Grand River Jubilation Spiced Ale 2008

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:20 pm

This was available at the brewery today in bottles. I figured I would start a thread now and report back later when I had tried it. Obviously looking forward to it.

And the folks at Grand River continue to mention their plans for an IPA early in the new year and a stout for St. Patrick's Day. Sounds good to me!

There were 2 growlers of Pumpkin left btw after I bought one; I was surprised to see some left but was told this was the last of it.

I cannot think of another Ontario Craft Brewer that consistently has this much variety available at their retail store - usually 6-7 different bottles and at least 4-6 different growlers on every visit, all incredibly fresh tasting product, all very reasonably priced.

Keep up the great work GR!

Jeff (one very happy new K-W resident)

matt7215 · Post by **matt7215** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:45 pm

thats awesome that its out, ill be stopping by this weekend to pick some up. just a heads up to any RB/BA raters, this is a new and unique beer compared to the 2007 and should be rated as such. i believe it should be entered as a new beer on both sites.

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:48 pm

i believe it should be entered as a new beer on both sites.

Do you know why Matt? Is it at a significant different alcohol % or an entirely new recipe?

matt7215 · Post by **matt7215** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:01 pm

tupalev wrote:
i believe it should be entered as a new beer on both sites.
Do you know why Matt? Is it at a significant different alcohol % or an entirely new recipe?

the last time i was down there I was talking to Rob and he said it was a new recipe. Im not sure about any alcohol difference since I havnt seen a bottle yet this year. I think we should contact Rob before deciding either way.

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:04 pm

Ok, thanks. I'll check the bottles in my truck and let you know - I think last year was 6.5%...

Bobsy · Post by **Bobsy** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:12 pm

A new recipe? Well, it was damn good last year, and I'm sure it will be damn good this year.

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:44 pm

5.7% this year

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:56 pm

Rob said they were going to change it up every year:
http://www.bartowel.com/radio/VCD_GrandRiver.mp3

Fun for the brewer & us geeks.

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:06 pm

Thanks for the link Derek

matt7215 · Post by **matt7215** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:34 pm

tupalev wrote:5.7% this year

that then my friend is a new brew, new entry IMO

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:44 am

Matt, you'll find it takes more than .8% difference to qualify as a new beer on ratebeer, and I do not necessarily disagree with that - it saves the database (when not being hacked) from having a ton of different entries for the same beer and keeps it from being cluttered (I like BA a lot, but the list of beers is weakened over there because there are multiple beers and even aliases listed a different beers). Beers go through small tweaks every year. Again though, if Grand River says this is an entirely different recipe, that's different.

Anyway, I actually do not really care, and I'll let those who have much more knowledge than myself make the call.

I had a couple bottles last night but did not take any notes. I liked it, the spices were really upfront but they kept the body light (in terms of a winter warmer). I liked last year's but actually thought it was similar to the pumpkin (maybe I had it on tap where the pumpkin was previously on that line?) - this year's seems to stand on its own. Alcohol not present at all (I seem to recall knowing it was there last year). Great beer.

Is entirely different from last year's? Dunno. Certainly not drastically.

Another winner from GR.

Bobsy · Post by **Bobsy** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:00 am

tupalev wrote:Is entirely different from last year's? Dunno. Certainly not drastically.

I see this as a really good thing. Last year's Jubilation was a firm favourite, and I'm looking forward to its appearance at the local watering holes. With the nutcracker sadly absent I'm looking to Great Lakes and Grand River to step up as the locals to provide me with my seasonal fix.

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:24 am

Is entirely different from last year's? Dunno. Certainly not drastically.

I see this as a really good thing

Agree 100%

Rob Creighton · Post by **Rob Creighton** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:42 am

To clarify:

Last years Jubilation was a combination of cinnamon and cardamom and was very intense. The 1 yr old keg served at Volo Cask Days really saw some improvement with time.

This years version reflects a recipe Bob had at home for Christmas cake that had cranberry's, oranges cut in half and spiked with cloves, demerara sugar, cinnamon and get ready for it...jalapeno peppers in it. The LCBO gave us the 5.7% but personally, I don't believe it. I have doubted a number of our recent results and the malt/sugar input combined with the attenuation tells me 6.5%. Try it for yourself and see. I don't have any equipment here yet to verify alcohol. Our heavy water mineral content and bigger body have generally masked the higher alcohols well but I think this could be dangerous. Salut!

matt7215 · Post by **matt7215** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:25 pm

im almost finished a growler of this and it is truely fantastic. actually its stupid good. the spice and malt sweetness is held in check by the hops and the heat from the pepper. wow this stuff is flavour and easy drinking. Rob was correct to mention that this might ge people in trouble this holiday season. thanks Rob you made a masterpiece here.