the glass. Swirling this under the nose I detect sweetness, mild fruit, some nuttiness, and a some hop pineyness. Swallowing this roasted, with some raisins, provides a nice sweetness, with some honey and earthiness. On the mouth a weight that is medium almost mild to the swallow.

Overall a nice winter ale. Cheers

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2007 06:11:10 | More by mnapier

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a Pint Glass

A – Poured a deep dark and hazy brown with a nice ruby colored tint coming through on the sides and bottom. A very nice three finger or more head of tan colored lace rose up across the top and stayed around for a good few minutes giving it a very full appearance and a very nice look overall. Some carbonation could be seen struggling to keep up on the sides of the glass.

S – The aroma was very sweet, full of tons of caramel and sugar with a very nice winter like smell to it. Hints of earthy roasted malts and nuts with a very much caramelized coating were readily apparent, as was a touch of alcohol on the back end of it. This was a very nice and richly warm tone coming off of it. Some slight hoppiness could be picked up as well but nothing to extravagant.

T – The flavor was wonderful, honestly just really well put together. The first thing to hit you was a wall of caramelized sugar taste mixed in with tons of earthy roasted malts and a really nice hint of nutmeg. This all rolled together very nicely and gave a very full complex flavor. Hints of a bourbon barrel like alcohol were also apparent but not too extreme. Just enough to let you know it could warm you up a bit if you needed it. Very smooth dry finish with a nice grassy sort of hop tinge to it. \

M – Very smooth and creamy, this medium bodied ale was just about perfect here. The carbonation kept it from feeling slimy or syrup like and provided that extra little bit of liveliness to keep it going. Very nice profile.

D – Almost as good as you can get as far as being a good sessionable winter beer. The flavors were sugary sweet and rich without being over the top. The abv was up there enough to let you know this was just a light lager, but mellowed enough to really be a fine session ale. Great carbonation and not an overall heavy feeling all added up to a really fantastic experience.

Overall this was easily my favorite of all the winter beers I have had so far this year. Almost perfectly created you really could not go wrong here. I would have gladly put down a few more of these, as they were just that good. A very solid offering and one that is sure to please. I would have to highly recommend this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2007 23:27:42 | More by mikesgroove

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm pretty sure this bottle is 2006 and has been sitting in the store for over 1 year before I purchased it. Let's see how it's held up.
Really low bottle fill, maybe up to a whole oz. short.
Dark winter style malts for aroma almost getting to dark fruit and close to dried fruit (like raisin), caramelized close to brunt too. Fair amount of depth and complexity. Slight hop character.
More brownish than red, fairly clear. Dark colored head that's small, but indefatigable.
Flavor holds even greater depth and richness than than the aroma. Again malt dominated. Nice fruity character that softer and sweeter up front and moves to heavier, fuller and richer before the mild bitterness pushes the flavor prior to the finishing dryness. Nice complexity and variety in each mouthful. Alcohol becomes more apparent with warming, and ends up adding nicely.
Heavy enough to move past moderate toward thick. Carbonation is balanced nicely and offers no distractions and rounds off the feel nicely.
This is what I think of when considering a winter warmer. Bold, rich, heavy, complex. Something to wander through and relish.
My 700th review! Good choice Gary. :)

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2008 02:06:52 | More by garymuchow

SpecialK088

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass

A-Deep amber with a nice red hint and a real nice good lingering head that laces all the way down the glass.

S-Malt, sweet fruit and an earth note as well.Good spicy smell

T-Cheers to my 1st winter warmer this year and its all I love them for. Sweet malty front with a nice earthy middle and a nice near sweet fruit like finish none of the notes are overbearing just blend together very nicely. Also the slice notes come through in every aspect of the beer

M-Medium to heavy body seems to be right down the middle of the road, great carbonation level.

D-This one will find its way to my fridge this winter more than once, very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2008 20:23:18 | More by SpecialK088

cdizinno

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark mahogany, almost walnut colored.

S: Malty sweet, slightly caramel scent. Full bouquet of complex aromas.

T&M: Mildly sweet with a semi-dry aftertaste. Not bad. Simple but flavorful. No spiciness, but full bodied.

Notes: Never have I been disappointed by an Avery brew. This one is very good.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2009 00:37:33 | More by cdizinno

thebeerdoctor

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

The annual Holiday/Winter offering from Avery presents their usual rich complex take on English Winter ale. A bittersweet chocolate profile, highlighted with orange citrus notes, with very substantial malts for support. This is despite its full strength and body, a very drinkable ale, An American craft recipe classic.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2009 22:28:01 | More by thebeerdoctor

angelmonster

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a big 3 finger off white head. Body is a clear mahogany brown with lots of bubbles rising. Head retention is above average but the lacing is very good

Smell is of sweet roasted caramel malt and some herbal hops. Alcohol is also slightly detected. A bit underwhelming compared to taste

First taste reminds me of an english barleywine. Tons of malt come through ranging from flavors of brown sugar to smoked malt and even some copper. Hops are also there, slightly bitter but mostly floral and earthy. Alcohol adds a touch of warmth to the finish.

