Old Jubilation - Avery Brewing Company

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

Poured from a 2010 edition into a pint glass.

A - Pours a deep brown/black color with a nice 1.5 finger deep thick dark cream colo with decent retention and lacing.

S - Disappointing aroma in that there isn't much at all. Very mild roasted aroma, though I was not impressed. For a winter warmer an aroma profile isn't jumping down your face but I've had better aroma.

T/M - While the aroma was disappointing I really enjoyed the flavor the beer brings. It starts mild and then quikly transitions to a malty medium. Not overly carbonated and medium to full profile.

D - yes, very.

Overall I am embarassed it took so long to try this beer. It is in my top 2 winter warmers and I am glad I cellared a few this year.

EDIT: I am a little suprised the rating didn't eclipse the A mark so I cracked another again and I stand by the review. A lot of exceptional qualities such as a complex flavor and mouthfeel though severly lacking in aroma which is so limited. I would recommend this beer hands down but I find myself looking for a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 01-25-2011 04:00:03
--

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 22:21:58 | More by hopfacebrew

JayAre46

Texas

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

09/2010 vintage pours a very deep mahogany with ruby hues very striking color. with a creamy head sitting on top showing minimal retention and spotty lace. the aroma very sweet, caramel, dark fruit, figs with a touch of heat. the taste is a mellow caramel malt, with some and nuttiness and toffee sweetness that play a complimenting balance. alcohol is slightly present and warming. the mouth feel is nice and the carbonation is moderate. easy beer to drink and enjoy on cool evenings. overall i wouldn't have minded having this with a fresh one but i haven't seen it around. enjoyable brew for the season. ho-ho whoa! i don't know why i felt obligated to type that, forgive me and move on. thank you.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 02:22:08 | More by JayAre46

Reidrover

Oregon

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

12 oz single from "Lifesource" S.Salem. $1.99 I havent rated the beers I have had from Avery very highly maybe this will change as it is one of my favourite styles. Tawny red ale with a small light tan head and plenty lace. Aroma of milky bar chocolate and some caramel, some nuts,,hazelnuts, Smooth taste of coffee and cream, hazelnuts,white chocolate,figs and some whisky fudge. Mouthfeel is pretty nice, gives the impression of fullness but its actually very drinkable I liked it but again its not as good as i wanted it t be. Maybe the bottles just dont travel to Oregon very well

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 00:40:26 | More by Reidrover

zaphodchak

Virginia

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

Decent tan head which the server poured off... Laces well, good surface retention. Garnet body.

Nose is malty with some spice.

Taste is rich: super malty with some bittering hops at th eend, a real progression. Bold in flavor, any alcohol is masked.

Feel is nice and smooth.

Maybe not worth the hype. Nice, bold, but not super interesting.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 16:14:24 | More by zaphodchak

bilyboy65

Colorado

3.13/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This is an interesting beer. I do think that it's confused though.

A: nice redish brown with a light tan head. The head is fed for a qhile from the carbonation. The beer looks nice except it seems to look dirty. Either this is an unfiltered offering, which I doubt or it seems to have specs of things clinging to the glass as carbonation bubbles past. Don't inspect closely for a good looking beer.

S and T: This I'm going to review together because they are very similar and complex. There is a strong sense of dark cherries and raisins. A hint of molasses and alcohol. The alcohol is definitely more apparent in the taste, which is why it got a lower score. I think the alcohol is too dominant to get a good rating for a style that seems to have to have that flavor there.

M: Medium body beer that sits very gently on the tongue. No heavy residue left as it passes over the tongue.

O: I think this beer would be well enjoyed in place of a hot chocolate on a very cold day when you are just getting back inside. It will remind you of the sweetness of life and jolt your senses back to life with the alcohol.

I think this would be best enjoyed with a cheesey meal to off set it's bitterness of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 22:08:17 | More by bilyboy65

Jesstyr

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown, lightly red glow. Two fingers of off-white head, but no real lacing. Nose is strong and sweet - like raisins and a heaping amount of sugar.

