Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales / Maui Brewing Sobrehumano Palena’ole American Wild Ale at 6.0% ABV | 22 IBU (C$20.99 at Oak & Vine, 750 ml, packaged on 21-Dec-2016, acquired 22-Aug-2017, reviewed 28-Aug-2017)
Appearance: clear slightly red-tinged medium amber with one finger of rocky light ivory head diminishing gradually to a dense creamy cap, moderate stringy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tart cherries, tropical fruit, leather, tobacco, oak, barnyard funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high tart, light bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-high carbonation, dry lingering tart finish. (4/5)
Pretty similar to other Jolly Pumpkin ales I’ve had, which is only to the good! (One of the biggest departures might be that the head didn’t explode out of control, as certain others of theirs have been known to.) Utterly dominated by tart cherries, with some tropical fruit gradually making itself known among the pleasant barrel and funk notes. Relatively high carbonation provides an appropriate precursor to a high but balanced tart finish. I’ve gotten into the fairly bad habit of squirrelling away beers like this (including four more of theirs!) while waiting for the right time to drink them. Well, I think it might be time to stop that, or at least reassess my criteria for “the right time”. So, yeah, it’s Monday: right time for a JP beer! (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
