Noel De Calabaza - Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Mantooth

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a Samichlaus snifter.

This cola colored brew is a nice combination of green apple tart and fruit rind bitter. It pours with a small mocha head that dissipates as it rests; the luxurious lacing remains constant. The nose is a bit soapy with some vinegar and malt present. The mouthfeel is sticky and dry. Serve it cold and take your time in drinking, it slowly evolves into a very nicely crafted brew. I look forward to having it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 18:38:06 | More by Mantooth

StoutHunter

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -19.8%

05-21-2013 00:46:25 | More by StoutHunter

hotsudge

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%

05-18-2013 03:09:51 | More by hotsudge

HarmonMW

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

05-14-2013 01:19:58 | More by HarmonMW

Bonko_the_sane

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-13-2013 05:32:51 | More by Bonko_the_sane

drbenderdo

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

05-13-2013 00:59:16 | More by drbenderdo

Dreamer

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +17.3%

05-12-2013 23:17:39 | More by Dreamer

EGolfer4

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

05-12-2013 00:34:57 | More by EGolfer4

laxer8811

New York

4/5  rDev -1.2%

05-06-2013 01:39:29 | More by laxer8811

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

4/5  rDev -1.2%

05-02-2013 03:07:20 | More by SaisonRichBiere

davewlfpckfan29

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

04-30-2013 04:20:22 | More by davewlfpckfan29

jreindl

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

04-20-2013 05:59:20 | More by jreindl

sourgrass

Ohio

4/5  rDev -1.2%

04-13-2013 02:18:28 | More by sourgrass

PattyMelt

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

04-12-2013 06:22:17 | More by PattyMelt

Lurkerson

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

04-11-2013 13:05:47 | More by Lurkerson

LambicKing

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

04-10-2013 01:11:47 | More by LambicKing

Hanzo

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

04-08-2013 06:32:29 | More by Hanzo

MarioM

California

4.74/5  rDev +17%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

6 month old, 750 ml poured into RR steamed glass

A: Dark brown mahogany with a light tan creamy head made of medium bubbles at the base and small creamy bubbles on the top later. Good lacing left over after head dissipated.

S: Slight fruitiness mostly covered by a Brett like character created from the barrel aging. Very subtle dark fruits, brown sugar and spices.

T: Surprisingly smooth and balanced, wow. This is very characteristic of Jolly Pumpkin without the shocking off-flavors that add complexity to their brews but in a very very good way. The barrel aging shines through very well, obviously the base beer before aging was mild and not overpowering to begin with, lending itself to benefit greatly from the oak barrels. Just wow, wow. The flavors are perfectly balanced, mild yet making this beer extremely complex and drinkable. Slight spice notes and caramel maltiness from the candi sugar most likely added like most Belgian dark ales.

M: Light to medium carbonation. Very subtle roastyness and fruitiness lingers after sipping. A little dry, almost Brett like from the oak barrels. Slight fruity, dark sugar character lingers as well which is very enjoyable. No bitterness left over from the aging process but the slight sourness/tartness shines through and substitutes the bitterness extremely well.

O: I knew I wanted to try this wonderful brew since I first layed eyes upon this bottle at a specialty beer bar in SF. I took a mental picture of the bottle and remembered the name, "Noel de Calabaza". A Christmas specialty ale by Jolly Pumpkin, I could not pass this up when I saw it at my favorite bottle shop near work, Jane's Beer Store. It was kinda pricey so I held off until just one bottle remained, now I'm having it after three months after buying. I could not justify trying this jewel until a special occasion. Thankfully this week was good enough and god-damn am I glad I finally found the excuse to try this.... I've always been a fan of Jolly Pumpkin and had great expectations for this brew but never would I have imagined this being one of my favorite beers. Really, it is that good. I will never walk by this beer and not pick one up. All I have to say is I can;t believe I had this thing stored for so long, ignorance is a bliss until you realize what you've been missing. Damn, I'm enjoying this....

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 06:39:07 | More by MarioM

HumphreyLee

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -19.8%

04-05-2013 06:44:02 | More by HumphreyLee

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%

04-01-2013 13:35:46 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

DelicateDelirium

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

03-31-2013 23:08:18 | More by DelicateDelirium

JellyJacket

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

03-31-2013 03:53:20 | More by JellyJacket

TrickkyGangsta

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

03-30-2013 17:40:02 | More by TrickkyGangsta

DiscGolfRobot

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%

03-28-2013 06:50:59 | More by DiscGolfRobot

Sparky44

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

03-24-2013 22:22:01 | More by Sparky44