We continue our survey of the wonderful beers of winter with a selection from Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery. It’s their Jubelale:
A dark, malty celebration ale with layered flavors and beautifully balanced hopping. Jubelale pours deep garnet in color, medium bodied, with notes of chicory, earth, spice and fruit. To beer lovers, it’s like Yule fire and family.
The collaborative art of Central Oregon artists Cara Thayer and Louie Van Patten adorns this year's label.
Retails for $8.99 a six-pack. 12oz brown bottle with hops etched on neck. Label has a seasonal red border with a well-rendered scene of a man enjoying the namesake ale and readying a snowball for chucking.
Alcohol by Volume: 6.7%
COLOR (0-2): Dark auburn brown. 2
AROMA (0-2): Sweet malts with a whiff of vanilla. 2
HEAD (0-2): Off-white color, fluffy with good volume and lacing. 2
TASTE (0-5): Roasted caramel malts blend nicely with piney hops. You can also pick up nuts, coffee, cinnamon, and just a wee bit of smoky peat. Very nice flavor profile that comes together nicely. While you can feel a little heat it’s fairly smooth and rather drinkable. Medium-bodied with a dry finish and creamy mouthfeel. 4
AFTERTASTE (0-2): Rich and lasting. 2
OVERALL (0-6): An excellent winter offering that will help take some of the edge off the chilly evening air. Jubelale has a unique mix of flavors which are balanced and complimentary. It’s got the richness you want in a winter seasonal but it’s not so heavy as to be bloated. Another quality beer from Deschutes. 4
TOTAL SCORE (0-19): 16
