Jolly Pumpkin E.S. Bam

Brewed by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Style: Bitter
Dexter, Michigan USA

Batch 278. Another gusher from JP. Fairly clear, brownish-scarlet color and a massive, creamy, rocky, pale beige head; the head is mostly lasting and leaves plenty of erratic lace. Nose is certainly more interesting than either of the other Bams; Granny Smith apple peel is prominant with other notes of toasted bread, clove, nutmeg, pecans, oregano, dusty yeast, and dry leaves. Flavor is nice but the dryness detracts from the complexity; bread crust, toasted caramels, and light apple peel start the flavor progression followed by dry leaves, tree bark, and light dusty yeast. Palate is dry, almost medium, soft to lively, and velvety. Finishes dry and average length with bread crust, light herbal notes, and tree bark. Kind of like an amberish Bam, not better nor worse. Lacks the funky hay notes but does add some different tart notes and some interesting malt tones. Very drinkable and sessionable, just not my favorite JP beer or saison for that matter.

Bottle of the Batch 288/289. A dark brownish amber color with a creamy tan head. A toasted bready malt aroma lighted considerably by a pleasant floral hop and light fruit finish. The grassy hops carry through well in the flavor. Dry and light on the palate.

Bottle. Head is initially large, frothy/rocky, off-white, fully lasting. Body is hazy dark amber to light brown, bottle conditioned. Aroma is lightly moderately malty (toasted bread/grain), lightly hoppy (grass, herbs), lightly to moderately yeasty (barnyard), with notes of clove, nutmeg, bark, autumn leaves, apple peel. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Medium body, velvety texture, lively carbonation. Delightful, dry, aromatic. Just another great JP beer as far as I’m concerned...could drink these all day any day.

bottle batch 278:pours adark slightly cloudy dark ice tea colour big thick froathy head that lingers with some thick lacing. the aroma starts with the great jolly pumpkin sour funk, slight wood and earth could be from the hops. very nice. the flavour has a littel hop bitter upfront that slides right into the JP sour a touch of the hops comes through next then into a real good dry finishes that gives you hints of the wood it was aged in. great beer.

750mL Bottle. Noses in peppery flowers, curt brettanomyces and lucious papaya flesh. Fruity and inviting with a pinch of grass for support. Pours a heavily hazed amber-gold, with a well-sustained lacy maplewood-tinted head. Flavor is rather rich and developing. Sweet blasts of tropical fruits meld with some heavier-handed grain and nuts. A slight bit chewy. At the finish, wildness and yeast products provide a segue to some crisp hoppiness that meets the exotic fruit palor of this beer. Delicious and refreshing, if mild and meek. Thanks Sean!

Bottle - batch #278. Big thanks to SoLan for being a generous ratebeerian and sending this to me. This was worth the wait!! Poured a deep, cloudy amber body with nice head. The beer looked perfect in the tulip I used. Aroma is the usual but always great Jolly Pumpkin funk and a slight amount of hops. Flavor has a touch of funk with a nice blend of hoppiness. Slighty dry but oh so smooth. It was like liquid air flowing down. This was like a Orval with a touch of hops to it. Yum!

Bottle. Batch 288/289. Slightly hazy amber-brown beer with a light tan head. Slight tart aroma with light malt. Tart, lemony flavor with caramel, cocoa, light earth notes. Medium bodied. Lingering lemony tartness with caramel, spice, and earth. Hop flavor throughout to add depth.

Bottle. 750ml. Blend 267/268. Aroma of lighter cheesy yeasty funk. Earthy hops and malt. Mere suggestions of moist oak. Toasted bready malt. Pours a nice looking dark, rich copper with mahogany highlights and a thick and creamy white head. Flavor is heavy on the toasted bready malt with a touch of funky yeast and grassy herbal hops. Simple, but well put together. Creamy body. Moderate carbonation with a touch of lacto on the finish aling with plenty of toasted malt and earthy hops.