Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo Especial

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

Bottle. This pours a lovely brown color with some red highlights and is very transparent. Head is smallish and looks a little like tan soap suds. Aromas are vintage Jolly Pumpkin: sour and funky yeasts with a touch of spicing that is hard to define. Flavor is pungently sour and wild yeasty with a bit of a spice backfire at the end. Lemony citrus presence, a bit of a woody earth tone and a considerable amount of spicing in the form of cinnamon and white pepper with something odd from time to time. I’m wondering if it is the cacao, but there is a chalky little presence that makes itself known from time to time... I don’t know quite what to make of this, because, like most of my Jolly Pumpkin experiences I find that first sip like diving into a frozen lake... only to find that as I work my way through a bottle I’m totally upset that it is gone. Strange stuff, that JP.

pours brown with a thick foamy, fuzzy tannish brown head. At first taste the carbonation is strong it has a earhty, frutiy taste. I detect strong alcohol event though it comes in at 7.5% ABV, also detecting cherries? overall interesting experience but not to be done again in my opinion

750 ML bottle rated 7/15/07: Hazy acorn brown w/ a lasting, very light, beige head of fine foam. First thing in the nose is the house yeast! Lightly plasticky phenolic, then has hints of Brett sets in with a touch of grape must fruitiness. Lightly earthy and leathery as well. Lighty peppery w/ a touch of orange citrus becoming floral w/ a bit of brown sugar. Some banana esters also showed up in the second glass. Well balanced flavor w/ a dry finish and aftertaste. Earthy and a bit bitter in the very finish that lingers into the aftertaste. floral up front w/ some bitter orange peel. Finish is also a tad tartas it warms. Light bready malt and peppery yeast throughout. Sugary taste up front. Lighter medium body, higher CO2, smooth, then dries out after the swallow. Well hidden ABV! I’m still not sure I’m a huge fan of their house yeast, but it’s a solid beer!

This ale poured a deep copper colour with a nice foamy light tan head. To the nose there was scents of very ripe fruit / cider, vinegar and glue? First taste was very acidic with strong flavours of cider and fruit juices. Sharp to the tongue. After the fruit passes the flavours of butter and a little cocoa. the finish is acidic with a lasting flavour of butter and nuts. Very complex. Almost too complex and bold for these taste buds.

750 via trade a long time ago with someone. Thanks. Shared with Leo and his Canadian Posse. Pours muddy brown amber with a thin half finger tan head. Nose has light sour and tart notes. Taste is sour with a pretty big spice kick. Overall big throat punch and a lot of flavor. This is pretty damn good. Lots of tasty Brett notes are here too. Pretty solid albeit hot beer, not alc hot, but spice hot.

The aroma was nicely tart with a caramel and light chocolate note and an estery presence of fruit coupled to a nice spice. The beer poured clear amber brown with a beige head which rose slightly but lasted long to lace the glass. The flavor was tart with a citrus presence, muted orange and grapefruit most notably. Some mild spices were present, clove perhaps and some cinnamon. Chocolate lurked somewhere in between adding and subtracting as other flavors came forth and fell back. The finish was dry with lasting impressions of light chocolate and spice pleasantly into the aftertaste. The body was medium and the carbonation was a bit on the low side. Some alcohol warming was notable after consumption. An interesting, but not overly complex brown ale with some characteristics of an Oud Bruin. 750 ml capped bottle.

750ml bottle. Hazy brown with a tan head. Aroma is sour and earthy. Very strongly carbonated. The sour, earthy flavors of the yeast really came through. It’s very complex and there are lots of flavors in there that I’m sure I didn’t pick up on.

Bottle: Beautiful hazy amber pour with ample, creamy tan head. Lovely aroma of tart fruits and subtle underlying sweetness. Bright citruses, complex yeast/spice character, with an herbal suggestion. Very discrete underlying cocoa hint as well. Very complex. Creamy mouth feel with a nice sharp flavor. Upfront there’s some subtle cocoa roast background. There’s a lot of peppery spiciness and citrus tartness. Brett, white pepper, swiss cheese/lactic hints, lemon-rind, coriander, oak and a late, very subtle malt/roast hint and a crisp finish. Outstanding, complex. Jolly pumpkin is one of my current favorites!