221. Jolly Pumpkin La Roja

Our first beer from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, which is located in Dexter, MI; it will most certainly not be our last. Two words: road trip. As well, I’m sure you’re wondering about the name. Have no fear—they tell all.

La Roja is a translucent brown mixed with red—there are pinks highlights at the bottom of the glass, and darker, richer red ones at the top. The head is tan, and laces the glass decently; it also hangs around well for a sour beer (it made it all the way to the bottom of the glass). La Roja has a clean tart nose—it is more tart than the plastic or medicinal aromas of some of the other sour beers we’ve had. The front of the beer follows the nose; there is a citric tart opening that gives way to some caramel and dark fruit in the middle, although the fruit notes are rather fleeting. La Roja ends with a return of the tartness; after it rolls across the palate, there are some lingering rich fruit flavors that come in after about 10 seconds or so. The carbonation is crisp and there is a slight amount of puckering, most likely stemming from the citric tartness. The light body matches well with the tartness and carbonation bite; as it warms, oak aromas emerge in the nose, and tannic oak flavors merge with the dark fruit at the end. The only critique to make is it could use a bit more funkiness to accentuate the tartness. Still, the refreshing and well balanced flavors of La Roja are eminently enjoyable; we’re making this one a Top 10 Best contender.

From the bottle: “La Roja, an artisan amber ale brewed in the Flanders tradition. Deep amber with earthy caramel, spice, and sour fruit notes developed through natural barrel aging. Unfiltered, unpasteurized and blended from barrels ranging in age from two to ten months. Truly an ale of grace and distinction. Please enjoy our beers in good health, Cheers & Mahalo plenty!”

From the Jolly Pumpkin website: “An artisan amber ale brewed in the Flanders tradition. Deep amber with earthy caramel, spice, and sour fruit notes developed through natural barrel aging. Unfiltered, unpasteurized and blended from barrels ranging in age from two to ten months.”

ABV: 7.2%
White sticker on the back: Blend 3, 2009

(2/6/2010)