Bam Bière | Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Brewed by:
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Michigan, United States
jollypumpkin.com
Style: Belgian Saison
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
This delicious farmhouse ale is named for our Jack Russell, who struck by a car, bounced back in fine tenacious Jack Russell fashion, and is brewed for those of us who knocked down, have picked up, dusted off and carried on undaunted. Golden, naturally cloudy, bottle conditioned and dry hopped for a perfectly refreshing balance of spicy malts, hops and yeast. Please enjoy our beers in good health, And look both ways when crossing the street!
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Reviews: 657
| Ratings: 1,440
4.02/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Batch 710
Bottled 07/24/15.
Pours a nice golden yellow, with small traces of white head that temporarily rise up, but settle quickly back into the beer.
A good funky nose, largely dominated by Brett, with lots of bright, zesty citrus and barnyard funk. Predominantly sweet, with a touch of sour to balance.
Milder than the nose, with Brett still dominating. Barnyard funk, yeast, apple, and lemon flavors also ring true. Lightly grassy in the finish.
Light-bodied, mildly dry with that yeasty, textured finish and very good sessionability.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Batch 710
Bottled 07/24/15.
Pours a nice golden yellow, with small traces of white head that temporarily rise up, but settle quickly back into the beer.
A good funky nose, largely dominated by Brett, with lots of bright, zesty citrus and barnyard funk. Predominantly sweet, with a touch of sour to balance.
Milder than the nose, with Brett still dominating. Barnyard funk, yeast, apple, and lemon flavors also ring true. Lightly grassy in the finish.
Light-bodied, mildly dry with that yeasty, textured finish and very good sessionability.
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3.79/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
[IMG]
Poured from a 375ml bottle into a Brew Hub Belgian snifter.
Appearance: Pale golden body with a soap bubble head.
Aroma: Apple, lemon some funk and greatness on the nose.
Taste/Mouthfeel: Tart crisp green apple, lemon and funk. Light and dry mouthfeel with an easy drinkability.
Overall: A light and refreshing farmhouse ale. Would definitely give this one another try in the future.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
[IMG]
Poured from a 375ml bottle into a Brew Hub Belgian snifter.
Appearance: Pale golden body with a soap bubble head.
Aroma: Apple, lemon some funk and greatness on the nose.
Taste/Mouthfeel: Tart crisp green apple, lemon and funk. Light and dry mouthfeel with an easy drinkability.
Overall: A light and refreshing farmhouse ale. Would definitely give this one another try in the future.
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4.03/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle
Pours slightly hazy golden, pillowy sugar white head dissipates to lacing.
Smells of citrus, coriander, lemon grass, cereal malts, wildflower and a hint of passion fruit.
Tastes of rose water, coriander, wheat cracker, cereal, orange zest, white grape and fresh grassy malts. Tinge of grassy bitterness.
Medium body, tingly carbonation on the tongue.
Pretty great saison, lots of good flavor. Really rich for the abv. Definitely enjoyable and worth trying.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle
Pours slightly hazy golden, pillowy sugar white head dissipates to lacing.
Smells of citrus, coriander, lemon grass, cereal malts, wildflower and a hint of passion fruit.
Tastes of rose water, coriander, wheat cracker, cereal, orange zest, white grape and fresh grassy malts. Tinge of grassy bitterness.
Medium body, tingly carbonation on the tongue.
Pretty great saison, lots of good flavor. Really rich for the abv. Definitely enjoyable and worth trying.
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4/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Clear light golden pour. 2 fingers of fizzy white head. Falls fast... modest ring of lacing.
S: Lemon citrus... mild funk and hay. Summer fruits.
T/F: Light cracked grains... lots of fruit character. Complex... lemon/citrus, pear, green apple rind, and slight funk. Grassy... apricot and wheat. Slightly tart. Light bodied... well carbonated.
O: A delicious complex Saison... great flavor, nice tartness... super easy drinking, and with the low ABV you can make a really nice extended session out of this one. Great beer from Jolly Pumpkin.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber into a Dogfish Head tulip
L: Clear light golden pour. 2 fingers of fizzy white head. Falls fast... modest ring of lacing.
S: Lemon citrus... mild funk and hay. Summer fruits.
