Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales La Roja (Blend 6) Sour Red/Brown at 7.2% ABV | 25 IBU (C$20.24 at Specs Main Houston, 750 ml, packaged on 6-Apr-2016, acquired 8-Mar-2017, reviewed 3-Jan-2018)
Appearance: hazy reddish deep amber with, one finger of fizzy off-white head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: vinegar, cherries, red berries, earth, light funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, moderate sour tart. (8/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly thin, moderate carbonation, off-dry mildly tart finish. (3/5)
I’m a little on the fence on this one. I’m hesitant to call it “unremarkable”, but at the very least it’s less than thrilling. I debated whether I had harmed it by cellaring, but given the style I didn’t think I would have, and upon tasting I’m not getting any oxidation, nor is the earthiness or funk out of control. I do, however, note a slightly more emphatic sour tartness than I would normally expect from the style, as well as a bit of thinness in the body. Ultimately, it’s a bit overwhelmed by the vinegary notes, leaving everything else much less pronounced by comparison. The label says it’s brewed “in the Flanders style”, but as a true Flanders Red (/Brown) it’s a little bit of a disappointment. (14/20)
My 253rd from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, 243rd from the 2013 edition, and 267th combining both editions.
7/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
