Bam Bière | Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Brewed by:
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Michigan, United States | website
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by nomad on 02-04-2006
Reviews: 643 | Ratings: 1,374
3.92/5 rDev -0.5%
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)
★ 1,128 characters
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)
★ 1,128 characters
3.79/5 rDev -3.8%
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.
★ 466 characters
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.
★ 466 characters
4.25/5 rDev +7.9%
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.
★ 181 characters
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.
★ 181 characters
4.3/5 rDev +9.1%
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!
★ 1,786 characters
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!
★ 1,786 characters
3.98/5 rDev +1%
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.
★ 693 characters
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.
★ 693 characters
4.17/5 rDev +5.8%
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 +4.8%
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 +4.1%
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 +10.4%
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 -1.8%
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.
★ 201 characters
4.59/5 rDev +16.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look- Golden Orange
Smell- Bright citrus (lemons and oranges)
Taste- Very citrus, heavy lemon notes with subtle orange at the back
Feel- Very full up front and fades at the back, no linger, finishes a touch dry
Overall- Just a nice easy drinking farmhouse with tons of citrus. Perfect for the spring and summer!
★ 312 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look- Golden Orange
Smell- Bright citrus (lemons and oranges)
Taste- Very citrus, heavy lemon notes with subtle orange at the back
Feel- Very full up front and fades at the back, no linger, finishes a touch dry
Overall- Just a nice easy drinking farmhouse with tons of citrus. Perfect for the spring and summer!
★ 312 characters
3.78/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Another interesting small American brewery.
Who would have thunk that middle Michigan would produce a crafter specializing in the Belgian styles.
Indeed, this clearly is what they do well; judging that 8 of their top 10 most-Had beers are Belgian.
But be honest with me... (you won't hurt my feelings) Why is Bam Biere considered a saison?
Its sourness lies closer to the Belgian sours.
The woodiness and sourness is what most people like while rating, but, alas, I am still getting used to this and, probably, will not relish it. But, Bam Biere is interesting.
★ 566 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Another interesting small American brewery.
Who would have thunk that middle Michigan would produce a crafter specializing in the Belgian styles.
Indeed, this clearly is what they do well; judging that 8 of their top 10 most-Had beers are Belgian.
But be honest with me... (you won't hurt my feelings) Why is Bam Biere considered a saison?
Its sourness lies closer to the Belgian sours.
The woodiness and sourness is what most people like while rating, but, alas, I am still getting used to this and, probably, will not relish it. But, Bam Biere is interesting.
★ 566 characters
3.69/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
*Bottled 7/21/14 (not sure how this was still on the shelf after so long)
Pours a slightly hazy straw color with a meager crest of white suds. The aroma features plenty of pepper and barnyard funk, along with some lemongrass and a delicate breadiness.
The taste is funky and sour up front, even moreso than I expect from a saison. The sourness is at once citric and lactic, like lemon meringue, and the peppery bite and fog of horseblanket drive home the point that this is a saison. Notes of lychee and unripened tropical fruit add an intriguing complexity that plays beneath the more overt elements. Medium-light body and high carbonation make for an ultra-dry and crisp mouthfeel that borders on champagne.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from an old bottle from an unfamiliar brewer, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This saison is funky, flavorful, and refreshing, with nice complexity to boot. I wouldn’t mind having it again some time.
★ 965 characters
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
*Bottled 7/21/14 (not sure how this was still on the shelf after so long)
Pours a slightly hazy straw color with a meager crest of white suds. The aroma features plenty of pepper and barnyard funk, along with some lemongrass and a delicate breadiness.
The taste is funky and sour up front, even moreso than I expect from a saison. The sourness is at once citric and lactic, like lemon meringue, and the peppery bite and fog of horseblanket drive home the point that this is a saison. Notes of lychee and unripened tropical fruit add an intriguing complexity that plays beneath the more overt elements. Medium-light body and high carbonation make for an ultra-dry and crisp mouthfeel that borders on champagne.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from an old bottle from an unfamiliar brewer, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This saison is funky, flavorful, and refreshing, with nice complexity to boot. I wouldn’t mind having it again some time.