Mouth feel is good. Carbonation is sufficent, beer is medium bodied, about average consistency for a winter beer. Wish head contributed more to body, it died down towards last quarter of glass.

Drink ability was great. Rather session able strong ale. Very complex beer, almost flawless. Winter is my favorite season for beer and this one is one of the best seasonal beers around

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2009 20:42:17 | More by angelmonster

bcray

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

When I started keeping notes several years ago this was the first beer I reviewed. It was also the first Winter Warmer I had ever tried. As an introduction to the style I'm sure I made the wrong choice. I graded this an F and found it "horribly undrinkable". Oh how the palate has changed! This example is a bit more hoppy than many of the winter warmers I've had since and is a very big beer. With that being said I'm a fan. You definitely taste every bit of the 8.0% alcohol but its balanced out by some beautiful toffee and caramel notes with just the right amount of spice present in the background. Still a "once in awhile" beer but a darn nice occasional sipper.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2009 21:55:34 | More by bcray

mentaltraveller

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this one on tap at the Sink in Boulder. Good chocolate smell. Very good flavor, chocolate, raisin and coffee. Not too carbonated and lighter than I expected. Very drinkable, and recommended. I need to get around to trying more Avery Brews. If you are looking for a nice dark brew that is not too intense, this is the ticket. They had Deep Purple In Rock playing; one of my favorite records and one that goes well with this brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2010 01:40:48 | More by mentaltraveller

marburg

Michigan

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

Where did my beer go? Where is it? Oh, there it is... it's the same color as the bar -- mahogany, that is. Big bubbles form a billowing, rocky head that doesn't hang around terribly long but doesn't disappoint either. Smells like the outside of a not-quite-sealed bag of chocolate malt, some prunes, and some very light spices. Great taste! Very smooth and easy to drink. Malty sweetness with a tofee kick. I could see a latte lover enjoying this beer -- but tell mom not to get the "grande" size with this one. So drinkable despite it's abv. Very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2003 11:28:23 | More by marburg

jtw5877

Ohio

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

This is one heck of a solid holiday beer, as I am getting tired of Holiday Ales with cinnamon and spice. This is an old school old ale. Nice strong maltiness toffeeish caramel tones. I love it. a nice warming brew for cold winter months. I'd recommend this to anybody.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2003 02:50:38 | More by jtw5877

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

GreatPondBrewer

Oregon

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

Poured a deep brown color with splotches of red hue around the corner of the pint glass. There was some bubbly head that slicked over the top, but nothing lasting. The smell was sweet caramel and toffee flavored. The taste was minimal in the hops department, but had plenty of sweet coffee, toffee and chocolate flavors. Good crisp mouthfeel. This is a great beer to sip while sitting next to a roaring fire.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2004 00:20:43 | More by GreatPondBrewer

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

battlekow

Wisconsin

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

I'm reviewing three winter warmers that we just got in at the store: this, Great Lakes Christmas Ale, and Anderson Valley Winter Solstice.

Old Jubilation has the biggest, rockiest head of the three. It fades pretty quickly and leaves a lot of soapy residue on the sides of the glass. It's also the darkest in body, a porterish dark brown with ruby highlights. It's the most generous on hops of the three, with strong floral notes in the smell and taste. Also present in the both smell and taste is some nice chocolate and some fruitiness. This actually seems to have more in common with the Great Divide Hibernation Ale, classed as an American Strong Ale, than the other two Winter Warmers, considering its lack of spicedness.

Overall, Old Jubilation is a great biggish beer. All of these beers have done a great job of hiding their higher-than-average ABV; on second thought, perhaps it's the rapid consumption of several beers high in alcohol that's disguising the booze.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2005 23:57:08 | More by battlekow

ChrisA

Florida

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

Poured a dark carmel color. Two inch head. Fruity nose of plums? Excellent mouthfeel, very drinkable for an 8.0 beer, although the alcohol is resonent but very nice.

Picked these up for Thanksgiving and I am continuing to give thanks. The label is very nice although a bit fancy. Seems a little to good for an average joe like me.

