It was a big week for Jolly Pumpkin, they released 3 beers in the span of a week. First was their Raspinachal, a belgian dubbel brewed with spinach. Then came Bambic, and finally the Biere de Mars Grand Reserve.
The Grand Reserve is different from the normal Biere de Mars in that it has spent at least 8 months longer aging in the barrels making it much more sour and flavorful. So lets see what a year in an oak barrel can do!
Appearance: Deep amber, almost brown in color with a nice fluffy head leading to nice patches of lacing.
Smell: A vinegar sourness with oak overtones and a floral grapefruitiness.
Taste: Acidic tartness which is followed by the oak with a sour blueberry/raspberry flavor with the JP funk and brett flavor throughout.
Mouthfeel: A smooth medium body, good tartness with a dry finish.
Drinkability: The Grand Reserve has a huge flavor. I would be able to drink one 750ml bottle or two glasses on tap before my palette would call it quits. This is a great sipper that would last me throughout a meal.
As with the Bambic I would pair the Grand Reserve with rich foods such as duck, pork, venison, or greasy foods; the sourness would help cut through the richness and help cleanse your palette. Also like most sours it would go very well with some rich/funky/barnyard-like cheeses.
No comments:
Post a Comment