Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
This sounds like an intriguing combo of flavors from Deschutes. Lavender can be an overpowering aroma but I am not sure it is as powerful as a flavor component. Marionberries are great for sour, because they do not have the pucker that blackberries can have. Throw in that this is in cans and I am sold.
The idea of beer vintages is not new but bigger than teeny batches of Solera-esque beers is something that I would like to see more of and that is why I will be searching out The Ages from Deschutes. I have a feeling this will not be cheap but it may be one splurge on.
When I saw this label, I just couldn’t shake a sour face. Not being a kombucha or drinking vinegar fan has me not part of the target market, but the fact that Deschutes is mixing sour with sweet of Radler just confused me. This is a beer to check out the ratings for.
https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/
Deschutes has a graduate from their experimental Pub Reserve Series as their new “Provision Saison”, Culutivateur will be released to beer drinkers.
This small batch beer is a blend of old and new saisons, aged in oak with brett for a third and final extra touch.
The band is getting back together after a 4 year hiatus. The band I am speaking of is the Collage beer from Deschutes and Hair of the Dog.
Collage #1 was a blend HotD’s Fred and Adam beers + the Stoic and The Dissident from the Bend brewery.
Now Collage # 2 another barrel-aged beer is on the horizon
One of the coolest sights in beer is the Woody from Deschutes Brewing rolling into a parking spot.
And there is a prime one at the Verdugo Bar….
The Woody will also be parked at the Glendale Tap the night before, April 7th, if that night works better for you.
So wander over to either and see what the Oregon and future Virginia brewery has on offer.
Jubelale from Deschutes is a classic winter warmer that I get a six-pack of every year. The fact that local artists design the label and that it is different each year is a grand tradition.
“Warm spiciness and tradition grace this bold winter ale. Intriguing, layered flavors unfold to reveal chicory, dried fruit and toffee notes with a hoppy kick to finish. The deep garnet color pairs perfectly with holiday celebrations.”
The label may look like the wallpaper from a Gothic English manor but this barrel-aged 2015 version of Jubel from Deschutes Brewery will probably be excellent now and later.
This is the 3rd vintage release of Jubel aka “Super Jubel” a 12 month barrel-aged beer with half aged in Pinot and Oregon oak barrels. The brewery tastes “notes of toasted caramel, raisins, dates and figs are complemented by spicy and herbal hop aromas.”
This beer should not have been done until 2020. That was the original plan but they just couldn’t wait.
Deschutes Brewery is in the Up From the Cellar spotlight this month and we again hack through the wax to the bottle cap underneath. Today it is The Abyss from way back in 2009!
Per the beer’s description from their website, The Abyss is brewed with” licorice and molasses with 33% aged in oak and oak bourbon barrels.” and it pours an lighter shade of black that no light gets through with tinges of dark brown on the edge. When I first popped the cap, an unmistakable hit of licorice greeted the nose from a couple feet away. It isn’t as prominent in the aroma as it warms up but it is there lurking in the background. I say this because licorice and anise can really overpower a beer to negative effect. Here it is a component not a star. What I really get hits of in the aroma are cigar and tar notes. Not BBQ smokey and not campfire but essence of cigar being lit.
The taste has coffee grounds and a hint of cherry like sourness. Molasses sneaks in a bit as well but this has a fruit tinge that I was not expecting at all. A taste that eclipses the licorice. I am not getting any off notes here either which I take to mean that I didn’t hold onto it for too long and that it might last past the 5 years I held it.
Colder, the flavor drifts more to fruity than the dark with an almost Oud Bruin quality to it. Warmer it really showcases a dark smoke and caramel fig viscosity that is quite after dinner drink worthy. This is a fireplace with friends discussing world events type of beer.
VERDICT – This is a success! I have had Abyss (in various incarnations) in the past five years and this stands up with them in taste. There are multiple flavors intermingling. It isn’t “hot” in the alcoholic sense and it flat out tastes great. It fared much better than the Stoic did and it does encourage me to want to lay down a bottle of this year’s model if I can find one.
