La Roja
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

This beer was from Blend 8, bottled in June, 2011, just a tad over 4 years ago and has been sitting quietly in the basement waiting for this particular evening.

The beer pours out into a Duvel glass a clear reddish brown color with reasonable carbonation. The 1/4" head is a light ivory color with lots of varied shaped bubbles that soon settles to a ring, an irregular island of foam with an extra bit of thickness in one area. Eventually all that remains is a small island over the nucleation point. There are several small speckles of foam on the glass. Sipping creates several small patches and speckles of lacing even towards the end of the beer..

The aromas include tart cherry, a touch of vinegar and some clear musty, funky character from the yeast. There is also a touch of oak in the background. There is enough of that musty smell that it is sometimes noticeable in the room even two feet away from the glass.

The flavors are pretty much what is expected from the nose and include some tart cherry, a touch of vinegar, a bit of funkiness and some astringent character. However, the oak seems to have disappeared behind the tart/sour flavors.

The mouth feel is light bodied with a slight crispness from the faint prickly carbonation. The finish is relatively long and begins in the tart cherry vinegar flavor that rapidly fades leaving at first some tartness and finally a faint astringent quality that lingers in the back of the throat for quite a while.

Overall this is a well made beer, which is what I've come to expect from Jolly Pumpkin. The beer seems to be a reasonable expression of the style. While it is a bit pricy for regular drinking I could see having it as a special treat or a companion to certain kinds of food with dinner, e.g., salads involving green apples and blue cheese. Based on my experiences with other Jolly Pumpkin beers I also don't think this beer has improved with age. So I think this particular bottle may be a bit past its peak and on a slow slide downhill.

 

 

On tap. Pours hazy brown with off white head. Aroma is of viniger, caramel malt and red fruit. Body is full and tangy. Taste is sour, red fruit, caramel malt, some herbal hops. Long sour finish. Good brew.

 

Dry, and tart with soft carbonation, puckering finish, dried fruit and a little funk. Super tasty, like a higher ABV Dutchess Petite.

Almost looks like it should be a warm cider by the color and general appearance. Cherry came through, definitely sour. Good fall sour.

 

 

Pours a light brownish red with no head on top. Gives off a fruity smell. Can taste raspberries. It starts off light in taste but as it warms up it get more sour.

Bottle, Blend 4 2008, ABV 7.2%, RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Amber colour, moderate off-white head. Very nice sour & sweet & funky aroma. Moderately sour and oaky flavour, fairly light bodied.

Amber pour. Tart, effervescent and bright. Rolls off the tongue, with a gentle acidity.
I would gladly have another pint of this one, if given the chance.

 

Murky, mahogany color with a larger than average, off white head that left fair lacing. Woodsy aroma, malty, some spice. Medium bodied mouthfeel with an abundance of carbonation. Tart, grainy, earthy, musty taste along with some sour fruit. Dry, earthy finish. This one kept growing on me.

Blend 11 bottles 6-7-12
Drank 8-11-22
Look - brown slight red with a nice white head and rimming. Shocked it looks this good after being 10 years old
Smell - oak tart possibly some dark cherry
Taste - bitter oak earthy possibly cherry like the smell
Feel - medium body with a lighter carb
Overall - shocked how good this lasted

Original 4
From untappd... I had this beer at the brewery
The beer is pretty sour and tart but with lots of fruity sweet cherry. Had a medium dry body with a lighter carb.