Old Jubilation - Avery Brewing Company

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

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

This bold holiday seasonal presents a deep, reddish-mahogany body topped by a frothy light-tan head that holds well and leaves some interesting Brussels lace throughout the glass. The nose is somewhat limited but reveals a sweet grainy malt, some dark fruitiness (raisins, prune), and a touch of floral hoppiness. The body is full with an exceptionally fine carbonation that caresses the tongue before becoming nicely creamy. The flavor is quite rich with a chocolatey note that's entwined with threads of soft dark fruit (raisins, plum, red grape) and balanced by an understated bitterness. The long finish lingers with residual semi-sweet & lightly chocolatey malt, a drying touch of alcohol, some thin hop flavor, and a light bitterness. Very nicely done with alot of character and a very good drinkability despite it's full maltiness and strength.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2003 18:56:54 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a snifter at The Firkin.

And our day at the Firk is nearing an end. Soon, we bottle some of our own beer! In the meantime, this one pours a dark ruby-brown topped by a finger of dirty white foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, light fennel, brown sugar, light maple syrup, and walnuts. The taste holds notes of brown sugar, light roasted malts, walnuts, and light maple syrup. There's a decidedly watered-down kind of feeling to everything. The body is a straight medium, with a light carbonation and a kinda watery feel. Overall, a decent Winter brew, but nothing I would heartily ask for or recommend. It's all just a bit watery for my liking.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2010 06:31:03 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Color, tawny brown and clear, showing reddish at the bottom. Impressive head, fluffy, sturdy, pillowy, meringue-like.
Aroma: sweet, malty, caramel-accented, with notes of toffee and nuts, slowly warming and revealing alcohol.
Thick, plummy flavor makes an immediate presence on passing the lips, with nutty notes joining in later. Further on, the profile is overcome by a syrupy sweetness that goes so far, but never so far as to be cloying.
Very nice winter warmer/barleywine, enjoyed in the heat of July. And why not? Body is full, flavor ever-lasting, luscious, and lively!
Hats off to Gromit for getting us together!

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2003 00:02:00 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

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

The beer pours a dark brown color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a wonderful malt scent that boasts of burnt toffee and roasted malts. The taste is good as well. It is a very malty brew with a sweet crystal malt flavor up front and a roasted malt finsh. The 8% abv. is well hidden was just minimal warmth. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with perfect carbonation. This is a great winter warmer. It's rich and flavorful with that warmth you need for those cold winter days.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2008 23:52:22 | More by WesWes

Mora2000

Texas

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

The beer pours a medium brown color with an off-white head. The aroma is a mix of chocolate, toffee and some nutmeg. The flavor is more complex. I get some chocolate and toffee, but I also get anise, coffee, cinnamon, roasted malt and some alcohol. Full mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A very nice winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 03:39:38 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a dark brown color with a foamy, tan one-finger head. It leaves great lacing.

S - It smelled malt and hops.

T - It tasted very spicy. It was also fairly hoppy and had hints of dried fruits.

M - It was crisp and medium-bodied.

D - This is a very good winter warmer. A nice spicy/hoppy beer on a cold snowy night.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2007 16:57:26 | More by zeff80

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.7/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A nice deep garnet color, and it is quite clear when held up to the light. It has a nice fruity, lightly spiced and hoppy aroma. This beer has a nice hop contribution, for some reason I was not expecting this, but it is good. The taste has some fruity - cherry notes as well as some light subtle spice character (as I understand it this is all done without the use of any real spices). The finish is slightly astringent, and is accompanied by a light sweetness. There is a bitter hop finish as well, though not IPA like but it is quite pleasing.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2004 02:24:49 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a dark reddish brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of spices, caramel, dark fruit and some hops.

T: The taste is malty but not too sweet with flavors of dark fruit, caramel and some spice. There's mild hops presence and a touch of smokiness in the background. The malt character is hearty and there's a little alcohol sting. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Flavorful, goes down ok, not too filling, strong kick, decent representation of style, it's a little strong than most beers in the style and worth drinking for a while, but there are others I would pick first.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2009 04:39:10 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours an effervescent reddish chestnut with 3 fingers of tan colored head. Average lacing & good head retention

S: Fruitty (cherries & dates) & bready

T: Cakey with brown sugar & dryness upfront. Leafy hops & a bit of booze as this warms. Finishes with caramel, treacle, more leafy hops, more dryness & just a whisper of brown sugar

MF: Chewy with low/moderate carbonation

Drinks really good for the abv, makes me wish for some roast pork or goose. I do think the dryness would get to me before the abv,

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2007 20:58:54 | More by russpowell

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This winter warmer pours out as a nice deep brown color with a tan colored head on top. The head fades with a light sticky lacing that grabs the glass. The smell of the beer was sweet and a little spicy on the nose as well. The taste of the beer gives of a little bit of warming spices along with some sweet malts. The mouthfeel of this brew was decent. I'd say it's about medium bodied. Overall this beer wasn't bad. I'd drink it again but it wasn't something I'd crave.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 23:30:39 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a dark brown, with a good white, almost silvery tan head.

