Jolly Pumpkin Bière de Mars

Brewed by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Style: Bière de Garde
Dexter, Michigan USA

Usually I like the Jolly Pumpkin, but mixed feelings about this. First off, i do not dig the smell. Its very strong so it gets a few points there, but its not good so it loses most of them. Too fruity. Very tart and sour for such a dark beer, I can definetly taste the oak aging and the yeast.As always for beers like this, its too sweet for my palate but I can appreciate the beer nonetheless.

Second in our Jolly Pumpkin diptych, I was surprised to find a striking similarity between La Roja and Bière de Mars. Suggesting the weathered planks of a ship, the body glows of a deep orange under a brumous cream-colored head. The nose is what veritably likens the two beers. The matching funkiness implies a strong influence from the barrels that may be masking their individuality. Still, I found the Bière de Mars less tight, showing more banana and green apple, as well as nutmeg, allspice and brown sugar. The mouthfeel is dry and aggressively carbonated, which sadly erodes some of the flavor. Red apple, blueberries and a leathery sourness are welcome tonalities, however. I preferred La Roja for its kinder texture and affable mascot. (20/05/07)

Clear amber in colour. Medium to low carbonation, which is really odd for a Jolly Pumpkin beer based on my experience. Aromas are of lightly toasted malt, funky fruit, and a bit of wood. Moderately tart in the mouth, with some lemon and sour green apple notes. Very faint malt and caramel notes are apparent as well. A hint of wood comes through on the end. The mouthfeel is slick due to the lower than expected carbonation, which I think might be unintentional. Not to bad overall, but is somewhat in an awkward "in between" style place for me.

Clear and amber in color with a head that just left some island lacing for a head. Aromas were tart and included bretty scents of citrus, sassparilla, oak and spice. The tartness continued into the palate which was smooth though the flavors were not very concentrated and the palate was on the lighter side. The tartness really won out here and didn’t allow the flavors to express themselves.

A murky light brown body with a wisp of a beige head. Malty nose, caramel, some oak notes, yeast. Sour taste starts but a hint of sweetness in the finish, though not enough to balance, Some spice. Much ado about nada.

Clear copper with a frothy tan head that lingers. Big brett barnyard yeast aroma with some caramel sweetness. Light/medium bodied. Taste is a lightly sweet caramel at first with a drying, complex, lightly sour oak vinous barnyard flavor in the finish. Nice label, great brew. 2278

Poured into my Darkness goblet. First off- bottle wasn’t a gusher, so that’s a minor victory. Ok, now what do we have? Dark reddish oak colour with excellent clarity and fluffy off white head. Nice silky lacing. Nose- a big whiff of that classic JP funk and woodiness. Taste- rich wood and earthiness. Brett presence is felt, but overwhelming sourness. Green apple, crab apple Very dry finish from the wood and some hops show up as well. Reminds of Fantome brew. Various spices in flavour that I can’t pick out. The wood has really imparted a lot of flavour and character into this. Carbonation is spritzy and drinkability is high. Very addictive and just great stuff plan and simple.

750 via trade a while back. shared with my girlfriend Cyn. Pours orange brown with a 1 finger tan head. Nose is big and sour with some bretty notes. Taste is sour, ruddy and overall pretty damn nice and tasty. Really a very nice big bretty bear from JP.