Old Jubilation
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Loading ...Inauguration Day 2009 is an historic day in America.
Our first black president was sworn into office, hope has been flowing abundantly, and never before in our nation’s history have some many people gathered in Washington DC without getting lobbied by Jack Abramoff.
Avery Brewing Company of Boulder, Colorado makes the perfect beer for this occasion: Ale to the Chief.
Perfect, but not currently in my Fridge — drat! (Challenging times, indeed.)
But following Obama’s example, I have decided to be pragmatic — to reach across the aisle and forge a smart compromise — by selecting another Avery brew: Old Jubilation Ale.
As the crowds shiver on the mall, cold but still ebullient and cheering, their jubilation could only be increased with a warming sip of Old Jubilation Ale.
Old Jubilation leaped from the bottle and into my Duvel tulip glass, whipping up a creamy, thick head of foam that completely filled the top. And that head stayed put for a long time, crammed full with no place to go — like so many Inauguration goers at a congested Foggy Bottom metro station.
The nose is malty, reminiscent of a brandy wine style ale, but my first sip proved a pleasant contrast with the aroma. The taste is less extreme than it announces on the nose; a hint of cocoa and malt provide a toasty sweetness to this ale, and there’s also a gentle, spice-like bitterness from the hops — but nothing too extreme in any direction. The whole beer has a creamy mouthfeel, almost like drinking a smooth iced tea topped with creamy, persistent foam.
Warmth, full of character, even-keel — these words could describe President Obama, but I’m using them to describe this winter warmer. It’s opened my eyes to what a winter warmer can be.
I’m half-way through the beer, and starting to pick up a cola-like characteristic at the back of my tongue. If I remember health class (and there was much about health class I’d rather block out), that’s where the “bitter” buds reside — so it must be the hops. I was going to rank this beer higher than the Old Man Winter Ale, but the taste is started to fray a bit — so I’ll call it a tie.
Let me sign off amid all this celebration, so I can enjoy the rest of today’s only beer. But let me end with a salute to our President, well wishes for our Nation, and Jubilation for us all.
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