Old Ale Project – Eagle Rock Brewery’s Jubilee (#19)

22 ounce bottle poured into a tulip.  8.1% ABV.  Stored and served at 55F.

Appearance:  Burned amber with an ever-so-slight haze.  The bottle poured with a strong head, and as it dropped it left a lovely lacing pattern on the edges of the glass.  All that remains are lonely, little islands of passing bubbles (4.5/5).

Aroma:  Brown sugar, caramel, and raisins.  A little light roast coffee.  The label told me that I should smell banana bread, and as soon as I read that I did.  Thank you, power of suggestion (4.5/5).

Taste:  There is a surprising lack of sweetness.  The beer is built on a foundation of malt, but it is very well attenuated and almost dry.  The holiday spices give the perception of liquid fruitcake (without all that weird candied fruit).  I get suggestions of nutmeg, allspice, dates, and molasses.  The alcohol gives it a comforting warmth right there at the end (4/5)

Mouthfeel:  Medium body, light carbonation (4/5).

Overall:  The bottle stamp has been fairly worn, but I’m pretty sure it says to “enjoy by” June something 2014.  Well, I’ve stored it properly since I purchased it in 2013 and I’m pretty sure I haven’t done it any harm.  This is a very nice beer and dangerously drinkable.  I think an Old Ale should probably not be so thoroughly fermented, but that may be a result of the three plus years it’s been sitting in my cellar.  I probably ought to grab a fresh bottle and compare.  Also, I wish I could try it without the “holiday spices”, but just because I’m typically not a fan of “holiday spices” in my beer.  They are not overwhelming or detracting at all.  Ultimately, a very enjoyable edition to the Old Ale arsenal (4.25/5).

Old Ale Project – Avery Brewing Co.’s Old Jubilation Ale (#18)

12 ounce bottle poured into a tulip.  8.3% ABV.  Stored and served at 55F.

Appearance:  Dark chocolate brown.  A beige head billowed upon the pour, but immediately sank into the glass.  This bottle has been in storage for a couple years and a fair amount of sediment has dropped out of suspension over time.  The glass looked like a snow globe at night for the first minute or so, but the chunks eventually settled to the bottom.  Held up to the light, the beer is brilliantly clear with beautiful amber highlights (4.25/5).

Aroma:  Boozy, metallic, and oxidized.  Deep in the background I can detect the smell of dark malts, brown sugar, chocolate, maple syrup, and soy sauce (3.5/5).

Taste:  Restrained sweetness with hints of coffee, oak, toffee, burned sugar, and dates.  There is also an underlying bitterness that cuts the sugary base and balances it out nicely.  Maybe a touch of a metallic taste, but the bottle has been stored on its side so that may explain it (4.25/5) 

Mouthfeel:  Full body and light carbonation.  Perfectly smooth and rounded (5/5).

Overall:  The bottle stamp is apparently written in Klingon, so I can’t say for certain what year this is from.  But I believe I’ve been holding on to this since the early winter of 2013.  Avery’s description says this beer is “cellarable for 2 years”, but I think that’s kind of cutting it short.  I don’t think the age is hurting anything.  In the end, I really enjoyed this beer but it didn’t blow my doors off.  It is often cited as a “commercial example” of the style, but I think there are better options out there.  I liked having the old bottle, but I’d like to try a fresher sample to see if I’m missing something (4.25/5).