Jubelale - Deschutes Brewery

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle obtained via trade with Skyhand. Thanks for the opportunity...

Poured into an imperial pint glass, with no effort at decanting, poured it all in (didn't quite mean to, but oh well), formed little head, and what was there was gone quickly. Color is murky brown with strong red edges. Aroma is strongly of plums, raisins, and alcohol, like a good winter warmer should. Taste is a wood-tinged maltfest, with the dark fruits and alcohol exploding onto the scene near the end of the tasting experience. Mouthfeel is incredible, with apparently the aging rounding the edges and making this one smooth MF of a brew, especially for the style. Same goes for the drinkability. Wish another of these could be gotten, but I am happy to know that I had one, at least.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2004 23:50:27 | More by ppoitras

Kemmerlin

Colorado

4.63/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Holds a dark purple ruby color with a thick creamy off white head that held together throughout the session and provided good sticky lacing.

S: Has a strong hop smell like an IPA with some autumn spices and honey in the back of the nose.

T: Wow!! The taste started out like an IPA and shifted direction and transitioned to a strong brown ale all in a matter of seconds. The first few seconds had a strong hop and light alcohol taste with a spicy clove and cherry taste then it switched to a light hop and malty bread flavor that sticks around and increases in strength a few seconds after you swallow in the aftertaste.

M/D: For such a hopped brew I would expect some mouth drying effects but actually it was pretty mild and there is a slight bittersweet feel left in the mouth but the hops are definitely left on the breath. The drinkability is very good and will go very well with my turkey tonight.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2008 19:41:10 | More by Kemmerlin

Idris

4.61/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This review is long overdue. Quite simply, I consider Jubelale to a benchmark of the style and my one of my favorite beers. I've been enjoying this beer for years and finally decided to review it.

A garnet hued beauty hides gentle ruby highlights. A lovely two finger tan head that lasts and lasts. Seductive. Dark malt presence, but enough of a spicy hop on the edges to keep the aroma balanced. This beer just smells like winter. Broad malt profile that has hints of chocolate, a touch of tobacco, and coffee. Gentle hops on the crisp finish that makes me beg for more.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2013 00:40:35 | More by Idris

whoneeds8

Texas

4.6/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours dark dark brown with a nice size tan head. Lacing lasts all the way down. Smell has hints of roasted sugars. Malted taste up front with very faint hop bite followed by a carmel sweetness. The mouthfeel is very smooth, just right. Overall, this is probably my favorite of the winter warmers. I'm glad it's come to Texas finally.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2009 04:52:18 | More by whoneeds8

PDXHops

South Carolina

4.6/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to Docer for this 12 oz bottle, poured into a Duvel tulip. Deep amber body with a creamy cap of foam. Creamy patches of lacing are connected by jagged spiderweb.

Heckuva nose on this. Loads of caramel, loads of dark and candied fruits, baked apple crisp, a touch of earthiness. Bold and inviting. Tastes just as good, maybe even moreso. Fig newtons, brown sugar and fried tart apples all play big parts. Fruity esters, chocolate and toasted notes dance in and out. A substantial bitter current cuts through the sweetness and keeps it from becoming sticky. Great feel, full and robust, yet it manages to finish rather clean aside from a some lingering fresh bread and light earthiness.

Overall impression: Leave the spices in the cupboard; this is what a real winter warmer should taste like. Top notch.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2010 21:31:33 | More by PDXHops

pkalix

California

4.6/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

my bottle looks different than the one on the picture of BA, and i am surprised at the difference in ratings of the BA score and 'the bros' . . . . but here goes....
pours a solid, thick dark brown with a nice oatmeal colored head and very respectable lacing down the side.
malty, darker fruit aroma, biscuit-y, and smells like it will fill you up like a meal. earthy smell, wonderful aroma, probably the best trait of this one.
taste definitely gives away the darker fruit. smooth, minor after-bitterness, and a little heavier than the brown ale and pils i just had. very 'earthy' and almost stout-like.
overall, i wanted to try this as deschutes seems to have some really good products and i wanted to see what they produced for a 'winter ale'. at 6.7%, it serves a purpose for the cooler evenings. it's hearty enough for the stomach and it's mellow enough for the palate. almost stout-like... this is a very good brew. a cross between a brown ale and a stout, if you will.... each aspect was very good- straight 4.5's in my book. but i really liked the aroma i got from it...

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 00:51:02 | More by pkalix

merryjoulton

Arkansas

4.58/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured a dark amber color with great head retention. Aroma is thick on the malt, and just slightly piny. The taste of the malt comes through immensely. Very bready and grainy. Tastes like it came straight out of the fermenter and into my mouth, very fresh. Mouthfeel compliments the taste, just a tad bit heavy.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2009 21:23:47 | More by merryjoulton

chugalug06

Colorado

4.55/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours big straw colored head. Lots of foamy goodness. The brew reminds me of a Fall sunset... Brew is nice deep purple; heavy viscosity.

