Review – Avery Old Jubilation 2007

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Review of Avery Old Jubilation 2007, Winter Warmer Style Ale.

Of all of the seasonal styles, Winter Warmer isn’t one of my favorite styles. I have a level of appreciation for them, so I continue to try ones I haven’t tried before. I was lucky enough to pick up a single, 12 oz bottle at my local liquor store. That way, if I don’t like it, I am not out $10.00 for the six pack.

Appearance: Poured into a room temperature pint glass. This ale poured a dark clear red with a 1/2 inch of egg shell white head. Foamy, webby lace sticks to the side of the glass half way through the glass. After a while, the lace subsides magically.

Aroma: Light scents of bread, and little bit of red fruit. Perhaps a holiday loaf of sorts. The overall aroma wasn’t very powerful, but made its presence.

Taste: An over roasted malt beginning, and a large hop finish. Perfect amount of holiday spices. I wasn’t able to individually identify these spices, but they are definitely there. A very small amount of fruitiness hits the middle of my tongue in between the roast beginning and hop spice end.

Mouthfeel: Very thin, I expected it to be syrupy. The carbonation made it feel very velvety.

Drinkability: When I finished my tasting, I initially thought this was a very mild winter beer, which pleased me. The fine balance of everything is something other winter brewers should take notice of. After doing a bit of detective work, and my face feeling warm, I found out, as mild and balanced as it seemed to me, it is an 8.0% abv ale. I recommend adding this to a holiday tasting line up.