Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza

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

750 split with Muenster. Pours cloudy mahogany with a very tall tan head. The aroma is assertively sour. Lots of clean vinegar in the nose, borderline skunk, some barnyard, and a vinous backdrop. The mouthfeel is very lively with high carbonation. I keep expecting some oak sweetness, but never really get it. Beneath the sour cider vinegar flavor is a plethora of spices. A lot is going on in this beer. It goes from fruits to dark spices to an almost coffee bean flavor. This is not very sweet at all. The finish almost takes on some charred barrel character, but I can’t sort through everything that’s going on. This is a really complex, unique, and well crafted beer. I like it!

bottle, pours amber with large head. This beer was really good. Aroma is caramel, dark fruits and some sourness. Flavor is dark fruit with some sour at the end. Really good beer.

Bottle 75cl. @ Amerikaner blindsmagning @ Papsoe, Bottle #23.]
Unclear medium amber orange color with a average, frothy, good lancing, mostly lasting, off-white head. Aroma is moderate malty, caramel, sour, woody notes. Flavor is moderate sweet, light to moderate acidic and moderate bitter with a average to long duration, and a dry finish. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft. (190608)

Hazy dark ruby in color with an big tan head great lacy as well. Aroma of dark caramel dark fruit, with an underlaying essence of sour green apple. Flavor is of caramel, raisins, plum, spice, typical Jolly Pumpkin funkiness that I enjoy. Finish is sour/tart long. Great beer and thankfully as of this review date I still have 5 bottles.

Bottle blend 4, 2007. Hazy garnet with a frothy light tan head. JP house funk/wood aroma with dry hay, lemon, and dark caramel. Frothy mouthfeel with a light to medium body. Good flavors of seered dark caramel, sour oak, and tart lemon; the oak blends nicely with the funk and alcohol. Has a dry yeasty oak finish. Good choice for a winter brew.

Much darker than expected with bright aromas of citrus and Granny Smith apple. Minimal oak influence...with the majority of flavors reminiscent of the typical sour (lemon rind, barnyard funk, and a huge Brett focus). A bit thin compared to others in the style. Tasty but not exceptional.

Bottle. A dark amber beer with a big tan head.The aroma and taste is sour and acid and of wood and dark fruits. Medium body with a mellow soft raisin and wood finish.

Bottle. Blend 3, I believe. Sent to me in a trade by iowaherkeye. Thanks Joey! Last beer of the night friday night at shenandoah. Pour was dark brown with a thick tan lace. Nose had some typical JP funk amidst spices, oak, some dark fruits.