Deschutes Jubelale

I don't know why it's popular, especially in the cooler months, for seasonal beer to be pumped full of artificial-tasting fruit or other sticky-sweet flavors. That's not beer. They do, however, cause the beer-tasting seasonal beers to be shrouded in a sort of heavenly light. You know, the same kind that shines when you find your lost phone underneath the driver's seat or when little puppies are born. That's how I felt the first time I tried this...

Deschutes Jubelale Festive Winter Ale

BG Poured from a 12 fl oz (355 ml) bottle into a stemmed tulip, 6.7% ABV, Best By 05/18/15

A Ruby in color with two fingers of dense, persistent head. Lovely blankets of teeny-tiny bubbles cling to the glass as the foam gradually dissipates. This is a gorgeous looking beer!

A Cherry wood, sticky red apple lollipops, walnut raisin bread, hints of tropical fruit from the hops

T Dark bread, tart black cherries, earthy hops, nutty, woody, roasty, spice

M Creamy until a slightly chalky finish, med-light carbonation, very similar to that of a stout

A Earthy hop bitterness, cherry pits

C Let this beer warm up a bit, and you've got yourself a festive winter ale that acts like a stout. The roasty characters along with the creaminess is very pleasing in a lighter style beer (lighter than a stout, that is)! This is the best winter ale I’ve been able to get my hands on this winter, hands down… no wait, hands holding beer! Yeah. And can I just say the artwork is super adorable? I must make that little floppy-eared dog mine. Deschutes is solid. They've never done me wrong!

FP Cherry pie with espresso mousse. Turkey burger with sharp cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, and smoky BBQ. Bloomin onion with tangy ranch and chipotle dipping sauces.