This is my first Avey brew and I am not dissapointed.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2005 01:02:33 | More by ChrisA

denjen

Illinois

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

$9.99 6pack
Dennis: If you considered this a winter warmer, I'd have to say it was the best of it's class. Rich and warm, with the chalky chocolate hints you'd expect, this comes across best about 1/2 through the bottle. A slight hop tartness really compliments the 8% alcohol and help drives it home. Over all a great beer that further solidifies Avery's reputation.
Jen: Yummy! Just what I look for in a winter ale. This has a nice blend of malts with a dry coffee and toffee and a mild bittersweet chocolate taste. It has a nice medium mouthfeel with slightly hoppy, yet sweet and toasty aftertaste. This is worth the $$, and it will be purchased again.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2006 23:14:16 | More by denjen

asabreed

New York

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

12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: A dark, dark amber / brown color with an off-white foamy head that slows up and goes down to about 1/2" and then stays there, thankfully, with lots of spotty lacing around the top of the glass.

Smell: Definitely a beer for winter, but this is enjoyable in the summer too, and I'm glad I didn't save it for the former. Lots of balanced, toasted, chocolate malts. The sweetness is there but is curbed and mellowed by the slight aroma of the hops. Some dark fruit, some berries and cherries. A bit of vanilla and maple sweetness also, and some caramel malts it seems also.

Taste: Damn, I'm pretty impressed by this. I get some marshmellow sweetness, some chocolate malt, caramel malt, honey, slight fruit like cherries and maybe some apple skin, a bit of graham cracker, vanilla, maple, and a finish that's fruity, toasty, malty, and finally lingers with some slightly bittering hops too bring it all back.

Mouthfeel: Fairly creamy and silky without a hint of being cloying, which is awesome. A lighter body than I thought it would be also.

Drinkability: 8% ABV? I don't see how it all. I may have to grab a case of this stuff next time it's released, which I imagine will be, well, you know when, and that's soon enough. Very delicious, not too heavy, and enough flavor and complexity to make it a delicious long sipper, so your bottles, if you choose to buy a few, will hopefully stay around for a while.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2006 04:30:28 | More by asabreed

keoki182

Wisconsin

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

Solid medium brown pour with yellow/brown head. Head held at about 3/4 inch until dissolving to a thin lacing on surface of beer and around glass. Smells barleywine-sweetish, notes of fruit (strawberry?) and some generic licorice. First sip impressions: bitter! strong, full mouthfeel. Toffee flavor, more berry. Wow, is this stuff good. Very rich, amazing feel on the palate. I just got some old school bubblegum, you know the rock hard sticks of bubblegum that came in Topps baseball card packs in the late 80s? That is the prevailing aftertaste right now. A nice, almost spicy bitter cocoa comes through quite soon in the pint. This is a fantastic English Strong Ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2007 21:01:08 | More by keoki182

NitroGen

Arizona

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

P: 12 oz. Longneck Brown Bottle

A: Pours a maple syrup brown color with a finger of intense foam head that quickly lowers to a scant cover with lacing.

S: Sweet raisins and crisp hit of of roasted grains.

T: Brown sugar, raisins, feint roasted barley with just a hint of bitter hops at the end.

M: Very well balanced, subtle and smooth with a slight tinge of alcohol in the mouth at the end. A real treat that I enjoy.

D: This is one to remember and offer to guests not wanting a dark beer but will put a glow in there bellies! Glad I have more!

After typing this review I saw that the style is a 'winter warmer', and by gosh it certainly is!!
Anyone looking to try and cellar this I recommend as this was a 2006.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2007 01:02:46 | More by NitroGen

John1985

Tennessee

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

Ale pours a deep brown with a three quarters inch snow-cap head that laces down the mug. Aroma is of molasses and brown sugar- it reminds me of my Mom's Christmas cookies. Sweet malt flavor dominates with some plum like flavors. A light sting of hops balances with some warming alcohol on the finish. It has a substantial body which is appropriate for the style.

The ale despite its size slides down very easily and could result in an unintended nap. I really had to pace myself to make it through the playoff game.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2008 14:58:03 | More by John1985

hosehead83

Ohio

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

Poured into a standard pint glass
Amber/copper in color with a big, two-inch head of foam
Aroma-Malt and subtle spices
Taste-Caramel malt, spiciness, definite hop profile balances out the sweetness
Overall, a nice holiday ale-not overpowering on spices, nicely balanced and drinkable for the strength.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2009 13:15:07 | More by hosehead83

ThaBobfather

Ohio

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

Pours a dusty copper color with a deep almost brown quality with some darker tan head.
Smell is basically malty like chocolates with a great roasted quality.
Taste is very smooth, it's got some boozey malt throughout the front and finishes warmly.
Finish is fantastic with hints of warm booze, malt, and roasted morning.
Drinks great, while there is a boozey quality it really just adds to the warmer's flavor and this drinks great!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2009 04:07:50 | More by ThaBobfather