S - Lots of cinnamon, but done very well! Cloves are present too. Ginger and nutmeg also are present, but not as prominent.

T - Yum. Lots of smooth cinnamon! A very well done spiced brew! I wish my homebrew could come out like this one! There's lots of caramel and chocolate too.

M - Perfect carbonation! ABV is perfect for the style. Bitterness is non-existent. For having so much cinnamon, there's not much in the way of distractions from it.

O - Awesome brew! I look forward to this one every year...

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 02:57:25 | More by chugalug06

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I wish we could get more of this stuff on the east coast! Dark reddish copper with thick off-white head and nice sticky lace. A pleasantly sweet aroma of malt, hops, fruit and trace alcohol vapors. The full rich malty body is sweet and exudes the essence of berries. Medium/high in complex hops. Balanced yet complex. Velvety & smooth. Celebrate!

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2003 11:38:50 | More by BeerResearcher

Gusler

Arizona

4.53/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Release 2007
The beer evacuates the 12-ounce bottle a clear deep mahogany color with a humongous creamy light tan head that after decomposes leaving a thick sheet of lace upon the glass. Nose has a delightful floral aroma, backed by sweet malts and caramel, start is somewhat sweet with a pleasant grain profile, the top is medium in its feel. Finish has a determined acidity, hops delightfully spicy, and the aftertaste dry and long lasting.

Release 2006
The beer evacuates the 12-ounce bottle a clear deep mahogany color with a humongous creamy light tan head that after decomposes leaving a thick sheet of lace upon the glass. Nose has a delightful floral aroma, backed by sweet malts and caramel, start is somewhat sweet with a pleasant grain profile, the top is medium in its feel. Finish has a determined acidity, hops delightfully spicy, and the aftertaste dry and long lasting.

Release 2005
The beer after the pour from the 12-ounce brown bottle sets in my glass a clear deep mahogany color with a Brontosauric semi-creamy light tan head that after decomposition leaves a thick coating of lace upon the glass. Nose has a light floral aroma, backed by the sweet malts and caramel, start is sweet with a pleasing grain presence, the top is light to medium in its feel. Finish is delightfully acidic, the hops delectable in their spiciness, and the aftertaste dry and lingering, another of those winter beers I look forward to each year.

Release 2004
The beer after its departure from the 12-ounce brown bottle sets in the glass deep garnet to almost brown color with a behemothic sized semi-creamy light tan head that erodes slowly leaving behind a thick and glutinous sheet of lace to seal off the glass from view. Nose has a cotton candy sweetness at the start with a bit of earthiness and some light hop tones also noticed, start is modestly sweet, the grain profile perfect and the top middling in its feel to the palate. Finish is merciful in its acidity with the hops dynamically spicy and the aftertaste long lasting and dry. Each year I wait patiently for this beer to come out, a long time favorite beer and brewery, I do believe that the fall and winter beers are my most favorite.

Release 2003
The beer pours with the head a light tan crown upon the unclouded deep garnet body, the texture is semi-creamy and the resultant lace a fine velum to seal off the glass from view. Nose is lightly hop floral, lots of sweet malt, crisp and quite appealing with the start lightly sweet, nicely malted and the top middling in feel. Finish is brisk in its carbonation and the hops persistent in their spiciness, the aftertaste quite dry. Deschutes is a much favored brewery for many years and this beer one I look forward to each winter.

Release 2002: On the pour a deep sanguineous color, the head modest in size, spumescent in texture, the color a light tan, as it dissipates it leaves behind a nice coating of lace to seal off the glass. Tons of malt in the nose, caramel sweet, light hint of hops and yeast, quite clean and fresh with the start sweet and loaded with malt, the top is middling in feel. Finish has a light to moderate carbonation, the hops pounce on the taste buds, crisp and sharp, and the aftertaste quite dry. I think this is my most favorite beer from Deschutes, nice to have a source once again.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2006 21:50:53 | More by Gusler

wcudwight

North Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Rustic looking with a 1/2" khaki colored head with moderate retention. Lot's of sticky soapy lace outlast the beer.
Smells like chocolate covered cherries with just a hint of pine.
Delicious beer that is subtlely complex. Dark fruits, dates, cherries, plums. Nice malty sweetness, akin to a dopplebock. Earthy tasting. Big hoppy/alcohol finish. This beer finishes very dry with a nice hop/alcohol kick in the end. I love the way this beer finishes. It like lures you in with all of these sweet introcitcies and then bam, smacks you in the face. It's not a punch, more of a bitch slap.
I like how Deschutes does all this with out the intense spiciness from other Winter Warmers. Here the alcohol and hops add the spiciness imo.
Wonderfully dry mouthfeel. Rich and crisp, yet still smooth.
If it were available it's one I'd look for every Winter.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2009 01:04:37 | More by wcudwight

yuriruley

Oregon

4.53/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 bottle.

