Jolly Pumpkin La Roja

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

Dark amber pour with nice big head. Nose of fruit and sour candy. Flavor is big fruity, sour and woody. Finish just sucks the moisture from your mouth like a tanic merlot. Loved it!

750ml $7.99 Binnys Orland La Roja pours a dark and murky amber with glowing but also murky ruby highlights when backlit. Tiny carbonation bubbles rise furiously to the 2+ finger ivory head. This strong carbonation keeps the head big and creamy. Leaves creamy lacing that slowly slides back into the body. I like the looks of this beer, it has that murky mysterious look. The malt comes in the form of light caramel but there are many aromas layered over the malt. There is a mild dusting of spice (although I can’t put my finger on what spices). Mild berries come forth as well, some raspberry here some blackberry there even some sour cherries(actually a bigger part as it warms). The final layer is a direct cause of the barrel aging. Deep aromas of oak mingle perfectly with all the other components. Mild hints of vanilla occasionally and every now and then a drop of spicy alcohol. Flavor is spot on with the aroma although the flavors seem to be a little more muddled and harder to determine. It is deep and complex but the flavors run together a little to quickly. There is that pleasant sour/tart cherry flavor. Light bodied with a frothy mouthfeel. The high carbonation creates a great frothiness when La Roja hits the tongue. For a barrel aged beer and somewhat of a sour ale this is pretty refreshing and drinkable. Another interesting solidly crafted beer from Jolly pumpkin. I love picking up a bottle of Jolly pumpkin. You never know what you’ll end up with but it will always be good.

Bourbon is main smell and taste for me. Sour just doesn’t show. Pretty red amber color. Lots of head. OK, but wouldn’t buy again.

6/30/07 From bottle at the Seattle International Beerfest. Aroma is sweet, fruity malt with fruit skin esters. Appearance is light copper with an off-white head. Flavor is sour malt forward followed by some interesting pear notes. Mouthfeel is light bodied and textured with a good carb feel. Overall, just too cidery for my tastes and not too exciting.

750mL bottle. Pours a deep, rusted mahogany color, lightening to a yellowed surface near the top of the glass; off-white head with good retention and excellent lacing; nearly a perfect pour. Firm brett character in the aroma: not overpowering or overdone, but plenty to fill the glass; followed by a mildly tannic, vinous red cherry character and chewy brown sugars; as peppery as a good shiraz with dried dark fruits following suit; tart, and suggestive of great things. Very dense, dried cherries and brown sugar upfront in the mouth; slightly viscous and oily presence, with the lively carbonation and brett tartness keeping the palate up at each step; pleasant, warm toasted oak barrel presence throughout, while remaining exceptionally balanced and drinkable. Excellent, beautifully-done rendition of a Flemish sour ale, while failing to fall into the realm of vinegar or dessert. Medium, bready and oaky finish, with only a small amount of residual tartness, if any.

75cl bottle at GBBF 2007. Great aroma. Strawberry funk. Gorgeous. It has got a great strawberry funkiness. Good choc. Wild strawberry. Not over the top. Good sherbert on end. It’s extremely drinkable. Good beer.

bottle. wild tannish head. nice orangish pour. sour nose smells like a pinot grigio. nice spice and dry on the swallow. delicous beverage.

Bottle@GBBF07. Complex aroma, light sweet, oak, appel, raisin, alcoholic. Hazy, light brown, beige head, good lace. Sweet & sour, pepper, oak, fruity, tart. Spiced like a saison. Very complex stuff but not out of balance and nice.