T/F: Light cracked grains... lots of fruit character. Complex... lemon/citrus, pear, green apple rind, and slight funk. Grassy... apricot and wheat. Slightly tart. Light bodied... well carbonated.
O: A delicious complex Saison... great flavor, nice tartness... super easy drinking, and with the low ABV you can make a really nice extended session out of this one. Great beer from Jolly Pumpkin.
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3.99/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From a single into a tulip, pours a semi-hazy dull gold with a 1/2 finger pill white tight head that subsides to a thin crown. Nose is quite nice, with a few different very good things going on: some nice wet hay, a little sweet orchard fruit (juicy apple, golden pears), some minor brett notes that are just a little funky. The taste isn't quite as layered, but it is still good, and it comes to a nice coherent point at the finish, with some slight hoppy bite and some yeasty sweetness. It isn't really tart, but there is some faint crabapple and lime at the end. Actually, that's a lot of flavor considering the very low abv. The feel is a little wet for me, but it is still lively on the tongue, with moderate to high carbonation. Far from their best, but still a solid saison.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From a single into a tulip, pours a semi-hazy dull gold with a 1/2 finger pill white tight head that subsides to a thin crown. Nose is quite nice, with a few different very good things going on: some nice wet hay, a little sweet orchard fruit (juicy apple, golden pears), some minor brett notes that are just a little funky. The taste isn't quite as layered, but it is still good, and it comes to a nice coherent point at the finish, with some slight hoppy bite and some yeasty sweetness. It isn't really tart, but there is some faint crabapple and lime at the end. Actually, that's a lot of flavor considering the very low abv. The feel is a little wet for me, but it is still lively on the tongue, with moderate to high carbonation. Far from their best, but still a solid saison.
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3.75/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This was poured into a tulip. The appearance was basically a light to semi - hazy orange to bronze color. There was a one finger white foamy head that dissipated within about a minute leaving a light lacing here and there and all over the place. The smell had a decent light grassy lemon allowing a light pepper to invade lightly to even bring in a light lime as well. As it warmed even further, there was a light sour apple. The taste was mainly sweet with a light lime/lemon and then the sour apple. On the palate, this one sat about a medium on the body with a fairly decent sessionability about it. The aftertaste was slightly sour but yields a gentle lemon/lime to sour apple finish. Overall, interesting saison I say.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This was poured into a tulip. The appearance was basically a light to semi - hazy orange to bronze color. There was a one finger white foamy head that dissipated within about a minute leaving a light lacing here and there and all over the place. The smell had a decent light grassy lemon allowing a light pepper to invade lightly to even bring in a light lime as well. As it warmed even further, there was a light sour apple. The taste was mainly sweet with a light lime/lemon and then the sour apple. On the palate, this one sat about a medium on the body with a fairly decent sessionability about it. The aftertaste was slightly sour but yields a gentle lemon/lime to sour apple finish. Overall, interesting saison I say.
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4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Light lemon, slight funk, with a mild tartness.
A: Bright light orange color, hazy, with a super dense white head that has outstanding retention, lots of lacing in the glass.
T: Complex balance of fruitness, caramel malts, mild floral hops and light spice, with a moderately light lingering sourness and dry finish.
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
O: Very drinkable tart saison with a great balance of fruitiness, malt sweetness and mild sourness.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Light lemon, slight funk, with a mild tartness.
A: Bright light orange color, hazy, with a super dense white head that has outstanding retention, lots of lacing in the glass.
T: Complex balance of fruitness, caramel malts, mild floral hops and light spice, with a moderately light lingering sourness and dry finish.
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
O: Very drinkable tart saison with a great balance of fruitiness, malt sweetness and mild sourness.
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3.93/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Delightfully crisp, tart and clean. Pours a cloudy golden hue out of the bottle with a tightly capped white head. Aroma of lemon, apple, pear and peppery hops. Slight citrus bite followed by peppery (almost rye-ish) malt, lemon, green apple, pear and earthiness. A real easy drinker. Dry body with a traditional farmhouse feel that ends with a crisp snap - perfect carbonation take it to the finish line. Would love to have this available in MA year-round for an easy change-of-pace. Great beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Delightfully crisp, tart and clean. Pours a cloudy golden hue out of the bottle with a tightly capped white head. Aroma of lemon, apple, pear and peppery hops. Slight citrus bite followed by peppery (almost rye-ish) malt, lemon, green apple, pear and earthiness. A real easy drinker. Dry body with a traditional farmhouse feel that ends with a crisp snap - perfect carbonation take it to the finish line. Would love to have this available in MA year-round for an easy change-of-pace. Great beer.