Taste is malty, but doesn't share the depth of the aroma. Light sugar and a bit of a chocolate to it, I guess some of the fig/raisin. Medium smooth body. Overall a decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 00:02:15 | More by Jesstyr

Pencible

Virginia

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

A: This poured a clear mahogany with moderate light tan head.
S: It smelled like creamy vanilla and nutty malt, with some roasted barley and nutmeg and copper.
T: It tasted like orange and vanilla, with some nutty malt and roasted barley and copper. It had a partially clean and bittersweet aftertaste.
M: It was somewhat thick with some carbonation. Decent body.
D: This was a decent winter warmer. It had cream-sickle character, which was nice, but it could have been better executed. Alcohol was well hidden, so it was easy to drink and enjoy, but not a really great beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 23:02:35 | More by Pencible

Hoptometrist

Oregon

2.42/5  rDev -37.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Served from the bottle into a tulip glass

A- Poured a dark brown color with two finger soapy off-white head. Left some minimal lace.

S- Sweet aroma, breadiness, kind of faint aroma. It does smell like some beer bread I made a couple months ago.

T- Sweet maltiness, breadiness, barley, and medicinal flavors. Alcohol taste is pretty strong.

M- Syrupy, very little carbonation, quite a bit of heat and alcohol

O- Overall a pretty boozy beer with heavy medicinal flavors. Not very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 03:33:32 | More by Hoptometrist

jlmorgan4

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Coppery body with a fleeting white head. Some lacing that disappears (except at the very top of the glass).

Malty aroma, with a malty, nutty, and sweet flavor that improves as the beer warms up. Definitely better at cellar or room temp. Hides the alcohol very nicely--quite drinkable for 8+%. Medium body, very pleasant, but not astounding.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 01:58:43 | More by jlmorgan4

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A copper color ale with a smallish off white head which laced nicely. Clear but with some sediment floating about. Aroma is malty but lite. Taste finds this beer rich and malty. A suggestion of toffee. Its smooth but gritty, too gritty for me. Drinkable yes but with loads of grit or something almost to the point of undrinkability.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 13:52:31 | More by micromaniac129

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a standard pint glass. The beer is a deep mahogany with a ruby hue through the light. The light cream head dissipates to a wisp with tons of sticky lacing. I'm not getting much from the smell -- a bit boozy with some malts. The beer tastes good. It's got a sweetness that takes some of the sting out of the 8.3% ABV. There's also a spicy cinnamon, almost pepperish note in there. A malty presence is noted as well. The mouthfeel is medium in body.

Overall, this is an excellent beer to take some time with by the fire. It's got a lot of complexity in the taste with the sweetness and spices. One of the better winter warmers in 2011.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 03:18:08 | More by JuicesFlowing

stercomm

Ohio

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

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Dogfish Head pint glass.

A - Dark copper/ruby in color, good clarity, got a nice 2 finger off-white head, good glass lacing, head recedes leaving a very thin froth on top.

S - First impression is all about the malt, a very dry scent, get some raisins, hops help balance the malts so you don't get that sweet scent from the malts.

T - Nicely balanced, malts come out front and center, get more raisins, maybe some fig, a dusting on mocha on the finish, nice dry, clean finish which I like, almost a dusty finish.

M - Medium bodied, mild carbonation

O - A hearty ale for a cold afternoon right after freezing my you know what off on a long bike ride.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 21:06:43 | More by stercomm

warnerry

Michigan

3.65/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a fantastic clear red/mahogany withone finger f creamy off-white head. Head has very good retention but doesn't leave much lacing.

S - Very malty, with caramel, toffee and chocolate. Very slight bubblegum aroma. Bottle says there are no spices, but I do get a small spice aroma as well.

T - Taste is similarly malty, though with an oaky dryness both up front and on the finish. Lots of dark chocolate and toffee. Some hops that were hop apparent in the aroma. Has a bitterness that doesn't really seem to work.

M - Medium mouthfeel is a bit on the thin side for the style. Finishes dry and bitter.

O - A pretty good brew, but probably not one I'd come back to. Has elements of and old ale, but I don't think I would have thought of it as such with a blind tasting.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 22:35:20 | More by warnerry

accordselux

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 2011 vintage bottle into a small tulip glass. A really nice mahogany color that is very appealing. Not much in the way of a head or lacing on the glass.

Smells like toffee, caramel, a little nuttiness and spice.

Taste was similar. A little bit of floral/medicinal hop notes on the end.

Mouthfeel was good- there was ample carbonation throughout the glass.

