Why we picked it: We have sampled Avery's beers in past tastings and wanted to try their Christmas Ale
About Avery's Old Jubilation Ale: Our winter strong ale has a gorgeous mahogany hue, a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five specialty malts.
Food pairing: Old Jubilation Ale–most fittingly–is comfortable being sipped and quaffed alongside many large cuts of meat you typically find around the holidays. Roast duck, crown roast, rack of lamb, prime rib, herb- and honey-crusted chicken and all manner of gamebirds are great choices, as are seasonal soups made with spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.
Beer Style: English Old Ale
Hop Variety: Bullion
Malt Variety: Two-row barley, Special roast, Black, Chocolate, Victory
ABV: 8.3%
IBUs: 45
Color: Mahogany
Case Cost: $35
*website: http://averybrewing.com/our-ales/old-jubilation-ale/
"a gorgeous mahogany hue" just like I like in my ... oh, never mind.
ReplyDeleteThis is OK, but not really my cup of tea. All malt and no (or little) hops makes Scott a bored beer drinker. In fact, I could have even gone for some of that spice they brag about not having. Thank goodness for the ABV.
I would put this solidly in the middle of the pack. A nice solid Christmas ale, but I won't go out of my way for it. Grade: 5/10
After last nights' beer, this was not as good. I loved the color and it tasted pretty good but I would rather have last nights beer and just could not get into tasting something new. However, I still liked this beer better than the light beers we just sampled. Its funny to read Scott's comments b/c it was missing something to make this really great and it was probably some kind spice or even some more Hops. Plus everyone knows the color is just the shade I like my women which automatically gives this a higher rating (don't like the light (or pasty white) beers or women.
ReplyDeleteRating 7.7
I'm going to fully admit to playing catch-up and I won't get to this one today. But I'm doubling up tomorrow. Non-sequitor - please to describe the most calorie effective method of getting hammered. I'm thinking either jack daniels/diet ginger ale or a big pile of black tar heroin. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteOk...so here is what you do...
DeleteGet yourself an IV bag and fill it up with grain liquor, find yourself a vein, and drip...drip...drip yourself to inebriation. Once you get that started, it's time to inject your black tar heroin. Friendly tip...make sure you use a different vein for the heroin. (I tried that once with disastrous results)
Either drink alcohol straight or if you need a chaser; drink Voka (lowest sugar among the alcohols) with a sugar free chaser (red bull and cranberry come in sugar free). Many folks drink this drink to save on calories.
DeleteOr simply just drink grain alcohol
Learn from the dozens of slightly too skinny Penn State grads at my work: vodka soda with Crystal Light is the only thing to pass their lips (at least as far as alcohol is concerned. I don't know their lives.)
Deleteif offered this beer, i would turn it down. although my distate for it could attributed to the glasses of egg nog i have drank tonight as amy and i finally finished decorating the tree. not going to lie, i love listening to christman music -- brings back memories of yesterday decorating trees with my family when i was youngster. my favorite christmas ablum is still elvis'.
ReplyDeleteI like christman music too!
Deleteegg nog and captain's morgan, solid drink.
ReplyDeleteWhat does that have to do with the beer we tasted tonight or are you putting together a 75 piece toy tonight for your child?
DeleteDon't like this. Too malty and thick. The kind of beer that takes me an hour to get through, and doesn't make me want another.
ReplyDeleteI like how this isn't spicy, but I am not really into the aftertaste, which is more like coffee to me as opposed to the advertised mocha and toffee. I would drink one if offered to me, but would find it hard to drink more than one. I agree with the description that it would be best with a heavy meal.
ReplyDeleteDJ, I prefer vodka and soda when I am counting calories.
Meh.
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of drink that my uncle would serve at a holiday party that I would obviously muscle down out of respect but regret later that night when I knocked over the Christmas tree or fell down the steps.
ReplyDeleteSo this was my 7th beer of the night. Again, I seemed to like the first couple of sips and then it got all sludgy and then I got tired and went and passed out on the couch watching Project Runway.
ReplyDeleteSo I rate it below last night's but not terrible.
The 7/9ths of it I got to drink was okay. Veronica had a mishap flailing her arms around and knocked it over. I think a minor issue with this experiment is sometimes it takes two beers to like something. Or at least to be drunk enough on the first to enjoy the second. I'm wondering if this will carry over to the tribute to devastating storm beer thats next.
ReplyDeleterating????
DeleteThought this beer was drinkable, but not really my type of beer. Pretty heavy and I don't like the aftertaste. I don't like coffee and I get that in the aftertaste. I rate it 6 out of 10, C-
ReplyDeleteThis beer was not good. I enjoy my coffee but I don't like it when someone mixes it with a Fat Tire beer. I agree With Ivan though, this beer brought me back to the days when I was 7 and was decorating the tree with mom. She would make me check a string of lights(with the fat bulbs that would make a loud "POP" when you dropped and broke them) then would reward me with a
ReplyDeleteSam Smiths Nut Brown Ale. Now, I know what you are thinking; she gave a 7 year old beer? What you should be thinking is; why would she give a 7 year old such a shitty beer? I hated that shit then, and I hate it now! I wouldn't throw it at my worst enemy if he was on fire. I hope the next one is better. Word!