Beer Cheer 29: Jolly Pumpkin's "Bam Noire"
Now this is a unique brew. Fresh out of Dexter, Michigan, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales presents Bam Noire as part of its line of "farmhouse ales." Farmhouse, or "saison", style ales historically were meant to be refreshments for workers during harvest. As such, these beers tend to be on the lighter side. Whether Bam Noire succeeds at this is up for a bit of debate. The first impression is simply, "wow, look at that sexy head!" (lawl) ... I have never had a beer that pours as vigorous and frothy a head as Bam Noire. It's positively delicious, too, quite like a creamy light milk-shake. With that in mind, Bam Noire does not strike me as a purely "light" beer of any sort, and by light I mean in character not Bud Light light.
Initial scent is mild and spicy. Hints of perhaps nutmeg and licorice are present in smell and these are not absent from taste. Once the brew settles into predominant liquid form, an initially slight to moderate acidic note becomes soon mixed with sweeter, spicier notes. Again, nutmeg seems present, as does cinnamon and clove. This flavor combination fades into a creamier sense - mixing with a bit of acidity for a vague cream-topped peach sensation. Thereafter, the palate slowly seeps off into mild almond notes. With these flavors, Bam Noire is indeed light. It has some spice reminiscent of heavier winter brews but with plenty of citrus perk that evokes more summery beers (hint: I'm heavily biased towards the Boston Brewing Company's flavors in terms of identifying seasonals. It's a good thing. The Commonwealth is the best state in the union).
Where does this leave me be? Jolly Pumpkin's Bam Noire is a pleasant, somewhat sour, ale fresh out of Michigan. It's not amazing, but it is unique. Bam Noire is one of the creamiest beers I've had in a long while. It's a worthy brew and would pair well with any dessert (but especially fruit or chocolate selections). I look forward to sampling further offerings from the Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales brewery.
Initial scent is mild and spicy. Hints of perhaps nutmeg and licorice are present in smell and these are not absent from taste. Once the brew settles into predominant liquid form, an initially slight to moderate acidic note becomes soon mixed with sweeter, spicier notes. Again, nutmeg seems present, as does cinnamon and clove. This flavor combination fades into a creamier sense - mixing with a bit of acidity for a vague cream-topped peach sensation. Thereafter, the palate slowly seeps off into mild almond notes. With these flavors, Bam Noire is indeed light. It has some spice reminiscent of heavier winter brews but with plenty of citrus perk that evokes more summery beers (hint: I'm heavily biased towards the Boston Brewing Company's flavors in terms of identifying seasonals. It's a good thing. The Commonwealth is the best state in the union).
Where does this leave me be? Jolly Pumpkin's Bam Noire is a pleasant, somewhat sour, ale fresh out of Michigan. It's not amazing, but it is unique. Bam Noire is one of the creamiest beers I've had in a long while. It's a worthy brew and would pair well with any dessert (but especially fruit or chocolate selections). I look forward to sampling further offerings from the Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales brewery.