[Cellar Review] He'Brew Jewbelation Reborn (17th Anniversary Ale - 2013)

Brewed By: Shmaltz Brewing Company in Brooklyn, New York  

Purchased: 22oz bottle bought at Binny's in IL; 2013 

Style/ABV: American Strong Ale, 17.0%

Reported IBUs: ?

Tonight's beer is a beer I first had back in November of 2013. And as I said back then: "this beer is a bit of a hot mess." But that was back then. This is now. Five years later. About He'Brew:

that was then, this is now

He'Brew is part of the Shmaltz Brewing Company. The Shmaltz Brewing Company has two lines of beer: their He'Brew The Chosen Beer, and their Coney Island Craft Lagers. Shmaltz Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in San Francisco, California, founded by Jeremy Cowan in 1996. The company previously contract brewed most of their beer through the Mendocino Brewing Company, while operating a small brewery in Brooklyn, New York. After 16 years of having their beer contract brewed, the Shmaltz Brewing Company opened its own New York State microbrewery in Clifton Park, NY. The new location features a 50-barrel brewhouse, with 20,000 barrels of annual capacity, and began production April/May 2013, officially opening July 2013. The company is known for its innovative beer, eye-catching bottle artwork, and sense of humor. For more information, check out the Shmaltz website HERE. Don't be a schmuck!

The Jewbelation Reborn is part of the He'Brew Anniversary Ale series. The malt list is: 2-Row, Spelt, Vienna, Munich, Rye, Wheat  Einkorn, Emmer, Chocolate, Crystal Rye, Dark Crystal, Roasted Barley, Roasted Wheat, Flaked Oats, Caramunich 40, Carapilsner, and Kiln Amber. The hops include: Warrior, Columbus, Apollo, Palisade, Golding, Tettnang, Ahtanum, Cascade, Czech Saaz, Centennial, Chinook, Santiam, Simcoe, Summit, Amarillo, Citra, and Crystal.

He'Brew Jewbelation Reborn 2018 Cellared

So you're probably wondering, does this look dramatically different than its fresh counterpart? And the answer is surprisingly: YES! Look at the struggling head on the five year vintage. The cellar vintage pours out like coca-cola. Contrast that to the tight and thick head on the fresh 2013 vintage. But looks are deceiving, like that experienced senior in sweatpants who doesn't do their hair or give two looks about their apperance compared to the perfectly manicured freshy who would be lost in an eggplant factory. 

Gone on the aroma are the hops, along with the fruity berry puree notes. No, this does not smell anything like how I described the fresh vintage. The aroma is rich, and aged, with hints of soy, molasses, lovely sherry wine notes, dark fruits in the form of prunes, raisins, and plums, and oxidation for sure with some stale wet leaves and pine nuts.  

He'Brew Jewbelation Reborn 2013 Fresh

And wowza. Not only does this taste amazing...it is quite layered and complex. This has barleywine qualities with complex layers of burnt maple, caramel sugars, brown sugar, and toffee. There's a light fudgy aspect to the mix, which reminds me of the pre-2015 Bourbon County glory days when the beer seemed a bit hotter and less sweet. There is quite a bit of alcohol, which I would expect (and honestly) want in a 17% beer. The idea that a 17% beer would be without alcohol seems absurd, right? I'm not getting as much of the oxidation notes in the taste, which is GREAT. In fact, the faint oxidized hops in the aroma don't really show up on the palate. What I do get is a kiss of dark fruits and soy. It is a nice counterpoint to the beer itself.

This has some bitterness to it, which may be from the remaining hop oils or the dark shades of malt. This is wonderfully complex. This is also CONSIDERABLY better aged than fresh. It's too bad He'Brew dropped the anniversary year corresponding hops/malts/abv shtick. These are always fun to age, and sometimes you end up with a really nice sipping beer like tonight. Speaking of: up front you get dark fruits, raisins, light raspberry puree, alcohol, and complex caramel sugars; the mids touch of fudge, umami/soy/dark fruits, some light light oxy; the back end drops more fruits and fudge, with alcohol. This is sticky and deep like the adult side of the swimming pool. Palate duration is off the chain.

Rating: Decent Above-Average (4.25/5.0 Untappd)

Wow, so when you compare this beer fresh to the beer we are drinking today....it is really one of those night and day examples. I gave this beer a generous 3/5 back in the day and called it a "hot mess." The beer we have today is complex, layered, and delicious. My only regret is this was my last bottle. Wah wah. If someone from Shmaltz is reading this....please, bring this back. 

Random Thought: So what did we learn today? Well, we learned that this beer sucked fresh and needed at least a few years in the ol' cellar. Honestly though, this beer could have probably aged for another year or two. I just got antsy after five years. I really did have a debate in my mind about whether or not to open this beer. I'm glad I did.