252. Jolly Pumpkin E.S.Bam

Our second beer from Jolly Pumpkin Artisanal Ales; our first beer was La Roja. Described on the label as a “hoppy farmhouse ale,” E. S. Bam pours a hazy caramel with a large rocky tan head that laces the glass and persists the entire course of the beer. The nose is a mix of sour brettanomyces funk and general hoppiness, although more funk that hops. Starting with a good dose of funky tartness, E. S. Bam moves into bitterness and sweetness in the middle, although the sweetness just barely peeks up before being covered over by some emerging sourness as the beer transitions into the final third. The lingering bitterness carries into the end, and is accompanied by a building sourness that rounds out and lingers on the palate. With warmth, E. S. Bam takes on some dirty band aid-like qualities; there are some adhesive characteristics in the nose and in the front of the flavor profile. Medium to light bodied, E. S. Bam has a dry and sharp mouthfeel, a combination of the hops and funk, and a bit of astringency across the front and back of the tongue. The carbonation is medium, but bright and sharp. An excellent and enjoyable beer; the blend of hoppiness and funkiness works well in creating a distinct and drinkable beer—much better, than say, something like Victory’s WildDevil.

From the bottle: “Bam is an Extra Special dog. After surviving being struck by a car, he daily somehow manages to avoid being carried away by the largish birds of prey gliding overhead, riding unseen thermals. Bam’s tenacity seems only to be surpassed by his oversized personality. Join us in this celebration of his excess. More malt, more hops, same vivacious personality. Cheers & Mahalo plenty!”

From the Jolly Pumpkin website: “A Bam celebration of excess. More malt, more hops, same vivacious personality.”

ABV: 4.7%

(3/9/2010)