Appearance - Dark brown and reds. Poured aggressively, had quite a head for a bit, but it settled down to not much at all. Quite a bit of lacing.

Smell - Hints of alcohol blended with sweet and spices.

Taste - Dark fruits, little nuttiness coming across, spices, and little bitterness to top it off. Really well rounded.

Mouthfeel - Almost syrupy, pretty thick, good amount of carbonation.

Drink - Nice to sit back and enjoy this one. I don't know how many I'd want to drink in one setting.

This years is the best years I have had. I don't know if it is in my mind or what, but I am really enjoying it this year. My favorite seasonal of this season currently. Had it on tap and bottle and it is amazing in both, go out and get some. Also like the artwork on the bottle this year.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2010 06:14:48 | More by yuriruley

PintOHops

California

4.53/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Glass - Sam Adams Official

A - Mahogany colored brew with decent clarity and medium carbonation. It produced a fluffy off white 2-finger head that held very well. It left very nice lacing on my glass.

S - I get lots of brown sugar, vanilla undertones and soft ginger. A bit of cinnamon in there as well with leafy/herbal hop characteristics. The soft ginger and cinnamon work so well in the aroma. It's very inviting.

T - It's got a nice brown sugar flavor upfront, an almond like note quickly follows. It unfolds into nuttiness, cinnamon, allspice, and subtle vanilla. It finishes with a bright, palate cleansing herbal hop flavor that washes away the warming spice and malt flavors. Bitterness is low but balancing, and it's noticeable dry as well. The herbal hop character seems to get a little stronger as it warms.

M - Medium bodied with a bit of a smooth feel and medium crispness.

O - Wow, this is a very nice beer. The aroma is soft and inviting to me, and the flavor profile is wonderful with that subtle vanilla and cinnamon. The beer even looks tasty! I definitely recommend this one to anyone who likes maltier brews. I'd love to buy it again. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 03:23:23 | More by PintOHops

kristenrae8

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

If you are looking something to sip while you tie up your ice skates or untangling Christmas tree lights, this is your beer.

Pours beautifully, dark red - almost wine colored. Quickly disolving head. Faint lacing.

The smell is delightful, caramel infused cinnamon - nutmeg, notes of currants, dates, plum and cherry counterbalanced with a whisper of pine.



The pine is more present in the taste - the beer is neither bitter nor syrup-sweet - however it is malty beer.



Mouthfeel is medium bodied, clinging to palate.

Overall this is a great winter warmer. Would be great to bring to a holiday gathering.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 01:41:52 | More by kristenrae8

dcook11

California

4.53/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- pours a deep cherry hue with visible carbonation. Excellent lacing. Off white head with a forest of soapy head.

S- Hops, Chocolate, malt, earthiness...

t- hops, chocolate, malt, earthiness...

m- medium

0- very solid winter warmer. Would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 08:16:25 | More by dcook11

Jordan

California

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sharp pungent hops and spice and raw toffee nose. These same elements make a flawless transition to the tongue. Complex and mature. All the distinguished flavors gently fold over one another on the tongue, beginning with a mouthful of rich malts these will soon give the robust hop character permission to surface. A phenomenal brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2002 00:22:50 | More by Jordan

edmundfitzoil

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had the 2005 edition of Jubelale on-tap at Northern Lights Theatre Pub in Salem. It was poured into a standard pint glass, and allowed to sit for a few minutes to warm some - they tend to serve their beers a touch too cold for my liking pretty often. Also of note, this is my first real winter seasonal of the year, which is very exciting for a number of reasons.

The first thing I noticed was that the beer was served with a beautiful finger of head that just peaked up over the glass and retained throughout the course of the entire drinking. Lacing was left down the side of the glass as I drank the beer. The beer itself was a very deep red color with very little carbonation. The aroma was predominately of sweet maltiness but it did include some hint of spices. The flavor was unexpected, and I wish I could give it a 4.75. It begins malty and as the beer finishes over the pallet with a bitterness and alcohol finish. Complex and full bodied, the beer retains a really high drinkability. A very good winter brew, and the first beer I'm fighting myself not to give a 5.0 in the taste or drinkability areas of the review. A real pleasure.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2005 16:00:49 | More by edmundfitzoil

goschool

California

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The new label fits this beer perfectly. It pours a clear ruby with a two finger head. The head retention is better then average. The nose has pine, cider and toffee. The taste is equally sweet and bitter with a bit of spice and there's a lot of chocolate in here. It starts off with sweet caramel, roasty malts and chocolate and finishes with piney bitterness. This is a beer that I could just about drink day in and day out without getting bored.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2005 08:41:14 | More by goschool

Jason

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 12 oz brown long-neck bottle with no freshness date, artsy themed label.

