Noel De Calabaza - Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

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BA SCORE
90
outstanding
-
646 Ratings

rAvg: 4.05
pDev: 11.6%
Reviews: 369
Hads: 277

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Brewed by:
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Michigan, United States

Style | ABV
Belgian Strong Dark Ale | 9.00% ABV

Availability: Winter. bottle (342), on-tap (27).

Notes:
"Belgian Christmas Ale aged in oak barrels."

View: Beers (28) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by jdklks:

jdklks

Nevada

3.1/5 rDev -23.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Honestly, this beer doesn't look all that enticing with the pour. Light brown edges darken into an almost impenetrable mahogony with amber hues when backlit. it almost looks like muddy water. The head is okay: small, tan, frothy bubbles that hang around for awhile. The smell is strong of belgian bready yeast, spices and dark malts. still not all that enticing.

For a beer that boasts an array of spices and a style that is typically complex, this is rather bland. Not much to it, and the flavors that do come through dont really blend well together. It's a little sour, and has a nice dark fruit sweetness through the middle (which is the best part of the beer by far). some hop bitterness in the finish and aftertaste. The barrel aging is apparent only at the beginning and very end, but doesn't seem to add much to the overall enjoyment of the beer, leaving one to wonder what was the point? It almost tastes watered down at points. Drinkable, but far from impressive.

light, airy, and even (as previously mentioned) watery mouthfeel. Not as carbonated or sour as it could be. drinkability is fine because I will finish the bottle, but I wont be picking this one up again anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2010 06:53:07 | More by jdklks

More User Reviews:

SpongeRuiner

Michigan

4/5 rDev -1.2%

06-15-2013 02:26:50 | More by SpongeRuiner

bmoney

Ohio

3.5/5 rDev -13.6%

06-15-2013 01:27:17 | More by bmoney

vermilcj

Ohio

4.5/5 rDev +11.1%

06-15-2013 00:54:59 | More by vermilcj

doremite

Massachusetts

4.25/5 rDev +4.9%

06-13-2013 21:29:23 | More by doremite

dbossman

Nebraska

4.09/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Mahogany hue with a steady, thin cream-colored head; decent lacing

S: Dark fruits and spices with lingering oak notes; lots of musty, woody dark fruits: cherries and raisins but also bananas and apples

T: Slightly tart, especially on the finish; roasty bready malts; this is extremely balanced and so delicious especially as it warms because the fruits and spices--cherries and apples, especially--become more pronounced

F: Creamy, medium body--a touch thin on the finish

A: A really pleasant oaky, fruity, spicy, slightly tart beer--nice

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 18:11:14 | More by dbossman

randylangford

Pennsylvania

4.75/5 rDev +17.3%

06-12-2013 01:49:55 | More by randylangford

bmwats

Louisiana

4.13/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into s snifter.

A: Medium dark brown. Pours a 2 finger, foamy, brown-white head. Disintegrates slowly, but far from completely. A giant foam blanket remains for the duration. Thick blanket lacing.

S: Pungent malt, orange zest, a little nutmeg, and coriander.

T: Syrupy malt, with some fermented raspberry, and a little orange citrus.

M: Thick and syrupy. Slightly sweet and a little bitter in the front, pungent and dry in the finish.

D: Sip and enjoy.

Atmosphere is really good here. Great head, and some great lacing. Nose is malty, fruity, and spicy. Very complex and well-balanced. Syrupy malt, with some fermented fruit, and some triple sec. Overall, this is a great quaff.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 05:51:33 | More by bmwats