★ 965 characters
2.76/5 rDev -29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
The look of this one poured out a hazy gold with a very rocky white head. When I got a nose on it it smelled like pickle vinegar with a huge ton of sour like vinegar. The taste was an explosion of sour up front with a huge bitter taste washing all else out mid tongue. The mouthfeel was very fizzy and finished very crisply.
I am sorry to say this beer was not my style. I know there is a large following of these beers but I just could not get into it. I do respect that there is an art to producing such a unique product. As for myself I will look elsewhere for my beer pleasures. Cheers!
★ 591 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
The look of this one poured out a hazy gold with a very rocky white head. When I got a nose on it it smelled like pickle vinegar with a huge ton of sour like vinegar. The taste was an explosion of sour up front with a huge bitter taste washing all else out mid tongue. The mouthfeel was very fizzy and finished very crisply.
I am sorry to say this beer was not my style. I know there is a large following of these beers but I just could not get into it. I do respect that there is an art to producing such a unique product. As for myself I will look elsewhere for my beer pleasures. Cheers!
★ 591 characters
3.75/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottle share from friend. Nice light, floral saison. Pale golden body with temporary airy head. Spicy, herbal aroma with grassy notes. Yeast comes into play more in the flavor, nice slick body but low ABV makes it exceptionally smooth.
★ 235 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottle share from friend. Nice light, floral saison. Pale golden body with temporary airy head. Spicy, herbal aroma with grassy notes. Yeast comes into play more in the flavor, nice slick body but low ABV makes it exceptionally smooth.
★ 235 characters
3.99/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 330 ml bottle dated 6/30/2015 into snifter.
A: Pale yellow with one finger white head that settled quickly. Light lacing. I was expecting a larger head but maybe I need to try a fresher bottle.
S: Sour lemons, fresh cut grass, and some barnyard funk.
T: Follows the nose with some tart lemons with some earthy funk.
M: Light to medium body with plenty of carbonation.
O: Easy drinking and refreshing. Another nice beer from Jolly Pumpkin.
★ 466 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 330 ml bottle dated 6/30/2015 into snifter.
A: Pale yellow with one finger white head that settled quickly. Light lacing. I was expecting a larger head but maybe I need to try a fresher bottle.
S: Sour lemons, fresh cut grass, and some barnyard funk.
T: Follows the nose with some tart lemons with some earthy funk.
M: Light to medium body with plenty of carbonation.
O: Easy drinking and refreshing. Another nice beer from Jolly Pumpkin.
★ 466 characters
3.9/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled 10/24/2014
L-The brew pours a beautiful gold. The head is bright white, fluffy, and lasting. Lacing is copious and clings for a long while.
S- The smell is tart citrus and mild barnyard funk.
T-Musty barnayard funk from the nose is the dominant flavor, but not overpowering. As my palate adjust to the funk, I'm able to pick out the lemony tartness from the nose as well. I'm not picking up a lot of hops, but at more than a year old that isn't surprising.
F- Excellent carbonation from the bottle conditioning leads to a light to medium mouthfeel. Heavy enough to coat the palate but not be out of character for the style.
O- Maybe a little more barnyard than I would personally enjoy, but I expect that I would enjoy this quite a bit when sampled closer to the bottling date. Still I enjoyed this and will try a younger version sometime in the near future. A very well executed saison.
★ 896 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled 10/24/2014
L-The brew pours a beautiful gold. The head is bright white, fluffy, and lasting. Lacing is copious and clings for a long while.
S- The smell is tart citrus and mild barnyard funk.
T-Musty barnayard funk from the nose is the dominant flavor, but not overpowering. As my palate adjust to the funk, I'm able to pick out the lemony tartness from the nose as well. I'm not picking up a lot of hops, but at more than a year old that isn't surprising.
