Jolly Pumpkin Fuego del Otono (Autumn Fire)

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

I’m cold, hungry, and jobless (for the summer, I’m in school, not a hobo), but all is well because I have a bottle of Fuego del Otono. I don’t know what the spices are supposed to be but I don’t much care because the great funky, tart, fruity apple/pear flavor of this is delicious. The only odd thing was that on one whiff I’d get a scent like a skunked European pils and on the next I’d get the funky scent everyone expects. Otherwise, a balls-out hard-nosed ass beater.

2007 bottle. Nice golden-orange color with a pleasant, oaky aroma that features some pleasant sourness, spices, and citrus. Flavor has a nice citrus bite with a bit of bretty sourness that is well balanced with gentle spices, oak, and assorted fruits. Nice mouthfeel. This is a classic example of why JP rules!

Foxy orange, effervescent. "Autumnal" aroma - wet leaves, brett. Citric flavor (orange, kumquat), barnyard, dry-out effect. Quite refreshing, very tasty, interesting, unique, and very drinkable. One of my favorite JP beers now.

24 Dec 07. 750mL bottle. Pours clear medium brown color, white froathy head. Big head. Aroma of sour, yeasty, belgian ales. Sweet malts. Flavor is of a light bodied brown ale. A+ Hints of vanilla and toasty malts.

Pours a hazy amber or light copper color with a thick lacy tan head. Smells of light sourness and grapes, oranges, and other citrus fruits. Tastes of sour citrus with hints of cinnamon and other spices. A little bitterness on the bck of the tongue, but very full bodied as a whole with a nice smooth finish. Very nice brew.

Bottle from Styles aka Secret Santa. I just spilled this all over my face.

When I was first drinking this it was rather harsh, the nuttiness from the chestnut at the forefront with a really choppy bite. As it warmed, it totally mellowed out, and I can say for sure now that this is the perfect thanksgiving beer. Fuck that pumpkin shit. JPs got it all worked out.

Pours with the kind of head that makes me love beer anew. Seriously, this gives Houbblon Chouffe a run for its money. Bridges, arches, caverns, scaffolding and cell phone towers, this head’s got it all. Aroma is really nutty and spicy, with pumpernickel, pineapple, stuffing, and floral european hops. Oaky flavor, broad chestnut and bagel flavors lend way to a fantastically buttery finish that is not at all offputting. Lots of notes of different spices and herbs. Deliciously drinkable and smooth. Another kickass brew from Ron. Thanks, Chris!

25 oz bottle, via Styles, shared at Kennett Square Brewfest after-party 2006. Pours a slightly cloudy dark copper colored body under a slightly fizzy white head that faded to a thin film. Great delicate lacing lined the glass beautifully. Aroma is lightly tart with some soft malt and light belgian yeast. Fairly pronounced brett in the aroma with spices, woodiness, and almost a dried leaf earthy smell. Not sure what the chestnuts are doing for the aroma, but there are some unusual hints buried in there. The flavor is quite tart and drying, but not as crazy as I was expecting. Minimal soft remnants of caramel malt are there, but hiding well. The brett comes out nicely on the finish with plenty of oak tannins and an almost aged hop flavor. Again, not sure about the chestnuts, but there is a nice earthy, bordering on almond, flavor mid swallow that may be due to them. Otherwise, some spices and light yeast as well. Mouthfeel is classic JP with lots of lively fizzy efforvescent carbonation. Not quite as foamy as some other JP’s I’ve had though. Overall, this was my favorite JP thus far. Not as crazy and funky as I was expecting, this was more about subtle nuances than the in your face sourness from some of their other offerings. I need more.

Bu au Mondial 07. Dorée foncée, moyen collet peu blanche. Arome d’épice malté et des fruits sûrettes agréable. Goût de malte épicé sûrette plaisant, goût doyx et peu amère.