Old Jubilation - Avery Brewing Company

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

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

Bitterbill

Wyoming

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

12oz bottle, picked up last Saturday in Colorado.

It pours a clear colour of mahogany with about an inch of foam. The foam is shrinking very slowly leaving a lot of sticky lacing.

The smell is both hoppy and malty. I get some sweetness and a bit of biscuit countered by, actually, a mild bitterness. The hops are restrained and that's fine by me.

The taste brings caramel sweetness, some biscuit, a touch of toffee, and some bitterish tones that bring good balance. Very tasty.

On the high end of medium bodied, with about a medium light amount of carbonation...pretty darned smooth mouthfeel. The foam is still here, about a half inch now, and lacing continues to impress me.

Drinkability? Good drinkability held back only by a slowly increasing amount of alcohol that's mostly present after the swallow. But at 8%, it's still not a chore to drink by any means. A very solid example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2010 18:52:23 | More by Bitterbill

cokes

Wisconsin

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

Pours a nice deep scarlet hue with a lasting dense, frothy head. Smell of dark fruit and quite malty.
These scents materialize in the taste. A nice stab at an Old Ale. Raisin and other dark fruit tastes. Just enough floral hops to keep things evened out. Very enjoyable and drinkable for a brew of this magnitude. This one has been sitting on the shelf for several months and has the integration to prove it. Slightly sweet, alcoholic finish that brings with it a little warming sensation
Maybe a tad too thin for a brew of this strength, but this helps add to the overall drinkability.
Probably the best Avery Brew I have had to date.
A very nice seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2002 00:21:09 | More by cokes

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from last years release, cellared a year and poured into my snifter as I work out.

A: Pours a clear ruby red with a thick beige head that slowly recedes to a disk leaving some patch lace. Clarity is great, and the carbonation is in plenty

S: On the nose, there is some spice - cinnamon sugar, nutmeg, dark honey, some floral notes and orange zest. Not much malt sweetness, this one is solid

T: On the palate, some oxidation is evident with some sherry-like notes to contrast/clash with the spices.Some booze/rum is apparent, otherwise, this is fairly ordinary on the palate, nothing much to get excited about. Rather dry on the finish with some mild spiciness

M: Fairly light with ample carbonation and a nice drying finish

D: I'll try to drink this fresh but this is fairly solid.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 22:28:52 | More by DefenCorps

twiggamortis420

Texas

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

This one is aged about 8 months, 2008 vintage. Pours a pretty clear reddish-amber color with an impressive pillow of tan foam that has good retention and average lacing.

This smells mighty tasty, a complex myriad of aromas. Heavily sweetened peanut brittle, maple syrup, overripe figs, molasses, sour cherries and citric hops...wow!

The taste does not disappoint, as raw vanilla beans, oak staves and dark chocolaty maltiness assault the tastebuds. All this with no spices? That is a mighty feat indeed. Malty goodness with a nice hop balance. This is a fine winter warmer from Avery.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2009 04:49:19 | More by twiggamortis420

nickfl

Florida

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

A - Nice sized, light brown head with good retention and an amber-brown body with good clarity.

S - Caramel malt with a strong molasses note. Nutty, no detectable hop aroma.

T - Nutty toffee, dry fruit, and some hop flavor. Bitterness creeps in during the finish along with some sherry like oxidized notes.

M - Low carbonation, moderately thick, creamy body, and some alcohol warmth in the finish.

D - Very significant caramel character. Nice example of the style, but the oxidized notes are a bit too much.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2008 05:34:58 | More by nickfl

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

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

12 oz bottle poured into a Corsendonk Christmas Ale glass. No date or info.

A - The clear beer has a changing color of yellow-orange to crisp amber and dark brown. The one-finger head comprised of dense bubbles sank slowly leaving a full coating of lace.

S - Deep toasted malt nose of amber and caramel varieties with a bready aroma, grassy, earthy hops, and a mellow spiciness. The complex nose is subtle but don't mistake it for being shallow.

T - Like the nose before it, the flavor is mellow but deep with complexities. Lots of roasted nuances of toast and flaky biscuit with a toffee hint and well-balanced earthy, grassy hop flavor. Mild spice probably comes from the yeast.

