Barrels o' Jolly Pumpkin News

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales is blowing past milestones and not looking back. Owner/brewer Ron Jeffries is not only celebrating seven years in business; he also recently brewed JP's 700th batch of beer, which turns out to be the same as the first batch, Oro de Calabaza. Oro, for those who don't know, is a Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner and in February was also chosen by a panel of New York Times beer tasters as their favorite Belgian ale. Here's a short video of Ron talking about Batch 700:



In other news, this year's Noel de Calabaza, Jolly Pumpkin's Christmas ale, was released Nov. 24 and it's damn delicious, as always. Here's another video of Ron on the subject:



Also, for the third year in a row, Jolly Pumpkin is teaming up with San Diego's Stone Brewing and Norway's Nøgne Ø to produce a special holiday brew; this year it's sportng the name Collababeire and ingredients include chestnuts, juniper, sage, and caraway. Federal label bureaucrats have done their important work of approving the label, so bottling is underway. But let's let Ron talk about it in yet another video:



Finally, in January look for Bambic, a blend of Lambicus Dexterius and Bam Bière. It will be available only in very limited quantities at the café. Unfortunately, there's no video of Ron talking about this beer, so you'll have to take my word for it. But when I have ever lied to you?

Update: Via MyBeerBuzz.com, here's a peek at the Bambic label and a little more info on the beer, which was brewed for the Winking Lizard chain of bars in Ohio.

Update II: Via BeerNews.org, still more info on Bambic: Primarily available at Winking Lizard bars in 330ml bottles. Will be on draft only at Jolly Pumpkin's cafes. Consists of about 85% Bam Bière and 15% of Batches 2 and 4 of Lambicus.