Bomber of the Month: March
Anchorage/Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Boreal
By: Kevin .
Published: 3/5/2015
Regular Price:
$16.99
Sale Price:
$11.99
Sale End:
3/31/2015
ABV:
7%
IBUs:
40
Beer Advocate:
93%
Rate Beer:
99
This is a collaboration brew between Anchorage Brewing Company and Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. Each brewery does their own version of the beer, and this is Anchorage’s version. Anchorage was founded by brewer Gabe Fletcher. They specialize in barrel fermented ales with brettanomyces and souring cultures. Blurring the lines between new and old styles of beer and brewing procedures, they take extreme steps to produce some of the most unique beers ever made. This beer showcases the creativity that both Anchorage and Jolly Pumpkin are known for. It’s brewed with grapefruit peels, grapefruit juice, pepper corns, and is left to ferment/age in oak barrels.
On to the Tasting Notes:
Poured into a tulip glass, a decent medium head quickly builds and subsides to a nice thick layer and carbonated lacing. The smell of intense grapefruit explodes as soon as you open the bottle. The hue of the beer is a hazy orange to gold. This yeast driven beer blends very well with the grapefruit that was added and chardonnay barrels it was aged in, without being too fruity. The hops add a nice bitterness to balance out the slightly sweet fruity esters. The peppercorn adds a little spiciness to the back end. This is a fantastic collaboration beer by two of the most prolific breweries doing barrel-aging in the United States.
Food Pairing:
This beer lends itself to be enjoyed with food. The tart and acidic characteristics of the brettanomyces along with the acidity of the grapefruit scream to be paired with fresh seafood. The bright, citrusy notes will slice through the rich, fattiness of the dish. Grab the freshest catch you can and pair it with this delicious beer. The world of flavor is your oyster!