Deschutes Jubelale

Brewed by Deschutes Brewery
Style: English Strong Ale
Bend, Oregon USA

Very dark red body that is brown if not held up to light. The head is tan with medium sized bubbles. The aroma is musty wood and some light hay. There is also toffee and tea. The taste has some dark coffee and a little bit of bitter chocolate. There is also some light woody character in the finish. Smooth and light body for the high abv. A nice winter warmer. Thanks fo rthe bottle, Larry Pitonka.

Body is the color of new bricks and has abundant carbonation and the head is thick, soft, and beige. Nice fruity, malty nose suggests currants and tree sap. Organic, earthy and vinous with rich, fruity flavor. Light medicinal note and some grainy bitterness. Qualities of toffee and vanilla emerge as it warms. Restrained sweetness and considerable bitterness. A fresh and decent malt-centered holiday ale.

Aroma of red berries, yeast, brown sugar, caramel; some roasty notes. Appears a deep ruby red, with good clarity and noticeable effervescence of large bubbles; topped with a thick orange-brown head that dissipates but leaves lacing. Flavor is roast, chocolate, almost stout-like at first, but giving way to balanced hops, malt and berry notes reminiscent of a red ale. Palate is medium-thick with just enough bubbles to suit. Overall, this beer was a pleasant suprise, not what I expected, quite unique, and just about equal to the sum of its parts.

This beer IS the season. It showed up here with the snow but unfortunately won’t last as long. Excellent judgement in spicing a strong beer. Too much can turn one into a sipper, which is fine, but this is a winter staple. It almost makes up for the loss of the American chestnut tree. Beautiful color (which I usually don’t care much about) and a wonderful nose of pumpkin spices and malt. Hops are well balanced and don’t compete with the subtle spice.

2005, draught. Malty, spicy aroma, plenty of brown sugary sweetness, gentle spices and some apple buttery fruitiness, perhaps some slight banana esters along with gentle hints of cotton candy, berry and woodsy hop. Pretty sweet, overall. Hazy dark amber-copper color, with a fine, lasting light tan head and nicely stippled lacing. Bitter and roasty to start, not nearly as sweet as anticipated, with an influx of green, leafy, earthy hops before a spicy, moderately bitter, cinnamon, nutmeg and dry cocoa finish, perhaps some lasting hints of pear. Some background caramel, fruit and bread, but fairly well balanced, toasty, spicy and hoppy. Substantive mouthfeel, smooth and creamy with a medium-full body. Worthwhile and hearty winter seasonal.

2005 Bottle: A cloudy mahogany color with a light brown head that is quite frothy. It diminishes a bit but then remains a nice layer of fuzz all the way to the bottom. The lacing is ultra sticky and remains all over the glass until you clean it. The wonderful aromas are so strong that you can pick them up at a distance -- aromas of spicy malts balanced with hops. Tastes are similar adding a nutty flavor as well. It has a nice bitter aftertaste. The feel is almost thick with average carbonation. Indeed, this one is a festive winter ale. This is one reason why I am glad its getting colder outside.

Bottle, 2005 edition. Deep, stained mahogany in color with ruby highlights showing through, clear. Tannish head forms and fades to a ring leaving pretty nice lacing behind. Aroma is malty and hop balanced nicely. Caramel, toffee, slight nutty aromas blend with light earthy hops. Lighter medium bodied. Tends to feel thin in the mouth. Caramel flavors with some nuts and then a very generous hop bitterness, not overwhelming. Decently done, probably better when consumed warmed.

2006 bottle Oct. 06. Ultraclear, garnet colored when backlit, brownish under normal light. Nice tannish head that fades a touch too quickly. Decent lacing. Chocolate and nutty aroma, medium bodied. Smooth chocolate flavor with some vanilla, suprisingly strong hop presence, lasting bitterness. Quite tasty this year! 8/3/8/4/16

2005 is out and ready to drink. This is a great beer. Dark reddish brown color with a huge head and a great overall aroma. The hint of smokyness with a light hopps flavor and a huge malt presence make this a great winter warmer. I will be getting more for the deep winter months.