Jolly Pumpkin Perseguidor (Batch 2)

Sampled on tap at the First Annual Stone Sour Fest, July 2007
Description on the fest-flyer describes this as Oro de Calabaza Reserve: Oro de Calabaza and Bam Biere Blended and Barrel-Aged, ABV 8%

The beer is quite flat, it has a loose layer of large bubbles on top and its appearance is quite hazy, with a murky straw colored body. Aromatic notes of oak, fruit and acid greet my nose at the first smell; I get a mix of green plums, strawberries and currants. There is an undercurrent of funk here with notes of aromatic mushrooms, musty rags and an interesting spiciness that is a mix of cinnamon (of all things), orange zest, and a hint of ginger and pepper. I am surprised by how fruity the aroma of this beer is; it is really enticing and I am definitely enjoying the aromatic make up of this beer.

The taste bears out the total lack of carbonation. The beer even has a fair amount of sweetness left (which is probably also accentuated by the lack of bubbles); the sweetness accentuates fruit notes of blackberries, currants and strawberries, but there is also a plum-like note here in the flavor as well. This almost tastes like it has a brandy barrel influence (or something similar to this); the finish is a touch hot, almost liquor-like in some ways and the distinct fruitiness is here too. There are touches of conventional barrel flavors towards the end with tannic, woody notes, cotton mouthed sensations, plus a spicy, almost hot oakiness. This really has quite a complex layering of fruit, oak and other barrel notes.

The individual components of this beer don’t seem like much, I almost think they should be jarring, but the sum of this beer components are really interesting. I can only imagine how good this will be when properly carbonated, that is really what is holding this back from being absolutely fantastic

MBG summer fest 2007. Slightly hazed golden orange with an average white head. Dry oaky nose with a good deal of spicing. Coriander, lemon/citrus peel, pepper? A bit of creamy oak (vanilla?). Low carbonation, a bit thick, not flat though, about right. Big vanilla out of nowhere. The slight lactic sourness is more than balanced by sweet creamy oaky vanilla. Lemony peppery spice fills in an ample sweet malt, light. Long vanilla finish. The better of the two blends... if only I find this for sale...

MBG Summer Fest 07. Pours a somewhat hazy light copper color with a smallish off-white head. Aroma is yeast, citrus, oak, floral. Flavor is doughy, oak, citrus, sweet fruits, floral. Palate is medium bodied, medium carbonation, typical JP sweet yet tart finish. Nice!

MBGF07. Lightly hazy, pale body with a small white head, lasting. The aroma is pineapple, apricot, peach, cotton candy and bread. The flavor is moderately sweet, lightly tart, pineapple, orange, bourbon, bread dough, herbal and grassy. Medium body is round with light carbonation and a slightly astringent, boozy finish.