Calabaza Blanca - Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

sennin

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

05-25-2012 06:03:37 | More by sennin

Nunya

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

06-16-2013 18:26:49 | More by Nunya

kbrown

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

06-16-2013 01:11:57 | More by kbrown

doremite

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.3%

06-13-2013 21:27:55 | More by doremite

dbc5

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

06-06-2013 03:16:38 | More by dbc5

speedvagen

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2.3%

06-01-2013 13:39:40 | More by speedvagen

ADTaber

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-29-2013 00:20:58 | More by ADTaber

pathman

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

05-26-2013 17:03:38 | More by pathman

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

From: Anderson's, Columbus, OH
Date: Bottled 2012-11-07 (batch 2150)
Glass: New Belgium globe glass

Jolly Pumpkin's Calabaza Blanca is definitely a different take on the witbier style, perhaps close to what an earlier, pre-brewing science version might be like, with its "wild" influences. Like most JP beers, this has a light barrel-aged with Brettanomyces character, resulting in a little sourness and funk. While interesting, and certainly enjoyable, I'm not sure the $10 price for a 750 bottle is appropriate for the ale, when others in the style are relatively similar and much more affordable.

Pours a huge (>4cm) head that actually increases in size after the pour (threatens to spill over the edges of the glass), ultimately yielding a mass of foam that is very dense, fluffy, and meringue-like mass in its mixture of small to large-sized bubbles. The foam eventually subsides after many minutes to a 1.2cm cap atop the body; as one might expect from retention of this duration, the lacing is excellent, a mass of foam clinging to all sides of the glass. Body is a cloudy goldenrod-yellow color, with light bringing pale, yellow-orange hues to the hazy beverage. Carbonation is visible along the sides of the glass, quite numerous and numerous.

Aroma is of coriander with somewhat strong Brettanomyces-related composting hay/straw scent, slightly tart, lending a somewhat "harsh" edge to this at times. There's also mellower orange rind and a bit of wheat malt sweetness that's vaguely perceptible behind this.

The overall flavor of the beer is of coriander, bitter orange rind, and wheat malt, with moderate Brettanomyces influences. Front of palate is of mellow, somewhat sweet, wheat malt, a touch of Brettanomyces-related composting hay/straw, and ground coriander. Mid-palate finds mellow coriander with bitter orange rind, stronger Brettanomyces-related composting hay/straw flavor, mild tartness, and modest white pepper. The wheat malt sweetness is still present, but decidedly in the background. Back of palate finds a return of strong coriander flavor, with chamomile tea, wheat malt sweetness, and tartness. Aftertaste is of mildly bitter orange rind, coriander, and wheat malt, with very modest Brettanomyces character.

Beer is medium bodied with medium-high levels of carbonation, which results in a slightly fizzy mouthfeel at first, which calms, after a few seconds, to a pleasantly foamy, soft feel. Closes fairly dry, with moderate stickiness clinging to the palate.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 07:36:33 | More by falloutsnow

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-18-2013 21:59:39 | More by Photekut

hotsudge

Ontario (Canada)

2/5  rDev -48.8%

05-18-2013 03:10:54 | More by hotsudge

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-16-2013 16:30:08 | More by Slatetank

gtermi

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

05-14-2013 04:43:14 | More by gtermi

Cvescalante

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

05-14-2013 03:51:00 | More by Cvescalante

vrbulldog22

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-13-2013 18:53:07 | More by vrbulldog22

drbenderdo

Michigan

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-13-2013 00:52:35 | More by drbenderdo

Cresant

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served this 25.4 oz brown bottle in a Tripel Karmeliet glass. Batch 835, bottled 7-7-2011. The body was a pale golden/white/yellow. There was a hearty, bright white head that left a film throughout.

The smell was Sweet-Tarts and lemongrass (?).

The taste was tangy and tart. Fruity. Citrus and white pepper. Drying finish. Not my favorite style but a pleasant surprise.

The mouthfeel was filling/expanding with fine carbonation. Overall better than expected.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 18:03:54 | More by Cresant

amcaleh

Indiana

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-02-2013 13:34:32 | More by amcaleh

rand

California

4.64/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 250 mL bottle into a Mikasa pilsner glass

A: Looks like a creamsicle...orange and opaque with white hues, and forms a frothy 2 inch head on a gentle pour that never fully recedes.

S: The nose is lemon pepper and yeasty pastries and a touch of grassy funk. A little barnyard-y, kind of reminds me of something Fantome would brew and call a Saison.

T: The flavors follow, with a tart, honey sweet aspect quickly dried by lemon pepper and orange zest. Maybe a touch of coriander. The yeast yields a touch of funk that carries throughout the sip and accents the drying aspects. Finishes short and dry and refreshing.

M: Light and crisp on the tongue, plenty a carbonation that adds to the levity.

Another ace from JP. This has got to be one of the tastiest, most original takes on the style. I love the session-able approach as well, pretty much nailed this one on all aspects.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 04:03:19 | More by rand

Texasfan549

Texas

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-15-2013 21:12:49 | More by Texasfan549

kjkinsey

Texas

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-13-2013 22:40:16 | More by kjkinsey

tfsimpkins

Florida

5/5  rDev +27.9%

04-07-2013 20:48:40 | More by tfsimpkins

bradfordjohnson

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-07-2013 03:10:06 | More by bradfordjohnson

PEIhop

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

04-05-2013 00:32:57 | More by PEIhop

campfirebrew

New York

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

04-04-2013 14:46:49 | More by campfirebrew