F- Excellent carbonation from the bottle conditioning leads to a light to medium mouthfeel. Heavy enough to coat the palate but not be out of character for the style.
O- Maybe a little more barnyard than I would personally enjoy, but I expect that I would enjoy this quite a bit when sampled closer to the bottling date. Still I enjoyed this and will try a younger version sometime in the near future. A very well executed saison.
★ 896 characters
4.09/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A very good, light full-flavored saison. Great pour, a bit of head, settles into a nice hazed yellow. A slight sour hint, but it doesn't last long. Very crisp, tastes fresh. I really enjoyed this, and will certainly indulge again.
★ 230 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A very good, light full-flavored saison. Great pour, a bit of head, settles into a nice hazed yellow. A slight sour hint, but it doesn't last long. Very crisp, tastes fresh. I really enjoyed this, and will certainly indulge again.
★ 230 characters
4.58/5 rDev +16.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
25.4 oz. bottle poured into tulip
L: 50/50 clear/misty yellow-gold with massive head of offwhite foam, at least 3 inches tall and super sticky; percolates all the time, a huge column of bubbles flying up the middle of the column that pushes up a constant skin of foam, including a big patch of foam in the middle, a thick collar; crazy lacing; an easy 5
S: very musty/sour ... musty old barn, some oak wood, lots of lemon/sour/citrus/kumquat, yet somehow it's very "clean" ... has a slight sweetness underneath; as it warms, gets sweeter, running into a fingernail polish remover smell; overall it's signature Jolly Pumpkin
T: tart, sour, grain, sweet barley ... it's a mix of all the farmhouse standards with that light barley sweetness giving it fantastic balance; loads of earthy hops/dirt with a little pinch of grass, some good oak wood; the sweetness is sour apples, cherries
F: big carbonation gives a lightweight liquid a full feel ... love it, true to the big carbonated Belgians
O: about as good a farmhouse ale as I've run into ... no tricks, no gimmicks, just a load of tart farmhouse flavor balanced nicely
★ 1,130 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
25.4 oz. bottle poured into tulip
L: 50/50 clear/misty yellow-gold with massive head of offwhite foam, at least 3 inches tall and super sticky; percolates all the time, a huge column of bubbles flying up the middle of the column that pushes up a constant skin of foam, including a big patch of foam in the middle, a thick collar; crazy lacing; an easy 5
S: very musty/sour ... musty old barn, some oak wood, lots of lemon/sour/citrus/kumquat, yet somehow it's very "clean" ... has a slight sweetness underneath; as it warms, gets sweeter, running into a fingernail polish remover smell; overall it's signature Jolly Pumpkin
T: tart, sour, grain, sweet barley ... it's a mix of all the farmhouse standards with that light barley sweetness giving it fantastic balance; loads of earthy hops/dirt with a little pinch of grass, some good oak wood; the sweetness is sour apples, cherries
F: big carbonation gives a lightweight liquid a full feel ... love it, true to the big carbonated Belgians
O: about as good a farmhouse ale as I've run into ... no tricks, no gimmicks, just a load of tart farmhouse flavor balanced nicely
★ 1,130 characters
4.35/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Served On-Tap
A — Pours a very pale and lightly hazy yellow hue into the glass, there is a puffy, quite tall white head that forms and leaves behind some very nice and consistent lacing.
S — Smells funkier than expected, perhaps a bit of a hop presence as well, really fresh, bright and nice.
T — Tastes predominately of yeast, light brett, juicy hop component, and almost a hint of oak.
M — Quite dry, refreshing and drinkable.
O — Fantastic Saison, one of my favorites, could drink this all day long, and the low ABV would let you.
★ 550 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Served On-Tap
A — Pours a very pale and lightly hazy yellow hue into the glass, there is a puffy, quite tall white head that forms and leaves behind some very nice and consistent lacing.
S — Smells funkier than expected, perhaps a bit of a hop presence as well, really fresh, bright and nice.
