Jolly Pumpkin La Roja

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

Bottle sample at a tasting. Cloudy red wutg a beige head. Rather vinous funky aroma of oak, caramel, malt and some musty notes. Sourish-sweetish flavor with a bit of barnyard notes, some berries hints, some other fruits and some citric notes. Medium-bodied with strong carbonation.

750mL bottle. Pours hazy red with small off white head. Aroma is sour - perfectly enticing. The taste is sweet and awesome notes of sourness. A hint of caramel spice.

750 mL bottle purchased at Greenwood Spirit Shoppe in Bowling Green. Poured a hazy dark amber color with red highlights and a three finger, creamy tan head, that looked almost red as well. The aroma was of citrus, lemon, cherries and a bit of funk. The flavor was citric, with sour cherries present in the finish. The flavor really wasn’t too complicated. The palate was above average, with good carbonation, a slick mouthfeel and a medium body. I really liked this beer. My appreciation of sours is growing with every good example I try.

Giant head above a nice reddish liquid, aroma of cheese sourness with some marmalade, sour like white wine with zest and a very pleasant aftertaste. Nice one.

THOUGHTS: A lot like Rodenbach, but not as good. This is a little more woody. It was a little harsh at first, but then it got more smooth as it warmed. But I must say they have poor marketing. I passed on this the first time I saw it because I thought it was just an amber ale, not a sour ale. But great label imagery, otherwise. Not as good as I was expecting but I’ll definitely try more Jolly Pumpkin beers. TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a medium, reddish brown that was bright red in the light, with great carbonation. The small to average, off-white head actually rebuilt itself as it dissolved. It kept a thin sheet, but was thick around the edges and left excellent lacing that almost completely coated the second glassful. The aroma was was sour cherry, red wine, port, cask wood and slight spiciness. The flavor started out sour, acidic and slightly sweet; while the finish was mostly tart and slightly acidic with a slightly above average duration. There was wood, tart and sour cherry, some spiciness and slight nuttiness. A little red wine and port as well. The medium body was dry and acidic, but also sticky on the lips with very fizzy carbonation and a dry and moderate to heavy astringent finish.

Dark amber color with a good sized beige head. Aroma is tart and fruity with some herbal notes. Taste is tart with some fruit, caramel and wood.

Bottle - poured reddish brown in color with a slight head. Bit of a funky smell, and a fairly sour taste. Hints of caramel. Overall, a nice beer from JP.

Bottle: Poured an amber color with a nice head. The aroma was sour fruit. The flavor was oak, sour fruits, and a smooth dry aftertaste. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this.