M - Smooth feeling and soft with a mild carbonation level and delicate sweet and bitter balance with an underlying dryness.

D - A good winter warmer that hides the alcohol level well, it's almost worth getting more singles and aging to see how much more it smooths out. Tasty and well-balanced.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2010 00:40:33 | More by BeerFMAndy

francisweizen

Australia

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

This brew is murky brown with a small beige/tan head of foam. The aromas are very hoppy and malts all at the same time. This is what a strong/old ale is supposed to smell like....wonderful! The taste is malty and strong, but the alcohol is well integrated in this brew and the hops that hit hard on the finish round things out nicely. The mouthfeel is creamy and chewy and the drinkability is excellent as well. A great strong brew...

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2004 19:39:06 | More by francisweizen

FosterJM

California

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

91st review on BA
bottle to pint

App- As the bottle states a very rich mahogany brown with a very suprising white 2 finger head.

Smell- A big earthy and nutty smell with some nice richer spices.

Taste- A very complex beer. Had the right amount of bitterness to make it wake up the palate and warm the mouth.

Mouth- After it warmed up a bit it had a nice creamy mouth feel with a more crisp bite.

Drink- A very good rep of the style. I need to go get another one to age it.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2010 03:08:20 | More by FosterJM

StonedTrippin

Colorado

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

an american take on an old ale. pours nearly black, not thick, but no light is passing hardly. theres a two inch head lacey and sticky, with good retention. the nose is quite alcoholic. lots of dark roasty malt, that birch syrup flavor is there a little too, akin to sierra nevada life and limb. flavor is curiously dark malts, they are sweet, but dont seem to have any of that bitterness that comes from such dark roasting. also curiously devoid of smoke flavor. the feel is a little thin in body, which lends drinkablility and makes this beer not feel as big as it is. carbonation if mellow but adequate, and the alcohol only really comes out in taste when it warms. this is a beast of a winter beer, perfect for slow fireside sipping, but a 6pack would do you in. one of my favorite avery seasonals.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 20:07:46 | More by StonedTrippin

Brent

Kentucky

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

A very well-rounded winter ale. Dark garnet red color and spicy aroma. Big malt, with faint pear essence and carbernet wine. Hops are well balanced against the malt, giving a beefy finish to the beer. The high abv is woven into the flavor and not at all prominent. Overall, a very "traditional" sort of strong ale, and a very nice seasonal offering.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2003 15:31:12 | More by Brent

blackie

Virginia

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

appearance: The pour gives a low, khaki colored head that recedes to a ring aorund the glass and an arrangement of bubbles on the surface. The beer is a rich chestnut brown in color.

smell: Mmmmm oh man. I love winter warmers. A blend of sweet, dark fruits and milk chocolate upfront. There's a light, wintery spice noticeable after swirling the glass alongside some dark wood. I've never had plum pie, but a well toasted crust and mushy, warm plums comes to mind. Candied orange notes. Nice American hop aroma in perfect balance with the moderate malts sweetness. So close to a 5.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is a smooth, lighter medium. The body is a full medium.

taste: Upfront I find notes of milk chocolate and dark fruits, particularly raisins. There's also a slight nutty woodiness, especially noticeable after the swallow. There's a nice hop flavor and a considerable bitterness that lingers into the finish with some roasted flavors. Not overly complex, but very solid and nice in the subtlety of the flavors..

drinkability: Not a hint of the 8% ABV save for just a tinge on the nose. An easy sipping winter warmer.

Picked up a single this past winter, cellared since then (8 months or so)

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2006 23:59:34 | More by blackie

champ103

Texas

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

A: Pours a hazy reddish/brown color. A large white head rises to over two finger. Good retention, and leaves rings of sticky lace.
S: A good malty aroma. Caramel, grain, and cereal. Some cinnamon and spiciness as well. Some soapy and oily hops linger.
T: Again, a good malty flavor. Almost meaty. Some spicy flavors that follow the nose. There is also a nice hop bitterness.
M/D: A medium to full body that is well carbonated. Creamy and smooth. At 8%, it is a sipping beer. Though the alcohol is hard to notice.