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4.03/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A - Pours a hazy golden yellow with a two finger foamy white head. Tons of soapy lacing.
S - Aroma is lemon zest and barnyard funk.
T - The taste is lemon, lime, peach, cracker, light barnyard funk and white pepper.
M - Light bodied with medium carbonation. Soft mouthfeel with a crisp dry finish.
O - This is a super drinkable farmhouse ale. The flavors are a nice mix of citrus and barnyard funk. Perfect for a warm day.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A - Pours a hazy golden yellow with a two finger foamy white head. Tons of soapy lacing.
S - Aroma is lemon zest and barnyard funk.
T - The taste is lemon, lime, peach, cracker, light barnyard funk and white pepper.
M - Light bodied with medium carbonation. Soft mouthfeel with a crisp dry finish.
O - This is a super drinkable farmhouse ale. The flavors are a nice mix of citrus and barnyard funk. Perfect for a warm day.
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3.24/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Purchased this one at Craft in Reno a few years ago for the first time. Pours golden with 1/2" white head, moderate haze. Good retention. I didn't pull much out aroma wise, very mute.
Taste, wow, this was highly carbonated was the first thing I noticed, more of a mouth feel aspect, but nonetheless. . .
Some dry hay aspect to it. Hops. A little bit of citrus. A slight soapiness to it. Wouldn't say I got much of a funk or brett aspect from this one. Of course the high volume of carbonation is going to blast that nuance away if it was even there in the first place. I didn't find it tart or sour really at all.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Purchased this one at Craft in Reno a few years ago for the first time. Pours golden with 1/2" white head, moderate haze. Good retention. I didn't pull much out aroma wise, very mute.
Taste, wow, this was highly carbonated was the first thing I noticed, more of a mouth feel aspect, but nonetheless. . .
Some dry hay aspect to it. Hops. A little bit of citrus. A slight soapiness to it. Wouldn't say I got much of a funk or brett aspect from this one. Of course the high volume of carbonation is going to blast that nuance away if it was even there in the first place. I didn't find it tart or sour really at all.
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4.38/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Nice refreshing farmhouse style ale, with just enough funk to keep things interesting. Drinkability is high on this one, could definitely see enjoying this one in warmer weather around a hot grill. Haven't had a ton of Jolly Pumpkin offerings, but I've really liked what I've had, and I think this one is the one I've liked most thus far. Nice beer.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Nice refreshing farmhouse style ale, with just enough funk to keep things interesting. Drinkability is high on this one, could definitely see enjoying this one in warmer weather around a hot grill. Haven't had a ton of Jolly Pumpkin offerings, but I've really liked what I've had, and I think this one is the one I've liked most thus far. Nice beer.
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3.52/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Hazy gold, very active carbonation out of the bottle. Very short lived head that pretty much disappears. Fruity and earthy on the nose. Surprisingly sour and sharp on the palate. Very tart and fruity. Interesting to drink, but likely to be kinda extreme for some folks.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Hazy gold, very active carbonation out of the bottle. Very short lived head that pretty much disappears. Fruity and earthy on the nose. Surprisingly sour and sharp on the palate. Very tart and fruity. Interesting to drink, but likely to be kinda extreme for some folks.
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4.23/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
375 ml bottle
Served in a Jolly Pumpkin snifter
Bottled 12/29/15
This beer pours a brilliant golden color and it topped with two inches of off white head that disappears quickly leaving very little lacing.
The smell is tart with peach and pear notes. There is a very slight funky smell and light citrus.
The taste is a wonderful meld of tart and citrus. I get just the slightest funk in the aftertaste. It is a very refreshing beer.
Moderate mouthfeel
This is a very nice, easy drinking beer. The low abv and the tart citrus flavor have the makings of an all day drinker (if you have a thick wallet). Jolly Pumpkin is worth the money though.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
375 ml bottle
Served in a Jolly Pumpkin snifter
Bottled 12/29/15
This beer pours a brilliant golden color and it topped with two inches of off white head that disappears quickly leaving very little lacing.