Overall- decent. I am not pressured to buy more and see how aging the recommended period affects the beer- perhaps because I have good beers I have to get through already.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 19:03:46 | More by accordselux

JohnnyP3

Alaska

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

12oz bottle with no apparent dating on it. Into a standard pint glass. Pours a rich mahogany with about one finger of foam that simmers down to a thin cap on the beer. Respectable lacing.

Smells of roasted nuts, toffee or caramel, and a slight hint of coffee and chocolate.

Taste is rich and malty. Again, roasted nuts (hazelnuts according to Avery), toffee, caramel, a little butterscotch, a bit of chocolate, and a lot of booze on the finish.

Mouthfeel is substantial and smooth. Somewhat slick as well. There is some alcohol heat thrown off towards the end.

Overall, this is a nice non-spiced Christmas beer with a very boozy warming quality.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 06:21:44 | More by JohnnyP3

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

2.65/5  rDev -31.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 1.5

Bottle picked up at Vintage Estate, poured into my Church Brew Works pint glass.

A: Ruby Red, trending towards "light brown", with a pleasant 1-fingers worth off-white head on top that stuck around well and left nice lacing on my glass.

S: Very malty. Barley sweetness. Maybe a twinge of nutmeg? Whatever it is, the predominant smell I'm picking up on reminds me of a scotch ale.

T: Tastes like scotch ale, too. Sweet. Very sweet. Lots barley and bready sweetness. A touch of holiday spice underneath. I'm not sure if it's the standard "cinnamon and nutmeg" or not, but that's my best guess. Alcohol is mildly detectable near the middle of the taste.

I want to give this beer a fair shake, but I have to admit, almost immediately, that this is not "my style" of beer. "Malt bomb" would be the phrase that comes to mind if I were being derogatory. Sweet. Sweet sweet sweet. Cloyingly sweet. The breadiness doesn't "balance it out" for me. The spice is the one redeeming quality that's helping me from really docking this beer.

M: Mouthfeel is very good. I'd like a touch more carbonation (which held me back from giving it a 4.5), but CO2 is present, and this beer does cream up nicely in the mouth, and leaves a lot of dry sticky flavors behind on the finish.

D/O: I guess I'm just a beer drinker who likes/wants either big hop/citrus/floral/pine/bitter flavors, or big dark roasted/coffee flavors (and sometimes both of those together), or something "belgian". This beer is none of those things. My gut is telling me that, for what this is (with my limited experience with such styles, as based on my preferences, I generally avoid beers like this), this is fairly good. It's just not good FOR ME.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 23:10:16 | More by psuKinger

afdempse

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark ruby/chestnut colored ale. Frothy yellowish-tan head clings to the glass nicely.

Aroma of bread crust, dark fruits and a hint of alcohol. Delicate floral hop aromas come forward as the beer warms.

Flavor: Dark freshly roasted malts and bitter grain husk meld nicely with a bitter hop backbone. Crystal malt sweetness and brown sugar notes, with warming alcohol to finish.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, with a nice amount of carbonation. Medium-bodied, keeps things light on the palate for a beer of this strength. Almost too dry, but I'd rather that than too sweet. Very drinkable. Finishes semi-dry with clean lingering hop notes.

Overall, a nice change of pace to the standard "holiday beer". A solid Old Ale that I will continue to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 03:06:25 | More by afdempse

djbreezy

Washington

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

appearance - transparent ruby/brown, frothy head that dissipates quickly with not much retention but good lacing

smell - malts and maybe some chocolate and fig notes

taste - huge malt body, roasty malts, chocolate malts

mouthfeel - oily, a bit on the thin side for 8.3 abv, medium carbonation, some bite

overall - flavor leaves a bit to be desired coupled with a weak mouthfeel, strength is probably the unique flavor profile if you're into trying new brews

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 05:02:44 | More by djbreezy

phantomwyse

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours out a woody brown, like table finished in dark brown veneer. On the edges there are more caramel colored highlights. Slimmish of white head leaves patches behind.

S: Aromas of light roast coffee, milk chocolate, the icing that goes on top of cheap crumpets, and molasses cookies…so, malty.

T: More assertive than the smell leads on to…black coffee, crème brulee, toffee. An astringent black strap rum tails in on the end.

