Any issues with La Roja by Jolly Pumpkin?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by NGennaroL777, Dec 13, 2014.

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  1. NGennaroL777

    NGennaroL777 Zealot (500) Aug 15, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I went to a craft beer location near me in Massachusetts and was directed towards the La Roja by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. It's made in Maine (I think). It's an ale aged in wood barrels over oak chips. It's supposed to be sour but this beer was so sour/bitter that it was un drinkable. I had my girlfriend try it to see if I was wrong and she agreed whole heartedly. I'm a seasoned craft beer drinker but a rookie when it comes to how it's actually made. Any ideas as to why it was so sour? Would aging it be a good idea?
     
    #1 NGennaroL777, Dec 13, 2014
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  2. BMBCLT

    BMBCLT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,427) May 9, 2014 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    It's made in Dexter, Michigan and it's suppose to be sour. Just like the rest of their line-up. Aging will make it more sour.
     
    #2 BMBCLT, Dec 13, 2014
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  3. infuturity83

    infuturity83 Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2009 Massachusetts

    Hmmm...I've had La Roja several times and, while tart, it has never been intensely sour as you describe. Are you experienced with sours? Sometimes, the first few sours someone has are really intense. Other than that, it may have been an infected bottle, as I have never experienced the bitterness you describe.
     
    #3 infuturity83, Dec 13, 2014
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  4. OldBluesNewBrews

    OldBluesNewBrews Initiate (0) Oct 25, 2012 New Jersey

    I agree with @infuturity83, La Roja is one of the more tame Flanders Reds out there. Do you still have the bottle? I am curious what the batch was. I haven't heard about them having any infection issues, so my guess is you got a bottle that was a few years old (by no means a bad thing, I prefer JP stuff with a year or two on them). Because of the bacteria, sours tend to get more sour with age.
     
    #4 OldBluesNewBrews, Dec 13, 2014
  5. JDD419

    JDD419 Initiate (0) Apr 14, 2013 Ohio

    I've had a La Roja on draft that was very sour and barrel flavor. Not that it was terrible but a lot more sour than the bottles and draft at JP I had before. Now maybe it was because of the beers I was drinking before and food I ate.
     
    #5 JDD419, Dec 13, 2014
  6. skiofpinsk

    skiofpinsk Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2008 Pennsylvania

    Perhaps you drank it too warm, or didn't leave the dregs in the bottle? I've done both before and I've noticed a somewhat unpleasant flavor. Sort of a bitter or sharp acidic flavor.
     
    #6 skiofpinsk, Dec 13, 2014
  7. jwheeler87

    jwheeler87 Initiate (0) Oct 27, 2011 Massachusetts

    Had it last night in a 12oz bottle, haven't seen those before, and it was fine. thicker mouthfeel than i was expecting for a sour, but it tasted fine.
     
    #7 jwheeler87, Dec 13, 2014
  8. HeartofMiami

    HeartofMiami Pooh-Bah (2,357) Sep 20, 2014 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Shared with some friends a few months ago and both sour/non sour fans agreed it was tart but tasty
     
    #8 HeartofMiami, Dec 13, 2014
  9. King_Ranch

    King_Ranch Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2014 Texas

    I heard all those Jolly Pumpkin beers are infected...
     
    #9 King_Ranch, Dec 13, 2014
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  10. infuturity83

    infuturity83 Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2009 Massachusetts

    Lucky you. You actually had the "better" version, La Roja, Grand Reserve. Those are the ones that come in the 12oz.
     
    #10 infuturity83, Dec 13, 2014
  11. SaisonRichBiere

    SaisonRichBiere Pooh-Bah (2,033) Mar 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    I love La Roja, but I have noticed that some batches are definitely more sour than others. I notice the difference even more so differing between draft and bottle offerings. I'm used to the variation, and it's one of my favorite sours around.
     
    #11 SaisonRichBiere, Dec 13, 2014
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  12. Tilley4

    Tilley4 Pooh-Bah (2,811) Nov 13, 2007 Tennessee
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Amazing beer... Supposed to be sour...
     
    #12 Tilley4, Dec 13, 2014
  13. superspak

    superspak Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,927) May 5, 2010 North Carolina
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    They package La Roja, Oro De Calabaza, and Calabaza Blanca in 375 ml bottles now. In addition to the 750ml.

    [​IMG]
     
    #13 superspak, Dec 13, 2014
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  14. Dupage25

    Dupage25 Savant (1,044) Jul 4, 2013 Antarctica


    Excellent news! Now I just need to find them
     
    #14 Dupage25, Dec 13, 2014
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  15. infuturity83

    infuturity83 Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2009 Massachusetts

    I did not know that. Cool!
     
    #15 infuturity83, Dec 13, 2014
  16. skivtjerry

    skivtjerry Pooh-Bah (1,865) Mar 10, 2006 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Love drinking la Roja; just wish it cost a little less. But homebrewers, beware of bottling in JP bottles unless you take extraordinary sanitizing steps. It tasted great but was a surprise... their bugs are super tenacious.
     
    #16 skivtjerry, Dec 13, 2014
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