Beer – #986 – Deschutes – Jubel 2015

I have a Deschutes Jubel 2015. Another unusual to see beer in New Zealand, this is one that I’ve been looking forward to getting to, even though it’s only been in the fridge a couple of weeks. An American Strong Ale, and you’d think that’s an unusual style, but no, I appear to have had around 15 takes on that style, and on checking that I found myself smiling in remembering some of them.

couldn’t wait another five years

This bottle is 650ml and has beer that is 10.4% ABV and 312 calories a serve , with 55 IBU things, this is about 5.33 standard drinks in NZ, from the one bottle.

Deschutes Jubel 2015 is Brewed by Deschutes Brewery in the style of the American Strong Ale and they do that in Bend, Oregon USA

Super Duper Jubel

Affectionately referred to as “Super Jubel”, Jubel 2015 is an imperial take on our festive winter ale.

Notes of toasted caramel, raisins, dates and figs are complemented by spicy and herbal hop aromas.

Originally planned as a once-a-decade-ale; we just couldn’t wait another five years.

12 Months in Pinot Noir and new Oregon Oak Released at our pubs & tasting room on February 6, 2015.

So, What could possibly go wrong?

Wel getting the wax seal off for one thing.

Aroma is cracking dark rich malty fruity deepness, that’s a thing of joy

Then because don’t read properly the tart tanin oaky bitterness from this surprised me I wasn’t really up for it. Aroma though is lovely, but the pour is a lazy hazy muddy brown that doesn’t look the best.

After that tannin slap the deep flavours begin to shine though under that tartness and the alcohol begins to ping as it warms.

I’m also really enjoying the Pink Floyd album of music, particular the second half that’s as well crafted as the more commercial first part.

There’s nothing wrong with the beer though, it’s just that it’s fairly average middle of the road beer, the tannin dullness is a distraction really. I don’t really care for the muddy look that this has, but apart from that….

At the end of this the album is outstanding and memorable, and unusually outshone the beer by quite a long way.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 of its things from the thing. I wanted this to be a grand beer, I wanted it to be a flag waver of a beer, I wanted to prattle on about this and that, but it’s not that. It’s a nice drinking beer if you overlook a couple of things that it could do better or less of. I didn’t like that tannin thud, and that oaky bitterness to start with, but that was ok when it warmed, but most I didn’t like the muddiness in the pour and the way this looked. But if you’ve another and want to share, bring it over, I’m all in…

The double dip review

Where did I get it? The nice people at BeerJerkNZ had a few
Am I enjoying it? I don’t know that I really am, I like the style and some of the warm rich bits though
Would I have another? Of course it’s a lovely style of beer that needs to be made more.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I would because it’s not common beer, in quantity or style and deserves to be enjoyed, even alone or would stand well against some other things like, say, food 🙂

Music for this: ”Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd if you’re lucky like me on Original Vinyl – I even had the original postcard that came with the album!

Wish You Were Here is the ninth studio album by English rock band Pink Floyd. It was released on 12 September 1975

AMERICAN STRONG ALE

Not a style, per se, but the only logical category to incorporate the plethora of strong, stylistically vague beers coming from American micros these days. Some are related to English Strong Ales, but with more hop, while others are ultra-strong variants on the IPA theme. But no matter how varied their origins or characters might be, all are intense, potent, with generous quantities of hops and malt.