Deschutes Jubelale

V - dark amber/brown, mostly inpenetrable hue with a lackluster head but decent lacing.
A - mild oats and malt aroma with a pronounced fruity caramel nose. Warming up the piney hops become noticeable.
T - hops hit first then slowly degrade into a more malty body with a heavy bitter/hop finish. Not much in the way of the dark spices hinted at in the nose.

Bottle. 2008 batch. Pours a clear, deep walnut color with a one-inch light tan head. The inviting aroma is of caramel and nutmeg/cinnamon. Flavor is malty upfront, but the hops keeps it from being too sweet. Nice caramel tones and good spice flavor give this brew character. There is a bit of bitterness in the flavor that lingers--but in a good way. Soft mouthfeel. I’d like to pair this brew with a good beef stew and sourdough bread on a cold night.

2008 Version. Pours a very dark clear amber with a medium off-white head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is sort of neutral though there is some caramel and maybe hazelnut. Nice balance between the hops and malt. At times the tastes are neutralized the beer tastes like a good nothing. Alcohol is masked well- didn’t realize this was 6.7%. Overall decent but not great. Great label though (even though never judge a beer by its label).

2008 batch. Nice coppery brown pour with a decent creamy head. Big smell of cinnamon and caramel and tastes of nuts with a pleasantly bitter mouthfeel. Very tasty version this year, and thank god the label isn’t as lame as last year’s.

Pours with a dark brown hue with a small light brown head that diminishes pretty quickly. The aroma is of caramel, dark fruits, wood, and brandy - there is a lot of it in the nose. The flavor is initially very alcoholic, with some hoppiness and some sweetness. The beer ends on a bitter note. Creamy mouthfeel, and light carbonation - feels a little metallic in the mouth.

2008 bottle. Darkest copper pour i’ve seen, very nice body. nose of candied fruit and a touch of alcohol. Smoky, tart fruit and maybe banana bread (my companions thought I was crazy). Touch bitter on the tongue, a bit spicy. Ultimately a drinkable winter ale but it could go further

Dark Brown in color with a small off white head and decent lacing. The aroma is of brandy, caramel, dark fruits, malts with a note of oak. The flavor was very hoppy and bitter throughout with a nutty overtone. The texture is creamy. Overall I’d say its a good ale; not bad, but I’ve had better

2008 Bottle. Pours with a light brown, smallish head that leaves decent lacing, and a clearish, dark amber body. Aroma of caramel, dark fruits, plums and some brandy (essence, not alocohol). Taste is bitter with wood, some nutts, toffee and slightly metalic. Creamish mouthfeel, light bubbles.