S: The smell is enticing, with a lot of malt sweetness, and a hint of holiday spices. Smells a lot like a holiday oven filled with baked goods.

T: Very good, big malt notes upfront, I don't think this ale is spiced, but there are definitely some nutmeg and ginger notes, probably from the malt complexity though. Can't taste much in the way of hops, though there is a slightly stannic quality about the beer, maybe this is a hop effect, I am not sure.

M: Smooth, slightly viscous and syrupy, but not cloying.

D: Another good Winter Warmer, I enjoyed it even though it is 80 degrees out here everyday on the coast, one of Avery's better brews in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2007 16:38:12 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Nice bronze color with a 1" head. Strong lacing forms on the glass during the session. The aroma is of malt, raisins, and a hint of spice. The flavor has many flavor components such as malt, plum, raisin, caramel, nice bitterness, and mild chocolate tones. Medium bodied and for a winter ale it seemed slightly thin.

The start was smooth with a mildly crisp finish. Alcohol was barely noticeable. The caramel seemed to ride the tongue the longest after swallowing. Since this is not overboard with strong flavors, I found this to be quite enjoyably drinkable - more than one can easily be quaffed.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2004 22:51:02 | More by Gavage

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A great looking bee with nice head and retention. A light tan head on ruby and brown body. Smells almost smokey with a mix of herbs and caramel malt. Taste expands with strong malt flavor of fruit and candy. This is followed expectantly by citrus hops and decent bitterness. That sure is different. It drinks just a bit hot, but still faily smooth considering the bitterness. Call it a winter warmer for the BA that cant drink without hops.

UPDATE 1/4/11: Just had a two-year old bottle. While I wouldn't let it go any longer (oxidation was starting to creep in), this was a fantastic beer with a great mix of cocoa, fruit and subtle earthy spices.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2007 19:55:30 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I'm guessing this one is from last Christmas season, and at 8% abv and bottle conditioning if handled properly by the good folks at Vintage Cellar this beer should have survived. Bottle gives no dates or info about the brew. Appearance: Deep ruby brown colored body with nice sized tan head leaves perfect rings of lacing with close clusters of tiny patches clinging to the glass very nice. Aroma: Plum like over ripened sweetness with some deep piney hop character going down, a layer of bready yeast note all flows very well aromatically. Taste: Deep thickets of hop bitterness here a mild sweetness comes through with a bready yeast flavor a bit musty but suprisingly quaffable and interesting. Mouthfeel: Medium to full body mild carbonation goes down too easy at 8% abv. Drinkability: A bit complex to enjoy in session but a wonderful beer to sample and enjoy may track some more fresher bottles this coming winter.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2003 14:47:43 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a clear dark brown with a creme head that rises and falls just about as fast. Nice caramel laiden sweet nose. Flavor profile is nice. Nice smooth sweet tones with woody after edges to it. Smooth liquid feel and a biting carbonation. Very easy to drink. A nice winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2008 20:49:42 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.28/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured a deep amber color with a small dierty white head.

S: Nose has roasted malt, spice

T: Taste is like the aroma with more bitterness than I was expecting. Chocolate, old molasses

M: Thin, light booze

D: Not the best Winter Warmer. I was expecting more from Avery.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2010 03:17:53 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Good initial head, but it dissipates to a single layer. The lace is spotty and light. The color is a deep brown where the light still shines through.

Mostly malty aroma with lots of crystal; this brings out a caramel smell. The hop is present but in the background.

Tastes like a hoppy barley wine although the flavors are two-dimensional. The malt is neither overly sweet nor dry. The finish leaves a lot of bitterness in the aftertaste. Very rich body.

Not a complex beer but it is also well-balanced and full flavored.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 02:26:50 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

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

A - Pours a dark brown color, some carbonation, tiny head, some lacing throughout the drink.

S - Scents of malts, and caramel/toffee.

T - The taste is sweet and of caramel/toffee. Theres alittle bit of a warming feeling in the throat. Nice dry finish with a nice little bite.

M - Medium body. Well rounded brew.

D - Drinkable. I really like this one, very tasty, nice brew from Avery.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2006 22:32:28 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.4/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours with a one-finger cream head that fades slowly leaving traces of lace. Clear amber color. Medium bodied. Nose is malty. Medium carbonation. Starts with a mix of malt and hops but as it warms more maltiness comes through. Different from other winter wamers - no spices, very warm finish. $1.75 for a 12oz bottle from Liquor Barn Lexington, KY.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2004 23:11:06 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a half pint glass)

A- This beer has a soapy light tan head with a warm deep brown body with just a touch of opaqueness to it. There was a very gentle carbonation of tiny bubbles.

S- This beer has a soft toasted malt and pale malt smell with a faint green hop hint in the finish.

T- The taste of dry biscuit malt had a nutty quality to it with a faint dry spice note in the finish. There was also a bitter hop note in the finish aswell. The light sweetness of malt came through more as it warmed along with a note of chocolate malt in the background.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a dry finish.

D- This beer has a slight sweetness from the malt that blends into a bitterness from the hops that don't really work with each other.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2006 18:25:05 | More by rhoadsrage

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

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

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

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