Another good beer from Avery. It is a good representation of the style. I enjoy it, and get some every year. This is something I would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2008 02:36:26 | More by champ103

alexgash

Connecticut

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

Amber to shoe-leather brown. Ruby highlights and a big, foamy, cream-colored head. Fumes of sweet, toffeish malt. Adequately malty for the winter. Big piney, scotch tape hops fill in.
Taste begins with the sweet toffe malt, along with raisins and spicy licorice. Nice. But this is an Avery beer, and the hops come on strong. Big, sappy, with a little scotch tape. Bitter enough to balance the rich malts. Full-bodied, and warming.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2005 22:54:57 | More by alexgash

GClarkage

California

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

01/14/06- Purchased at Sun Devil Liquors in Mesa, AZ.

Presentation- 12oz bottle. No freshness info noted. Poured into a chalice type glass.

Appearance- Brown-amber, a bit headed towards red in color. Medium sized 1/2 inch head. A small ring remains. Light streaks of lace on the inside of the glass.

Smell- Very burnt malt in the nose. Hint of sweetness from a dark fruit source.

Taste- Dark, maybe a tad smokey. Ultra burnt malts. Light plum and date flavor makes the malt on the sweeter side. Small hop aftertaste.

Mouthfeel- Moderate carbonation. Medium to heavier mouthfeel.

Drinkability- Pretty good winter warmer. Worked on an actual cool day in the Arizona valley.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2006 23:08:39 | More by GClarkage

drpimento

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured with a nice large head and good lace. Brownish amber color. I claim an aroma sensory handicap due to sinus problems. With that, I can't smell a lot going on with this beer. Taste is way bigger though. Yum! Very malty, dark fruits, earth, leather, and a bit of toffee. Some booziness. Not really a session beer. Good for a cold snowy night. Pass the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2008 01:18:46 | More by drpimento

tdm168

North Carolina

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

Pours a deep brown with half an inch of head. Good retention. The nose has notes of caramel, toasty malts, and faint alcohol esters. The taste is toasty, caramely, nutty, and has a nice earthy, piny, hoppy finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, smooth, but a little heavily carbonated.

The alcohol here becomes more potent as the sips progress. It starts balanced, smooth, and drinkable, but it ends warm, boozy, and sip-able. Overall though, it's not a bad beer to warm you up in the colder months.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2011 22:08:15 | More by tdm168

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

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

12oz bottle served in a standard pint glass.

L - lightly hazed deep amber color with a beige head that settled to a thin layer leaving a fair amount of lacing behind.
S - sweet caramel malt and dark fruit aroma.
T - sweet tea taste upfront with a malty middle and light bittering on the dry finish.
F - medium bodied with mild carbonation.
D - goes down smooth and easy.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2010 01:23:37 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

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

merlin48

Kentucky

4.68/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, cherry mahogany body with a small, but persistent beige head. Sticky, patch lace is all over the glass as the contents slowly disappear. Even near the finish, the small tan head can be rejuvenated with a slight swirl of the glass.

Aroma is of major maltiness up front. Molasses and dark fruits are all over the place. Figs and dates, some chestnut nuttiness, and some woodsy hops add complexity. An unusual, but pleasant, hops variety is going on here, in the background.

Mouthfeel is full bodied, thick and creamy. Very coating.

Taste is dominated by molasses and dark fruits. Some tart apples and cherries make an occasional foray into the flavor profile. There is a distinct woodsy and earthy character to this, that seems to derive more from the hops than the yeast. There are hints of spruce and allspice in the woodsy background scenery. Enormous complexity here, as each new sip unveils additional and complimentary flavors. Alcohol is noticed only in the aftereffect. The finish is caramel apple, dipped in spiced rum.

Extraordinary complexity of flavors. This strong old ale begs for your friendship, and your time. Spend a pleasant evening with this "ole fellar", and sip the night away with an American classic.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2004 02:39:01 | More by merlin48

Vancer

Illinois

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

Quite the winter warmer! Wow, a hot toddy for a cold evening by the fire, but……

Good start – deep caramel (root beer) pour with a sticky tan head. And those fall spice malts in the aroma were enticing. The quaff had a sugar cane sweet start, and finished with a proper hop kick. But……… the alcohol was very noticeable, and it came with a cherry medicine after burner. Just too tad too hot for a good drinker brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2005 14:01:42 | More by Vancer