Most of you know that I like to age beer. Sometimes I do it and it is not even intentional, I just buy a lot of beer because, well, I love beer, and I don’t always get to it right away. What a problem to have, I know. Still and all, sometimes I buy beer and it has already been aged for me. Such was the case with my fifth bottle of Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza, which I bought from Total Wine on Black Friday.

Jolly Pumpkin says about this beer on their website:

The beautiful mahogany hue is just a peek into the deep, malty, complex wild ale that lies within this holiday package. Notes of candied pecans, truffles, sugar plums, and spiced fruitcake shine through the silky body boasting of caramel malts and delicately layered hops. From our family to yours, please enjoy this extra special holiday ale. Join us in celebrating the season with wishes of peace & joy for all.

They list the following ingredients:

Hops: Styrian Aurora, Fuggle, & Tettnang

Grains: Pilsner Malt, wheat malt, & Chocolate Malt

Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza has an alcohol content of 9% by volume with 22 IBUs. The beer is aged in oak for six months. I paid $14.99 for my bottle, and when I went to drink it, I noticed that the label was marked as bottled on 10/2017. However, Total Wine had added a sticker that they ahd inbounded it into stock in November of 2020. So, not sure of the distributor sat on it for a while. Whatever the case, I will say that the beer was magnificent as you are about to read. Calabaza is Spanish for pumpkin, though there is no pumpkin in this beer.

Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza pours to a dark brown color with a puckering sour nose that hints at spice and brown sugar. Taking a sip, the beer has a funky yeasty character with hints of spice, candied fruit, woody oak, and a puckering sourness that intensifies into the finish.

There are far too many sours made by American breweries today that lack the complexity of this beer. The intense sourness coupled with the complex woody notes remind me of a Flanders Brown or Red, though Jolly Pumpkin calls this a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. It is truly wonderful, with a few years of age on it to boot. Don’t miss this rare treat, or anything from Jolly Pumpkin for that matter.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

Try?

Rating

Home

Re-buy?