     La Roja (Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales)
Jolly Pumpkin does some very interesting stuff, and this oak aged Amber Ale is definitely unique. The best way to explain what this is would be to let the brewers themselves do the explaining: "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." So, if you're with me (and them) we are talking about a wild beer brewed in America in the tradition of the likes of Rodenbach and others in Belgium. Sounds interesting, and I was pleasantly surprised that this was actually available here in Sweden. Pours a cloudy dark apricot color, with a very thick and stubborn head that relentlessly holds it's retention before finally giving way to circles and a thick rim around the glass. If there is any carbonation evident I can't see it through the haze. (The image above is darker than it appears, it is more of a burnt amber.) The smell, from the second the bottle was opened and even from a good 10 feet away, is gueuze. Sour, yeasty, acidic and earthy. But, this is also sweet and even fruity. The taste is very alive, and very Belgian. They hit Flanders on the nose. It has the dry characteristics from that region combined with the "wild" yeasty quality. The mouthfeel is thicker and rounder, and the finish more mellow. It's not completely mouth puckering - but it certainly starts off that way. Through the mix you can also pick up tannins from the barrels, as well as a bit of tobacco and even chocolate. It is a complex beer so don't let the immediate bitterness fool you. This is a beer to drink s-l-o-w-l-y if you want to appreciate it. Even tiny sips will bring out the full bodied taste going on. You're also going to want to share it, since a wine bottle of this stuff is probably going to be too much. (Thankfully I have a patient wife willing to drink the other half...) If you like this type of beer and are willing to give an American version a shot, then you will enjoy it. It's not to everyones liking, and it's definitely not some of the standards from Belgium, but is a nice, bitter and layered beer. Nice job Jolly Pumpkin, this is a gutsy beer. I am impressed that the state run liquor store here in Sweden brought this in. Maybe they deserve more credit then I sometimes give them...then again this is only available in about 5 stores in the entire country. This was from the first batch. Blend 1.
Posted by Kelly Labels: Amber/Red Ales, Belgian-style Beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
   Stone Thirteenth Anniversary Ale (Stone Brewing Company)
"Big, red and a hop monster" Well, here we are, just myself and a super fresh bottle of Stone 13th Anniversary. I was going to wait to open it but then I read on the bottle "Do Not Cellar, Enjoy in 2009". That pretty much justified my opening this right now. Pours a very deep, dark, mysterious rubyish brown color with an off-white, slightly tan head that is super thick and fluffy. Instantly the aroma fills the general vicinity around this extremely pungent and potent brew. Lots of ridiculously piney and grapefruity smells abound. There is also a delicious smelling essence of pineapple and mango as well. Wow, absolutely amazing smelling stuff. One sip and I am elated. This is very, very, very, hoppy. Its got a ton of piney and citrus going and its instantly tongue numbing, sort of like Ruination IPA. It just beats the living crap out of your tongue with a catastrophic bombardment of fresh Pacfic Northwest lupuluous love. Once the hop attack subsides the warming sense of the alcohol makes things all good and the sweet, caramel maltiness really works to balance things out. Boy am I happy to know that this JUST came out and I might have a few weeks to suck down a few more bottles of this beauty. Who says 13 is a tough age? This is getting a four and a half on the hop scale! Stone, you've done it again. Thank you. From the Stone website: "Take your idea of a hoppy Stone beer and throw it out the window, because Stone 13th Anniversary Ale is the hoppiest beer we’ve ever brewed. Just how much hops is in this year’s batch? You may want to sit down for this…4.5 lbs. PER BARREL! To lend you a bit of perspective, Stone 10th Anniversary IPA, revered by many as the quintessential hopped-up Stone Anniversary Ale, had about 2.5 lbs. per barrel."
Posted by Russ Labels: Amber/Red Ales, American Strong Ales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
