effervescent refractions

My friend Garrett and I had been looking forward to our first taste of Jolly Pumpkin, so when the Michigan brewer finally landed in Colorado we had ourselves a double feature. La Roja was first up, pouring a hazy red-orange topped of lasting cream. The aroma is sadly vague. Though interesting scents are present, none of them are assertive enough to veritably grab the drinker. A slight earthy funkiness, asparagus, damp soil, these are the tones that quietly form La Roja’s nose. Hints of apple and sour pear, a modicum of brown sugar and leather; some grain, some grape and a sort of industrial steel-meets-concrete smell. Switching to the palate, the sourness gains in weight, a favorable development. Grassy and woody, the barrel’s influence is evident. The flavors of tobacco, pepper, black cherry and hay are well in tune with the creamy mouthfeel. A nice brew, for certain, but I was expecting a little more punch.