La Roja - Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

eclaycamp

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Tonight I need something to kind of wake me up, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of La Roja hiding out in my fridge. What’s more it’s the inaugural vintage from 3 years ago, as the label simply states “Blend 1, 2008.” Guess it’s been there for awhile. Pours a murky blood orange red with no head. Aroma is of oaked funk. Bring on the sour! I’m guessing this is a take on a Flanders Red, given the aroma and appearance. First taste is sour, but not overpowering. Tart cherry hits the sides of the tongue before being washed away by earthy funk in the finish. The taste is wild, but at the same time it’s very restrained. The oak helps keep things in line, and the lengthy aging process has added a nice sherry complexity to things. Mouthfeel is light to medium, with a nice level of carbonation that helps to brighten things up and scrub the palate as you continue to drink it. I’ve had a number of sour beers and this one is among the most well rounded. By that I mean it’s not unnervingly sour – it’s an evenly crafted beer from start to finish. Speaking of the finish, it’s dry, perhaps as to be expected, which means that you keep going back to it. Overall this beer is a refreshing diversion and a must try if you’re a fan of sour or wild ales. If you happen to run across it I’d recommend cellaring it for a couple of years and busting it out. You won’t regret it.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2011 16:46:22 | More by eclaycamp

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Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.5%

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South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%

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Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%

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NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

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Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-19-2013 00:58:28 | More by Photekut

beergorrilla

Michigan

4/5  rDev -0.5%

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hotsudge

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -0.5%

05-18-2013 03:09:23 | More by hotsudge

TreyIsWilson

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%

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ncstateplaya

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%

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baybassboy

California

4/5  rDev -0.5%

05-14-2013 05:34:00 | More by baybassboy

HarmonMW

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

05-14-2013 01:17:53 | More by HarmonMW

Lledd

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -0.5%

05-14-2013 01:13:54 | More by Lledd

KWMiles

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -25.4%

05-14-2013 01:12:03 | More by KWMiles

vrbulldog22

Ohio

4/5  rDev -0.5%

05-13-2013 18:53:44 | More by vrbulldog22

drbenderdo

Michigan

5/5  rDev +24.4%

05-13-2013 00:55:53 | More by drbenderdo

MCImes

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-12-2013 17:56:56 | More by MCImes

deuce9259

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

05-11-2013 23:06:36 | More by deuce9259

JamesQuaff

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

05-09-2013 20:20:59 | More by JamesQuaff

ewright

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -0.5%

05-09-2013 01:15:40 | More by ewright

majaqua

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

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NateMac13

Illinois

4/5  rDev -0.5%

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alex_hart

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

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pearljam118

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +18.2%

04-29-2013 21:00:08 | More by pearljam118

Kelp

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -0.5%

04-29-2013 05:38:03 | More by Kelp