Appearance: Deep brownish garnet color with a good clarity, light tan lace adorns the top ... a product of densely frothed head.

Smell: Sweet and earthy with a big hand of caramel, candied fruit and mineral. Hops are soft in the aroma with a leafy character.

Taste: Nice flush full body, smooth and crisp in the mouth. Malt character is very broad with a bitter-sweet start and a chocolaty finish with hints of lightly roasted coffee. Esters are quite abundant but are quelled with the sweetness of the brew, alcohol warms quite well. Fruity of the dark ripened variety, fig or prune in the mix? Hop bitterness cuts through the malt and leaves a trail of flavor that gets lost before the after taste. A triple fold of alcohol spiciness, heavy leftover hops and the mild chocolaty finish rush for the finish line. Pleasant and complex after taste.

Notes: One of the top true (unspiced) winter warmers in the US, a must year after year. A bottle full of holiday cheer or just something to warm your soul.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2006 02:56:49 | More by Jason

bum732

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a cloudy reddish brown, nice creamy head with decent retention. Smells of slight cinnamon spice, caramel malts, some tropical fruits, tangerine and pineapple, background apple and maybe a little pear. Tastes of sweet caramel malt that is countered nicely with a bitter earthy backbone. Hints of chocolate and some spices such as cinnamon. Bitterness is fairly neutral but enough to cut through the malt sweetness. Finishes with some chocolate , touch of roastiness and some caramel sweetness. Solid medium mouthfeel and very smooth.

A fantastic winter warmer, so many layers and complexities. A nice malty backbone that is countered by a great combo of hops. The website says this is 60 IBUs, but you couldn't tell by tasting it, very nicely balanced and incredibly smooth. One of my favorite winter warmers and very unique, highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2009 05:09:07 | More by bum732

Strix

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Deep reddish-brown, frothy head.

Bready caramelly notes in the smell, along with a fresh citrus hop note.

Caramel, malt, bread, grapefruit, orange rind, pear, and very subtle spice notes in the finish. Thirst-quenching, in a way.

Smooth rich mouthfeel.

I've got a soft spot for Dechutes. I thought this was great. One of those beers with a big load of malt to lend some backbone to the hops, ala Three Floyds. I could drink the whole 6 of this right now. If they only distributed farther east.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2011 03:35:03 | More by Strix

DavidST

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass best by date of 4/24/12. This pours a nice brown color with a tan head which has a nice retention and leaves a little lacing. This smells of toffee, roasted malts, caramel and roasted malts. The feel is medium to thick. The taste is excellent, way way better than the winter warmer I had last week, this is one of my favorite Deschutes beers, it has the toffee and caramel with a nice roasted malt and bitter hop finish, great beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 04:38:43 | More by DavidST

JosiahS

California

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

glass: Sam Adams glass

Dark copper/brown color, slightly hazy large bubbles coming to the surface. 2-finger tan head.

Chocolate, dates, coffee, pepper, pine on the nose. Fairly chocolatey in the taste, nice rich cocoa. Citric hops keeps things balanced. Rich, toasted malts throughout. Finishes the way it starts, a big chocolate/coffee flavor and a touch of hop bitterness. body is -medium-full with medium carbonation.

Excellent.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 03:59:00 | More by JosiahS

DonDirkA

Arizona

4.48/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep red with thick reddish brown head that sits at around two fingers. Nose is super malty with caramel, cinnamon, clove, raisins, nutmeg, figs, some toffee, a bit of pine, some kind of doughy scents in there as well, molasses and brown sugar. The taste is similar with the spices more up front. Clove, figs, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, caramel, pine, toffee, dates and just a tinge of hop bitterness. It has a medium body with good carbonation and a somewhat dry finish. This is a pretty excellent winter warmer. I used to hate this style, but with my love of malts having developed over the past 2 years this tastes like its gonna be a fun holiday season for brews once the stout season ends (which is ALWAYS my favorite beer season).

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 06:26:02 | More by DonDirkA

FlyingBull

California

4.48/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased this beer at the local Albertson's while looking for smomething different to try. Overall, I was very impressed and pleased with this beer. I enjoyed it very much.

A: A nice clear medium brown color with some redish hue. Poured ~1" light tan head that lasted halfway into the glass.

S: Slightly sweet with some malt and brown sugar like flavors. More pronounced with the dark malts, and a touch of chocolate. Very appealing aroma - I could really pick up the spice and hops.

T: Light malty sweetness and spices come through with a hint of nutmeg-like flavor and caramel notes. Finishes dry and spicy.

M: Medium body, but on the lighter side. Lightly carbonated and easy to drink.

O: As I wrote in the begining, this beer was very good. Nice, slightly sweet but balanced "winter warmer" kind of beer that was very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 19:20:17 | More by FlyingBull