T — Tastes predominately of yeast, light brett, juicy hop component, and almost a hint of oak.
M — Quite dry, refreshing and drinkable.
O — Fantastic Saison, one of my favorites, could drink this all day long, and the low ABV would let you.
★ 550 characters
4.21/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Very pale and hazy yellow. Off white head with very little retention. Sour and funky aroma with notes of apricots and a bit of earthiness. Flavor is lemony citrus and earthy funk with a tart finish. Love this beer.
★ 218 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Very pale and hazy yellow. Off white head with very little retention. Sour and funky aroma with notes of apricots and a bit of earthiness. Flavor is lemony citrus and earthy funk with a tart finish. Love this beer.
★ 218 characters
3.74/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: pours a cloudy straw yellow color. a 4 plus finger white head, good retention and a huge frothy lacing behind. completely hazy and cloudy. Opaque.
Smell: lemongrass, grains, wheat, grass. some green apple skin.
Taste: opens with wheat and some lemon grass, a bit more citrus mostly lemon juice. a grainy to light bready maltiness. some sweet belgian yeast and farmhouse taste. green apple skin and some additional fruitiness floats around.
Mouthfeel: light and refreshing. some tartness and a light bitterness. very nicely balanced. a bit sticky and lingering.
Overall: a decent and tasty farmhouse ale. the could use a bit more depth with the malts.
★ 666 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: pours a cloudy straw yellow color. a 4 plus finger white head, good retention and a huge frothy lacing behind. completely hazy and cloudy. Opaque.
Smell: lemongrass, grains, wheat, grass. some green apple skin.
Taste: opens with wheat and some lemon grass, a bit more citrus mostly lemon juice. a grainy to light bready maltiness. some sweet belgian yeast and farmhouse taste. green apple skin and some additional fruitiness floats around.
Mouthfeel: light and refreshing. some tartness and a light bitterness. very nicely balanced. a bit sticky and lingering.
Overall: a decent and tasty farmhouse ale. the could use a bit more depth with the malts.
★ 666 characters
3.87/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Golden colored and murky completed. A half inch of beige head rests on top. Heavy lacing is present. The nose is earthy and spicy from the saison yeast. I taste light biscuity malt and the earthy saison yeast. The mouth is light, crisp, and moderately carbonated.
★ 268 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Golden colored and murky completed. A half inch of beige head rests on top. Heavy lacing is present. The nose is earthy and spicy from the saison yeast. I taste light biscuity malt and the earthy saison yeast. The mouth is light, crisp, and moderately carbonated.
★ 268 characters
4.76/5 rDev +20.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
My first Jolly Pumpkin.
Poured into a Duvel glass, three finger off white head, cloudy with bits of yeast and other who knows what floating around.
Smell is very fruity and astringent.
Taste is a bit tart with green apple and light cherry, but quickly smooths out to a nice light vanilla bread malt.
Mouthfeel is amazing, wet enough to know you're drinking something, but dries out in the end, leaving you wanting another sip.
I have little to no experience with sours, but do with saisons. I like this as a drink, but to classify as a saison would be hard, but that is the beauty in saisons, almost anything goes. As far as I am concerned, these guys have something going on that no one else does. Cheers
★ 711 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
My first Jolly Pumpkin.
Poured into a Duvel glass, three finger off white head, cloudy with bits of yeast and other who knows what floating around.
Smell is very fruity and astringent.
Taste is a bit tart with green apple and light cherry, but quickly smooths out to a nice light vanilla bread malt.
Mouthfeel is amazing, wet enough to know you're drinking something, but dries out in the end, leaving you wanting another sip.
I have little to no experience with sours, but do with saisons. I like this as a drink, but to classify as a saison would be hard, but that is the beauty in saisons, almost anything goes. As far as I am concerned, these guys have something going on that no one else does. Cheers
★ 711 characters
Bam Bière from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
3.94
out of 5
based on 1,374 ratings.
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.
★ 1,797 characters