Bam Biere hits with bitterness
Last week, I was able to write about Jolly Pumpkin’s Calabaza Blanca. I continue to be intrigued by the Jolly Pumpkin beers, so when a reader e-mailed to remind me that Bam Biere would be on cask at the Happy Gnome this week, I couldn’t resist (nor could I get there on Thursday).
When work finally let up, I headed into the Gnome on Sunday to find a number of fellow beer geeks. Ms. BeerGeek and I joined them, and I eagerly ordered the Bam Biere.
Despite the website’s description, I would call it amber more than golden. The aroma was a now-familiar mix of sourness and spicy hops. The flavor had a sweet bready attack, which gave way to the most interesting part of the beer: a formidable bitterness. Surprisingly, the bitterness was not hoppy, rather it was like orange peel or Angostura bitters (for you cocktail fans out there). Eventually, this gave way to the yeasty, bready wheat flavor I find so enjoyable in Jolly Pumpkin beers.
I continue to find Jolly Pumpkin beers beguiling. I commented on Sunday, “They aren’t like the same pale ale everyone makes.” They’re different and complex. They’re a little bit of a mystery and a little bit of a surprise. They’re highly enjoyable every time.