The smell is tart with peach and pear notes. There is a very slight funky smell and light citrus.
The taste is a wonderful meld of tart and citrus. I get just the slightest funk in the aftertaste. It is a very refreshing beer.
Moderate mouthfeel
This is a very nice, easy drinking beer. The low abv and the tart citrus flavor have the makings of an all day drinker (if you have a thick wallet). Jolly Pumpkin is worth the money though.
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3.97/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4oz pour From bottle,
Zwanze Day 2016, Green Bench Brewery, St Petersburg, Fla.
Has this weird soapy smell and taste to it. Never experienced that before from Brett? still pretty good.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4oz pour From bottle,
Zwanze Day 2016, Green Bench Brewery, St Petersburg, Fla.
Has this weird soapy smell and taste to it. Never experienced that before from Brett? still pretty good.
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4.12/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bam Bière could have a career as a model. It is stunningly beautiful (at least on the first pour). It has a shimmering, polished golden complexion, near pristine clarity and a steady stream of bubbles that's absolutely hypnotizing. Its head is big, fluffy and cotton white and sits above the beer like a fat summer cloud floating in the wide blue sky.
Whatever hops, yeast strains and brewing techniques were used are a marriage made in heaven. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more flattering, balanced, and dynamic blend than these highly aromatic notes of tart peach skins, ripe apricot, lemon juice, white wine, vanilla and a grassy, almost spicy earthiness. Yup, heaven here on earth.
That wonderful combination of the farm, the orchard, the tropics and the vineyard carries over to the palate too, even if it's not quite as impactful. Still, that lemon juice acidity is appreciated, as are the vivid and fresh flavours of peach and apricot. Tastes of white wine grapes are predominant too, something enhanced by a subtle vanilla oakiness.
The funky bacterial 'horse blanket' notes taste a little more subdued than they smell (though considering this was bottled only 6 months ago there's plenty of time yet for them to reach their full funky potential!). While unquestionable more restrained than a typical "sour beer", this still offers much the same complexity but in a really easily drinkable 4.5% ABV package.
I'll say it again: this combination of the tropics, farm, orchard and vineyard is magical. I think a lot of craft beer drinkers probably take this simple but splendid beer for granted - Jolly Pumpkin got into the farmhouse game on the ground floor and with wild yeasts it's not easy to be so consistent as to become almost boring. Bam Bière is an original classic.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bam Bière could have a career as a model. It is stunningly beautiful (at least on the first pour). It has a shimmering, polished golden complexion, near pristine clarity and a steady stream of bubbles that's absolutely hypnotizing. Its head is big, fluffy and cotton white and sits above the beer like a fat summer cloud floating in the wide blue sky.
Whatever hops, yeast strains and brewing techniques were used are a marriage made in heaven. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more flattering, balanced, and dynamic blend than these highly aromatic notes of tart peach skins, ripe apricot, lemon juice, white wine, vanilla and a grassy, almost spicy earthiness. Yup, heaven here on earth.
That wonderful combination of the farm, the orchard, the tropics and the vineyard carries over to the palate too, even if it's not quite as impactful. Still, that lemon juice acidity is appreciated, as are the vivid and fresh flavours of peach and apricot. Tastes of white wine grapes are predominant too, something enhanced by a subtle vanilla oakiness.
The funky bacterial 'horse blanket' notes taste a little more subdued than they smell (though considering this was bottled only 6 months ago there's plenty of time yet for them to reach their full funky potential!). While unquestionable more restrained than a typical "sour beer", this still offers much the same complexity but in a really easily drinkable 4.5% ABV package.
I'll say it again: this combination of the tropics, farm, orchard and vineyard is magical. I think a lot of craft beer drinkers probably take this simple but splendid beer for granted - Jolly Pumpkin got into the farmhouse game on the ground floor and with wild yeasts it's not easy to be so consistent as to become almost boring. Bam Bière is an original classic.
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3.92/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Service: Bottle
Bottled on: Mar-02-2016
A:
Pours a creamy dandelion color with two and a half fingers of fairly solid white head that ends up an easily roused, chubby film. Good retention; concentric lacing splotches. (4.25)
S:
Sweet tarts, strawberry, mix of under-ripe limes and those that are past their prime, white pepper, crusty white bread. (4)
T:
The slightest hint of tartness riding on the back of hay, cracker, mineral water. (3.75)
M:
Dry, light body, expertly shy of puckering, very effervescent, super drinkable. (4)
O:
Pretty good beer.
