Baudelaire Ale Absurd

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

750mL Bottle. Aroma is a spicy amalgam of mulled cider, cooked coconut and seared pineapple, light, tropically floral and spicy. Carbonation furiously mixes a murky orange liquid beneath a fluffy, quite tall pear-flesh-colored head. The flavor is funky and unique. Heavily herbal and a bit meaty, with some sharp spiciness. Hard to parse and very muddled. Some fig paste, white cumin, sandalwood, incense, dried maple leaves, and white grape must. Sharp on the tongue and a bit alcoholic. A bite of generic hop bitterness hits me on the way down. The finish produces a half sweet/half savory spice and herb finish that lingers. While I’m incredibly grateful to have an opportunity to try this, I’m not sure it’s JP’s finest effort.

Bottle at the Brewpub. Poured a hazy amber with a huge yellowish eggshell head. Aroma was full of sour notes with undertones of floral and sweet fruits. Flavor began sour with a lemony flavor, but transitioned in to more of a rye hoppy flavor for the finish. Very dry on the the tongue. The transition in the flavor is a bit awkward, but other than that, a good beer.

Bottle. Pours a very hazy copper color with a humongous white head. The head looks like egg whites beat to stiff peaks. Aroma is floral, yeasty, some barnyard notes, lemon zest, oak. Flavor is peppery hops, floral notes, lemon zest, some citrus, more oak. Palate is medium light, highly carbonated, finished tart, dry, and bitter. Another great one from Ron.