Sitting at one of my favorite spots in Reading, PA, Canal Street Pub, I noticed a “new” bottle they had available on the list. The Jolly Pumpkin La Roja, perhaps new for them to carry, has been a part of the Jolly Pumpkin line-up for a while. It sounded extremely enticing so I grabbed this 750ml bottle at $22 USD.

Although their La Roja ages in Oak barrels from two to ten months, I let this one sit another month after purchasing before opening it. Pouring it into my tulip glass, this came out a cloudy, rusty burgundy painted with some red hues with a nice, creamy and bubbly tan head.

Even as you pour you get the incredible scents of the intense nose of this beer. Packed with sour fruit notes, most notably a prominent Granny Smith apple, and sweet caramel malt, this nose infuriates your senses. I also picked up on some spices, perhaps that of spiced clove and crushed garlic.

The body on this followed suit with the appearance, medium-bodied with manageable carbonation. The sweet and sour cherry, mixed with some wild gooseberry is balanced nicely by the oak and wood finish in the linger. While finishing tart and dry, the La Roja manages to add an additional spice, encapsulating all the flavors you’d want with this beer.

Available year-round, the La Roja really can fit anywhere into your life. This would go great with some cherry cobbler, but also could be used to work against a nice and rich Bleu Cheese and bring out the aged crystallization of it. Even if you’re not into sweet or sour beers, this has to be one you add to your list of beers to try before you die.

Overall: 9.2/10