Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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4/18/08, 2007 vintage Blend Horizontal 1-5. These all look almost exactly alike (except 1, which I will address in due time). But 2 - 4: Raisin colored brown red with a foamy beige head that laces down in fluffy streaks. So that part was easy, no one to the small nuances between each blend.

Blend 1. Pour is a similar raisin-brown-red by a little more murky colored with a head that fades to a filmy look. I actually enjoy this nose the best of all of them. More fruity. Oak Cherries, grapefruit, barnyard, and soapy. The grain and hay isn’t as pronounced in this one. Soapy/dirty flavors (oxymoron?) Barnyard, oak, faded hops, dirt, a bad earthy flavor. Finish is so dirty with with old hops. I don’t know what happened here, but this isn’t to enjoyable. This by far scored the lowest. I don’t think anyone finished their glass of this blend. 8/3/5/3/13 = 2.9

Blend 2. Lots of grain/hay in the nose. The funky notes have a more sour edge to them. the oak is less pronounced, but balanced well. Flavors are tart, hay, with dry fruit. Cherries, oak, green grapes, hay. Fruity, but very dry and clean. This one was my favorite. 7/4/8/4/15 = 3.8

Blend 3. Grain/hay sour notes in the nose. The yeast spices were more pronounced. Fruity, sweet, and refreshing flavors: cherries, grain, oak, citrus, and grapes. These become sour and acidic in the finish. But they work well together. 7/4/74/15 = 3.7

Blend 4. More of the hay/grain sour notes in the nose with yeast, and dirty/earthy hops. This one is more spritzy than the others, which I find slightly annoying. Cherries, oak, grapes, acidic and funky with the driest finish of any of the blends. 7/4/7/3/15 = 3.6

Blend 5. Wet grains/hay in the nose, oak with yeast spices and sour notes. Sour barnyard flavors. Oak, grapes, dried fruits, sweet with a dry finish. 7/4/7/3/14 = 3.5

So I guess my order would be Blends 2, 3, 4, 5, then 1. I think its safe to give the recorded score as a 3.7, not factoring in the blend 1 as my average score. A good beer, with some interesting differences between each one.

Spicy, Oaky, funky and good. Taste is lightly tart and funked with noticeable spicy notes and a nice caramel sweetness. Awesome again.

This is very tasty. Dark Belgian malts that are lightly bretted and subdued by the oak aging. Jolly pumpkin has my respect

Aroma and appearance well above average. Thought I was in for a good one, but it had a sour flavor to it. Sort of like a sour/brown ale hybrid.

Bottle. Dark amber colour with a beige head. Aroma is brett, spices, berries. Flavour is brett, spices, citrus, oak, berries, alcohol. Full body. Very nice beer.

On tap. Nice, mostly clear dark red color with a brown hue. Little off-white head, leaving lots of lace. Nice, sour taste, not over-the-top. Decent balance, lighter carbonation, drier texture. A little acidic, for me. Funky yeast and dark fruit aromas. Another tasty sourish jolly pumpkin offering.

I bought a 750mL bottle of this as a closeout special at Everett’s in South Beloit, IL originally priced $13.99 marked down to $7.97. Batch 897 bottled on 9-27-2011. Pours a dark brown color with a hefty head of big bubbles on top and small bubbles on the bottle. Carbonation constantly rising throughout the pour and well afterwards. Scent is loaded with yeast, some floral hints as well as citrus. Taste is tart like that of pears and sour apples. Texture is creamy and filling. Finishes with a bitter/tart after taste. Not noticing too much of the oaky taste but I’m sure the aging in oak did this beer wonders. A great, full-bodied, refreshing beer. Now if they only they sold Jolly Pumpkin beers where I live, I’d be set!

Bottle. Pours a deep murky brown with a nice tan head. Aroma was tart with dark fruit, oak, xmas spices and a bit of funk. Flavor was slightly sweet and sour with toasted malts, caramel, oak, dark fruit and some toffee.

from Erzbierschof.ch - pours a very dark brown beer under a solid and long lasting beige foam; notes of bretts, aroma of pear and spices, woody; full-bodied and creamy palate toped by some acidic tartness; some residual sweetness along the brett-like acidity; the notes of wood are more present along with hints of malt, raisins and spices in the finish

750ml bottled on 10/5/11 Batch 910. This ale pours a slightly murky mahogany with striking red hues along the sides of my Chimay chalice. Poured a quick off white head that has settled to a thin layer with some moderate lacing. I like the label too. Aroma is tart apples and cherries. Vinegary smell. A bit of Belgian spice, and funk. There are several nuances with the taste. Quick hint of malts before it sharply turns sour. Tart apples, cherries, dates. Slightest hint of spice. It’s a little under carbonated. Clean finish. The sourness isn’t overwhelming, which is good because I’m still adjusting to this style. but this was a bit different for a "Christmas" beer and the cherry flavor adds a nice touch. A little overpriced

On tap at hot city pizza for beer week! Aroma is not to strong, but like a bourbon. Flavour also reflects this, and has lots of oak in it. Not to bad, would be nice on a cold winters day.