The Jolly Pumpkin’s La Roja is a beer that has been sitting in my fridge just waiting for the right moment to be enjoyed.
The first time I had this beer was at my friend’s house for a potluck and beer dinner. She mentioned that the shop clerk told her this was a blod beer and had the potential to be a bit sour.
I tasted it and it was indeed different than any style of beer I’ve had before. And I liked it. A lot. It was a hot and steamy Ohio summer day and this beer fit the bill perfectly.
I immedatedly went out and purchased my own bottle of it. Then sadly I didn’t get a chance to have it again and in the fridge it sat waiting patiently. I told Scott that the minute we have warm weather again, where we can open the windows and enjoy the outside, this beer was getting cracked.
Lucky for us, that day came on a Sunday evening enjoying some really amazing spring weather.
- 750ml
- 7.2% ABV
- Amber Ale aged in Oak Barrels
Since I only had it the one time, I was curious to see if it would live up to my expectations of being fabulous and also a bit sour.
The amber ale is barrel aged which I did not realize before and this caused even more excitement. I do love some barrel aged beers!
Looking at Jolly Pumpkin’s website they list that this beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized. Also that all their beers go through a second fermentation with wild yeast in oak which is partly what provides the slight sour flavor.
I was not disappointed the second time around with this beer! While it did have a sour note to it at the finish, I wouldn’t say that it was strong or overpowering. Very slight, just a hint of sour cherries.
We sipped this while hanging out on our deck and waiting on the coals to heat for the grill. This beer is perfect for warmer weather! It’s light and very complex. With each sip you taste different flavor aspects.
Some reviews mentioned a vanilla flavor but that isn’t something I picked up. I tasted the yeast and the cherries the most.
If you’re looking for a lighter beer to have this spring and summer, definitely check out La Roja! And if you’re curious about trying a beer with a slightly sour note to it, this is a good place to start.