Tonight I'm drinking Jubelale from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. This is their "Festive Winter Ale", a strong ale that contradicts itself with only 6.7% alcohol (some of you may disagree with this assessment, but in my mind, a beer isn't truly 'strong' until it gets above 8%). The winter seasonals are finally starting to pop up on the shelves, and with them is the sense that the holidays are upon us.
By the way, side note - how do you guys feel about the smell of christmas trees? Because....I think that's the best smell in the world. Some people disagree with this fact. Some claim that a wood-burning fire smells better. Others say fresh cinnamon sticks and dried fruits smell better. The ocean. Spring rain. All wrong! Nothing smells better than a fresh-cut Christmas tree.
Now, back on point, this strong ale from Deschutes has earned a devout following in the world of winter brews. It's about 35 degrees outside and MN winter is fast approaching, so this is the optimal environment to put it to the test. The presentation is great - the label depicts a person in winter garb, holding a glass of Jubelale in one hand and a snowball in the other. The beer is dark reddish brown with a dense, frothy 2 inches of beige foam. Aroma is full of sweet, burnt caramel, candied dark fruits, fresh-cut apples/pears, and stiff mineral water. Taste is smooth and rich, with a sweeping malt character, lots going on here. Starts with bitter-sweet dark chocolate, hints of coffee and toffee. Dark fruits come through next, playing nicely with coffee grinds all the way through the middle. The alcohol is hardly noticeable. The finish is robust, but washes away with a burnt, crisp chocolate finish, and a slightly bitter hop sensation that is delayed yet perfectly timed at the end.
Overall Rating: This is a complex, warming, awesome winter brew from Deschutes that definitely puts you in the holiday mood, without overdoing it on the spices and other additions. And at 6.7%, you can enjoy a couple of them without getting overly sauced. Put this beer at the top of your list for this winter! A
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