Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Calabaza Blanca Witbier at 4.8% ABV (Via trade, 750ml, bottle date 21-Jan-2014)
Pours hazy pale straw with an explosive three fingers of rocky white head great retention, moderate lacing (4/5) Nose is Belgian funk, citrus peel, coriander, wheat, green apple. (9/10) Taste is moderate sweet, moderately strong tart. (9/10) Light body, prickly carbonation, dry tart finish. (4/5)
When I say “explosive” head, I mean it. Straight out of the cellar, no agitation at all, gently opened and immediately overflowed. Have a bucket ready. Sustained carbonation, tartness, and apple tones in the finish invite obvious cider comparisons. Unlike any witbier I’ve ever had: only the mildest of wheat flavour fades in comparison to the barnyard funk and green apple tartness. After struggling for a bit for comparisons, I’ll amend my comment: unlike pretty much any other beer I’ve ever had – though the De Ranke XX Bitter or Cuvée de Ranke might be close. If anything, it’s more like a light, sour saison. I’d like to vertical this new and following a year’s cellaring, to see how much of the funk and carbonation is due to ageing, and what it’s like new. Really good. (18/20)
9/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