It is a tart/sour saison. The real attraction in my mind is how close it is to my threshold for sourness without crossing it. No twinge, no pucker, but it is there. Tastes like a “Rusa sin chile” (lime and mineral water) in Mexico. Just crisp hard water and a slightly green tart snap that is almost not tart at all. It is light, drinkable, tasty and dry as a bone. It looks nice enough and has a fruity, tart, funky smell, that is probably the best part of it for me.
A straightforward beer. Would have again, depending on the price. (4)
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Service: Bottle
Bottled on: Mar-02-2016
A:
Pours a creamy dandelion color with two and a half fingers of fairly solid white head that ends up an easily roused, chubby film. Good retention; concentric lacing splotches. (4.25)
S:
Sweet tarts, strawberry, mix of under-ripe limes and those that are past their prime, white pepper, crusty white bread. (4)
T:
The slightest hint of tartness riding on the back of hay, cracker, mineral water. (3.75)
M:
Dry, light body, expertly shy of puckering, very effervescent, super drinkable. (4)
O:
Pretty good beer.
It is a tart/sour saison. The real attraction in my mind is how close it is to my threshold for sourness without crossing it. No twinge, no pucker, but it is there. Tastes like a “Rusa sin chile” (lime and mineral water) in Mexico. Just crisp hard water and a slightly green tart snap that is almost not tart at all. It is light, drinkable, tasty and dry as a bone. It looks nice enough and has a fruity, tart, funky smell, that is probably the best part of it for me.
A straightforward beer. Would have again, depending on the price. (4)
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3.79/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Hazed golden colour, one finger of white head and some lace as well. Smell is funky with a bit of oaky/woody notes, lightly lactic notes and a sharp acidity on the nose as well. Taste is dry and funky, some spice as well, yeasty, a very faint bit if brett creeps into the finish, fruity with some green apples and lemon, funky aftertaste. Medium high carbonation, dry medium body. Decent, a very nice saison that would be a solid everyday option, great drinkability.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Hazed golden colour, one finger of white head and some lace as well. Smell is funky with a bit of oaky/woody notes, lightly lactic notes and a sharp acidity on the nose as well. Taste is dry and funky, some spice as well, yeasty, a very faint bit if brett creeps into the finish, fruity with some green apples and lemon, funky aftertaste. Medium high carbonation, dry medium body. Decent, a very nice saison that would be a solid everyday option, great drinkability.
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4.25/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Hazy yellow color with white head. Aroma has nice yeast esters, clean and floral. Taste is slightly tart, citrusy with a slightly bitter finish. Really good one, fresh and aromatic.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Hazy yellow color with white head. Aroma has nice yeast esters, clean and floral. Taste is slightly tart, citrusy with a slightly bitter finish. Really good one, fresh and aromatic.
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4.3/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750 mL bottle from the LCBO; dated Mar 2 2016 and served slightly chilled. First time I've had a JP beer, even though I (apparently) live shockingly close to Dexter, MI.
Pours a hazy golden-blonde colour, generating nearly an inch of delicate, fluffy, sparkling white-coloured foam at the surface. It recedes slowly over the next five-plus minute, coating the glass with multiple, overlapping rings of lacing on its way down; a wide, soapy collar also survives afterwards, rimming a dense, creamy cap. Tart, zesty lemon peel on the nose, accompanied by a good amount of funky Brett notes. Also getting suggestions of white grape, green apple and apricot, with yeast spiciness and grassy, floral hops.
We've got a live one here - zesty, zippy flavour with plenty of character for such a low abv. Grainy pale malt notes blend together with fruity flavours of apple, apricot and white grape, leading into a tart, lemony-lime citrus zest flavour by mid-sip. Mild barnyard funkiness, with floral, grassy hops and spicy, earthy yeastiness towards the end. Mildly sour, leathery aftertaste, with the yeast notes and grassiness fading from the palate thereafter. Very aggressively carbonated, with prickly bubbles that constantly bombard the tongue with each sip. Fairly light in body, with a crisp, extraordinarily refreshing mouthfeel.
