Last month I wrote about a 2008-2010 mini-vertical of Deschutes Jubelale. I had found the 2008 to be starting to show signs of age, though the oxidation wasn't totally unpleasant.
A couple weeks later I got around to cracking a 2005, 2007, and a 2009 when some friends were over for dinner. Bucking the trend, the 2005 was the clear taste favorite -- absolutely beautiful. None of the papery oxidation notes, still nicely carbonated, and full of winter-warmer flavor. The 2007 was not as flavorful, but probably a little nicer than the 2008. So maybe this wacky Jubelale aging experiment is worthwhile afterall.
Now, the Jubel 2000 that came out on Thursday at the Holiday Ale Fest had lost all of its oomph. On the one hand, you never expect the best from a 10-year-old beer; on the other hand, I thought this was a double-batch Super Jubel like the Jubel 2010 that came out early this year, and I would have expected some flavor to survive. There wasn't even really much alcohol apparent.
Wallace and I were commiserating about the decrepit Jubel 2000 at the fest, and he mentioned that a friend of his also cellars Jubelale and had found that one year's stood out above the others -- by his recollection it was the 2004, but when I told him my bottles of 2004 were undrinkable after a single year, he thought it might have been the 2005 or 2003. I suspect the 2005, since the bottle we had the other night was so good, but if any of you out there have a tasty 2004, I'd like to hear about it. Maybe I just have a bad batch.
To your question on my post: no, I didn't crack one. This is the problem with me--I let things go too long, and then because they've gone too long, I don't open them, either. I'm an eejit.
ReplyDeleteI checked, it was a 2003, holding up well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wallace. 2003 was the year I moved here, so I have a couple 2003 Jubelales still. That was certainly a good year; I think 2005 might be better.
ReplyDeleteCan you check with him about the 2004? Is his just awful also, or am I unlucky?
I don't know anyone else with 2004.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you my 2007 is awful so you are indeed lucky.