The 2004 Jubelale from Deschutes Brewery has been out for about a month now, and it’s quite tasty. I hadn’t yet seen this year’s label though until my wife picked up a six-pack this week.

Each year Deschutes commissions a (relatively) local artist to create a label for that year’s batch of Jubel. I really like the one they have this year:

Kathleen Powers, a Portland artist who is influenced by 15th Century Flemish painting, illustrated the Jubelale artwork for 2004. Her style encompasses exquisite detail, vivid color and an implied narrative. Her interest in Ireland’s countryside also played into the whimsical features for this year’s Jubelale art. See more of Kathleen’s work online at www.kathleenpowers.com.

I wish I could find a better image than just the bottle there; click it to see the larger one on Deschutes’ website.

True to form, the beer itself doesn’t disappoint, either; it’s rich, malty, sweet, hoppy, has perfect mouthfeel and just the right amount of warmth from the alcohol (6.7% by volume). If you get a chance to get a hold of some, do not pass it up.