Final Grade: 4.3, an A grade. Jolly Pumpkin's Bam Bière is a fabulously enjoyable farmhouse ale, offering up a superb mix of barnyard funk, restrained tartness, and assertively dry-hopped yumminess. Very full-flavoured, which is all the more impressive considering the low, session-worthy abv. A serious thirst-quencher brewed to please serious beer geeks - I'd pick this up again, and am eager to try more JP beers in the future. Viva la Bam Bière!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750 mL bottle from the LCBO; dated Mar 2 2016 and served slightly chilled. First time I've had a JP beer, even though I (apparently) live shockingly close to Dexter, MI.
Pours a hazy golden-blonde colour, generating nearly an inch of delicate, fluffy, sparkling white-coloured foam at the surface. It recedes slowly over the next five-plus minute, coating the glass with multiple, overlapping rings of lacing on its way down; a wide, soapy collar also survives afterwards, rimming a dense, creamy cap. Tart, zesty lemon peel on the nose, accompanied by a good amount of funky Brett notes. Also getting suggestions of white grape, green apple and apricot, with yeast spiciness and grassy, floral hops.
We've got a live one here - zesty, zippy flavour with plenty of character for such a low abv. Grainy pale malt notes blend together with fruity flavours of apple, apricot and white grape, leading into a tart, lemony-lime citrus zest flavour by mid-sip. Mild barnyard funkiness, with floral, grassy hops and spicy, earthy yeastiness towards the end. Mildly sour, leathery aftertaste, with the yeast notes and grassiness fading from the palate thereafter. Very aggressively carbonated, with prickly bubbles that constantly bombard the tongue with each sip. Fairly light in body, with a crisp, extraordinarily refreshing mouthfeel.
Final Grade: 4.3, an A grade. Jolly Pumpkin's Bam Bière is a fabulously enjoyable farmhouse ale, offering up a superb mix of barnyard funk, restrained tartness, and assertively dry-hopped yumminess. Very full-flavoured, which is all the more impressive considering the low, session-worthy abv. A serious thirst-quencher brewed to please serious beer geeks - I'd pick this up again, and am eager to try more JP beers in the future. Viva la Bam Bière!
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3.98/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
750 ml bottle served cold into a tulip. Purchased from the LCBO for $9.95 CDN, bottled December 29, 2015.
Appearance - a hazy pale golden color beer is poured with lively carbonation and a good sized white head nearing two fingers.
Smell - some barnyard funk, generally earthiness and loads of lime on this one. Interesting and fresh.
Taste - the lime doesn't shine through as much, but is still prevalent with some powdery yeast and a healthy grain bill. Some earthy funkiness here too but not to the extent of the nose.
Mouthfeel - well carbonated drying finish, a good example of the style.
Overall - quite enjoyable, but given the steep price tag, not quite worth a repeat purchase.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
750 ml bottle served cold into a tulip. Purchased from the LCBO for $9.95 CDN, bottled December 29, 2015.
Appearance - a hazy pale golden color beer is poured with lively carbonation and a good sized white head nearing two fingers.
Smell - some barnyard funk, generally earthiness and loads of lime on this one. Interesting and fresh.
Taste - the lime doesn't shine through as much, but is still prevalent with some powdery yeast and a healthy grain bill. Some earthy funkiness here too but not to the extent of the nose.
Mouthfeel - well carbonated drying finish, a good example of the style.
Overall - quite enjoyable, but given the steep price tag, not quite worth a repeat purchase.
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4.17/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours cloudy peach with a frothy long lasting head. Fruity and tart aroma with lemon and melon notes. The taste is dry with a pronounced tartness, Some bready malt and cherry in the back, but tartness is king here. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied. Moderate acidity in the long dry finish.
A very straightforward farmhouse ale. Moderate tartness and an array of accompanying fruit flavors make this a very crushable beer, Highly recommended.
457 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours cloudy peach with a frothy long lasting head. Fruity and tart aroma with lemon and melon notes. The taste is dry with a pronounced tartness, Some bready malt and cherry in the back, but tartness is king here. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied. Moderate acidity in the long dry finish.
A very straightforward farmhouse ale. Moderate tartness and an array of accompanying fruit flavors make this a very crushable beer, Highly recommended.
457 characters
4.13/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Batch 554, bottled 03/19/2015.
