Deschutes Jubel 2000

Name: Jubelale
Date: 04/25/2001
Mode: Bottle
Source: Belmont Station, Portland
Vintage: 2000

Appearance: opaque copper, whispy head,
Aroma: strong sweet malt aroma with a slight alcoholic character and heavy hops,
Body: surprising light body,
Flavor: mild malt flavor, hop flavor kicks in at the end, after warming it turns into a heavy malt and strong hop barleywine

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Score: ***/4
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The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

Bottle from my buddy Fred (cheers, Fred!). Dark chocolately brown body with a hint of amber. Nice and hazy with a lovely dark tan bubbly head. Loads of malt on the nose, with some hints of chocolate, toffee, and caramel. A bit of fruit and some wood and earth dustiness. Definitely comparable to a barleywine. Slightly thin finish, but not surprising given its age. Very nice.

Poured a dark mahogany with small tan head. Nose of caramel, figs, licorice and chocolate. Good body with flavors of chocolate, licorice, figs, raisins and bananas. Very little hop character. Considering this beer is seven years old, I was surprised at the lack of cardboard nose or palate. I had several bottles and have been opening one every Christmas for four years. Each one has been a pleasant surprise.

Bottle from LarryPitonka, drunk on 9/22/07, thanks André!
This one came out of my cellar, and I still have one remaining that has been kept refrigerated. I should have tried them side-by-side, that was kind of stupid not to, in retrospect. Anyways, a small head by this point, beige in color, sits atop a dark brown head with a good deal of deep auburn tints. Clear, with lazy bubbles rising and light lacing. Retention is moderate.
Chocolate and spices (anise, black pepper) and delicately roasted malts collect on the finish, as a vast array of time-worn esters sit on the front (cherries, plums, raspberries, strawberries). A dusty layer of age hangs over it, but it shakes it off pretty well, after breathing for some time. Malts are very dry and crackery, with minimal sweetness overall, though decidedly enough to keep the spicey notes submerged (and it’s strange that it tastes this spicy if no actual spices were used). Medium to medium-high strength of aroma, with some vanilla hints emerging on the end. Very earthy/crusty and with dry hazelnut and anise showing most strongly. Seems this was quite the masterpiece when young and not so dried out/dulled by age.
Bready caramel malts and light oxidation give a false sense of body, when actually the beer is heavily attenuated at this point, and even more dry when the spices and roastiness sets in. But it’s very clean, not overspiced and with very interesting malts that give hints of fruit and wood, in addition to crackers and bread. Obviously lacking in the supple texture of a fresh beer, but there’s no doubt it was there. No alcohol notes, definitely flawless. Jubel ale has always been a great brew and even age can not dull how special this vintage was. Can’t wait to try the bottle that’s been refrigerated.

Bottle poured a cloudy dark reddish brown with a minimal amber head. Aromas of carmel, toffee, cardboard and brown sugar. Palate was light bodied. Flavors of carmel dark fruit, toffee and a bit of cardboard with a mildly sweet finish.