M: Medium bodied that starts of a bit soft and then finishes with a quick sharpness/

O: Another massive malty winter brew. I’m appreciating this turn on winter seasonal - -stripped down and not dressed up with any outside spices and flavors. Just beer being beer. A good hefty winter beer that reminds you of a wool coat.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 00:38:34 | More by phantomwyse

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

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

A - Wow this beer is pretty thick with a deep reddish amber color and a quarter inch of head that quickly turns to a light lace ring.

S - Smells chock full of cherry and spices maybe some dark fruits like plums and cinnamon. A very nice hop presence keeps it all in check.

T - Strongest flavors I am getting are mostly oak and some toffee, rolling around my tongue the bitterness of the oaky hops really covers most of the spices but I do get some nice cherry tartness in the middle. Pretty good.

M - Well for an Old ale it had a pretty good medium to thick body but it drinks thinner.

Overall - Definitely not a bad winter warmer, since it had the thick body and smooth ABV I wanted but the oak and bitterness of hops was a bit cloying. Still a decent Old ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 03:14:13 | More by DrDemento456

wvsabbath

West Virginia

3.83/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Copper tan/brown, not much of a head, minor lacing.

Smell - Dark fruits like rasin, plum, fig. Sugars, caramel. Malts, smoke, cherry and a little vanilla.

Taste - Plenty of malts mixed with some hops, spices, and alcohol. Nice mix of cherry, caramel, apples, plum, and even a little hint of vanilla and coffee.

Mouthfeel - Tounge gets hit with malts, and lots of sugary flavors. Palette gets alot of bitterness from the hops, and alcohol. Aftertaste is dry, bitter but not long lasting.

Overall - Decent, a little to much booze up front and maybe a little unbalanced to be truly great. Its worth a drink but not world class by any means.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 23:39:01 | More by wvsabbath

ColdPoncho

Ohio

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

Bottle 11-19-11

A - a deep mahogany body with a small and delicate white head. A pretty color, and very wintery

S - Rich caramel and dark fruits, vanilla, dry and smoked meats. pretty nice complexity, decent balance.

T - Pretty malty, bitter, and dry, some dark fruity sweetness and caramel. I can see this improving with some age.

M - Smooth and full. A bit warming.

O - this is pretty good, an interesting and complex beer. Could use some time to mellow out, I think.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 19:27:17 | More by ColdPoncho

Stunner97

New Jersey

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

Appearance- dark dark brown with thick foamy tan head and small amounts of carbonation to be seen streaming slowly up the glass

Smell- very nice mix of malty sweet nose with faint hop kick at the end, candied chocolate sweet nose

Taste- wow i really absolutely enjoyed the flavor profile of this beer it starts off very sweet and malty, with chocolate malt tones up front but this finish has nice hop bitterness and drying nature keeping it so nicely inn check, lovely balance

Mouthfeel- medium to heavy bodied with crisp drying finish

Drinkability/overall- i very much did enjoy this beer you appreciate the dryness as it build up more and more as you go, this is overall a very nice beer with great balance, i think i have to now start searching out many more old ales as right now this style of beer is just hitting me so perfect this winter

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 05:25:11 | More by Stunner97

soulfly1492

Pennsylvania

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

Aroma: Very sweet. Worty. Mildly spicy. Dark roasty malts. Can smell that caramel / roasty malt sweetness from 2' away.

Appearance: Dark brown color. Pours a two finger light brown head. Hard to see through due to the color, but also seems to be a bit cloudy. Lots of lacing.

Flavor: Sweet malts, not as worty as the aroma suggested. Immediately turns mildly bitter from the hops. Mild English malts almost reminiscent of a brown ale for a brief moment. Mild pine bitterness. Some honey.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body. Very mild carbonation. Warming from the high ABV. Nice and oily regardless of the high alcohol content.

Overall: Easy drinking. Bold, pleasant brew. One of the better seasonals this winter.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 02:40:12 | More by soulfly1492

Paincane

Georgia

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Mahogany brown colored beer produces a thin off-white head when poured into pint glass. Leaves a thin rim of lace with some clinginess to glass.
S: Nutty, malty, caramel and boozy aromas are all present.
T: Malt, caramel, hazelnut, toffee up front. The ethanol adds a warm middle and there is a slight bitter finish.
M: Medium bodied with mild carbonation. A bit syrupy at first. It certainly does not hide its 8.3% ABV.
O: A good but not great beer. Enjoyed it, but will not seek it out in the future. Glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 01:31:46 | More by Paincane