Jolly Pumpkin La Roja

750mL bottle. Pours a deep, rusted mahogany color, lightening to a yellowed surface near the top of the glass; off-white head with good retention and excellent lacing; nearly a perfect pour. Firm brett character in the aroma: not overpowering or overdone, but plenty to fill the glass; followed by a mildly tannic, vinous red cherry character and chewy brown sugars; as peppery as a good shiraz with dried dark fruits following suit; tart, and suggestive of great things. Very dense, dried cherries and brown sugar upfront in the mouth; slightly viscous and oily presence, with the lively carbonation and brett tartness keeping the palate up at each step; pleasant, warm toasted oak barrel presence throughout, while remaining exceptionally balanced and drinkable. Excellent, beautifully-done rendition of a Flemish sour ale, while failing to fall into the realm of vinegar or dessert. Medium, bready and oaky finish, with only a small amount of residual tartness, if any.

75cl bottle at GBBF 2007. Great aroma. Strawberry funk. Gorgeous. It has got a great strawberry funkiness. Good choc. Wild strawberry. Not over the top. Good sherbert on end. It’s extremely drinkable. Good beer.

bottle. wild tannish head. nice orangish pour. sour nose smells like a pinot grigio. nice spice and dry on the swallow. delicous beverage.

Bottle@GBBF07. Complex aroma, light sweet, oak, appel, raisin, alcoholic. Hazy, light brown, beige head, good lace. Sweet & sour, pepper, oak, fruity, tart. Spiced like a saison. Very complex stuff but not out of balance and nice.

A Mes rate: Bottle from London Drinker thanks to Reakt.Mid amber red with a decent magnolia head. Lovely aroma with plenty of the barrel showing and a pleasing mix of fruit, toffee and sourness. Floral hops and some nuts too. Quite sweet in the mouth with plenty more fruit and barrel notes. Dry and peppery, alcoholic finish. Possibly a little too much barrel but it’s bloody enjoyable.

Cloudy caramel with big, foamy tan head / Floral nose of sour malts, cherries and caramel / Light, tart and acidic body with delicate carbonation and long, lingering finish / Fresh, sour flavors of caramel, cherries, apple, oak, cinnamon, and funky brett / Superb - a pinot noir of beers.

This bottle volcanoed on me upon opening. Might’ve rolled around in my car too much. Pours cloudy amber with a gigantic 2-inch off-white head with substantial staying power. Nose is sour fruits and spice. More sour fruit, spice cake, oak, Granny Smith apples, and a slight alcoholic bite in the finish. Rounded mouth-feel with a strong aftertaste of apples. Soft carbonation and well-balanced. This is a Flemish Sour? Really? Nevertheless, another great beer from JP.

750 mL, with a 12 oz. label! Copper color with a huge, volcano-from-the-bottle head. Aromas of sour cherry, oak, creamy sugar, and vinegar. Flavors of cherry, vinegar, and oak. Palate is light-medium bodied, acidic-astringent, and almost mouth-puckering.