Purchased this bottle on a recent trip to Massachusetts. I'm usually pretty aware of bottling dates on the beer I buy, but I was in a rush and excited to see Jolly Pumpkin, which is not available in my area, so I quickly grabbed it without realizing it was bottled over a year ago! Despite its low ABV, it is bottle conditioned so maybe it's still in good shape. Let's give it a go...
Well, the aging hasn't affected its appearance. Beautiful deep gold color and cloudy with a creamy white head that refuses to die. Good lacing on the glass. Bright aroma filled with lemon, coriander, and a little pepper. Tartness hints at what's to come and the flavor is slightly acidic with citrus and spice. Barnyard yeast adds some funk as it finishes dry and feels stronger than it actually is. Lively carbonation keeps it from becoming too heavy.
Overall, this was a nice, refreshing Saison. I haven't had this fresh, so I can't compare, but this 1+ year old bottle was very enjoyable.
1,014 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Batch 554, bottled 03/19/2015.
Purchased this bottle on a recent trip to Massachusetts. I'm usually pretty aware of bottling dates on the beer I buy, but I was in a rush and excited to see Jolly Pumpkin, which is not available in my area, so I quickly grabbed it without realizing it was bottled over a year ago! Despite its low ABV, it is bottle conditioned so maybe it's still in good shape. Let's give it a go...
Well, the aging hasn't affected its appearance. Beautiful deep gold color and cloudy with a creamy white head that refuses to die. Good lacing on the glass. Bright aroma filled with lemon, coriander, and a little pepper. Tartness hints at what's to come and the flavor is slightly acidic with citrus and spice. Barnyard yeast adds some funk as it finishes dry and feels stronger than it actually is. Lively carbonation keeps it from becoming too heavy.
Overall, this was a nice, refreshing Saison. I haven't had this fresh, so I can't compare, but this 1+ year old bottle was very enjoyable.
1,014 characters
4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy golden with a fluffy white head of about two and a half fingers. The head lasts for quite a while before it starts to break leaving generous lacing and a marshmallow island in its wake. The smell is quite nice, a strong tart citrus, with the funkyness one expects of the style. The taste starts with a bit of that lemony flavor, and continues with some pepper and other spice. Funkyness comes in a bit after the sour/citrus, but it is there for sure. There is a very lively carbonation to this beer and a medium feel, with a dry finish.
A nice beer. I enjoyed it on a warm summer day on the front patio, and it went down quite easy. I may buy another one or two for later as the price was quite reasonable.
721 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy golden with a fluffy white head of about two and a half fingers. The head lasts for quite a while before it starts to break leaving generous lacing and a marshmallow island in its wake. The smell is quite nice, a strong tart citrus, with the funkyness one expects of the style. The taste starts with a bit of that lemony flavor, and continues with some pepper and other spice. Funkyness comes in a bit after the sour/citrus, but it is there for sure. There is a very lively carbonation to this beer and a medium feel, with a dry finish.
A nice beer. I enjoyed it on a warm summer day on the front patio, and it went down quite easy. I may buy another one or two for later as the price was quite reasonable.
721 characters
4.35/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The smell is of lemon zest, mild grass, and a slight earthy spiciness. The taste is similar with the lemony citrus dominating the taste buds. Essentially the taste follows the aroma with some slight grassy floral and earthiness components in the background. A good amount of tartness makes it really refreshing. Beer feels fuller than what is actually. Finishes dry and and fades away quickly. An easy drinking enjoyable beer.
427 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
The smell is of lemon zest, mild grass, and a slight earthy spiciness. The taste is similar with the lemony citrus dominating the taste buds. Essentially the taste follows the aroma with some slight grassy floral and earthiness components in the background. A good amount of tartness makes it really refreshing. Beer feels fuller than what is actually. Finishes dry and and fades away quickly. An easy drinking enjoyable beer.
427 characters
3.87/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bottle into a snifter. Cloudy golden yellow with a thin head but decent lacing. Slightly sour smell and taste. Lemon and mild spice. Light feel and significant carbonation. A decent beer.
201 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bottle into a snifter. Cloudy golden yellow with a thin head but decent lacing. Slightly sour smell and taste. Lemon and mild spice. Light feel and significant carbonation. A decent beer.
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Bam Bière from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Beer rating:
3.93 out of
5 with
1,440 ratings
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