Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza

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

75cl bottle from Countryside Liquors (Tampa, FL). Rated on 5/5/08. Pours a cloudy golden with one finger white fluffy head that recedes slowly. Aroma is ripe fruit, some some malty sweetness, and some spice. Taste starts out with a little kick of sour-tartness that transitions to lemon, honey, and bread. A wave of lively carbonation washes across my tongue as the flavors transition from one to the next. Generally light to medium-bodied mouthfeel with a some what quick, sweet finish.

Hazy blond color; nice creamy head. Mild aroma, of malt, a bit spicy and with a touch of citrus fruits and lemon peel. Good mouthfeel, strong and smooth, with some malt flavor, elegant spices, lemon peel and a sour touch from the wild yeast, which is probably the only trace of the oak cask. Correct bitterness. Very pleasant.

My second Biered de Garde, it resembled a champagne like saison. The spicey wheat flavors of a saison, as well as orange people and cherries. but so much carbonation it was unreal. Aromas were floral like, vibrant ripe fruit and pepper. I would love to try this again.

750 ml bottle two years old thanks to drewbeerme. Shared on 6/5/08 out of a plastic cup with horse shoes in my other hand. I’ve had this beer a few times in the past and its never been quite like this. Yellow golden color with a white head that lasts through our long horseshoe match. The nose is amazing. Winey and fruity. Pears, champagne, sour oak, slightly funky with a touch of brett. Smooth palate and layered flavors that reminded me of a cross between Supplication and Temptation. Lemons, pears, white wine, barnyard, leather, oak, and a very light peppery spice. Slight sourness that is balanced well with the fruit and oak. Finishes dry and fruity. Wow this is good. Thanks a ton andrew! 9/4/9/4/17 = 4.3

750ml bottle, batch 229. Pours a mostly clear, brilliant golden yellow. A small fizzy off white head left some lacing. Looking in the glass, looked like some oily residue was left behind....weird. Nose of citrus, spice, and funk. Flavor was clean and crisp with a slightly sour funk. Finally getting a palate for JP!

Another great beer for Jolly Pumpkin. Batch 257, light taste of citrus, peppery and spices. High carbonation. Color is golden. Reminded me a lot of St. Somewhere "Saison".

Slight bit of overflow upon cracking the bottle open...poured quickly into two glasses, and each produced a billowing head which was very persistent. Otherwise a muted gold color pour...nice looking overall. Aroma is very dry, but with lots of lingering spice...some citrus fruit as well, and a bit of black pepper. Taste is odd, but it grew on me the more I consumed this one, and by the time it was gone, I was wishing I had more. Lots of dry, citrusy fruit (lemon & orange peel), some dry leather, and some yeast mixed in. Finish was dry and sour, but the sweetness in the middle of the drink takes you on a nice ride! Should have taken better notes, but alas, I didn’t, as this was indeed a very complex Belgian. These JP beers are growing on me very quickly, and this was a winner as well.

Calling this a gusher would be an understatement. I have been cellaring this bottle for over a year, upright and undisturbed at 57*. So it was quite a shock when I popped the bottle and it exploded everywhere. All in all I lost about 3/4 of the bottle to foam.

Anyways, once I got a glass, it poured with a thick, white head, covering a hazy, bright yellow body. Aroma of apple, hay, leather, cinnamon, barn house, and some citrus. Taste is delicate and spicey with caramel and apple. There is a bit of an astringent flavor towards the finish. Beerpagne style dry mouthfeel and lively bubbles. I wish that I could have enjoyed the entire beer.