Libation Station: Deschutes Jubelale Click it!
By Remi | Nov 03, 2009 | 6 Responses
Let’s face it, my Redhook allegiance might not entirely be a result of the quality of their brew as of habit, particularly when looking at the winter seasonals. Deschutes, meanwhile, kind of has me excited every year. The brewery might not always hit home runs, but then again, none of their beers have ever been close to tasting like urine either. And that’s, at least to me, a good thing. (You can roll how you like.)
Their Jubelale is definitely their seasonal highlight, and last year’s edition might just have been their best in some time. And while the ‘09/10 edition is similar to the previous year, I can’t help but feel it’s just a bit more dull this time around. Just a wee bit.
Not that it doesn’t look and smell great — it does. The color is a deep, dark red with a lightly sweet smell of chocolate and raisins. Hitting the tongue, the first impression carries over: The Jubelale is fairly thick, though not insanely so, and there is a light sweet flavor to it paired with a mild hoppiness.
If this all sounds like a well balanced ale, then yes, that is exactly what it is. In fact, it might be just a little bit too well balanced? Last year’s edition had a heavier hop kick to it which, to me, made it a whole lot more interesting to drink. It’s not that the ‘09/10 edition is dull, it’s just a bit duller.
I don’t want to sound too negative, as I really do enjoy the Jubelale. Maybe I’ve just been too spoiled by Mirror Mirror? Either way, Jubelale is good, just not quite like it was last year.
Very good, just not superbly good.
Mark Comment 1 of 6
Nov 04 2009 1:20 pmThis edition of Jubel has potential. It just needs more time to condition as it is still too “green”. I just put a 1/2 case in my cellar- hopefully in 6 months it will change into nectar!
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Remi Comment 2 of 6
Nov 04 2009 1:32 pmI, for one, like how you think!
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Andrew Comment 3 of 6
Nov 04 2009 9:57 pmI nearly bought a sixer of the Jubelale tonight, but thinking of Mark’s advice, I decided I couldn’t wait six months. So I’ve just slipped into a glass of Widmer’s winter brew. It’s not a homerun, but I think, Remi, you might appreciate the hoppiness of this one.
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Remi Comment 4 of 6
Nov 05 2009 3:00 pmWidmer always seemed like the poor man’s Redhook to me, but I’m willing to take one for the team and try it out.
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Widmer Brothers’ Brrr seasonal « Spokane Food Blog Comment 5 of 6
Nov 09 2009 12:51 pm[...] stand by my original comment — Widmer has always seemed like the poor man’s Redhook to me. But when Dancing Andrew [...]
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Deschutes tasting at Bottles, the aftermath « Spokane Food Blog Comment 6 of 6
Dec 11 2009 11:59 am[...] Jubelale! A good, but not great into the Jubelale line of seasonals. They also handed out some really cool (and well produced) Jubelale posters. [...]
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