Jolly Pumpkin Beers - Old on shelf

Yeah it was great fresh but fell into the aging beer trap that clearly only works for some beers and some people. With a year on it it became flat and vinegar tasting (STRONG) and at 12$ a bottle for 11.4 oz I wasn't pleased. They make some great great sours and are what got me into craft beer but man from batch to batch I've had far far too much variation that screams amateur brewing. Frustrating dropping 12-14 on la roja which is my favorite jp beer and having it taste like shear crap.

 

Opinions are one thing but this opinions screams uninformed about the Jolly Pumpkin process and beer. You will never, never, have consistency using the brewing process that Jolly Pumpkin uses. Their consistency is in their inconsistency. Few people do what JP does as good as JP. You do not have to like it but I think calling Jolly Pumpkin "amateur" is ridiculous.

BTW La Roja Grande Reserve is an amazing beer IMO. It is certainly pricey but I would pay for bottles often if it were readily available.

 

struck someone. Love it. Relax brah. Everyone has opinions. Few people probably do it because having the same exact beer taste completely different is not a quality many craft beer lovers enjoy

 

I see Jolly Pumpkin every time I go to one my local stores. I have always wanted to try something from them. I have never pulled the trigger on actually buying one because of the price.

 

This is the second night in a row where people assume that if someone responds to their post that they need to "relax" or that they are being "defensive". I will say it again, this is a discussion forum, I am only looking to further a discussion. My response is nothing more than that. Far too often people of BA jump to this response instead of engaging in conversation that could ultimately be constructive.

I strongly disagreed with the use of the term amateur when it comes to Jolly Pumpkin, you are under no obligation to agree. Engage in the conversation, don't dismiss it with this "relax brah" cop out response. This site would be better if we would embrace different opinions and engage in civil conversation.

 

To each their own. All I can say is that I love(d) jp beer. But I've bought four bottles of la roja approx 50ish dollars and all were gross. That being said its usually my favorite. Hence the anger. I hate wasting money more than anything.

 

Stop being defensive about being defensive kzoobrew..............just kidding.

jp123, Jolly Pumpkin beers are all wild ales regardless of how they are listed here. There is quite a bit of variability in how they taste depending on when you consume them. It has nothing to do with shoddy technique. If you don't like their beer, fine. He has fans around the world who appreciate his beer and he sells more beer than he can make.

 

Pre aged for your convenience. I like most of there stuff with some age on it especially the sour ones. I find they mellow a bit. I had one of the old oval label La Roja's recently and it was amazing. It definitely won't go bad but will probably develop and improve.

 

Have a 2011 Noel de Calabaza I have been aging. Tempted to crack it, but will hold onto it another year or so probably.

 

Where can you get the Grand Reserva's these days?

 

"Okay"

 

It will be very good to drink right now. Chances are, you haven't tasted anything quite like it even if you've ticked 3000 beers. Great beer.

 

From the brewery, during specified releases. Look for posts in the Great Lakes forum, details usually hit there.

 

You do realize that using Brett, Lacto and other wild yeasts and bacteria pretty much means there is zero chance that any beer you brew will be the same from batch to batch, right? Those yeasts take on a mind of their own and produce different results every time. So yeah, there is variation in JPs beers from batch to batch. Doesn't mean they are amateur in the slightest though.

 

Obviously. Just saying I've had better from other places with the same ingredients. They make decent beer. Had no idea people would react like this. Kind of funny.

 

I think you saying their beers scream amateur brewing, simply because their is variation between batches, is worthy of the reaction. It's simply the nature of the yeasts and bottle conditioning processes they utilize. Opinions on how their beers taste is one thing, but calling them amateur is pretty much just a reflection of your own ignorance on the brewery and their beers.

 

I just drank an oro de calabaza that was bottled on 2-11 and it was great.

 

Found a 2010 Noel de Calabaza on the shelf that wasn't there a few weeks ago and was thrilled!

 

I think you need to relax.

 

I recently bought a bottle of Madrugada Obscura bottled in 2011. Looking forward to it.